Financial Data by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 439,898	$ 291,538	$ 862,482	$ 578,620
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	(7,581)	8,305	995	17,685
Special charges, net	(24,264)	(1,750)	(32,975)	(3,554)
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	28,787	17,274	54,068	33,426
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	19,685	12,183	33,800	26,500
Americas Nonwovens
Net sales:
Net sales	235,419	159,444	448,937	312,449
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	12,282	1,233	20,501	2,051
Europe Nonwovens
Net sales:
Net sales	139,458	72,938	283,079	151,212
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	1,512	501	4,021	1,049
Asia Nonwovens
Net sales:
Net sales	46,173	42,428	93,688	80,395
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	4,884	9,964	7,484	22,523
Oriented Polymers
Net sales:
Net sales	18,848	16,728	36,778	34,564
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	50	101	91	226
Unallocated Corporate
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	(16,838)	(14,364)	(30,091)	(24,055)
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	(292)	421	48	853
Unallocated Corporate
Capital spending:	957	384	1,703	651
Eliminations
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	(93)	(23)	(130)	(61)
Unallocated Amount to Segment
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	1,274	607	2,300	1,214
Operating Segments
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	16,683	10,055	33,970	21,239
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	27,513	16,667	51,768	32,212
Operating Segments | Americas Nonwovens
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	22,572	14,557	41,066	26,031
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	14,445	8,086	26,970	16,403
Operating Segments | Europe Nonwovens
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	4,499	3,419	11,174	6,712
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	7,494	3,004	12,975	6,063
Operating Segments | Asia Nonwovens
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	4,707	5,035	8,859	9,589
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	5,524	4,808	11,096	8,197
Operating Segments | Oriented Polymers
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss):	1,836	1,431	3,092	3,023
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Depreciation and amortization expense:	$ 342	$ 348	$ 679	$ 696