Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015		Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 70,273		$ 102,510
Operating income	7,214		16,532
Administrative and general expenses	(5,204)		(5,260)
Applied Technology Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	32,410		46,288
Operating income	8,741		15,856
Engineered Films Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	31,321		42,207
Operating income	4,471		5,863
Aerostar Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	6,554		17,665
Operating income	(853)		11
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(12)	[1]	(3,650)	[1]
Operating income	59	[1]	62	[1]
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 12,418		$ 21,792

[1] ntersegment sales were primarily sales from Engineered Films to Aerostar. Fiscal 2015 intersegment sales were comprised primarily of contract manufacturing sales from Aerostar to Applied Technology.