American Pacific (APFC) 10-K 13 Dec 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 29, 2013	Mar. 28, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'APFC	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERICAN PACIFIC CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000350832	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	7,954,000	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$172,400,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$60,864	$31,182
Accounts Receivable, Net	21,309	24,211
Inventories	59,572	44,157
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	1,541	1,477
Income Taxes Receivable	1,567	2
Deferred Income Taxes	16,214	13,028
Total Current Assets	161,067	114,057
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	103,847	103,316
Deferred Income Taxes	6,446	20,796
Other Assets	5,947	8,295
TOTAL ASSETS	277,307	246,464
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts Payable	13,501	12,006
Accrued Liabilities	5,453	6,359
Accrued Interest	7	988
Employee Related Liabilities	11,325	10,568
Income Taxes Payable	629	2,098
Customer Deposits	26,936	5,078
Deferred Revenues	8,677	2,215
Current Portion of Environmental Remediation Reserves	2,244	5,114
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	6,002	16
Total Current Liabilities	74,774	44,442
Long-Term Debt	49,500	65,004
Environmental Remediation Reserves	9,703	11,640
Pension Obligations	29,899	55,300
Other Long-Term Liabilities	2,094	1,745
Total Liabilities	165,970	178,131
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred Stock - $1.00 par value; 3,000,000 authorized; none outstanding	'	'
Common Stock - $0.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 7,949,000 and 7,710,783 issued and outstanding	795	771
Capital in Excess of Par Value	77,966	74,796
Retained Earnings	48,035	24,803
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-15,459	-32,037
Total Stockholders' Equity	111,337	68,333
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$277,307	$246,464

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Preferred Stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	'	'
Common Stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common Stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	7,949,000	7,710,783
Common Stock, shares outstanding	7,949,000	7,710,783

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues	$215,085	$185,627	$160,714
Cost of Revenues	128,131	119,477	113,863
Gross Profit	86,954	66,150	46,851
Operating Expenses	45,865	39,066	35,895
Environmental Remediation Charges	'	700	6,000
Other Operating Gains	'	1,714	2,929
Operating Income	41,089	28,098	7,885
Interest and Other Income	118	38	235
Interest Expense	2,996	10,173	10,514
Loss on Debt Extinguishment	2,835	1,397	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Tax	35,376	16,566	-2,394
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	12,243	-3,766	6,985
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	23,133	20,332	-9,379
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	99	4,987	2,143
Net Income (Loss)	$23,232	$25,319	($7,236)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$2.98	$2.69	($1.25)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$0.01	$0.66	$0.29
Net Income (Loss)	$2.99	$3.35	($0.96)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$2.86	$2.65	($1.25)
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax	$0.01	$0.65	$0.29
Net Income (Loss)	$2.87	$3.30	($0.96)
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	7,772,000	7,554,000	7,517,000
Diluted	8,101,000	7,663,000	7,517,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net Income (Loss)	$23,232	$25,319	($7,236)
Cash Flow Hedge:	'	'	'
Change in fair value arising during period (net of income tax of $12, $0 and $0)	19	'	'
Less reclassifications to net income (net of income tax of $86, $0, and $0)	139	'	'
OCI (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	158	'	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plans:	'	'	'
Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period (net of income tax of $8,466, $6,924 and $923)	13,668	-10,386	-8,364
Less amortization of losses to net income (net of tax of $1,704, $1,213 and $894)	2,752	1,819	1,341
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	16,420	-8,567	-7,023
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	475	-14
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	16,578	-8,092	-7,037
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$39,810	$17,227	($14,273)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Change in fair value arising during period, tax	$12	$0	$0
Reclassifications to net income, tax	86	0	0
Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period, tax	8,466	6,924	923
Amortization of losses to net income, tax	$1,704	$1,213	$894

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares Outstanding, Net of Treasury Shares	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	$63,657	$754	$73,091	$6,720	($16,908)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2010	'	7,543,091	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-14,273	'	'	-7,236	-7,037
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax (in shares)	'	16,500	'	'	'
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax	19	2	17	'	'
Share-based Compensation	304	'	304	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	49,707	756	73,412	-516	-23,945
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	'	7,559,591	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	17,227	'	'	25,319	-8,092
