Horsehead Holding (HRRS) 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 04, 2013
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Horsehead Holding Corp	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001385544	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	50,437,048

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$120,024	$244,119	$287,531	$188,500
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $486 and $573, respectively	66,678	59,987	'	'
Inventories, net	63,526	61,667	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,636	12,797	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,242	2,731	'	'
Total current assets	263,106	381,301	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	640,414	405,222	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	11,650	12,770	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,530	1,530	'	'
Deposits and other	9,832	11,005	'	'
Total other assets	23,012	25,305	'	'
Total assets	926,532	811,828	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,571	1,285	'	'
Accounts payable	102,887	83,939	'	'
Accrued expenses	35,973	30,506	'	'
Total current liabilities	141,431	115,730	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	350,558	263,334	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	17,744	15,957	'	'
Deferred income taxes	32,586	33,526	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 44,112 and 43,954 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	441	439	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	236,674	234,115	'	'
Retained earnings	143,277	144,792	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-244	-244	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	380,148	379,102	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	4,065	4,179	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	384,213	383,281	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$926,532	$811,828	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for accounts receivable	$486	$573
Common stock, par value (dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	44,112,000	43,954,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	44,112,000	43,954,000
Preferred stock, par value (dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$86,021	$75,228	$263,814	$251,109
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	12,192	14,618	41,119	45,303
EAF dust service fees	11,378	10,524	33,376	32,813
Net sales	109,591	100,370	338,309	329,225
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	85,415	83,111	250,429	268,130
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	8,782	9,320	27,661	27,999
Cost of EAF dust services	8,558	8,074	27,106	24,937
Insurance claim income	0	0	-2,450	0
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	102,755	100,505	302,746	321,066
Depreciation and amortization	7,123	6,025	21,574	18,157
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,343	5,118	16,879	16,393
Total costs and expenses	115,221	111,648	341,199	355,616
Loss from operations	-5,630	-11,278	-2,890	-26,391
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-487	-2,979	-2,007	-5,136
Interest and other income	418	280	2,290	1,151
Total other income (expense)	-69	-2,699	283	-3,985
Loss before income taxes	-5,699	-13,977	-2,607	-30,376
Income tax benefit	-2,184	-4,848	-1,092	-11,106
NET LOSS	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Loss per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.21)	($0.03)	($0.44)
Diluted (dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.21)	($0.03)	($0.44)
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802
Diluted (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	376	0	302
Net pension liability adjustment	0	16	0	44
Comprehensive loss	($3,515)	($8,737)	($1,515)	($18,924)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$383,281	$439	$234,115	$144,792	($244)	$4,179
Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	43,954	43,954	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock vesting	0	2	-2	'	'	'
Restricted stock vesting (shares)	'	158	'	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	2,787	'	2,787	'	'	'
Net tax benefit of equity award vesting	185	'	185	'	'	'
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	-114	'	'	'	'	-114
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	-411	'	-411	'	'	'
Comprehensive loss, net of tax:	-1,515	'	'	-1,515	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$384,213	$441	$236,674	$143,277	($244)	$4,065
Ending Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	44,112	44,112	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	($1,515,000)	($19,270,000)	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	21,574,000	18,157,000	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	-1,791,000	0	'
Deferred income tax benefit	-1,451,000	-1,181,000	'
Accretion on debt	2,792,000	2,367,000	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	333,000	658,000	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	1,780,000	664,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	131,000	9,339,000	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	986,000	26,512,000	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	2,893,000	1,421,000	1,421,000
Non-cash compensation expense	2,787,000	2,108,000	'
Capitalization of interest	-21,533,000	-5,757,000	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable, net	-6,691,000	-2,265,000	'
(Increase) in inventories, net	-4,752,000	-6,156,000	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,240,000	-6,705,000	'
(Increase) in deposits and other	-97,000	-18,000	'
Increase in accounts payable	18,948,000	19,362,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	5,402,000	-573,000	'
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	1,454,000	-443,000	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,490,000	38,220,000	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-234,230,000	-106,975,000	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	1,791,000	0	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	2,500,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-232,439,000	-104,475,000	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	21,300,000	171,829,000	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	-114,000	-113,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	68,500,000	0	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	-13,500,000	0	'
Debt issuance costs	-524,000	-7,447,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	10,603,000	0	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	-1,185,000	0	'
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	138,000	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	185,000	578,000	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	-411,000	0	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	84,854,000	164,985,000	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	0	301,000	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-124,095,000	99,031,000	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	244,119,000	188,500,000	188,500,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$120,024,000	$287,531,000	$244,119,000

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Horsehead Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2013. The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of Horsehead Holding Corp. and all of its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” or similar terms). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions relate to inventory reserves, bad debt reserves, environmental and asset retirement obligations, workers’ compensation liabilities, reserves for contingencies and litigation, fair value of financial instruments and business acquisitions. Management bases its estimates on the Company’s historical experience and its expectations of the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Acquisition_of_Business

Acquisition of Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition of Business	'
	ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS
	On November 16, 2012, the Company purchased the single membership interest in Mitsui Zinc Powders LLC (“MZP”), a manufacturer of zinc powders for the alkaline battery business, co-located on the Company’s Monaca facility site, from Oak-Mitsui, Inc. MZP was renamed Horsehead Zinc Powders, LLC. ("HZP"). The estimated purchase price was $1,101 which was comprised of $500 in cash at closing, a working capital adjustment and $1,270 in contingent consideration. The contingent consideration is a per ton fee based on tons shipped for a period of time up to a maximum of $1,500. The first payment under the contingent consideration was made in June 2013. This acquisition will help facilitate the transition of the Company’s Monaca operations in 2013 and opens the possibility of relocating this business to the new zinc facility, currently under construction, to realize operating efficiencies at some point in the future.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	Cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cash in bank	$	119,807	$	218,938
	Money market demand account	217		25,181
		$	120,024	$	244,119
	The Company’s cash balance was concentrated in three U.S. banks and one Canadian bank at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company carries deposits in excess of federally insured amounts. At September 30, 2013, the Company had $12,071 in cash held at foreign institutions.
	The money market demand account carries an interest rate of 0.20% on September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The balances approximate fair value.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	INVENTORIES
	Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	7,565	$	12,273
	Work-in-process	7,041		3,430
	Finished goods	34,352		30,848
	Supplies and spare parts	14,568		15,116
		$	63,526	$	61,667
	Inventories were net of reserves for slow moving inventory of $2,563 and $3,090 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	The Company recorded lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustments of $862, $765 and $1,266 to its finished goods inventories during the first, second and third quarters of 2013, respectively, for a total of $2,893 in LCM adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company did not record any LCM adjustments during the first quarter of 2012 but recorded LCM adjustments of $1,247 to its raw material and finished goods inventories during the second quarter of 2012 and an additional $174 of LCM adjustments to its finished goods inventories during the third quarter of 2012. The Company recorded total LCM adjustments to their raw material and finished goods inventories of $1,421 during 2012. These 2013 and 2012 LCM adjustments were primarily due to the attrition of the London Metal Exchange (“LME”) zinc price.

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Refundable income taxes	$	3,789	$	4,742
	Prepaid hedge contracts	3,403		4,760
	Other	2,444		3,295
		$	9,636	$	12,797
	See Note P – Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for more information regarding Prepaid hedge contracts.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land and land improvements	$	24,561		$	24,089
	Buildings and building improvements	27,611			25,438
	Machinery and equipment	234,391			221,060
	Construction in progress	466,047			226,829
		752,610			497,416
	Less accumulated depreciation	(112,196		)	(92,194		)
		$	640,414		$	405,222
	The Company capitalized $7,721 and $21,534 of interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company capitalized $2,990 and $5,757 of interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The interest expense capitalized related to the construction of the new zinc facility. Through September 30, 2013, the Company has capitalized a total of $32,595 of interest expense related to the new zinc facility.
	During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $9,797 related to the Monaca, Pennsylvania facility, to adjust the net book value of the assets for the potential partial closure and/or disposition of the facility in connection with the expected future start-up of the new zinc plant currently under construction in North Carolina. The Company had announced plans on closing the smelting operation when the new zinc plant is commissioned, currently expected in the second half of 2013, but had not made any final decisions regarding other operations at the site. The useful lives of the assets related to the smelting operation were reduced to two years on December 31, 2011. The impairment charge calculations were performed using average expected future cash flows under various likelihoods of asset retirements or dispositions. The cash flows were then discounted and compared to the book value of the related assets resulting in the impairment charge. On March 15, 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Shell Chemical LP to purchase its Monaca, Pennsylvania site. The option, if exercised, would require the Company to vacate the Monaca site by April 30, 2014. Based upon the signing of the option agreement, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $3,274 related to its Monaca, Pennsylvania facility in the first quarter of 2012. During the third quarter of 2012, the Company announced its intent to close the zinc oxide refinery production capacity at the Monaca, Pennsylvania facility sometime in 2013 when the smelting operation is closed. Based upon this announcement, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $6,065 during the third quarter of 2012. The useful lives of the assets related to the refinery operations were reduced to fifteen months on September 30, 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $15,966 based upon the extension of the Shell option agreement in December 2012, the continuation of the construction of the new zinc facility which is on schedule to open in the second half of 2013 and the determination that the power plant, which has been idled since September 2011, will not be restarted. On June 28, 2013, Shell extended its option until January 2014. Based upon this extension, the Company evaluated the carrying values of these assets and no impairment charge was recorded. The Company did not record any impairment charge during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and has recorded total impairment charges of $35,102 related to the Monaca facility. The Company will continue to evaluate the carrying values of these assets as the continued use of the assets is analyzed. The net book value of the remaining assets of the Monaca, Pennsylvania facility was approximately $16 million at September 30, 2013.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	RESTRICTED CASH
	During the first quarter of 2012, restricted cash related to the Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc. deferred purchase price obligation was released from trust and transferred to operating cash when the purchase price agreement was amended.

Deposits_and_Other

Deposits and Other	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deposits [Abstract]	'
Deposits and Other	'
	DEPOSITS AND OTHER
	Deposits and other at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred finance costs	$	9,517	$	10,773
	Other	315		232
		$	9,832	$	11,005
	See Note I – Long Term Debt for additional information regarding deferred finance costs.

