v2.4.0.8
Financial Data by Segment (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales        
Net sales $ 288,979 $ 290,097 $ 867,599 $ 881,512
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 6,973 17,433 24,658 37,076
Special charges, net (7,093) (1,732) (10,647) (12,904)
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 18,216 17,088 51,642 49,466
Amortization of loan acquisition costs 607 686 1,821 2,056
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 8,999 10,516 35,499 40,146
Americas Nonwovens
        
Net sales        
Net sales 160,767 163,321 473,216 494,750
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 16,075 20,590 42,106 51,333
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 8,137 9,460 24,540 26,825
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 1,939 1,132 3,990 2,946
Europe Nonwovens
        
Net sales        
Net sales 67,901 67,825 219,113 219,506
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 2,524 2,249 9,236 9,383
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 3,089 2,858 9,153 8,111
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 1,877 2,636 2,926 7,194
Asia Nonwovens
        
Net sales        
Net sales 44,886 42,900 125,280 115,771
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 4,134 4,850 13,723 13,194
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 5,605 3,322 13,802 10,141
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 3,914 6,422 26,437 28,874
Oriented Polymers
        
Net sales        
Net sales 15,425 16,051 49,990 51,485
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 547 779 3,570 3,800
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 348 351 1,044 1,063
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 572 284 798 454
Unallocated Corporate
        
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) (9,108) (9,284) (33,164) (27,802)
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 430 411 1,282 1,270
Unallocated Corporate        
Capital spending 697 42 1,348 678
Eliminations
        
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) (106) (19) (166) 72
Subtotal
        
Operating income (loss)        
Operating income (loss) 14,066 19,165 35,305 49,980
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Depreciation and amortization expense 17,609 16,402 49,821 47,410
Interest Expense [Member]
        
Depreciation and amortization expense        
Amortization of loan acquisition costs $ 607 $ 686 $ 1,821 $ 2,056