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax (in shares)	'	151,192	'	'	'
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax	891	15	876	'	'
Share-based Compensation	508	'	508	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	68,333	771	74,796	24,803	-32,037
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	'	7,710,783	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	39,810	'	'	23,232	16,578
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax (in shares)	'	238,217	'	'	'
Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Tax	2,607	24	2,583	'	'
Share-based Compensation	587	'	587	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$111,337	$795	$77,966	$48,035	($15,459)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	7,949,000	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	$23,232	$25,319	($7,236)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	13,453	14,491	15,216
Non-cash interest expense	320	747	845
Non-cash component of loss on debt retirement	1,252	482	'
Share-based compensation	587	508	304
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	-826	-138	'
Deferred income taxes	1,722	-6,648	8,787
Loss on sale of assets	3	77	3
Gain on sale of business	'	-5,059	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	2,863	129	10,824
Inventories	-15,220	-9,996	-1,126
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-64	-299	44
Accounts payable	1,306	1,109	3,975
Income taxes	-3,034	2,252	2,636
Accrued liabilities	-1,204	1,456	-2,309
Accrued interest	-981	-601	14
Employee related liabilities	3,032	2,402	1,935
Customer deposits	21,858	-1,926	1,915
Deferred revenues	6,462	-1,487	-4,277
Environmental remediation reserves	-4,807	-9,419	2,303
Pension obligations, net	1,339	-2,841	-350
Other	1,098	35	-428
Discontinued operations, Net	-496	1,054	-12,332
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	51,895	11,647	20,743
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-13,916	-8,788	-11,931
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash sold and expenses	'	37,418	'
Other investing activities	'	131	'
Discontinued operations, net	'	-751	-1,220
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities	-13,916	28,010	-13,151
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'	'
Issuance of long-term debt	60,000	'	'
Payments of long-term debt	-69,518	-40,017	-14
Issuance of common stock	1,781	753	48
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	826	138	'
Debt issuance costs	-1,386	'	-878
Discontinued operations, net	'	-45	-56
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities	-8,297	-39,171	-900
Effect of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates on Cash	'	-7	26
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	29,682	479	6,718
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	31,182	30,703	23,985
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	60,864	31,182	30,703
Cash Paid (Refunded) For:	'	'	'
Interest	5,240	10,942	9,662
Income taxes	14,998	136	-2,928
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Transactions:	'	'	'
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment not yet paid	$266	$370	$317

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Pacific Corporation and our subsidiaries (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). All intercompany accounts have been eliminated. We report our results based on a fiscal year which ends on September 30. References to Fiscal years refer to the twelve months ended or ending September 30 of the Fiscal year referenced.
	Discontinued Operations. In May 2012, our board of directors approved and we committed to a plan to sell our Aerospace Equipment segment, which is comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). We completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of AMPAC-ISP effective August 1, 2012. The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines. Revenues and expenses associated with the Aerospace Equipment segment operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. (See Note 13).
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying our accounting policies in many areas. For example, key assumptions and estimates are particularly important when determining our projected liabilities for pension benefits, useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, and deferred tax assets. Other areas in which significant judgment exists include, but are not limited to, costs that may be incurred in connection with environmental matters and the resolution of litigation and other contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimates on which our consolidated financial statements were prepared.
	Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title passes, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Almost all products sold by our Fine Chemicals segment are subject to customer acceptance periods. Specifically, these customers have contractually negotiated acceptance periods from the time they receive certificates of analysis and compliance (“Certificates”) to reject the material based on issues with the quality of the product, as defined in the applicable agreement. At times we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance. If we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenue upon delivery of the product and recognize revenues in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred.