Long_Term_Debt

Long -Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long -Term Debt	'
	LONG –TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Loan Payable, related to New Market Tax Credit program	$	255	$	255
	3.80% Convertible Senior Notes due July 2017, net of debt discount	84,953		82,476
	10.50% Senior Secured Notes due June 2017, net of debt discount	193,662		172,047
	ABL Facility, interest payable at variable rates	30,000		—
	Zochem Credit Facility, interest payable at variable rates	10,000		—
	INMETCO Credit Facility, interest payable at variable rates	15,000		—
	Credit Agreement, interest payable at variable rates	19,259		9,841
		353,129		264,619
	Less portion currently payable	2,571		1,285
		$	350,558	$	263,334
	Convertible Senior Notes
	On July 27, 2011, the Company issued $100,000 of 3.80% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a private placement. The Company received proceeds of $100,000 and recognized $3,481 in issuance costs in connection with the offering. The Company used the proceeds from the offering for the initial stages of construction of the new state-of-the-art zinc and diversified metal production facility under construction in Rutherford County, North Carolina (“new zinc facility”) and for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs, investment in business initiatives, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
	The Convertible Notes pay interest semi-annually in arrears on July 1 and January 1 of each year at a rate of 3.80% per annum. The Convertible Notes mature on July 1, 2017. The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, cash, or a combination of the Company’s common stock and cash, at the Company’s election, at an initial conversion rate of 0.0666667 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1 principal amount of the Convertible Notes (approximately 6,666.67 underlying shares), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $15.00 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. The Company has stated that it intends to settle the par value in cash and the conversion spread in either cash, shares or a combination of both.
	The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank senior in right of payment to its future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to its existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of its secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of its subsidiaries.
	Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at the applicable conversion rate at any time on or after April 1, 2017 until the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The Convertible Notes may be converted prior to April 1, 2017 only under certain circumstances. If the Company undergoes a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding the fundamental change repurchase date. The Company does not have the right to redeem the Convertible Notes prior to the stated maturity date of July 1, 2017 and no sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes.
	In accordance with the guidance under ASC 815-015 Embedded Derivatives and ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and other Options, the Company separately accounted for the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes to reflect the Company’s nonconvertible borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The fair value of the liability component of the Convertible Notes was calculated to be $78,174 and was determined by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The nonconvertible rate was determined by the Company to be 8.5%. The carrying amount of the embedded conversion option (the debt discount) of $21,826 was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the Convertible Notes and was recorded, net of deferred taxes of $8,805, as additional paid-in capital. The Company is accreting the long-term debt balance to par value over the term of the bonds using the interest method as required by ASC 835-30 Imputation of Interest.
	Costs of $3,481 associated with the issuance were allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to the allocation of the fair value of the Convertible Notes. As such, $2,721 was accounted for as debt issuance costs attributable to the liability component of the Convertible Notes and were capitalized as a component of other assets. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes and are included as a component of interest expense. The Company recognized interest expense of $115 related to the amortization of debt issuance costs during both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 The Company recognized interest expense of $345 related to the amortization of debt issuance costs during both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The remaining issuance costs of $760 were accounted for as equity issuance costs and were recorded in additional-paid in capital.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized $1,793 and $5,327, respectively, in interest expense related to the Convertible Notes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized $1,725 and $5,126, respectively, in interest expense related to the Convertible Notes. Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon of 3.80% and amortization of the discount on the liability component. This interest expense reflects an effective interest rate of 8.50%.
	The carrying amount of the Convertible Notes was $84,953 with an unamortized discount of $15,047 at September 30, 2013. The carrying amount of the Convertible Notes was $82,476 with an unamortized discount of $17,524 at December 31, 2012. The carrying amount of the equity component was $8,764 and $10,204 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The accumulated accretion related to the equity component was $4,257 and $2,817 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The fair value of the Convertible Notes was estimated to be approximately $108,000 and $95,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, per quotes obtained from active markets.
	Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (as amended the “ABL Facility”)
	On September 28, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary Horsehead Corporation (“Horsehead”) entered into an ABL Facility, as borrower, with PNC Bank, as agent and lender, to support liquidity needs for the Company’s new zinc facility and to allow for the availability of previously restricted cash. Horsehead Holding Corp. also entered into the ABL Facility, as guarantor of Horsehead’s obligations.
	The ABL Facility provides for a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $60,000. The aggregate amount of loans permitted to be made under the revolving credit facility may not exceed a borrowing base consisting of the lesser of: (a) $60,000, minus the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit, and (b) the sum of certain portions of eligible accounts receivable and of eligible inventory of Horsehead, minus the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit and certain availability reserves. Up to an aggregate of $30,000 is available to Horsehead for the issuance of letters of credit, which reduces availability under the ABL Facility. At September 30, 2013, the Company had $10,212 in letters of credit outstanding under the ABL Facility. Horsehead’s obligations under the ABL Facility are secured by a first priority lien (subject to certain permitted liens and exclusions) on substantially all of the tangible and intangible personal property assets of Horsehead. At September 30, 2013, there were $30,000 in outstanding borrowings under the ABL Facility. At December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding borrowings under the ABL Facility. At September 30, 2013, there was no availability remaining under the ABL facility. The carrying amount of the debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2013.
	Borrowings by Horsehead under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate per annum which, at the option of Horsehead, can be either: (a) a domestic rate equal to the “alternate base rate,” as determined under the ABL Facility, plus an applicable margin (ranging from 0.25% to 1.00%) based on average undrawn availability, or (b) a eurodollar rate equal to the “eurodollar rate,” as determined under the ABL Facility, plus an applicable margin (ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%) based on average undrawn availability. Horsehead will pay a letter of credit fee to the lenders under the ABL Facility ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, based on average undrawn availability, and a fronting fee to the issuing bank equal to 0.25% per annum on the average daily face amount of each outstanding letter of credit, as well as certain other related charges and expenses.
	The ABL Facility contains customary events of default. During an event of default, if the agent or lenders holding greater than 66 2/3% of the advances under the facility so elect, the interest rate applied to any outstanding obligations will be equal to the otherwise applicable rate (including the highest applicable margin) plus 2.0% and any letter of credit fees will be increased by 2.0%. Upon (a) the occurrence of an event of default related to the bankruptcy of Horsehead or Horsehead Holding Corp. or (b) at the option of lenders holding greater than 66 2/3% of the advances under the facility, the occurrence of any other event of default, all obligations under the ABL Facility will become immediately due and payable.
	Horsehead pays an unused line fee to the lenders under the ABL Facility ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum, based on average undrawn availability, times the amount by which the maximum revolving advance amount exceeds the average daily unpaid balance of revolver loans and undrawn amount of any outstanding letters of credit during any calendar quarter.
	The ABL Facility contains a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1.00 which Horsehead must comply with in the event that undrawn availability is less than or equal to $10,000 on any business day or is less than or equal to $12,500 for any consecutive five business days. The ABL Facility also contains customary restrictive negative covenants as well as customary reporting and other affirmative covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2013.
	The Company incurred issuance costs of $444 in connection with the ABL Facility. These costs were capitalized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of other assets. The issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the ABL Facility. Interest expense of $24 and $67 related to the amortization of deferred finance costs was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Interest expense of $21 and $64 related to the amortization of deferred finance costs was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	On July 26, 2012, the Company amended its ABL Facility to permit the offering of the Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) and the incurrence of liens on the collateral that secures the Senior Secured Notes and the ABL Facility. Pursuant to the ABL Facility, Horsehead’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, are required to guarantee Horsehead’s obligations under the facility, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis.
	Senior Secured Notes
	On July 26, 2012, the Company completed a private placement of $175,000 in aggregate principal amount of 10.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (“Senior Secured Notes”), at an issue price of 98.188% of par. The Company received proceeds of $171,829 and recognized approximately $7,732 in issuance costs in connection with the offering. The total net proceeds from the offering were $164,097. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the Senior Secured Notes to pay for the completion of the construction of the Company’s new zinc facility and the remainder for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs, investment in other business initiatives and other capital expenditures
	The Senior Secured Notes pay interest at a rate of 10.50% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually, in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Notes mature on June 1, 2017.
	The Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior secured basis, by the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). The Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by a first-priority lien on all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future property and assets, whether real, personal or mixed (other than certain excluded assets), subject to certain permitted liens; provided that the lien on the accounts receivable, inventory, certain deposit accounts, cash and certain other assets and, in each case, the proceeds thereof, of Horsehead and the guarantors under the ABL Facility will be a second-priority lien. The Senior Secured Notes are the Company’s and the Guarantors’ senior secured obligations. The Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees rank equal in right of payment with any of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ senior indebtedness, including indebtedness under the ABL Facility and, in the case of the Company, the Company’s Convertible Notes. The Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Senior Secured Notes or guarantees. The Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees are effectively senior to any of the Company’s or the Guarantors’ unsecured indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Senior Secured Notes, and the Senior Secured Notes are effectively senior to indebtedness of the Company that is not guaranteed by the Guarantors, including the Company’s Convertible Notes, to the extent of the value of the guarantees. With respect to the collateral securing the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees are effectively junior to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the ABL Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the ABL Facility on a first-lien basis, and effectively senior to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the ABL Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the ABL Facility on a second-lien basis.
	If the new zinc facility is operating and is fully operational (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) on or before April 1, 2014, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes prior to June 1, 2015, by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, or after June 1, 2015 at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, dated as of July 26, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee and as collateral agent (the “Indenture”) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. If the new zinc facility is operational by April 1, 2014, the Company can redeem the Senior Secured Notes at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, on or after June 1, 2016.
	If the new zinc facility is not operating and fully operational (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) on or before April 1, 2014, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Secured Notes prior to June 1, 2016, by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption or, on or after June 1, 2016, at a redemption price equal to 105.25%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Prior to June 1, 2015, the Company may redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 110.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings.
	The Indenture contains covenants that limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness and guarantee indebtedness; (ii) declare or pay dividends, redeem capital stock or make other distributions to stockholders; (iii) make investments and acquire assets; (iv) sell or transfer certain assets; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vi) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (vii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (viii) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of its assets; and (ix) make certain payments on indebtedness. The Indenture also provides for customary events of default.
	The Company recorded an initial debt carrying value of $171,829 (net of the debt discount of $3,171) and is accreting the long-term debt balance to par value over the term of the Senior Secured Notes using the interest method as required by ASC 835-30 Imputation of Interest. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized $4,733 and $14,188, respectively, in interest expense related to the Senior Secured Notes. During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized $3,408 in interest expense related to the Senior Secured Notes. Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon of 10.50% and amortization of the debt discount to reflect an effective interest rate of 11.00%.
	The carrying amount of the Senior Secured Notes was $172,454 with an unamortized discount of $2,546 at September 30, 2013. The carrying amount of the Senior Secured Notes was $172,047 with an unamortized discount of $2,953 at December 31, 2012. The fair value of the Senior Secured Notes was estimated to be approximately $188,000 and $187,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, per quotes obtained from active markets.
	Costs of $7,732 associated with the issuance were capitalized as a component of other assets. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Senior Secured Notes. The Company recognized interest expense of $400 and $1,200 related to the amortization of debt issuance costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company recognized interest expense of $254 during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	On June 3, 2013, the Company completed the sale to certain purchasers of an additional $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Secured Notes (the “Additional Notes”) at an issue price of 106.5% of the principal amount of the Additional Notes plus accrued interest from June 1, 2013, in a private placement to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Additional Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Senior Secured Notes and Additional Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) will not, until the first anniversary of the issuance of the Additional Notes, trade fungibly, but have identical terms and shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.
	The Company recorded an initial debt carrying value of $21,300 (including the debt premium of $1,300) and is amortizing the long-term debt balance to par value over the remaining term of the Notes using the interest method as required by ASC 835-30 Imputation of Interest. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized $456 and $596, respectively, in interest expense related to the Additional Notes. Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon of 10.50% and amortization of the debt premium to reflect an effective interest rate of 8.6%.
	The carrying amount of the Additional Notes was $21,208 with an unamortized premium of $1,208 at September 30, 2013. The fair value of the Additional Notes was estimated to be approximately $21,000 at September 30, 2013 per quotes obtained from active markets.
	Costs of $345 associated with the issuance were capitalized as a component of other assets. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the Notes. The Company recognized interest expense of $23 and $29 related to the amortization of debt issuance costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Credit Agreement
	On August 28, 2012, Horsehead Corporation and Horsehead Holding Corp. entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., a Spanish bank. The Credit Agreement provides for the financing of up to €18,583 (approximately $25,805 USD) for purchases under the contracts between Horsehead and Tecnicas Reunidas, S.A., a Spanish corporation providing equipment and related products and services for the new zinc facility and additional financing of $968 for the premium for the insurance on such loan which was issued by Compania Espanola de Seguros de Credito a la Exportacion (“CESCE”). The Company closed on the facility on November 14, 2012.
	The obligations of Horsehead under the Credit Agreement are secured by an unconditional guarantee of the Company, but are not secured by security interest or mortgages on any real or personal property of Horsehead, the Company or any of the Company’s other direct or indirect subsidiaries.
	The Credit Agreement provides for drawings there under to be repaid semiannually over a period ending on November 2021, amortizing over that period, and bearing interest a per annum rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.20%. The Company will also semiannually pay a commitment fee of 0.50% calculated on the undrawn amount of the Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $19,259 and $9,841, respectively, under the Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the current portion of amounts due under the Credit Agreement was $2,571 and $1,285, respectively.
	Draws may be made under the Credit Agreement until April 2014. Principal and interest payments are due semiannually and began in February 2013. The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default. In the event of a default, the Credit Agreement will be terminated and immediate repayment will be required for all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement including accrued interest.
	The Credit Agreement contains a maximum Debt to Equity ratio of 1.2:1. The Credit Agreement also contains customary restrictive negative covenants as well as customary reporting and other affirmative covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2013. Availability under the Credit Agreement was approximately $340 at September 30, 2013. The carrying amount of the debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2013.
	The Company incurred issuance costs of $1,248 in connection with the Credit Agreement. These costs were capitalized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of other assets. The issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the Credit Agreement. Interest expense of $35 and $106 related to the amortization of deferred finance costs was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Zochem Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
	On December 21, 2012, Zochem entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Zochem Facility”), as borrower, with PNC Bank, Canada Branch, as agent and lender. The Company also entered into the Zochem Facility as a guarantor of Zochem’s obligations. Zochem entered into the Zochem Facility to support liquidity needs for its production capacity expansion currently under construction in Brampton, Ontario.
	The Zochem Facility provides for a forty-five month senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $15,000. The aggregate amount of loans permitted to be made to Zochem under the revolving credit facility may not exceed a borrowing base consisting of the lesser of: (a) $15,000, minus the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit, and (b) the sum of a certain portion of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory of Zochem, minus the aggregate undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit and certain availability reserves. Up to an aggregate of $5,000 will be available to Zochem for the issuance of letters of credit, which reduce availability under the revolving credit facility. Zochem’s obligations under the Zochem Facility are secured by a first priority lien (subject to certain permitted liens) on substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of Zochem. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company borrowed $23,500 and repaid $13,500 on the Zochem Facility. At September 30, 2013, the Company had $10,000 outstanding borrowings under the Zochem Facility. Undrawn availability under the Zochem Facility was $2,666 at September 30, 2013. The carrying amount of the debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2013.
	Borrowings by Zochem under the Zochem Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum which, at the option of Zochem, can be either: (a) a domestic rate equal to the “alternate base rate,” as determined under the Zochem Facility, plus an applicable margin of 1.00% based on average undrawn availability, or (b) a CDOR or eurodollar rate as applicable, plus a margin of 2.50% based on average undrawn availability. Zochem will pay a letter of credit fee to the lenders under the Zochem Facility of 2.50%, based on average undrawn availability, and a fronting fee to the issuing bank equal to 0.25% per annum on the average daily face amount of each outstanding letter of credit, as well as certain other related charges and expenses.
	The Zochem Facility contains customary events of default. During an event of default, if the agent or lenders holding greater than 66 2/3% of the advances under the facility so elect, the interest rate applied to any outstanding obligations will be equal to the otherwise applicable rate (including the highest applicable margin) plus 2.0% and any letter of credit fees will be increased by 2.0%. Upon (a) the occurrence of an event of default related to the bankruptcy of Zochem or the Company or (b) at the option of lenders holding greater than 66 2/3% of the advances under the facility, the occurrence of any other event of default, all obligations under the Zochem Facility will become immediately due and payable.
	Zochem will pay an unused line fee to the lenders under the Zochem Facility of 0.75% per annum, based on average undrawn availability, times the amount by which the maximum revolving advance amount exceeds the average daily unpaid balance of revolver loans and undrawn amount of any outstanding letters of credit during any calendar quarter.
	The Zochem Facility contains a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1.00 which Zochem must comply with at the time of any advance request. The Zochem Facility also contains customary restrictive negative covenants as well as customary reporting and other affirmative covenants. On September 30, 2013, Zochem entered into Amendment Number One which amended several definitions within the Zochem Facility Agreement. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2013.
	The Company incurred issuance costs of $127 in connection with the Zochem Facility. These costs were capitalized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of other assets. The issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the Zochem Facility. Interest expense of $8 and $23 related to the amortization of deferred finance costs was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	INMETCO Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement
	On June 24, 2013, The International Metals Reclamation Company, Inc. (“INMETCO”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “INMETCO Facility”), as borrower, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as lender. The Company entered into a guaranty of INMETCO’s obligations under the INMETCO Facility. INMETCO entered into the INMETCO Facility to support working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes.
The INMETCO Facility provides for a three year secured line of credit with the aggregate amount of loans permitted to be made to INMETCO not to exceed $15,000. INMETCO’s obligations under the INMETCO facility are secured by a first priority lien (subject to certain permitted liens) on substantially all of the personal property of INMETCO, including accounts receivable, inventory, deposit accounts, equipment and general intangibles. At September 30, 2013, INMETCO had $15,000 in outstanding borrowings under the INMETCO Facility and no remaining availability. The carrying amount of the debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2013.
Borrowings under the INMETCO facility will bear interest at a rate per annum of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.0%. INMETCO will pay unused line fees of 0.375% per annum, based on the average daily unused amount of the INMETCO facility, and a one time fronting fee to the issuing bank equal to 0.50% of the maximum principal amount of the INMETCO Facility.
The INMETCO Facility contains quarterly financial covenants, which include a maximum cash flow leverage ratio of 2.00:1.00, a minimum tangible net worth requirement of $15,000 and a minimum net profit requirement of $100. The INMETCO Facility also contains customary restrictive negative covenants as well as customary reporting and other affirmative covenants. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2013.
INMETCO incurred issuance costs of $126 in connection with the INMETCO Facility. These costs were capitalized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as a component of other assets. The issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the INMETCO Facility. Interest expense of $10 related to the amortization of deferred finance costs was recorded during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Other
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $10,212 and $10,256 , respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under the ABL Facility to collateralize self-insured claims for workers’ compensation and other general insurance claims. The Company also had three surety bonds outstanding in the amount of $11,213 to collateralize closure bonds for the three facilities located in Pennsylvania at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Accrued expenses at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Employee related costs	$	7,800	$	9,797
	EAF dust processing reserve	3,254		2,641
	Workers’ compensation insurance claim liabilities	2,400		2,400
	Unearned tolling revenue	2,714		2,233
	Accrued electric	3,953		2,144
	Accrued interest	8,064		3,600
	Other	7,788		7,691
		$	35,973	$	30,506

