Losses Associated With Plant Shutdowns, Asset Impairments And Restructurings, Unusual Items, Gains From Sale Of Assets And Other Items	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Losses Associated With Plant Shutdowns, Asset Impairments And Restructurings, Unusual Items, Gains From Sale Of Assets And Other Items [Abstract]
Losses Associated With Plant Shutdowns, Asset Impairments And Restructurings, Unusual Items, Gains From Sale Of Assets And Other Items	17 LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH PLANT SHUTDOWNS, ASSET IMPAIRMENTS AND RESTRUCTURINGS, UNUSUAL ITEMS, GAINS FROM SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER ITEMS Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2011 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $6.8 million ($0.3 million gain after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2011 included: A fourth quarter charge of $2.5 million ($2.2 million after taxes) and a third quarter charge of $2.3 million ($2.2 million after taxes) for acquisition-related expenses (included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of income) associated with the Film Products acquisition of Terphane; A fourth quarter charge of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) and a second quarter charge of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after taxes) for asset impairments in Film Products; A third quarter gain of $1.0 million ($6.6 million after taxes) on the divestiture of our film products business in Roccamontepiano, Italy (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income), which includes the recognition of previously unrealized foreign currency translation gains of $4.3 million that were associated with the business; A fourth quarter charge of $0.7 million ($0.5 million after taxes) associated with purchase accounting adjustments made to the value of inventory sold by Film Products after its purchase of Terphane (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income, see discussion that follows for additional detail); A fourth quarter charge of $62,000 ($39,000 after taxes), a third quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a second quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for severance and other employee- related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products; A fourth quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for integration-related expenses (included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of income) associated with the Film Products acquisition of Terphane; and A fourth quarter benefit of $39,000 ($24,000 after taxes), a third quarter charge of $43,000 ($27,000 after taxes), a second quarter benefit of $94,000 ($58,000 after taxes), and a first quarter charge of $32,000 ($20,000 after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income). Business combination accounting principles under U.S. GAAP require that we adjust the inventory acquired in the acquisition of Terphane to fair value at the date of acquisition. In particular, finished goods inventory acquired was adjusted to reflect the cost of manufacturing plus a portion of the expected profit margin. The acquired inventory was sold in the fourth quarter of 2011. We believe that the adjustment included in "Cost of goods sold" in the fourth quarter of 2011 should be removed by investors as a means to determine profit and margins from ongoing operations, which reflect the operating trends of the acquired business. Results in 2011 include an unrealized gain from the write-up of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $1.6 million ($1.0 million after taxes). An unrealized loss on our investment in Harbinger of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after tax) was recorded in 2011 as a result of a reduction in the fair value of our investment that is not expected to be temporary. See Note 3 for additional information on investments. The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under 34 U.S. GAAP. In February 2012, we announced that we would be closing our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Kentland, Indiana. The plant, which employs 146 people, is scheduled to close by September 30, 2012. We estimate that charges incurred related to the shutdown will be approximately $8 million, and include accelerated depreciation on property, plant and equipment of approximately $4 million, severance-related charges of approximately $1 million and other shutdown-related costs of approximately $3 million. Other shutdown-related costs are primarily comprised of equipment transfers and plant shutdown charges. Most of these charges, which include cash expenditures of approximately $4 million, are expected to be recognized over the next 18 months. Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2010 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $0.3 million ($0.3 million after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2010 included: A fourth quarter benefit of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes), a third quarter benefit of $14,000 ($9,000 after taxes), a second quarter benefit of $23,000 ($14,000 after taxes), and a first quarter benefit of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income); Fourth quarter charges of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for asset impairments in the Other segment and a second quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for an asset impairment in Film Products and; A fourth quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.2 million after taxes) related to expected future environmental costs at our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income); A third quarter charge of $0.1 million ($69,000 after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $56,000 ($35,000 after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products; A second quarter gain of $0.1 million ($73,000 after taxes) related to the sale of previously impaired equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) at our film products manufacturing facility in Pottsville, Pennsylvania; and A second quarter loss of $44,000 ($26,000 after taxes) and a first quarter loss of $61,000 ($36,000 after taxes) on the disposal of equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) from a previously shutdown films manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. Results in 2010 include an unrealized loss from the write-down of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $2.2 million ($1.4 million after taxes). See Note 3 for additional information on this investment, which is accounted for under the fair value method. The impairment charges in Film Products and the Other segment were recognized to write down the machinery and equipment to the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under U.S generally accepted accounting principles. Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2009 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $2.9 million ($2.3 million after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2009 included: A fourth quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $1.1 million ($0.8 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products; A fourth quarter charge of $1.0 million ($1.0 million after taxes) for asset impairments in Film Products; A fourth quarter benefit of $0.5 million ($0.3 million after taxes), a third quarter charge of $0.1 million ($0.1 million after taxes), a second quarter charge of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after taxes), and a first quarter charge of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income, see Note 6 for additional detail); A fourth quarter gain of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) related to the sale of land at our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income); A fourth quarter charge of $64,000 ($40,000 after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Aluminum Extrusions; A fourth quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings at corporate headquarters (included in "Corporate expenses, net" in the segment operating profit table in Note 3); A first quarter gain of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) on the sale of equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) from a previously shutdown films manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia; A second quarter gain of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) on the sale of a previously shutdown aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in El Campo, Texas (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income); A second quarter gain of $0.1 million ($0.1 million after taxes) related to the reversal to income of certain inventory impairment accruals in Film Products; and A fourth quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) and a second quarter benefit of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) related to adjustments of future environmental costs expected to be incurred by Aluminum Extrusions (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income). We recognized a gain of $1.8 million ($1.2 million after taxes) from the receipt of a contractual earn-out payment and a gain of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) from a post-closing contractual adjustment from the sale of our investments in Theken Spine and Therics, LLC. AFBS Inc. (formerly Therics, Inc.) received these investments in 2005, when substantially all of the assets of AFBS, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tredegar, were sold or assigned to a newly created limited liability company, Therics, LLC, controlled and managed by an individual not affiliated with Tredegar. Results in 2009 also include unrealized gains from the write-up of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $5.1 million ($3.2 million after taxes). Gains on the sale of corporate assets in 2009 include realized gains of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) from the sale of corporate real estate. The pretax amount for each of these items is included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income. Income taxes for 2009 include the recognition of a valuation allowance of $2.1 million related to expected limitations on the utilization of assumed capital losses on certain investments. The severance in Film Products includes a reduction in workforce in the first and fourth quarters of 2009 (approximately 50 employees) that saved approximately $2.0 million on an annual basis. The impairment charge in Film Products was recognized to write down the machinery and equipment to the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under U.S GAAP.

