Note 4 - Business Segment and Geopgraphic Information (Details) - Summary of financial information on the Company's segments: (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 140,451	$ 186,337	$ 151,686
Cost of sales	110,621	140,693	133,985
Gross profit	29,830	45,644	17,701
Operating income (loss)	8,097	25,641	(4,729)
Depreciation	18,130	17,842	17,795
Capital expenditures	13,017	22,357	8,177
Balance, total assets	352,865	358,688
Carbon Fibers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	106,205	151,494	118,986
Cost of sales	87,105	117,431	106,832
Gross profit	19,100	34,063	12,154
Operating income (loss)	12,442	27,818	2,918
Depreciation	15,072	15,986	15,658
Capital expenditures	5,066	17,434	6,574
Balance, total assets	288,544	301,440
Technical Fibers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	32,498	32,425	30,483
Cost of sales	21,943	20,853	25,500
Gross profit	10,555	11,572	4,983
Operating income (loss)	10,036	10,328	3,673
Depreciation	1,673	1,351	1,414
Capital expenditures	5,465	1,208	779
Balance, total assets	44,946	31,597
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,748	2,418	2,217
Cost of sales	1,573	2,409	1,653
Gross profit	175	9	564
Operating income (loss)	(14,381)	(12,505)	(11,320)
Depreciation	1,385	505	723
Capital expenditures	2,486	3,715	824
Balance, total assets	19,375	25,651
Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	140,451	186,337	151,686
Cost of sales	110,621	140,693	133,985
Gross profit	29,830	45,644	17,701
Operating income (loss)	8,097	25,641	(4,729)
Depreciation	18,130	17,842	17,795
Capital expenditures	13,017	22,357	8,177
Balance, total assets	$ 352,865	$ 358,688