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
	Other long-term liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Environmental obligations	$	644	$	588
	Insurance claim liabilities	5,858		5,485
	Asset retirement obligations	4,377		4,152
	Deferred purchase price obligation	4,528		4,195
	Pension liability	819		788
	Other	1,518		749
		$	17,744	$	15,957
	See Note L – Employee Benefit Plans for additional information regarding the pension liability.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	As part of the acquisition of Zochem, on November 1, 2011, the Company assumed the pension assets and the pension liability for both the hourly and salary pension plans which were in effect at the time of the acquisition. These plans are maintained and contributions are made in accordance with the Pension Benefits Act of Ontario, which prescribes the minimum contributions that the Company must make to the Plans.
	Net periodic benefit costs related to the plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, were $50 and $147, respectively. Net periodic benefit costs related to the plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $60 and $163, respectively.
	Net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
		Three months ended September 30, 2013			Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service Cost	$	64		$	53
	Interest Cost	54			53
	Expected return on plan assets	(69		)	(70		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			7
	Losses	1			17
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	50		$	60
	Net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013			Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service Cost	$	191		$	159
	Interest Cost	163			148
	Expected return on plan assets	(208		)	(210		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			20
	Losses	1			46
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	147		$	163
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company made contributions in the amount of $46 and $146, respectively, to its defined benefit pension plans. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company made contributions in the amount of $26 and $88, respectively, to its defined benefit plan. The Company anticipates making $44 of additional contributions to fund its defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of 2013.
	The Company’s hourly and salary pension plan assets of $4,966 are held at fair value and are held in one fund which seeks to provide investors with a steady flow of monthly income and capital growth primarily through investments in Canadian fixed income and large cap securities. The pension plan assets are considered to be in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The Company’s effective tax rates were 38.3% and 41.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively and 34.7% and 36.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes, due to state income taxes, a lower income tax rate on Canadian income and the impact of permanent differences.
	On September 13, 2013 the IRS released the final Regulations governing the application of Code Sections 162(a) and 263(a) to amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. Management is currently assessing the impact these new regulations will have on the Company.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The federal tax years that remain subject to examination are 2007 through 2012. Due to the acquisition of Zochem on November 1, 2011, the Company files tax returns in Canada. U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because it is expected such earnings will be permanently reinvested in the operations of such subsidiaries. It is not practical to determine the amount of income tax liability that would result had such earnings been repatriated.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Cumulative translation adjustments	$	30		$	30
	Net pension adjustment	(274		)	(274		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(244	)	$	(244	)

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company adopted a stock option plan in 2004 (as amended, the “2004 Plan”) which was amended and restated in December 2005 and November 2006. The 2004 Plan provided for the granting of options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. A total of 1,685 shares were authorized and reserved for issuance under the 2004 Plan. All options granted under the 2004 Plan were fully vested due to the change in ownership of the Company in November 2006. During 2012, the remaining 138 options outstanding under the 2004 Plan were exercised.
	In 2006, the Company adopted the Horsehead Holding Corp. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated on June 11, 2007 (the “2006 Plan”) and which provided for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and other equity-based awards. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company, as well as others performing services for the Company, were eligible for grants under the 2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”).
	A total of 1,489 shares of the Company’s common stock were initially authorized for issuance under the 2006 Plan, which amount increased annually by an amount equal to 1% of the number of shares on the Company’s common stock outstanding or such lesser amount determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
	On January 16, 2007, the Board authorized the issuance of options to purchase 1,085 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain officers and employees of the Company under the terms of the 2006 Plan. The options have a term of ten years and vest ratably over a five-year period from date of grant. At September 30, 2013, there were 655 options still outstanding; all were fully vested and exercisable, each with an exercise price of $13.00 per share and 3.29 years of remaining contractual life. The remaining compensation expense of $51 was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The options outstanding under the 2006 Plan had no intrinsic value at September 30, 2013 as the exercise price was lower than the stock price at September 30, 2013.
	The Company had a total of 921 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.81 per unit outstanding under the 2006 Plan at December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 197 restricted stock units vested having an intrinsic value of $2,109. At September 30, 2013, there were 702 restricted stock units outstanding and the remaining contractual life ranged from 0.50 years to 4.0 years. The related compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $340 and $1,356, respectively. The related compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $663 and $2,057, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2013 was $3,514.
	On May 17, 2012, the Company adopted the Horsehead Holding Corp. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (“2012 Plan”), after it was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The 2012 Plan replaced the 2006 Plan, and no further awards, stock options or other grants will be issued under the 2004 Plan or 2006 Plan. The 2012 Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other cash- or equity-based awards. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company, as well as others performing consulting or advisory services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the 2012 Plan. The 2012 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. A total of 2,700 shares of the Company’s common stock were initially authorized for issuance under the 2012 Plan. The number of shares available for issuance under the 2012 Plan is subject to adjustment in the event of a reorganization, stock split, merger or similar change in the corporate structure or the number of outstanding shares of common stock. In the event of any of these occurrences, the Committee may make any adjustments considered appropriate to, among other things, the number and kind of shares, options or other property available for issuance under the 2012 Plan or covered by grants previously made under the 2012 Plan. The shares available for issuance under the 2012 Plan may be, in whole or in part, authorized and unissued or held as treasury shares. If awards under the 2012 Plan are for any reason cancelled, or expire or terminate unexercised, the shares covered by such awards may again be available for the grant of awards under the 2012 Plan.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 208 service based restricted stock units with an average grant date fair value of $10.54 per unit. The restricted stock units vest over a one or five-year service period.
	The Company also granted 172 restricted stock units to management based on the future achievement of a predefined level of total shareholder return compared to a group of global metals companies. The fair value at the date of grant for these restricted stock units was $20.62 per unit, as estimated by a third party on the date of grant, using a valuation model based on commonly accepted economic theory which is used for all valuations of awards with market conditions. This economic theory is also used as the basis for the Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo valuations. The significant assumptions used were a risk free rate of .037%, expected volatility of the Company and each comparator company, no expected dividends and a forfeiture rate of zero. A vesting percentage was then estimated based on the Company’s rank within the comparator group. Upon vesting and the achievement of the required shareholder return, these restricted stock units will be issued for par value.
	The related compensation expense for all 2012 Plan restricted stock units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $477 and $1,434, respectively. The remaining contractual life ranged from 0.25 years to 4.63 years. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2013 was $4,317.

Accounting_for_Derivative_Inst

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
	The Company’s business consists principally of the sale of zinc and nickel-based products. As a result, its results of operations are subject to risk of fluctuations in the market prices of these metals. While the Company’s finished products are generally priced based on a spread to the price of zinc or nickel, as applicable, on the LME, its revenues are impacted significantly by changes in the market prices of these metals. The Company pursues various hedging strategies as described below to reduce its exposure to movements in the prices of zinc and nickel.
	The Company’s marketing strategy includes a metal hedging program that allows customers to secure a firm price for future deliveries under a sales contract. Hedges are entered into based on firm sales contracts to deliver specified quantities of product on a monthly basis for terms generally not exceeding one year. A portion of the Company’s raw material purchases related to such firm price contracts are at varying zinc prices that are based on the LME. In order to protect its cash flow related to firm price sales contracts, the Company enters into fixed-to-variable swap contracts to convert the LME-based fixed sales price back to variable. Thus, if raw material costs increase as a result of LME zinc price increases, the related sales value and related cash flows will also increase. As of September 30, 2013, the fixed portions of these contracts ranged from a monthly average of $0.84 to $0.89 per pound for zinc.
	The Company has hedged approximately 4.2 tons of zinc with fixed-to-variable future swap contracts at September 30, 2013, all of which settle at various dates up to and including December 31, 2013
	The Company also enters into variable-to-fixed swap contracts as a financial hedge of a portion of its exposure to the movements in the LME prices nickel. As of September 30, 2013, the fixed portion of the nickel swap contracts ranged from a monthly average of $8.38 to $8.50 per pound.
	The Company has hedged approximately 0.1 tons of nickel with variable-to-fixed future swap contracts at September 30, 2013, all of which settle at various dates up to and including December 31, 2013.
	The Company received cash of $314 and $519 from the settlement of swap contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company received cash of $144 and $493 from the settlement of swap contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	At December 31, 2011, the Company had zinc put options with an $0.85 per pound strike price outstanding, which covered approximately 160 tons of zinc production, representing approximately 75% of the expected shipments for the period from January 2012 through June 2013. These put options were put in place to provide protection to operating cash flow in the event that zinc prices decline below that level during the construction of the new zinc facility. The Company also had zinc call options with a $1.81 per pound strike price, covering 160 tons of zinc production, outstanding at December 31, 2011.
	At December 31, 2012, the Company had zinc put options with an $0.85 per pound strike price outstanding, which covered approximately 106 tons of zinc production, representing 75% of the expected shipments for the period from January 2013 through December 2013. During 2012, the Company purchased the zinc put options, for the second half of 2013, at a cost of $4,945. These put options were put in place to provide protection to operating cash flow in the event that zinc prices decline below that level during the completion of construction of the new zinc facility. The Company also had zinc call options with a $1.81 per pound strike price outstanding but their value was negligible at December 31, 2012. The remaining zinc call options expired during the six months ended June 30, 2013.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company purchased put options, with an $0.85 per pound strike price, for the first quarter of 2014 that covered approximately 13.2 tons of production at a cost of $774. These put options were put in place to provide protection to operating cash flow in the event that zinc prices decline below that level during the completion of construction and start up of the new zinc facility. During August 2013, the Company put in place equivalent $0.85 per pound strike price put options covering an additional 4.4 tons per month of zinc production for the period of January 2014 through March 2014 and converted $0.85 per pound strike price put options covering 5.0 tons per month of zinc production from October 2013 through March 2014 to fixed price swap contracts for the same period at an average price of approximately $0.903 per pound. The sale of the put options resulted in a $1,295 cash benefit, and the Company was able to put the swaps in place without any additional payment. The Company continues to have put options in place with a strike price of $0.85 per pound covering approximately 3.9 tons per month of zinc production through March 2014. The Company converted a portion of their put options into swaps in order to reduce the effect of changes in the zinc price on cash flow during the period of planned transition of operations to the new zinc facility.
	The 2013 and 2012 put options settled monthly on an average LME pricing basis. The average LME monthly zinc price for five of the nine months in the period ended September 30, 2013 was lower than the strike price for the contracts and the Company received a total of $512 and $1,343 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The average LME monthly zinc price for three months during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was lower than the strike price for the contract and the Company received a total of $680 and $834 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	The gains and losses resulting from the Company’s hedging activities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as indicated in the table below.
		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
	(Losses) gains included in net sales:
	Options	$	(2,926	)	$	(8,603	)	$	(2,189	)	$	(27,379	)
	Swaps	2,054			613			2,551			2,194
	Total (losses) gains resulting from hedging activities	$	(872	)	$	(7,990	)	$	362		$	(25,185	)
	The fair value of the swap contracts and put options as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are listed in the table below.
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Options and swaps included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.	$	3,403		$	4,760
	Swaps included in Accrued expenses	$	64		$	—
	The fair values of derivative instruments are based upon a comparison of the Company’s internal valuations to the valuations provided by third party counterparties with whom they have entered into substantially identical derivative contracts. The Company also compares the counterparties’ valuations to ensure that there is an acceptable level of consistency among them. The put option valuations utilize forward pricing and an implied volatility of the underlying commodity as well as interest rate forwards and are therefore subject to fluctuation based on the movements of the commodity markets. The swap valuations are based on the official LME closing valuations at the end of the trading day on September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, using the mid-point of the closing bid and ask prices on all open swap positions regardless of the holder. The closing prices are supervised by the London Clearing House and are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, the financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom.
	The Company is exposed to credit loss in cases where counterparties with which they have entered into derivative transactions are unable to pay the Company when they owe the Company funds as a result of agreements with them. To minimize the risk of such losses, the Company uses LME-registered contracts entered into with a London Clearing House member for a majority of their contracts and utilizes seven different brokers for their hedging program. The Company does not require collateral and does not enter into master netting arrangements.
	On November 11, 2011, the Company received notification via email from MF Global UK Ltd. (in special administration) notifying it that all outstanding Over the Counter (“OTC”) hedge positions would be closed with an effective date of November 1, 2011. The net value of these outstanding OTC positions was $366 and their value was written off during the fourth quarter of 2011. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company sold its rights to any future bankruptcy settlement for these OTC positions to a third party and received $820.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	CONTINGENCIES
	The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws designed to protect the environment and believes that as a general matter, its policies, practices and procedures are properly designed to minimize risk of environmental damage and financial liability to the Company.
	The Company is party to various litigation, claims and disputes, including labor regulation claims and Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) and environmental regulation violations, some of which are for substantial amounts, arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate effect of such actions cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company expects that the outcome of these matters will not result in a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. The Company uses the treasury stock method when calculating the dilutive effect in basic EPS.
	Diluted EPS for periods with a net loss is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding.
	The information used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013			2012
	Basic loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(3,515	)	$	(9,129	)		$	(1,515	)	$	(19,270	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.21	)		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.44	)
	Diluted loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(3,515	)	$	(9,129	)		$	(1,515	)	$	(19,270	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Diluted loss per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.21	)		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.44	)
	Reconciliation of average shares outstanding – basic to average shares outstanding – diluted:
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Options	—			—				—			—
	Restricted stock units	—			—				—			—
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
		Exercise			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		Price
					2013			2012			2013		2012
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation
	Options	$	13		655			655			655		655
	Restricted Stock Units				1,090			994			1,137		1,025
	Total				1,745			1,649			1,792		1,680
	On July 27, 2011, the Company issued $100,000 of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are convertible at a conversion price of approximately $15.00 per share into cash, shares or a combination of both at the Company’s election. According to guidance under ASC 260 Earnings Per Share, if an entity issues a contract that may be settled in common stock or cash at the election of the entity or holder, then it is presumed that the contract will be settled in shares unless past experience or a stated policy provides a reasonable basis to believe that the contract will be paid partially or wholly in cash and the “if converted” method shall not be used. The Company has stated that it intends to settle the par value in cash and the conversion spread in either cash, shares or a combination of both. The Company utilizes the modified treasury stock method and assumes dilution if the average stock price for the quarter exceeds the conversion price. The share dilution is calculated by dividing the conversion spread value by the average share price for the quarter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the average stock price was lower than the exercise price for the Convertible Notes and therefore no conversion spread was recognized and no dilution assumed.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The following table presents information regarding the Company’s segment information:
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	97,618		$	12,228	$	(255	)	$	109,591
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(7,602		)	1,960		(57		)	(5,699		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	86,061		$	14,618	$	(309	)	$	100,370
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(15,011		)	3,546		(2,512		)	(13,977		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	297,914		$	41,222	$	(827	)	$	338,309
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(12,746		)	11,005		(866		)	(2,607		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	284,834		$	45,303	$	(912	)	$	329,225
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(38,911		)	11,923		(3,388		)	(30,376		)