17 LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH PLANT SHUTDOWNS, ASSET IMPAIRMENTS AND RESTRUCTURINGS, UNUSUAL ITEMS, GAINS FROM SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER ITEMS

Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2011 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $6.8 million ($0.3 million gain after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2011 included:

A fourth quarter charge of $2.5 million ($2.2 million after taxes) and a third quarter charge of $2.3 million ($2.2 million after taxes) for acquisition-related expenses (included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of income) associated with the Film Products acquisition of Terphane;
A fourth quarter charge of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) and a second quarter charge of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after taxes) for asset impairments in Film Products;
A third quarter gain of $1.0 million ($6.6 million after taxes) on the divestiture of our film products business in Roccamontepiano, Italy (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income), which includes the recognition of previously unrealized foreign currency translation gains of $4.3 million that were associated with the business;
A fourth quarter charge of $0.7 million ($0.5 million after taxes) associated with purchase accounting adjustments made to the value of inventory sold by Film Products after its purchase of Terphane (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income, see discussion that follows for additional detail);
A fourth quarter charge of $62,000 ($39,000 after taxes), a third quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a second quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for severance and other employee- related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products;
A fourth quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for integration-related expenses (included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of income) associated with the Film Products acquisition of Terphane; and
A fourth quarter benefit of $39,000 ($24,000 after taxes), a third quarter charge of $43,000 ($27,000 after taxes), a second quarter benefit of $94,000 ($58,000 after taxes), and a first quarter charge of $32,000 ($20,000 after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income).

Business combination accounting principles under U.S. GAAP require that we adjust the inventory acquired in the acquisition of Terphane to fair value at the date of acquisition. In particular, finished goods inventory acquired was adjusted to reflect the cost of manufacturing plus a portion of the expected profit margin. The acquired inventory was sold in the fourth quarter of 2011. We believe that the adjustment included in "Cost of goods sold" in the fourth quarter of 2011 should be removed by investors as a means to determine profit and margins from ongoing operations, which reflect the operating trends of the acquired business.

Results in 2011 include an unrealized gain from the write-up of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $1.6 million ($1.0 million after taxes). An unrealized loss on our investment in Harbinger of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after tax) was recorded in 2011 as a result of a reduction in the fair value of our investment that is not expected to be temporary. See Note 3 for additional information on investments.

The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under 34 U.S. GAAP.

In February 2012, we announced that we would be closing our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Kentland, Indiana. The plant, which employs 146 people, is scheduled to close by September 30, 2012. We estimate that charges incurred related to the shutdown will be approximately $8 million, and include accelerated depreciation on property, plant and equipment of approximately $4 million, severance-related charges of approximately $1 million and other shutdown-related costs of approximately $3 million. Other shutdown-related costs are primarily comprised of equipment transfers and plant shutdown charges. Most of these charges, which include cash expenditures of approximately $4 million, are expected to be recognized over the next 18 months.

Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2010 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $0.3 million ($0.3 million after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2010 included:

A fourth quarter benefit of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes), a third quarter benefit of $14,000 ($9,000 after taxes), a second quarter benefit of $23,000 ($14,000 after taxes), and a first quarter benefit of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income);
Fourth quarter charges of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for asset impairments in the Other segment and a second quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.3 million after taxes) for an asset impairment in Film Products and;
A fourth quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.2 million after taxes) related to expected future environmental costs at our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income);
A third quarter charge of $0.1 million ($69,000 after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $56,000 ($35,000 after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products;
A second quarter gain of $0.1 million ($73,000 after taxes) related to the sale of previously impaired equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) at our film products manufacturing facility in Pottsville, Pennsylvania; and
A second quarter loss of $44,000 ($26,000 after taxes) and a first quarter loss of $61,000 ($36,000 after taxes) on the disposal of equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) from a previously shutdown films manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia.

Results in 2010 include an unrealized loss from the write-down of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $2.2 million ($1.4 million after taxes). See Note 3 for additional information on this investment, which is accounted for under the fair value method. The impairment charges in Film Products and the Other segment were recognized to write down the machinery and equipment to the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under U.S generally accepted accounting principles.

Losses associated with plant shutdowns, asset impairments, restructurings and other charges for continuing operations in 2009 (as shown in the segment operating profit table in Note 4) totaled $2.9 million ($2.3 million after taxes), and unless otherwise noted below, are also included in "Asset impairments and costs associated with exit and disposal activities" in the consolidated statements of income. Results in 2009 included:

A fourth quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $1.1 million ($0.8 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Film Products;
A fourth quarter charge of $1.0 million ($1.0 million after taxes) for asset impairments in Film Products;
A fourth quarter benefit of $0.5 million ($0.3 million after taxes), a third quarter charge of $0.1 million ($0.1 million after taxes), a second quarter charge of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after taxes), and a first quarter charge of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) for timing differences between the recognition of realized losses on aluminum futures contracts and related revenues from the delayed fulfillment by customers of fixed-price forward purchase commitments (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income, see Note 6 for additional detail);
A fourth quarter gain of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after taxes) related to the sale of land at our aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income);
A fourth quarter charge of $64,000 ($40,000 after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $0.4 million ($0.2 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings in Aluminum Extrusions;
A fourth quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) and a first quarter charge of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) for severance and other employee-related costs in connection with restructurings at corporate headquarters (included in "Corporate expenses, net" in the segment operating profit table in Note 3);
A first quarter gain of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) on the sale of equipment (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income) from a previously shutdown films manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia;
A second quarter gain of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) on the sale of a previously shutdown aluminum extrusions manufacturing facility in El Campo, Texas (included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income);
A second quarter gain of $0.1 million ($0.1 million after taxes) related to the reversal to income of certain inventory impairment accruals in Film Products; and
A fourth quarter charge of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) and a second quarter benefit of $0.3 million ($0.2 million after taxes) related to adjustments of future environmental costs expected to be incurred by Aluminum Extrusions (included in "Cost of goods sold" in the consolidated statements of income).

We recognized a gain of $1.8 million ($1.2 million after taxes) from the receipt of a contractual earn-out payment and a gain of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes) from a post-closing contractual adjustment from the sale of our investments in Theken Spine and Therics, LLC. AFBS Inc. (formerly Therics, Inc.) received these investments in 2005, when substantially all of the assets of AFBS, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tredegar, were sold or assigned to a newly created limited liability company, Therics, LLC, controlled and managed by an individual not affiliated with Tredegar. Results in 2009 also include unrealized gains from the write-up of an investment accounted for under the fair value method of $5.1 million ($3.2 million after taxes). Gains on the sale of corporate assets in 2009 include realized gains of $0.4 million ($0.3 million after taxes) from the sale of corporate real estate. The pretax amount for each of these items is included in "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of income. Income taxes for 2009 include the recognition of a valuation allowance of $2.1 million related to expected limitations on the utilization of assumed capital losses on certain investments.

The severance in Film Products includes a reduction in workforce in the first and fourth quarters of 2009 (approximately 50 employees) that saved approximately $2.0 million on an annual basis. The impairment charge in Film Products was recognized to write down the machinery and equipment to the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of machinery and equipment that was evaluated for impairment was primarily based on our estimates of the proceeds that we would receive if and/or when assets are sold. Our estimates of the remaining fair value for the related machinery and equipment were based on both Level 2 and 3 inputs as defined under U.S GAAP.