Segment Reporting - Information by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		$ 184,676	$ 245,469	$ 606,607	$ 748,371
Operating income (loss)		(12,081)	175	(68,945)	(79,038)
Capital Expenditures		2,098	4,426	5,393	8,725
Depreciation and amortization		5,994	6,399	18,661	19,389
Metals segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		150,571	210,682	505,439	643,840
Operating income (loss)		(11,972)	319	(64,972)	(76,068)
Capital Expenditures		1,976	4,220	4,526	7,957
Depreciation and amortization		5,666	5,988	17,447	18,147
Plastics segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		34,105	34,787	101,168	104,531
Operating income (loss)		1,934	1,667	4,912	4,841
Capital Expenditures		122	206	867	768
Depreciation and amortization		328	411	1,214	1,242
Other
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	[1]	(2,043)	(1,811)	(8,885)	(7,811)
Capital Expenditures		0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

[1] “Other” – Operating loss includes the costs of executive, legal and elements of the finance departments which are shared by both the Metals and Plastics segments.