Insurance_Recoveries

Insurance Recoveries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]	'
Insurance Recoveries	'
	INSURANCE RECOVERIES
	On October 28, 2012, a fire occurred at the Company’s INMETCO facility. As INMETCO began its annual maintenance shutdown of the rotary hearth furnace and the submerged arc furnace, it experienced an unrelated fire in the material preparation and blending section of the plant, incurring damage to that portion of the building. The damages from the fire exceeded the Company’s insurance deductible of $0.5 million. Through June 30, 2013, the Company incurred clean up, repair and other costs associated with the fire of $4,580 and a claim was submitted for property damage insurance recovery. The planned maintenance outage was only extended a day as a result of delays caused by the fire but the Company was not able to operate at full capacity until mid-December because power was not fully restored to some ancillary operations. All of the repairs associated with the fire were substantially complete by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
	The Company recorded $1,500 in insurance recoveries relating to property damage from its insurance carriers which is included in accounts receivable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012. The amount recorded represented a partial settlement of the entire claim. The partial settlement of $1,500 was received during the first quarter of 2013. The Company reached a final settlement in the amount of $3,950 during the second quarter of 2013 and recorded a receivable of $2,450 on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2013. The final settlement of $2,450 was received during the third quarter of 2013.
	The cost and insurance recoveries are summarized in the table below.
		Six months ended June 30, 2013		Year ended		Total
				December 31,
				2012
	Property damage insurance recovery	$	2,450	$	1,500	$	3,950
	Cost of clean-up and repairs	129		148		277
	Write off of fixed assets	—		236		236
	Gain related to insurance recovery included in cost of sales	$	2,321	$	1,116	$	3,437
	(excluding depreciation and amortization)
	Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	$	1,791	$	1,264	$	3,055

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Financial Information	'
	GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	The Senior Secured Notes were issued by Horsehead Holding Corp. and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior secured basis by the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries. The non-guarantor subsidiaries held approximately 8.0% of total assets at September 30, 2013, accounted for 17.6% of its consolidated revenues and recorded $3,676 of consolidated net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented net of intercompany activity. The following supplemental financial information sets forth on a consolidating basis, balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss), and statements of cash flows for the Company, the subsidiary Guarantors, and the Company’s non-guarantor subsidiaries.
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Balance Sheets
	September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	58,848		$	49,105		$	12,071		$	—		$	120,024
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance	—			54,236			12,442			—			66,678
	Inventories, net	—			53,984			9,542			—			63,526
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2			12,791			27			(3,184		)	9,636
	Deferred income taxes	—			3,332			(90		)	—			3,242
	Total current assets	58,850			173,448			33,992			(3,184		)	263,106
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			595,458			44,956			—			640,414
	Other assets
	Intangible assets	—			11,463			187			—			11,650
	Deferred income taxes	—			1,530			—			—			1,530
	Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	585,196			(409,116		)	(5,219		)	(170,861		)	—
	Deposits and other	22,513			1,819			335			(14,835		)	9,832
	Total other assets	607,709			(394,304		)	(4,697		)	(185,696		)	23,012
	Total assets	$	666,559		$	374,602		$	74,251		$	(188,880	)	$	926,532
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	2,571		$	—		$	—		$	2,571
	Accounts payable	—			93,951			8,936			—			102,887
	Accrued expenses	7,776			29,037			2,266			(3,106		)	35,973
	Total current liabilities	7,776			125,559			11,202			(3,106		)	141,431
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	278,615			61,688			24,940			(14,685		)	350,558
	Other long-term liabilities	—			16,565			1,179			—			17,744
	Deferred income taxes	—			32,357			229			—			32,586
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders’ equity
	Common stock	441			—			—			—			441
	Preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
	Additional paid-in capital	236,674			32,063			9,590			(41,653		)	236,674
	Retained earnings	143,053			102,305			27,355			(129,436		)	143,277
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			(244		)	—			(244		)
	Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	380,168			134,368			36,701			(171,089		)	380,148
	Noncontrolling interest	—			4,065			—			—			4,065
	Total stockholders’ equity	380,168			138,433			36,701			(171,089		)	384,213
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	666,559		$	374,602		$	74,251		$	(188,880	)	$	926,532
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Balance Sheets
	December 31, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	223,515		$	15,977		$	4,627		$	—		$	244,119
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance	—			50,086			9,981			(80		)	59,987
	Inventories, net	—			53,506			8,161			—			61,667
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29			18,116			33			(5,381		)	12,797
	Deferred income taxes	—			2,849			(118		)	—			2,731
	Total current assets	223,544			140,534			22,684			(5,461		)	381,301
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			365,869			39,353			—			405,222
	Other assets
	Intangible assets	—			12,527			243			—			12,770
	Deferred income taxes	—			1,530			—			—			1,530
	Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	389,740			(176,912		)	(5,612		)	(207,216		)	—
	Deposits and other	23,949			1,779			394			(15,117		)	11,005
	Total other assets	413,689			(161,076		)	(4,975		)	(222,333		)	25,305
Total assets	$	637,233		$	345,327		$	57,062		$	(227,794	)	$	811,828
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	1,285		$	—		$	—		$	1,285
Accounts payable	93			77,485			6,441			(80		)	83,939
Accrued expenses	3,494			31,366			922			(5,276		)	30,506
Deferred income taxes	—			—			—			—			—
Total current liabilities	3,587			110,136			7,363			(5,356		)	115,730
Long-term debt, less current maturities	254,524			8,555			15,184			(14,929		)	263,334
Other long-term liabilities	—			14,809			1,148			—			15,957
Deferred income taxes	—			33,297			229			—			33,526
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	439			—			—			—			439
Preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
Additional paid-in capital	234,113			30,869			10,784			(41,651		)	234,115
Retained earnings	144,570			143,482			22,598			(165,858		)	144,792
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			(244		)	—			(244		)
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	379,122			174,351			33,138			(207,509		)	379,102
Noncontrolling interest	—			4,179			—			—			4,179
Total stockholders’ equity	379,122			178,530			33,138			(207,509		)	383,281
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	637,233		$	345,327		$	57,062		$	(227,794	)	$	811,828
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	66,975		$	19,046		$	—		$	86,021
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			12,192			—			—			12,192
EAF dust service fees	—			11,378			—			—			11,378
Net sales	—			90,545			19,046			—			109,591
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			69,424			15,991			—			85,415
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			8,782			—			—			8,782
Cost of EAF dust services	—			8,558			—			—			8,558
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			86,764			15,991			—			102,755
Depreciation and amortization	—			6,515			608			—			7,123
Selling, general and administrative expenses	306			4,399			638			—			5,343
Total costs and expenses	306			97,678			17,237			—			115,221
(Loss) income from operations	(306		)	(7,133		)	1,809			—			(5,630		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(3,436		)	—			—			3,436			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(24		)	(428		)	(272		)	237			(487		)
Interest and other income	251			42			340			(215		)	418
Total other income (expense)	227			(386		)	68			22			(69		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,515		)	(7,519		)	1,877			3,458			(5,699		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(2,749		)	565			—			(2,184		)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	60,143		$	15,150		$	(65	)	$	75,228
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			14,618			—			—			14,618
EAF dust service fees	—			10,768			—			(244		)	10,524
Net sales	—			85,529			15,150			(309		)	100,370
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			69,950			13,226			(65		)	83,111
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			9,564			—			(244		)	9,320
Cost of EAF dust services	—			8,074			—			—			8,074
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			87,588			13,226			(309		)	100,505
Depreciation and amortization	—			5,557			468			—			6,025
Selling, general and administrative expenses	268			4,279			571			—			5,118
Total costs and expenses	268			97,424			14,265			(309		)	111,648
(Loss) income from operations	(268		)	(11,895		)	885			—			(11,278		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(6,596		)	—			—			6,596			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(3,044		)	91			(264		)	238			(2,979		)
Interest and other income	779			(505		)	223			(217		)	280
Total other income (expense)	(2,265		)	(414		)	(41		)	21			(2,699		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(9,129		)	(12,309		)	844			6,617			(13,977		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(5,165		)	317			—			(4,848		)
NET (LOSS)INCOME	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	527		$	6,617		$	(9,129	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	204,788		$	59,439		$	(413	)	$	263,814
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			41,119			—			—			41,119
EAF dust service fees	—			33,376			—			—			33,376
Net sales	—			279,283			59,439			(413		)	338,309
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			199,900			50,942			(413		)	250,429
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			27,661			—			—			27,661
Cost of EAF dust services	—			27,106			—			—			27,106
Insurance claim income	—			(2,450		)	—			—			(2,450		)
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			252,217			50,942			(413		)	302,746
Depreciation and amortization	—			19,847			1,727			—			21,574
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,059			14,049			1,771			—			16,879
Total costs and expenses	1,059			286,113			54,440			(413		)	341,199
(Loss) income from operations	(1,059		)	(6,830		)	4,999			—			(2,890		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(584		)	—			—			584			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(699		)	(1,207		)	(818		)	717			(2,007		)
Interest and other income	827			996			1,119			(652		)	2,290
Total other income (expense)	128			(211		)	301			65			283
(Loss) income before income taxes	(1,515		)	(7,041		)	5,300			649			(2,607		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(2,716		)	1,624			—			(1,092		)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	199,848		$	52,070		$	(809	)	$	251,109
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			45,303			—			—			45,303
EAF dust service fees	—			33,659			—			(846		)	32,813
Net sales	—			278,810			52,070			(1,655		)	329,225
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			222,085			46,854			(809		)	268,130
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			28,845			—			(846		)	27,999
Cost of EAF dust services	—			24,937			—			—			24,937
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			275,867			46,854			(1,655		)	321,066
Depreciation and amortization	—			16,723			1,434			—			18,157
Selling, general and administrative expenses	984			13,763			1,646			—			16,393
Total costs and expenses	984			306,353			49,934			(1,655		)	355,616
(Loss) income from operations	(984		)	(27,543		)	2,136			—			(26,391		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(15,818		)	—			—			15,818			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(3,431		)	(1,626		)	(794		)	715			(5,136		)
Interest and other income	963			131			708			(651		)	1,151
Total other income (expense)	(2,468		)	(1,495		)	(86		)	64			(3,985		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(19,270		)	(29,038		)	2,050			15,882			(30,376		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(11,927		)	821			—			(11,106		)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net (loss) income	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net (loss) income	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	527		$	6,617		$	(9,129	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			376			—			376
Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			16			—			16
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	919		$	6,617		$	(8,737	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			302			—			302
Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			44			—			44
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,575		$	15,882		$	(18,924	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	—			19,847			1,727			—			21,574
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	—			(1,791		)	—			—			(1,791		)
Deferred income tax provision	—			(1,423		)	(28		)	—			(1,451		)
Accretion on debt	2,792			—			—			—			2,792
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	—			333			—			—			333
Amortization of deferred finance costs	1,577			181			86			(64		)	1,780
Losses on write down or disposal of assets	—			131			—			—			131
Losses on derivative financial instruments	—			964			22			—			986
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	—			2,893			—			—			2,893
Non-cash compensation expense	285			2,502			—			—			2,787
Capitalization of interest	(21,011		)	(522		)	—			—			(21,533		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	584			—			—			(584		)	—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in accounts receivable	—			(4,149		)	(2,462		)	(80		)	(6,691		)
(Increase) in inventories	—			(3,371		)	(1,381		)	—			(4,752		)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	27			4,424			(16		)	(2,195		)	2,240
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	217			(96		)	—			(218		)	(97		)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	(93		)	16,466			2,495			80			18,948
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	4,282			(2,393		)	1,101			2,412			5,402
Increase in long-term liabilities	—			1,422			32			—			1,454
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(12,855		)	31,093			5,252			—			23,490
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	—			(226,955		)	(7,275		)	—			(234,230		)
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	—			1,791			—			—			1,791
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	(172,528		)	172,922			(394		)	—			—
Net cash used in investing activities.	(172,528		)	(52,242		)	(7,669		)	—			(232,439		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	21,300			—			—			—			21,300
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	—			—			(114		)	—			(114		)
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	—			45,000			23,500			—			68,500
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	—			—			(13,500		)	—			(13,500		)
Debt issuance costs	(358		)	(141		)	(25		)	—			(524		)
Borrowings on Credit Agreement	—			10,603			—			—			10,603
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	—			(1,185		)	—			—			(1,185		)
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	185			—			—			—			185
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	(411		)	—			—			—			(411		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	20,716			54,277			9,861			—			84,854
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(164,667		)	33,128			7,444			—			(124,095		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	223,515			15,977			4,627			—			244,119
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	58,848		$	49,105		$	12,071		$	—		$	120,024
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	—			16,723			1,434			—			18,157
Deferred income tax provision	—			(269		)	79			(991		)	(1,181		)
Accretion on debt	2,367			—			—			—			2,367
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	—			658			—			—			658
Amortization of deferred finance costs	599			65			64			(64		)	664
Losses on write down or disposal of assets	—			9,339			—			—			9,339
Losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments	—			26,753			(241		)	—			26,512
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	—			1,421			—			—			1,421
Non-cash compensation expense	273			1,835			—			—			2,108
Capitalization of interest	(5,757		)	—			—			—			(5,757		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	15,818			—			—			(15,818		)	—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	—			1,109			(3,226		)	(148		)	(2,265		)
Decrease (increase) in inventories	—			(6,806		)	650			—			(6,156		)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(17		)	7,345			(59		)	(13,974		)	(6,705		)
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	217			(17		)	—			(218		)	(18		)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	(97		)	17,428			1,883			148			19,362
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	2,861			(18,167		)	(450		)	15,183			(573		)
(Decrease) increase in long-term liabilities	—			(502		)	59			—			(443		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,006		)	39,804			1,422			—			38,220
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	—			(105,249		)	(1,726		)	—			(106,975		)
Decrease in restricted cash	—			2,500			—			—			2,500
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	(53,201		)	53,201			—			—			—
Net cash used in investing activities.	(53,201		)	(49,548		)	(1,726		)	—			(104,475		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	171,829			—			—			—			171,829
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	—			—			(113		)	—			(113		)
Debt Issuance Costs	(7,377		)	(70		)	—			—			(7,447		)
Proceeds from the exercise of options	138			—			—			—			138
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	578			—			—			—			578
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	165,168			(70		)	(113		)	—			164,985
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	—			—			301			—			301
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	108,961			(9,814		)	(116		)	—			99,031
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	166,423			16,526			5,551			—			188,500
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	275,384		$	6,712		$	5,435		$	—		$	287,531

