Segment and Geographic Information Geographic (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 410,307	[1]	$ 483,297	[1]	$ 1,503,087	[1]	$ 1,611,356	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	390,472	[2]	432,808	[2]	390,472	[2]	432,808	[2]
UNITED STATES
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	172,969	[1]	175,952	[1]	663,672	[1]	605,386	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	97,356	[2]	100,642	[2]	97,356	[2]	100,642	[2]
CHINA
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	29,908	[1]	39,452	[1]	100,069	[1]	172,962	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	18,485	[2]	15,016	[2]	18,485	[2]	15,016	[2]
GERMANY
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	29,473	[1]	45,837	[1]	122,172	[1]	151,404	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	47,217	[2]	52,110	[2]	47,217	[2]	52,110	[2]
DENMARK
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	5,057	[1],[3]	6,413	[1],[3]	15,907	[1],[3]	18,491	[1],[3]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	84,865	[2],[3]	98,208	[2],[3]	84,865	[2],[3]	98,208	[2],[3]
Other Affiliates [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	172,900	[1]	215,643	[1]	601,267	[1]	663,113	[1]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Foreign Countries	$ 142,549	[2]	$ 166,832	[2]	$ 142,549	[2]	$ 166,832	[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.