Segment and Geographic Information Geographic (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 518,787	[1]	$ 563,317	[1]	$ 1,092,780	[1]	$ 1,128,059	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	390,735	[2]	465,909	[2]	390,735	[2]	465,909	[2]
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	236,925	[1]	209,154	[1]	490,703	[1]	429,434	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	98,375	[2]	103,179	[2]	98,375	[2]	103,179	[2]
CHINA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	31,876	[1]	60,413	[1]	70,161	[1]	133,510	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	17,784	[2]	14,187	[2]	17,784	[2]	14,187	[2]
GERMANY
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	43,532	[1]	54,094	[1]	92,699	[1]	105,567	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	47,054	[2]	56,632	[2]	47,054	[2]	56,632	[2]
DENMARK
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	5,108	[1],[3]	5,559	[1],[3]	10,850	[1],[3]	12,078	[1],[3]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	85,715	[2],[3]	106,798	[2],[3]	85,715	[2],[3]	106,798	[2],[3]
Other Affiliates [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	201,346	[1]	234,097	[1]	428,367	[1]	447,470	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	$ 141,807	[2]	$ 185,113	[2]	$ 141,807	[2]	$ 185,113	[2]

[1] Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of customer.

[2] Long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation, goodwill, intangible assets net of accumulated amortization, and certain other long-lived assets.

[3] Majority of this country's sales are shipped outside of the home country where the product is produced.