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On September 27, 2013, the Company filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on October 3, 2013. On October 30, 2013, the Company completed an underwritten public offering, under the shelf registration statement, of 6,325 shares of its common stock, including 825 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' exercise of their option to purchase additional shares. At the public offering price of $12.00 per share, the aggregate price of shares of common stock sold by the Company was $75,900. The net proceeds realized by the Company from the offering, after accounting for $3,416 in underwriting discounts and commissions and $362 in estimated expenses relating to the offering, were $72,122. The net proceeds are available for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisitions and working capital.
	On October 31, 2013, the Company notified various required parties, as required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq., that Horsehead Corporations’ manufacturing operations at the majority of the plant located at 300 Frankfort Road, Monaca, PA, 15061 are expected to be permanently closed and shut down on or about December 31, 2013. Horsehead expects to permanently terminate the employment of approximately five hundred ten employees, whose last day of work is expected to be on or about December 31, 2013 (or on a date within the thirteen day period immediately after December 31, 2013). This notice is expected to lead to severance and other charges of approximately $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Tabl

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cash in bank	$	119,807	$	218,938
	Money market demand account	217		25,181
		$	120,024	$	244,119

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	7,565	$	12,273
	Work-in-process	7,041		3,430
	Finished goods	34,352		30,848
	Supplies and spare parts	14,568		15,116
		$	63,526	$	61,667

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Refundable income taxes	$	3,789	$	4,742
	Prepaid hedge contracts	3,403		4,760
	Other	2,444		3,295
		$	9,636	$	12,797

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land and land improvements	$	24,561		$	24,089
	Buildings and building improvements	27,611			25,438
	Machinery and equipment	234,391			221,060
	Construction in progress	466,047			226,829
		752,610			497,416
	Less accumulated depreciation	(112,196		)	(92,194		)
		$	640,414		$	405,222

Deposits_and_Other_Tables

Deposits and Other (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deposits [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Deposits and Other	'
	Deposits and other at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred finance costs	$	9,517	$	10,773
	Other	315		232
		$	9,832	$	11,005

Long_Term_Debt_Tables

Long -Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Loan Payable, related to New Market Tax Credit program	$	255	$	255
	3.80% Convertible Senior Notes due July 2017, net of debt discount	84,953		82,476
	10.50% Senior Secured Notes due June 2017, net of debt discount	193,662		172,047
	ABL Facility, interest payable at variable rates	30,000		—
	Zochem Credit Facility, interest payable at variable rates	10,000		—
	INMETCO Credit Facility, interest payable at variable rates	15,000		—
	Credit Agreement, interest payable at variable rates	19,259		9,841
		353,129		264,619
	Less portion currently payable	2,571		1,285
		$	350,558	$	263,334

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Employee related costs	$	7,800	$	9,797
	EAF dust processing reserve	3,254		2,641
	Workers’ compensation insurance claim liabilities	2,400		2,400
	Unearned tolling revenue	2,714		2,233
	Accrued electric	3,953		2,144
	Accrued interest	8,064		3,600
	Other	7,788		7,691
		$	35,973	$	30,506

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Tab

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	Other long-term liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Environmental obligations	$	644	$	588
	Insurance claim liabilities	5,858		5,485
	Asset retirement obligations	4,377		4,152
	Deferred purchase price obligation	4,528		4,195
	Pension liability	819		788
	Other	1,518		749
		$	17,744	$	15,957

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	Net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
		Three months ended September 30, 2013			Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service Cost	$	64		$	53
	Interest Cost	54			53
	Expected return on plan assets	(69		)	(70		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			7
	Losses	1			17
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	50		$	60
	Net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013			Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service Cost	$	191		$	159
	Interest Cost	163			148
	Expected return on plan assets	(208		)	(210		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			20
	Losses	1			46
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	147		$	163

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Cumulative translation adjustments	$	30		$	30
	Net pension adjustment	(274		)	(274		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(244	)	$	(244	)

Accounting_for_Derivative_Inst1

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Gains and Losses Resulting from Company's Hedging Activities	'
	The gains and losses resulting from the Company’s hedging activities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as indicated in the table below.
		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
	(Losses) gains included in net sales:
	Options	$	(2,926	)	$	(8,603	)	$	(2,189	)	$	(27,379	)
	Swaps	2,054			613			2,551			2,194
	Total (losses) gains resulting from hedging activities	$	(872	)	$	(7,990	)	$	362		$	(25,185	)
Schedule of Fair Value of Swap Contracts and Put Options	'
	The fair value of the swap contracts and put options as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are listed in the table below.
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	Options and swaps included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.	$	3,403		$	4,760
	Swaps included in Accrued expenses	$	64		$	—

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Information Used to Compute Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	The information used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is as follows:
		Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012				2013			2012
	Basic loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(3,515	)	$	(9,129	)		$	(1,515	)	$	(19,270	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Basic loss per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.21	)		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.44	)
	Diluted loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(3,515	)	$	(9,129	)		$	(1,515	)	$	(19,270	)
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Diluted loss per share	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.21	)		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.44	)
	Reconciliation of average shares outstanding – basic to average shares outstanding – diluted:
	Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Options	—			—				—			—
	Restricted stock units	—			—				—			—
	Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted	44,109			43,869				44,077			43,802
Schedule of Anti-dilutive Shares Excluded from Earnings Per Share Calculation	'
		Exercise			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		Price
					2013			2012			2013		2012
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation
	Options	$	13		655			655			655		655
	Restricted Stock Units				1,090			994			1,137		1,025
	Total				1,745			1,649			1,792		1,680

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Information	'
	The following table presents information regarding the Company’s segment information:
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	97,618		$	12,228	$	(255	)	$	109,591
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(7,602		)	1,960		(57		)	(5,699		)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	86,061		$	14,618	$	(309	)	$	100,370
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(15,011		)	3,546		(2,512		)	(13,977		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	297,914		$	41,222	$	(827	)	$	338,309
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(12,746		)	11,005		(866		)	(2,607		)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012	Zinc products and services			Nickel products and services		Corporate, eliminations			Total
							and other
	Net sales	$	284,834		$	45,303	$	(912	)	$	329,225
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(38,911		)	11,923		(3,388		)	(30,376		)

Insurance_Recoveries_Tables

Insurance Recoveries (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Costs and Insurance Recoveries	'
	The cost and insurance recoveries are summarized in the table below.
		Six months ended June 30, 2013		Year ended		Total
				December 31,
				2012
	Property damage insurance recovery	$	2,450	$	1,500	$	3,950
	Cost of clean-up and repairs	129		148		277
	Write off of fixed assets	—		236		236
	Gain related to insurance recovery included in cost of sales	$	2,321	$	1,116	$	3,437
	(excluding depreciation and amortization)
	Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	$	1,791	$	1,264	$	3,055

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following supplemental financial information sets forth on a consolidating basis, balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss), and statements of cash flows for the Company, the subsidiary Guarantors, and the Company’s non-guarantor subsidiaries.
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Balance Sheets
	September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	58,848		$	49,105		$	12,071		$	—		$	120,024
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance	—			54,236			12,442			—			66,678
	Inventories, net	—			53,984			9,542			—			63,526
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2			12,791			27			(3,184		)	9,636
	Deferred income taxes	—			3,332			(90		)	—			3,242
	Total current assets	58,850			173,448			33,992			(3,184		)	263,106
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			595,458			44,956			—			640,414
	Other assets
	Intangible assets	—			11,463			187			—			11,650
	Deferred income taxes	—			1,530			—			—			1,530
	Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	585,196			(409,116		)	(5,219		)	(170,861		)	—
	Deposits and other	22,513			1,819			335			(14,835		)	9,832
	Total other assets	607,709			(394,304		)	(4,697		)	(185,696		)	23,012
	Total assets	$	666,559		$	374,602		$	74,251		$	(188,880	)	$	926,532
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	2,571		$	—		$	—		$	2,571
	Accounts payable	—			93,951			8,936			—			102,887
	Accrued expenses	7,776			29,037			2,266			(3,106		)	35,973
	Total current liabilities	7,776			125,559			11,202			(3,106		)	141,431
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	278,615			61,688			24,940			(14,685		)	350,558
	Other long-term liabilities	—			16,565			1,179			—			17,744
	Deferred income taxes	—			32,357			229			—			32,586
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders’ equity
	Common stock	441			—			—			—			441
	Preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
	Additional paid-in capital	236,674			32,063			9,590			(41,653		)	236,674
	Retained earnings	143,053			102,305			27,355			(129,436		)	143,277
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			(244		)	—			(244		)
	Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	380,168			134,368			36,701			(171,089		)	380,148
	Noncontrolling interest	—			4,065			—			—			4,065
	Total stockholders’ equity	380,168			138,433			36,701			(171,089		)	384,213
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	666,559		$	374,602		$	74,251		$	(188,880	)	$	926,532
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Balance Sheets
	December 31, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-			Eliminations			Total
								Guarantors						Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	223,515		$	15,977		$	4,627		$	—		$	244,119
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance	—			50,086			9,981			(80		)	59,987
	Inventories, net	—			53,506			8,161			—			61,667
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29			18,116			33			(5,381		)	12,797
	Deferred income taxes	—			2,849			(118		)	—			2,731
	Total current assets	223,544			140,534			22,684			(5,461		)	381,301
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			365,869			39,353			—			405,222
	Other assets
	Intangible assets	—			12,527			243			—			12,770
	Deferred income taxes	—			1,530			—			—			1,530
	Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	389,740			(176,912		)	(5,612		)	(207,216		)	—
	Deposits and other	23,949			1,779			394			(15,117		)	11,005
	Total other assets	413,689			(161,076		)	(4,975		)	(222,333		)	25,305
	Total assets	$	637,233		$	345,327		$	57,062		$	(227,794	)	$	811,828
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	1,285		$	—		$	—		$	1,285
Accounts payable	93			77,485			6,441			(80		)	83,939
Accrued expenses	3,494			31,366			922			(5,276		)	30,506
Deferred income taxes	—			—			—			—			—
Total current liabilities	3,587			110,136			7,363			(5,356		)	115,730
Long-term debt, less current maturities	254,524			8,555			15,184			(14,929		)	263,334
Other long-term liabilities	—			14,809			1,148			—			15,957
Deferred income taxes	—			33,297			229			—			33,526
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	439			—			—			—			439
Preferred stock	—			—			—			—			—
Additional paid-in capital	234,113			30,869			10,784			(41,651		)	234,115
Retained earnings	144,570			143,482			22,598			(165,858		)	144,792
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			(244		)	—			(244		)
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	379,122			174,351			33,138			(207,509		)	379,102
Noncontrolling interest	—			4,179			—			—			4,179
Total stockholders’ equity	379,122			178,530			33,138			(207,509		)	383,281
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	637,233		$	345,327		$	57,062		$	(227,794	)	$	811,828
Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	66,975		$	19,046		$	—		$	86,021
	Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			12,192			—			—			12,192
	EAF dust service fees	—			11,378			—			—			11,378
	Net sales	—			90,545			19,046			—			109,591
	Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			69,424			15,991			—			85,415
	Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			8,782			—			—			8,782
	Cost of EAF dust services	—			8,558			—			—			8,558
	Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			86,764			15,991			—			102,755
	Depreciation and amortization	—			6,515			608			—			7,123
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	306			4,399			638			—			5,343
	Total costs and expenses	306			97,678			17,237			—			115,221
	(Loss) income from operations	(306		)	(7,133		)	1,809			—			(5,630		)
	Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(3,436		)	—			—			3,436			—
	Other income (expense)
	Interest expense	(24		)	(428		)	(272		)	237			(487		)
	Interest and other income	251			42			340			(215		)	418
	Total other income (expense)	227			(386		)	68			22			(69		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,515		)	(7,519		)	1,877			3,458			(5,699		)
	Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(2,749		)	565			—			(2,184		)
	NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	60,143		$	15,150		$	(65	)	$	75,228
	Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			14,618			—			—			14,618
	EAF dust service fees	—			10,768			—			(244		)	10,524
	Net sales	—			85,529			15,150			(309		)	100,370
	Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			69,950			13,226			(65		)	83,111
	Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			9,564			—			(244		)	9,320
	Cost of EAF dust services	—			8,074			—			—			8,074
	Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			87,588			13,226			(309		)	100,505
	Depreciation and amortization	—			5,557			468			—			6,025
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	268			4,279			571			—			5,118
	Total costs and expenses	268			97,424			14,265			(309		)	111,648
	(Loss) income from operations	(268		)	(11,895		)	885			—			(11,278		)
	Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(6,596		)	—			—			6,596			—
	Other income (expense)
	Interest expense	(3,044		)	91			(264		)	238			(2,979		)
	Interest and other income	779			(505		)	223			(217		)	280
	Total other income (expense)	(2,265		)	(414		)	(41		)	21			(2,699		)
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(9,129		)	(12,309		)	844			6,617			(13,977		)
	Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(5,165		)	317			—			(4,848		)
	NET (LOSS)INCOME	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	527		$	6,617		$	(9,129	)
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Operations
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	204,788		$	59,439		$	(413	)	$	263,814
	Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			41,119			—			—			41,119
	EAF dust service fees	—			33,376			—			—			33,376
	Net sales	—			279,283			59,439			(413		)	338,309
	Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			199,900			50,942			(413		)	250,429
	Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			27,661			—			—			27,661
	Cost of EAF dust services	—			27,106			—			—			27,106
	Insurance claim income	—			(2,450		)	—			—			(2,450		)
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			252,217			50,942			(413		)	302,746
Depreciation and amortization	—			19,847			1,727			—			21,574
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,059			14,049			1,771			—			16,879
Total costs and expenses	1,059			286,113			54,440			(413		)	341,199
(Loss) income from operations	(1,059		)	(6,830		)	4,999			—			(2,890		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(584		)	—			—			584			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(699		)	(1,207		)	(818		)	717			(2,007		)
Interest and other income	827			996			1,119			(652		)	2,290
Total other income (expense)	128			(211		)	301			65			283
(Loss) income before income taxes	(1,515		)	(7,041		)	5,300			649			(2,607		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(2,716		)	1,624			—			(1,092		)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
													Consolidated
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$	—		$	199,848		$	52,070		$	(809	)	$	251,109
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			45,303			—			—			45,303
EAF dust service fees	—			33,659			—			(846		)	32,813
Net sales	—			278,810			52,070			(1,655		)	329,225
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	—			222,085			46,854			(809		)	268,130
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	—			28,845			—			(846		)	27,999
Cost of EAF dust services	—			24,937			—			—			24,937
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	—			275,867			46,854			(1,655		)	321,066
Depreciation and amortization	—			16,723			1,434			—			18,157
Selling, general and administrative expenses	984			13,763			1,646			—			16,393
Total costs and expenses	984			306,353			49,934			(1,655		)	355,616
(Loss) income from operations	(984		)	(27,543		)	2,136			—			(26,391		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(15,818		)	—			—			15,818			—
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(3,431		)	(1,626		)	(794		)	715			(5,136		)
Interest and other income	963			131			708			(651		)	1,151
Total other income (expense)	(2,468		)	(1,495		)	(86		)	64			(3,985		)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(19,270		)	(29,038		)	2,050			15,882			(30,376		)
Income tax (benefit) provision	—			(11,927		)	821			—			(11,106		)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net (loss) income	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
	Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(3,515	)	$	(4,770	)	$	1,312		$	3,458		$	(3,515	)
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net (loss) income	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	527		$	6,617		$	(9,129	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			376			—			376
	Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			16			—			16
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(9,129	)	$	(7,144	)	$	919		$	6,617		$	(8,737	)
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
	Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Net (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			302			—			302
	Net pension liability adjustment	—			—			44			—			44
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,575		$	15,882		$	(18,924	)
Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow	'
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,515	)	$	(4,325	)	$	3,676		$	649		$	(1,515	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization	—			19,847			1,727			—			21,574
	Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	—			(1,791		)	—			—			(1,791		)
	Deferred income tax provision	—			(1,423		)	(28		)	—			(1,451		)
	Accretion on debt	2,792			—			—			—			2,792
	Accretion on ESOI liabilities	—			333			—			—			333
	Amortization of deferred finance costs	1,577			181			86			(64		)	1,780
	Losses on write down or disposal of assets	—			131			—			—			131
	Losses on derivative financial instruments	—			964			22			—			986
	Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	—			2,893			—			—			2,893
	Non-cash compensation expense	285			2,502			—			—			2,787
	Capitalization of interest	(21,011		)	(522		)	—			—			(21,533		)
	Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	584			—			—			(584		)	—
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	(Increase) in accounts receivable	—			(4,149		)	(2,462		)	(80		)	(6,691		)
	(Increase) in inventories	—			(3,371		)	(1,381		)	—			(4,752		)
	Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	27			4,424			(16		)	(2,195		)	2,240
	Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	217			(96		)	—			(218		)	(97		)
	(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	(93		)	16,466			2,495			80			18,948
	Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	4,282			(2,393		)	1,101			2,412			5,402
	Increase in long-term liabilities	—			1,422			32			—			1,454
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(12,855		)	31,093			5,252			—			23,490
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Purchase of property, plant and equipment	—			(226,955		)	(7,275		)	—			(234,230		)
	Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	—			1,791			—			—			1,791
	Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	(172,528		)	172,922			(394		)	—			—
	Net cash used in investing activities.	(172,528		)	(52,242		)	(7,669		)	—			(232,439		)
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from the issuance of debt	21,300			—			—			—			21,300
	Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	—			—			(114		)	—			(114		)
	Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	—			45,000			23,500			—			68,500
	Repayments on the Credit Facilities	—			—			(13,500		)	—			(13,500		)
	Debt issuance costs	(358		)	(141		)	(25		)	—			(524		)
	Borrowings on Credit Agreement	—			10,603			—			—			10,603
	Repayments on the Credit Agreement	—			(1,185		)	—			—			(1,185		)
	Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	185			—			—			—			185
	Restricted stock withheld for taxes	(411		)	—			—			—			(411		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	20,716			54,277			9,861			—			84,854
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(164,667		)	33,128			7,444			—			(124,095		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	223,515			15,977			4,627			—			244,119
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	58,848		$	49,105		$	12,071		$	—		$	120,024
	Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
														Consolidated
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(19,270	)	$	(17,111	)	$	1,229		$	15,882		$	(19,270	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization	—			16,723			1,434			—			18,157
	Deferred income tax provision	—			(269		)	79			(991		)	(1,181		)
	Accretion on debt	2,367			—			—			—			2,367
	Accretion on ESOI liabilities	—			658			—			—			658
	Amortization of deferred finance costs	599			65			64			(64		)	664
	Losses on write down or disposal of assets	—			9,339			—			—			9,339
	Losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments	—			26,753			(241		)	—			26,512
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	—			1,421			—			—			1,421
Non-cash compensation expense	273			1,835			—			—			2,108
Capitalization of interest	(5,757		)	—			—			—			(5,757		)
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	15,818			—			—			(15,818		)	—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	—			1,109			(3,226		)	(148		)	(2,265		)
Decrease (increase) in inventories	—			(6,806		)	650			—			(6,156		)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	(17		)	7,345			(59		)	(13,974		)	(6,705		)
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	217			(17		)	—			(218		)	(18		)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	(97		)	17,428			1,883			148			19,362
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	2,861			(18,167		)	(450		)	15,183			(573		)
(Decrease) increase in long-term liabilities	—			(502		)	59			—			(443		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,006		)	39,804			1,422			—			38,220
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	—			(105,249		)	(1,726		)	—			(106,975		)
Decrease in restricted cash	—			2,500			—			—			2,500
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	(53,201		)	53,201			—			—			—
Net cash used in investing activities.	(53,201		)	(49,548		)	(1,726		)	—			(104,475		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	171,829			—			—			—			171,829
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	—			—			(113		)	—			(113		)
Debt Issuance Costs	(7,377		)	(70		)	—			—			(7,447		)
Proceeds from the exercise of options	138			—			—			—			138
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	578			—			—			—			578
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	165,168			(70		)	(113		)	—			164,985
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	—			—			301			—			301
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	108,961			(9,814		)	(116		)	—			99,031
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	166,423			16,526			5,551			—			188,500
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	275,384		$	6,712		$	5,435		$	—		$	287,531

Acquisition_of_Business_Detail

Acquisition of Business (Details) (Mitsui Zinc Powders [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 16, 2012
Mitsui Zinc Powders [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Estimated purchase price	$1,101
Business acquisition purchase price paid	500
Contingent consideration	1,270
Contingent consideration fee based on tons shipped, maximum	$1,500

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Sche

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash in bank	$119,807	$218,938	'	'
Money market demand account	217	25,181	'	'
Total cash and cash equivalents	$120,024	$244,119	$287,531	$188,500

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Addi

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Bank	Bank
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'	'
Number of U.S. banks in which Company's cash balance concentrated (bank)	3	3
Number of Canadian banks in which Company's cash balance concentrated (bank)	1	1
Cash held at foreign institution	$12,071	'
Money market demand account interest rate (percent)	0.20%	0.20%

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$7,565	$12,273
Work-in-process	7,041	3,430
Finished goods	34,352	30,848
Supplies and spare parts	14,568	15,116
Total Inventories	$63,526	$61,667

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reserves for slow moving inventory	$2,563,000	'	'	'	'	'	$2,563,000	'	$3,090,000
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	$1,266,000	$765,000	$862,000	$174,000	$1,247,000	$0	$2,893,000	$1,421,000	$1,421,000

Prepaid_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]	'	'
Refundable income taxes	$3,789	$4,742
Prepaid hedge contracts	3,403	4,760
Other	2,444	3,295
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$9,636	$12,797

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant and Equipment (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Land and land improvements	$24,561	$24,089
Buildings and building improvements	27,611	25,438
Machinery and equipment	234,391	221,060
Construction in progress	466,047	226,829
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	752,610	497,416
Less accumulated depreciation	-112,196	-92,194
Property, plant and equipment, Net	$640,414	$405,222

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Smelting Operation [Member]

New Zinc Facility [Member]

New Zinc Facility [Member]

New Zinc Facility [Member]

New Zinc Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Monaca Pennsylvania Facility [Member]

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses for Property Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalization of interest expenses

'

$7,721,000

$2,990,000

$21,534,000

$5,757,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net capitalized interest expense

'

'

'

32,595,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

'

'

'

'

'

15,966,000

6,065,000

3,274,000

9,797,000

0

'

35,102,000

Reduced useful life of an asset

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 months

'

Net book value of asset

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$16,000,000

'

'

Deposits_and_Other_Schedule_of

Deposits and Other (Schedule of Deposits and Other) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deposits [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred finance costs	$9,517	$10,773
Other	315	232
Deposits and other, Total	$9,832	$11,005

Long_Term_Debt_Schedule_of_Lon

Long -Term Debt (Schedule of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 26, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan Payable, related to New Market Tax Credit program	$255	$255	'
3.80% Convertible Senior Notes due July 2017, net of debt discount	84,953	82,476	'
10.50% Senior Secured Notes due June 2017, net of debt discount	193,662	172,047	'
Credit Agreement, interest payable at variable rates	19,259	9,841	'
Long term debt	353,129	264,619	'
Less portion currently payable	2,571	1,285	'
Long term debt, net	350,558	263,334	'
3.80% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity date of convertible note	1-Jul-17	'	'
Debt interest rate (percent)	3.80%	3.80%	'
10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
10.50% Senior Secured Notes due June 2017, net of debt discount	172,454	172,047	'
Maturity of senior secured notes	1-Jun-17	'	'
Debt interest rate (percent)	10.50%	10.50%	10.50%
ABL Facility [Domain]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Line of Credit	30,000	0	'
Zochem Credit Facility [Domain]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Line of Credit	10,000	0	'
INMETCO Credit Facility [Domain]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term Line of Credit	$15,000	$0	'

Long_Term_Debt_Convertible_Sen

Long -Term Debt (Convertible Senior Notes) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible notes issued	$100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion rate	0.0666667	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of convertible notes (shares)	6,666.67	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion price (dollars per share)	$15	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of principal amount of convertible notes to repurchase (percent)	'	100.00%	'	100.00%	'	'
Fair value of the liability component of the convertible notes	'	78,174,000	'	78,174,000	'	'
Nonconvertible rate (percent)	'	'	'	8.50%	'	'
Carrying amount of the embedded conversion option	'	21,826,000	'	21,826,000	'	'
Embedded conversion options, deferred taxes	'	'	'	8,805,000	'	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	'	'	'	1,780,000	664,000	'
Remaining issuance costs accounted for as equity issuance	'	'	'	760,000	'	'
Carrying amount of the convertible notes	'	84,953,000	'	84,953,000	'	82,476,000
Carrying amount of the equity component	'	8,764,000	'	8,764,000	'	10,204,000
Accumulated accretion related to the equity component	'	4,257,000	'	4,257,000	'	2,817,000
Fair value of the convertible notes	'	108,000,000	'	108,000,000	'	95,000,000
Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible notes issued	100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Interest on convertible note (percent)	3.80%	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes	100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance cost	3,481,000	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon (percent)	'	'	'	3.80%	'	'
Convertible Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance cost	2,721,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	'	115,000	115,000	345,000	345,000	'
Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon	'	1,793,000	1,725,000	5,327,000	5,126,000	'
Effective interest rate (percent)	'	8.50%	'	8.50%	'	'
Carrying amount of the convertible notes	'	84,953,000	'	84,953,000	'	82,476,000
Unamortized discount of the convertible notes	'	$15,047,000	'	$15,047,000	'	$17,524,000

Long_Term_Debt_Revolving_Credi

Long -Term Debt (Revolving Credit and Security Agreement) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 28, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

ABL Facility [Member]

ABL Facility [Member]

ABL Facility [Member]

ABL Facility [Member]

ABL Facility [Member]

ABL Facility [Member]

Horsehead [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior secured revolving credit facility term (years)

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior secured revolving credit facility aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

$60,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum principal amount of revolving credit agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,212,000

'

10,212,000

'

10,256,000

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement

'

19,259,000

'

'

9,841,000

'

30,000,000

'

30,000,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Undrawn availability under the revolving credit agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LIBOR interest rate (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

1.00%

'

Range of revolving credit agreement, plus an applicable margin based on average undrawn availability (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.75%

'

2.50%

Fronting fee to the issuing bank (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of advances considered for customary event of default (percent)

'

'

'

66.67%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable rate plus additional (percent)

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increased in letter of credit fee (percent)

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of fee to the issuing bank/Unused line fee to the lenders (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

0.38%

'

Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio contains in revolving credit agreement

'

'

'

1.15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum undrawn availability of line of credit within any business day (days)

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum undrawn availability of line of credit within consecutive five business day

'

'

'

12,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business days (days)

'5 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

444,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred finance costs

'

$1,780,000

$664,000

'

'

'

$24,000

$21,000

$67,000

$64,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long_Term_Debt_Senior_Secured_

Long -Term Debt (Senior Secured Notes) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Jul. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 27, 2011

Jul. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 03, 2013

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

10.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Senior Secured Notes Additional [Member]

Senior Secured Notes Additional [Member]

Senior Secured Notes Additional [Member]

Senior Secured Notes Additional [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible notes issued

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$175,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$20,000,000

Interest on convertible note (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

10.50%

10.50%

'

10.50%

'

10.50%

'

'

'

'

Additional Senior secured notes issue price of par value (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

98.19%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

106.50%

Received proceeds from the offering

'

'

'

'

'

171,829,000

'

'

'

'

'

21,300,000

'

'

'

Issuance cost

'

'

'

'

'

7,732,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

345,000

'

Net proceeds from the offering

'

'

'

'

'

164,097,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

10.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.50%

'

Operational date of new zinc facility

1-Apr-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption date first

1-Jun-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption date second

1-Jun-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption price first (percent)

105.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage amount redeemable of aggregate principal (percent)

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption price second (percent)

110.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt discount of senior secured notes

'

'

'

'

'

3,171,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense related to Senior Secured Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,733,000

3,408,000

14,188,000

3,408,000

'

'

'

'

'

Effective interest rate (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

11.00%

'

'

'

8.60%

8.60%

'

Carrying amount of the Senior Secured Note

'

193,662,000

'

172,047,000

'

'

172,454,000

'

172,454,000

'

172,047,000

'

'

'

'

Unamortized discount of the convertible notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,546,000

'

2,546,000

'

2,953,000

'

'

'

'

Fair value of the senior secured notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

188,000,000

'

188,000,000

'

187,000,000

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred finance costs

'

1,780,000

664,000

'

'

'

400,000

254,000

1,200,000

254,000

'

'

23,000

29,000

'

Debt Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

Interest expense includes the contractual interest coupon

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

456,000

596,000

'

Carrying amount of the additional senior secured notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,208,000

21,208,000

'

Unamortized pemium of the additional senior secured notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,208,000

-1,208,000

'

Fair value of the additional senior secured notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,000,000

$21,000,000

'

Long_Term_Debt_Credit_Agreemen

Long -Term Debt (Credit Agreement) (Details)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]	Credit Agreement [Member]
					USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit agreement remaining borrowing capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$25,805,000	€ 18,583,000	'
Payment for the premium of the insurance	'	'	'	'	968,000	'	'	'	'	'
Credit agreement expiration date	30-Nov-21	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
LIBOR interest rate (percent)	'	'	'	'	3.20%	'	'	'	'	'
Commitment fee on the undrawn amount of the credit agreement (percent)	'	'	'	'	0.50%	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement	'	19,259,000	'	9,841,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Less portion currently payable	'	2,571,000	'	1,285,000	'	2,571,000	2,571,000	'	'	1,285,000
Maximum debt to equity ratio	'	'	'	'	1.2	'	'	'	'	'
Undrawn availability under the revolving credit agreement	'	'	'	'	'	340,000	340,000	'	'	'
Issuance cost	'	'	'	'	1,248,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	'	$1,780,000	$664,000	'	'	$35,000	$106,000	'	'	'

Long_Term_Debt_Zochem_Revolvin

Long -Term Debt (Zochem Revolving Credit and Security Agreement) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 21, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 21, 2012
						Zochem Facility [Member]	Zochem Facility [Member]	Zochem Facility [Member]	Letter of Credit [Member]
									Zochem Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior secured revolving credit facility period (months)	'	'	'	'	'	'45 months	'	'	'
Senior secured revolving credit facility aggregate principal amount	'	'	'	$60,000,000	'	$15,000,000	'	'	'
Maximum principal amount of revolving credit agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Company borrowed on the Zochem Facility	'	68,500,000	0	'	'	'	'	23,500,000	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	'	1,185,000	0	'	'	'	'	13,500,000	'
Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement	'	19,259,000	'	'	9,841,000	'	10,000,000	10,000,000	'
Undrawn availability under the revolving credit agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,666,000	2,666,000	'
Applicable margin based on average undrawn availability (percent)	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%	'	'	'
Applicable margin based on average undrawn availability, condition two (percent)	'	'	'	'	'	2.50%	'	'	'
Rate of fee to the issuing bank/Unused line fee to the lenders (percent)	'	'	'	'	'	0.75%	'	'	2.50%
Fronting fee to the issuing bank (percent)	'	'	'	'	'	0.25%	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of advances considered for customary event of default (percent)	'	'	'	66.67%	'	66.67%	'	'	'
Applicable rate plus additional (percent)	'	'	'	2.00%	'	2.00%	'	'	'
Increased in letter of credit fee (percent)	2.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	'	'	'	'	'	1.15	'	'	'
Issuance cost	'	'	'	'	'	127,000	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	'	$1,780,000	$664,000	'	'	'	$8,000	$23,000	'

Long_Term_Debt_INMETCO_Senior_

Long -Term Debt (INMETCO Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 24, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2013	Jun. 24, 2013
					Inmetco Facility [Member]	Inmetco Facility [Member]	Inmetco Facility [Member]	Inmetco Facility [Member]	Inmetco Facility [Member]
								London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior secured revolving credit facility period (years)	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'	'	'
Senior secured revolving credit facility aggregate principal amount	'	'	$60,000,000	'	$15,000,000	'	'	'	'
Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit agreement	19,259,000	'	'	9,841,000	'	'	'	'	15,000,000
LIBOR interest rate (percent)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%	'
Fronting fee to the issuing bank (percent)	'	'	'	'	0.38%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of fronting fee to the issuing bank equal to maximum principal amount (percent)	'	'	'	'	0.50%	'	'	'	'
Maximum cash flow leverage ratio	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'	'
Minimum tangible net worth	'	'	'	'	15,000,000	'	'	'	'
Minimum net profit requirement	'	'	'	'	100,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance cost	'	'	'	'	126,000	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	$1,780,000	$664,000	'	'	'	$10,000	$10,000	'	'

Long_Term_Debt_Other_Details

Long -Term Debt (Other) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Facility	Facility
ABL Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit agreement	10,212	10,256
Surety Bond [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Number of bond outstanding (surety bond)	3	3
Amount collateralize closure bonds for two of the company	11,213	11,213
Pennsylvania [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Number of facilities (facility)	3	3

Accrued_Expenses_Schedule_of_A

Accrued Expenses (Schedule of Accrued Expenses) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'	'
Employee related costs	$7,800	$9,797
EAF dust processing reserve	3,254	2,641
Workers’ compensation insurance claim liabilities	2,400	2,400
Unearned tolling revenue	2,714	2,233
Accrued electric	3,953	2,144
Accrued interest	8,064	3,600
Other	7,788	7,691
Total accrued expenses	$35,973	$30,506

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Sch

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Environmental obligations	$644	$588
Insurance claim liabilities	5,858	5,485
Asset retirement obligations	4,377	4,152
Deferred purchase price obligation	4,528	4,195
Pension liability	819	788
Other	1,518	749
Total other long term liabilities	$17,744	$15,957

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit costs related to the plan	$50	$60	$147	$163
Contribution to defined benefit plans	46	26	146	88
Expected additional contribution to defined benefit pension plan during fiscal year	44	'	44	'
Fair value of salary pension plan assets	$4,966	'	$4,966	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service Cost	$64	$53	$191	$159
Interest Cost	54	53	163	148
Expected return on plan assets	-69	-70	-208	-210
Amortization of prior service cost	0	7	0	20
Losses	1	17	1	46
Net periodic benefit cost	$50	$60	$147	$163

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates (percent)	38.30%	34.70%	41.90%	36.60%
Statutory federal income tax rate (percent)	'	'	35.00%	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'
Cumulative translation adjustments	$30	$30
Net pension adjustment	-274	-274
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($244)	($244)

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

17-May-12

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 11, 2007

Jan. 16, 2007

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 16, 2007

Jan. 16, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

17-May-12

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Stock Option Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2004 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2006 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Plan 2012 [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Management [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares authorized and reserved for issuance under stock option plan (shares)

'

'

1,685,000

1,489,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation number of option outstanding (shares)

'

'

138,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of increase in common stock outstanding (percent)

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of restricted stock unit granted (shares)

'

'

'

'

1,085,000

'

'

'

'

'

208,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option period (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option vesting period (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of options vested and exercisable (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

655,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of stock option exercise price (dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option remaining contractual life (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years 7 months 17 days

'3 months

'

'

'3 years 3 months 15 days

'

'

'

'4 years

'6 months

Share based compensation expenses

'

'

'

'

'

$51,000

'

'

'

$477,000

$1,434,000

'

'

'

$340,000

$663,000

$1,356,000

$2,057,000

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock units outstanding (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

702,000

'

702,000

'

921,000

'

'

'

Restricted stock options outstanding weighted average grant date fair value (dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9.81

'

'

'

Number of restricted stock vested (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

197,000

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock vested intrinsic value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,109,000

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,317,000

4,317,000

'

'

'

3,514,000

'

3,514,000

'

'

'

'

'

Awards, stock options or other grants expected to be issued (shares)

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, capital shares reserved for future issuance (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation number of restricted stock average grant date fair value (dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.54

'

'

'

'

'

$20.62

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option vesting period (years)

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock option requisite service period (years)

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management based restricted stock (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

172,000

'

'

Risk free interest rate (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.04%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeiture rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounting_for_Derivative_Inst2

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

T

T

Put Option [Member]

Put Option [Member]

Put Option [Member]

Put Option [Member]

Put Option [Member]

Put Option [Member]

Call Option [Member]

Call Option [Member]

Call Option [Member]

Call Option [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

T

T

T

T

T

Long [Member]

T

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum period of deliver quantities of product (years)

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed portion of fixed to variable swap contracts (dollars per lb)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.84

0.89

Copper fixed to variable contracts outstanding (dollars per lb)

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Zinc fixed to variable future swap contracts (tons)

4,200

'

'

4,200

'

'

4,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed portion of nickel swap contracts (dollars per lb)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.38

8.5

Lead variable to fixed contracts outstanding (dollars per lb)

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable to fixed future swap contracts (tons)

100

'

'

100

'

'

5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable to fixed future swap contracts (dollars per ton)

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.903

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from the exercise of options

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,295

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlement of swap contracts

314

'

144

519

493

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Strike price (dollars per lb)

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.85

0.85

0.85

0.85

0.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quantity of zinc production (tons)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,900

13,200

106,000

160,000

'

'

'

'

160,000

'

'

Percentage of the expected shipments for the period (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of option

'

774

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,945

'

'

'

'

'

'

Strike price rate negligible during period (dollars per lb)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.81

1.81

'

'

Cash from put options

512

'

680

1,343

834

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Call options exercised (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

Amount of outstanding over the counter position

'

'

'

'

'

366

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives instruments proceed from selling of right related to future bankruptcy settlement

'

$820

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounting_for_Derivative_Inst3

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Schedule of Gains and Losses Resulting from Company's Hedging Activities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gains (losses) included in net sales:	'	'	'	'
Total (losses) gains resulting from hedging activities	($872)	($7,990)	$362	($25,185)
Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gains (losses) included in net sales:	'	'	'	'
Total (losses) gains resulting from hedging activities	-2,926	-8,603	-2,189	-27,379
Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gains (losses) included in net sales:	'	'	'	'
Total (losses) gains resulting from hedging activities	$2,054	$613	$2,551	$2,194

Accounting_for_Derivative_Inst4

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Schedule of Fair Value of Swap Contracts and Put Options) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Options and swaps included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.	$3,403	$4,760
Level 2 [Member] | Options and Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Options and swaps included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets.	3,403	4,760
Level 2 [Member] | Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Swaps included in Accrued expenses	$64	$0

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Information Used to Compute Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basic loss per share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802
Basic (loss) earnings per share (dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.21)	($0.03)	($0.44)
Diluted loss per share:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (dollars per share)	($0.08)	($0.21)	($0.03)	($0.44)
Reconciliation of average shares outstanding – basic to average shares outstanding – diluted:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Options (shares)	0	0	0	0
Restricted stock units (shares)	0	0	0	0
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted (shares)	44,109	43,869	44,077	43,802

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of1

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Anti-dilutive Shares Excluded from Earnings Per Share Calculation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation, Total (shares)	1,745	1,649	1,792	1,680
Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation, Exercise Price (dollars per share)	'	'	13	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation, Total (shares)	655	655	655	655
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from earnings per share calculation, Total (shares)	1,090	994	1,137	1,025

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 27, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Convertible notes issued	$100,000,000
Conversion price of Convertible Notes (dollars per share)	$15

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$109,591	$100,370	$338,309	$329,225
(Loss) income before income taxes	-5,699	-13,977	-2,607	-30,376
Corporate, Eliminations and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-255	-309	-827	-912
(Loss) income before income taxes	-57	-2,512	-866	-3,388
Zinc Products and Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	97,618	86,061	297,914	284,834
(Loss) income before income taxes	-7,602	-15,011	-12,746	-38,911
Nickel Products and Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	12,228	14,618	41,222	45,303
(Loss) income before income taxes	$1,960	$3,546	$11,005	$11,923

Insurance_Recoveries_Additiona

Insurance Recoveries (Additional Information) (Details) (Inmetco Facility [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	21 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Inmetco Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Interruption Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance deductible	'	'	'	$500,000	'	'
Clean-up, repair and other costs associated with the explosion	'	'	'	4,580,000	'	'
Recorded insurance recoveries related to property damage	'	'	2,450,000	'	1,500,000	3,950,000
Partial settlement of claim received	'	1,500,000	'	'	'	'
Final insurance settlement	3,950,000	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance proceeds receivable	$2,450,000	'	$2,450,000	'	'	'

Insurance_Recoveries_Schedule_

Insurance Recoveries (Schedule of Costs and Insurance Recoveries) (Details) (Inmetco Facility [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	21 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Inmetco Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Business Interruption Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property damage insurance recovery	$2,450	$1,500	$3,950
Cost of clean-up and repairs	129	148	277
Write off of fixed assets	0	236	236
Gain related to insurance recovery included in cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	2,321	1,116	3,437
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	$1,791	$1,264	$3,055

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Non guarantor subsidiaries assets (percent)	'	'	8.00%	'
Non guarantor subsidiaries revenues (percent)	'	'	17.60%	'
Net loss	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	$1,312	$527	$3,676	$1,229

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio3

Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule of Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$120,024	$244,119	$287,531	$188,500
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	66,678	59,987	'	'
Inventories, net	63,526	61,667	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,636	12,797	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,242	2,731	'	'
Total current assets	263,106	381,301	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	640,414	405,222	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	11,650	12,770	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,530	1,530	'	'
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Deposits and other	9,832	11,005	'	'
Total other assets	23,012	25,305	'	'
Total assets	926,532	811,828	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,571	1,285	'	'
Accounts payable	102,887	83,939	'	'
Accrued expenses	35,973	30,506	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	141,431	115,730	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	350,558	263,334	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	17,744	15,957	'	'
Deferred income taxes	32,586	33,526	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock	441	439	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	236,674	234,115	'	'
Retained earnings	143,277	144,792	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-244	-244	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	380,148	379,102	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	4,065	4,179	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	384,213	383,281	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	926,532	811,828	'	'
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	58,848	223,515	275,384	166,423
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	0	0	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2	29	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	58,850	223,544	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	585,196	389,740	'	'
Deposits and other	22,513	23,949	'	'
Total other assets	607,709	413,689	'	'
Total assets	666,559	637,233	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Accounts payable	0	93	'	'
Accrued expenses	7,776	3,494	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	7,776	3,587	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	278,615	254,524	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock	441	439	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	236,674	234,113	'	'
Retained earnings	143,053	144,570	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	380,168	379,122	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	380,168	379,122	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	666,559	637,233	'	'
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	49,105	15,977	6,712	16,526
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	54,236	50,086	'	'
Inventories, net	53,984	53,506	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,791	18,116	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,332	2,849	'	'
Total current assets	173,448	140,534	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	595,458	365,869	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	11,463	12,527	'	'
Deferred income taxes	1,530	1,530	'	'
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	-409,116	-176,912	'	'
Deposits and other	1,819	1,779	'	'
Total other assets	-394,304	-161,076	'	'
Total assets	374,602	345,327	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,571	1,285	'	'
Accounts payable	93,951	77,485	'	'
Accrued expenses	29,037	31,366	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	125,559	110,136	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	61,688	8,555	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	16,565	14,809	'	'
Deferred income taxes	32,357	33,297	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	32,063	30,869	'	'
Retained earnings	102,305	143,482	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	134,368	174,351	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	4,065	4,179	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	138,433	178,530	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	374,602	345,327	'	'
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	12,071	4,627	5,435	5,551
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	12,442	9,981	'	'
Inventories, net	9,542	8,161	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27	33	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-90	-118	'	'
Total current assets	33,992	22,684	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	44,956	39,353	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	187	243	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	-5,219	-5,612	'	'
Deposits and other	335	394	'	'
Total other assets	-4,697	-4,975	'	'
Total assets	74,251	57,062	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Accounts payable	8,936	6,441	'	'
Accrued expenses	2,266	922	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	11,202	7,363	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	24,940	15,184	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	1,179	1,148	'	'
Deferred income taxes	229	229	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	9,590	10,784	'	'
Retained earnings	27,355	22,598	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-244	-244	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	36,701	33,138	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	36,701	33,138	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	74,251	57,062	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	0	-80	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-3,184	-5,381	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	-3,184	-5,461	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	-170,861	-207,216	'	'
Deposits and other	-14,835	-15,117	'	'
Total other assets	-185,696	-222,333	'	'
Total assets	-188,880	-227,794	'	'
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Accounts payable	0	-80	'	'
Accrued expenses	-3,106	-5,276	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-3,106	-5,356	'	'
Long-term debt, less current maturities	-14,685	-14,929	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes	0	0	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-41,653	-41,651	'	'
Retained earnings	-129,436	-165,858	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity before noncontrolling interest	-171,089	-207,509	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders’ equity	-171,089	-207,509	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($188,880)	($227,794)	'	'

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio4

Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	$86,021	$75,228	$263,814	$251,109
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	12,192	14,618	41,119	45,303
EAF dust service fees	11,378	10,524	33,376	32,813
Net sales	109,591	100,370	338,309	329,225
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	85,415	83,111	250,429	268,130
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	8,782	9,320	27,661	27,999
Cost of EAF dust services	8,558	8,074	27,106	24,937
Insurance claim income	0	0	-2,450	0
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	102,755	100,505	302,746	321,066
Depreciation and amortization	7,123	6,025	21,574	18,157
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,343	5,118	16,879	16,393
Total costs and expenses	115,221	111,648	341,199	355,616
Loss from operations	-5,630	-11,278	-2,890	-26,391
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-487	-2,979	-2,007	-5,136
Interest and other income	418	280	2,290	1,151
Total other income (expense)	-69	-2,699	283	-3,985
Loss before income taxes	-5,699	-13,977	-2,607	-30,376
Income tax benefit	-2,184	-4,848	-1,092	-11,106
NET LOSS	-3,515	-9,129	-1,515	-19,270
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	0	0	0	0
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	0	0	0
EAF dust service fees	0	0	0	0
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	0	0	0	0
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	0	0	0
Cost of EAF dust services	0	0	0	0
Insurance claim income	'	'	0	'
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	306	268	1,059	984
Total costs and expenses	306	268	1,059	984
Loss from operations	-306	-268	-1,059	-984
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	-3,436	-6,596	-584	-15,818
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-24	-3,044	-699	-3,431
Interest and other income	251	779	827	963
Total other income (expense)	227	-2,265	128	-2,468
Loss before income taxes	-3,515	-9,129	-1,515	-19,270
Income tax benefit	0	0	0	0
NET LOSS	-3,515	-9,129	-1,515	-19,270
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	66,975	60,143	204,788	199,848
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	12,192	14,618	41,119	45,303
EAF dust service fees	11,378	10,768	33,376	33,659
Net sales	90,545	85,529	279,283	278,810
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	69,424	69,950	199,900	222,085
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	8,782	9,564	27,661	28,845
Cost of EAF dust services	8,558	8,074	27,106	24,937
Insurance claim income	'	'	-2,450	'
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	86,764	87,588	252,217	275,867
Depreciation and amortization	6,515	5,557	19,847	16,723
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,399	4,279	14,049	13,763
Total costs and expenses	97,678	97,424	286,113	306,353
Loss from operations	-7,133	-11,895	-6,830	-27,543
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-428	91	-1,207	-1,626
Interest and other income	42	-505	996	131
Total other income (expense)	-386	-414	-211	-1,495
Loss before income taxes	-7,519	-12,309	-7,041	-29,038
Income tax benefit	-2,749	-5,165	-2,716	-11,927
NET LOSS	-4,770	-7,144	-4,325	-17,111
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	19,046	15,150	59,439	52,070
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	0	0	0
EAF dust service fees	0	0	0	0
Net sales	19,046	15,150	59,439	52,070
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	15,991	13,226	50,942	46,854
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	0	0	0
Cost of EAF dust services	0	0	0	0
Insurance claim income	'	'	0	'
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	15,991	13,226	50,942	46,854
Depreciation and amortization	608	468	1,727	1,434
Selling, general and administrative expenses	638	571	1,771	1,646
Total costs and expenses	17,237	14,265	54,440	49,934
Loss from operations	1,809	885	4,999	2,136
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-272	-264	-818	-794
Interest and other income	340	223	1,119	708
Total other income (expense)	68	-41	301	-86
Loss before income taxes	1,877	844	5,300	2,050
Income tax benefit	565	317	1,624	821
NET LOSS	1,312	527	3,676	1,229
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales of zinc material and other goods	0	-65	-413	-809
Net sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	0	0	0
EAF dust service fees	0	-244	0	-846
Net sales	0	-309	-413	-1,655
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods	0	-65	-413	-809
Cost of sales of nickel-based material and other services	0	-244	0	-846
Cost of EAF dust services	0	0	0	0
Insurance claim income	'	'	0	'
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	0	-309	-413	-1,655
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Total costs and expenses	0	-309	-413	-1,655
Loss from operations	0	0	0	0
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	3,436	6,596	584	15,818
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	237	238	717	715
Interest and other income	-215	-217	-652	-651
Total other income (expense)	22	21	65	64
Loss before income taxes	3,458	6,617	649	15,882
Income tax benefit	0	0	0	0
NET LOSS	$3,458	$6,617	$649	$15,882

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio5

Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($3,515)	($9,129)	($1,515)	($19,270)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	376	0	302
Net pension liability adjustment	0	16	0	44
Comprehensive loss	-3,515	-8,737	-1,515	-18,924
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-3,515	-9,129	-1,515	-19,270
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Net pension liability adjustment	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-3,515	-9,129	-1,515	-19,270
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-4,770	-7,144	-4,325	-17,111
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Net pension liability adjustment	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	-4,770	-7,144	-4,325	-17,111
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	1,312	527	3,676	1,229
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	376	0	302
Net pension liability adjustment	0	16	0	44
Comprehensive loss	1,312	919	3,676	1,575
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	3,458	6,617	649	15,882
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Net pension liability adjustment	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive loss	$3,458	$6,617	$649	$15,882

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio6

Guarantor Financial Information (Schedule of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	($1,515,000)	($19,270,000)	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	21,574,000	18,157,000	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	-1,791,000	0	'
Deferred income tax provision	-1,451,000	-1,181,000	'
Accretion on debt	2,792,000	2,367,000	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	333,000	658,000	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	1,780,000	664,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	131,000	9,339,000	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	986,000	26,512,000	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	2,893,000	1,421,000	1,421,000
Non-cash compensation expense	2,787,000	2,108,000	'
Capitalization of interest	-21,533,000	-5,757,000	'
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable	-6,691,000	-2,265,000	'
(Increase) in inventories	-4,752,000	-6,156,000	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,240,000	-6,705,000	'
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	-97,000	-18,000	'
Increase in accounts payable	18,948,000	19,362,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	5,402,000	-573,000	'
Increase in long-term liabilities	1,454,000	-443,000	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,490,000	38,220,000	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-234,230,000	-106,975,000	'
Decrease in restricted cash	0	2,500,000	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	1,791,000	0	'
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	0	0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-232,439,000	-104,475,000	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	21,300,000	171,829,000	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	-114,000	-113,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	68,500,000	0	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	-13,500,000	0	'
Debt issuance costs	-524,000	-7,447,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	10,603,000	0	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	-1,185,000	0	'
Proceeds from the exercise of options	0	138,000	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	185,000	578,000	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	-411,000	0	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	84,854,000	164,985,000	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	0	301,000	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-124,095,000	99,031,000	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	244,119,000	188,500,000	188,500,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	120,024,000	287,531,000	244,119,000
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	-1,515,000	-19,270,000	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Deferred income tax provision	0	0	'
Accretion on debt	2,792,000	2,367,000	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	1,577,000	599,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	0	0	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	0	0	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	0	0	'
Non-cash compensation expense	285,000	273,000	'
Capitalization of interest	-21,011,000	-5,757,000	'
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	584,000	15,818,000	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable	0	0	'
(Increase) in inventories	0	0	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,000	-17,000	'
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	217,000	217,000	'
Increase in accounts payable	-93,000	-97,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	4,282,000	2,861,000	'
Increase in long-term liabilities	0	0	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	-12,855,000	-3,006,000	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	0	0	'
Decrease in restricted cash	'	0	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	-172,528,000	-53,201,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-172,528,000	-53,201,000	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	21,300,000	171,829,000	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	0	0	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	0	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	0	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-358,000	-7,377,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Proceeds from the exercise of options	'	138,000	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	185,000	578,000	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	-411,000	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	20,716,000	165,168,000	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	'	0	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-164,667,000	108,961,000	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	223,515,000	166,423,000	166,423,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	58,848,000	275,384,000	'
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	-4,325,000	-17,111,000	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	19,847,000	16,723,000	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	-1,791,000	'	'
Deferred income tax provision	-1,423,000	-269,000	'
Accretion on debt	0	0	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	333,000	658,000	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	181,000	65,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	131,000	9,339,000	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	964,000	26,753,000	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	2,893,000	1,421,000	'
Non-cash compensation expense	2,502,000	1,835,000	'
Capitalization of interest	-522,000	0	'
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable	-4,149,000	1,109,000	'
(Increase) in inventories	-3,371,000	-6,806,000	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,424,000	7,345,000	'
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	-96,000	-17,000	'
Increase in accounts payable	16,466,000	17,428,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	-2,393,000	-18,167,000	'
Increase in long-term liabilities	1,422,000	-502,000	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	31,093,000	39,804,000	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-226,955,000	-105,249,000	'
Decrease in restricted cash	'	2,500,000	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	1,791,000	'	'
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	172,922,000	53,201,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-52,242,000	-49,548,000	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0	0	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	0	0	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	45,000,000	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	0	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-141,000	-70,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	10,603,000	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	-1,185,000	'	'
Proceeds from the exercise of options	'	0	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	0	0	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	0	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	54,277,000	-70,000	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	'	0	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	33,128,000	-9,814,000	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	15,977,000	16,526,000	16,526,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	49,105,000	6,712,000	'
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	3,676,000	1,229,000	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,727,000	1,434,000	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Deferred income tax provision	-28,000	79,000	'
Accretion on debt	0	0	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	86,000	64,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	0	0	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	22,000	-241,000	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	0	0	'
Non-cash compensation expense	0	0	'
Capitalization of interest	0	0	'
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable	-2,462,000	-3,226,000	'
(Increase) in inventories	-1,381,000	650,000	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-16,000	-59,000	'
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	0	0	'
Increase in accounts payable	2,495,000	1,883,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	1,101,000	-450,000	'
Increase in long-term liabilities	32,000	59,000	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,252,000	1,422,000	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-7,275,000	-1,726,000	'
Decrease in restricted cash	'	0	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	-394,000	0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,669,000	-1,726,000	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0	0	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	-114,000	-113,000	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	23,500,000	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	-13,500,000	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-25,000	0	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Proceeds from the exercise of options	'	0	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	0	0	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	0	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,861,000	-113,000	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	'	301,000	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,444,000	-116,000	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,627,000	5,551,000	5,551,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	12,071,000	5,435,000	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net loss	649,000	15,882,000	'
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	'
Gain on insurance recovery related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Deferred income tax provision	0	-991,000	'
Accretion on debt	0	0	'
Accretion on ESOI liabilities	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred finance costs	-64,000	-64,000	'
Losses on writedown or disposal of assets	0	0	'
Losses on derivative financial instruments	0	0	'
Lower of cost or market adjustment to inventories	0	0	'
Non-cash compensation expense	0	0	'
Capitalization of interest	0	0	'
Equity (loss) in income of subsidiaries, net of taxes	-584,000	-15,818,000	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) in accounts receivable	-80,000	-148,000	'
(Increase) in inventories	0	0	'
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets	-2,195,000	-13,974,000	'
Decrease (increase) in deposits and other	-218,000	-218,000	'
Increase in accounts payable	80,000	148,000	'
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses	2,412,000	15,183,000	'
Increase in long-term liabilities	0	0	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	0	0	'
Decrease in restricted cash	'	0	'
Insurance proceeds related to fixed assets	0	'	'
Investment in and advance (to) from subsidiaries	0	0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	0	0	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interest equity holders	0	0	'
Borrowings on the Credit Facilities	0	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Facilities	0	'	'
Debt issuance costs	0	0	'
Borrowings on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Repayments on the Credit Agreement	0	'	'
Proceeds from the exercise of options	'	0	'
Tax effect of share based compensation award exercise and vesting	0	0	'
Restricted stock withheld for taxes	0	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	0	0	'
Foreign currency impact on cash balance	'	0	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0	'

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
		employee
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Shares issued in public offering	6,325,000	'
Shares issued in public offering, underwriters' option	825,000	'
Shares issued in public offering, offering price per share	$12	'
Shares issued in public offering, value	$75,900,000	'
Shares issued in public offering, underwriting discounts and commissions	3,416,000	'
Shares issued in public offering, other offering costs	362,000	'
Shares issued in public offering, net proceeds	72,122,000	'
Expected number of employees terminated	'	510
Expected number of employees terminated, period after last expected day of work	'	'13 days
Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Expected severance and other costs	'	8,000,000