	Some of our perchlorate and fine chemicals products customers have requested that we store materials purchased from us in our facilities (“Bill and Hold” transactions or arrangements). We recognize revenue prior to shipment of these Bill and Hold transactions when we have satisfied the applicable revenue recognition criteria, which include the point at which title and risk of ownership transfer to our customers. These customers have specifically requested in writing, pursuant to a contract, that we invoice for the finished product and hold the finished product until a later date. For our Bill and Hold arrangements that contain customer acceptance periods, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues when such products are available for delivery and Certificates have been delivered to the customers. We recognize revenue on our Bill and Hold transactions in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred. The sales value of inventory, subject to Bill and Hold arrangements, at our facilities was $9,517 and $19,346 as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Customer Deposits. Customer deposits include upfront payments received from customers at the inception of an arrangement and progress or milestones payments that become collectable as work progresses on an arrangement. These amounts are recorded as current liabilities and applied against the total consideration for an arrangement upon completion of the deliverable.
	Deferred Revenues. Deferred revenues include revenues associated with products that have been delivered under an arrangement but have not yet met all of the requisite revenue recognition requirements. Most commonly we defer revenue recognition on shipped product because the customer acceptance period (discussed above) has not lapsed. Deferred costs of revenues, which is a component of inventories, includes the cost of inventory that is directly associated with deferred revenues. Deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues are recognized when all elements of the revenue recognition process have been met.
	Environmental Remediation. We are subject to environmental regulations that relate to our past and current operations. We record liabilities for environmental remediation costs when our assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. On a quarterly basis, we review our estimates of future costs that could be incurred for remediation activities. In some cases, only a range of reasonably possible costs can be estimated. In establishing our reserves, the most probable estimate is used; otherwise, we accrue the minimum amount of the range. Estimates of liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technologies and presently enacted laws and regulations. These estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. Accrued environmental remediation costs include the undiscounted cost of equipment, operating and maintenance costs, and fees to outside law firms and consultants, for the estimated duration of the remediation activity and do not include an assumption for inflation. Estimating environmental cost requires us to exercise substantial judgment regarding the cost, effectiveness and duration of our remediation activities. Actual future expenditures could differ materially from our current estimates.
	We evaluate potential claims for recoveries from other parties separately from our estimated liabilities. We record an asset for expected recoveries when recoveries of the amounts are probable.
	Related Party Transactions. Our related party transactions generally fall into the following categories: payments of professional fees to firms affiliated with certain members of our board of directors, and payments to certain directors for consulting services outside of the scope of their duties as directors. For the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, such transactions totaled approximately $120, $180 and $146, respectively.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investment securities with a maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash balances that exceed federally insured limits; however, we have incurred no losses on such accounts.
	Fair Value Disclosures. The current authoritative guidance on fair value clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
	Level 3 – Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
	We estimate the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. As of September 30, 2013, our floating-rate term loan had a carrying value of $55,500 and an estimated fair value of $55,898 (level 3 in the fair value hierarchy). Our interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value, which was an asset of $256 as of September 30, 2013 (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). The estimated fair values of our floating-rate term loan and interest rate swap agreement are based on a valuation technique that takes into consideration expected cash flows, the then-current interest rates and the then-current creditworthiness of the Company or the counterparty, as applicable. Refer to Notes 4 and 5 for additional information regarding our term loan and interest rate swap agreement.
	Derivative Instrument. We are party to an interest rate swap agreement for the purpose of hedging floating interest rate risk. The differential to be paid or received in connection with this instrument is accrued and recognized in income as an adjustment to interest expense. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedging relationships. We assess hedge effectiveness at inception and on a quarterly basis. If it is determined that a derivative instrument is not highly effective or the transaction is no longer deemed probable of occurring, we discontinue hedge accounting and recognize the ineffective portion in current period earnings.
	Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that have potential concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality credit institutions. Our accounts receivable have concentration risk because significant amounts relate to customers in the aerospace and defense or pharmaceutical industries. From time to time we make sales to a customer that exceed 10% of our then-outstanding accounts receivable balance. As of September 30, 2013, three Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 14%, 12%, 10% and 15% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, two Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 27%, 16% and 19% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively.
	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs are removed from inventories using the average-cost method. Inventoried costs include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventoried costs also include certain overhead parts and supplies. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Raw materials costs are determined on a moving average basis. We expense the cost of inventories which are considered to be excess because on-hand inventory quantities exceed our estimates of future demand.
	Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated productive lives of the assets of three to 15 years for machinery and equipment and seven to 30 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated productive life of seven to nine years or the term of the lease.
	Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for continuing operations is classified as follows in our statements of operations as of September 30:
		2013		2012		2011
	Classified as cost of revenues
	Depreciation	$	13,154	$	13,305	$	13,062
	Classified as operating expenses
	Depreciation		299		395		459
	Amortization		-		-		537
	Total continuing operations		13,453		13,700		14,058
	Classified as discontinued operations		-		791		1,158
	Total	$	13,453	$	14,491	$	15,216
	Amortization expense related to an intangible asset of our Fine Chemicals segment for customer relationships. This intangible asset became fully amortized as of May 2011.
	Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured separately for each tax-paying entity in each tax jurisdiction, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with an accounting standard which creates a single model to address uncertainty in income tax positions and prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Under this standard, we may recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the issue. The amount recognized is the largest benefit that we believe has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We test our property, plant and equipment assets for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, operating or cash flow losses from the use of such assets or changes in our intended uses of such assets. To test for recovery, we group assets (an “Asset Group”) in a manner that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Our Asset Groups are typically identified by facility because each facility has a unique cost overhead and general and administrative expense structure that is supported by cash flows from products produced at the facility. The carrying amount of an Asset Group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the Asset Group.
	If we determine that an Asset Group is not recoverable, then we would record an impairment charge if the carrying value of the Asset Group exceeds its fair value. Fair value is based on estimated discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the Asset Group. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections would represent management’s best estimates at the time of the impairment review. Some of the factors that management would consider or estimate include: industry and market conditions, sales volume and prices, costs to produce and inflation. Changes in key assumptions or actual conditions which differ from estimates could result in an impairment charge. We use reasonable and supportable assumptions when performing impairment reviews but cannot predict the occurrence of future events and circumstances that could result in impairment charges. There were no impairments of long-lived assets recorded in any of the years presented.
	Earnings (Loss) Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, which is computed using the treasury stock method.
	Foreign Currency. We sold our foreign subsidiaries in connection with the divestiture of AMPAC-ISP. We translated our foreign subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars using the year-end exchange rate. Revenue and expense amounts were translated at the average monthly exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains or losses were reported as cumulative currency translation adjustments as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.
	Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, which amends Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The amendment allows an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This standard was effective for us beginning on October 1, 2012. This standard changes presentation requirements, and accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-2, which amends the Comprehensive Income Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The updated standard requires the presentation of information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-2 is effective for us beginning October 1, 2013. The updated standard will affect our disclosures but has no impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (ASU Topic 815) – Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in this update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under ASC Topic 815, in addition to U.S. Treasury (“UST”) and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. We have not entered into any new hedging relationships since July 17, 2013.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This new standard requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. We do not expect that the new standard will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	2. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	We account for our share-based compensation arrangements under an accounting standard which requires us to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The fair values of awards are recognized as additional compensation expense, which is classified as operating expenses, proportionately over the vesting period of the awards.
	The purposes of our share-based compensation arrangements are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and to promote the success of the Company’s business. The amount, frequency, and terms of share-based awards may vary based on competitive practices, our operating results, government regulations and availability under our equity incentive plans. Depending on the form of the share-based award, new shares of our common stock may be issued upon grant, option exercise or vesting of the award. We maintain three share-based plans, each as discussed below.
	The American Pacific Corporation Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”) permitted the granting of stock options to employees, officers, directors and consultants. Options granted under the 2001 Plan generally vested 50% at the grant date and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, no options may be granted on or after January 16, 2011, but options previously granted may extend beyond that date based on the terms of the relevant grant. This plan was approved by our stockholders.
	The American Pacific Corporation 2002 Directors Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (the “2002 Directors Plan”) compensates non-employee directors with stock options granted annually or upon other discretionary events. Options granted under the 2002 Directors Plan prior to September 30, 2007 generally vested 50% at the grant date and 50% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under the 2002 Directors Plan in November 2007 vested 50% one year from the date of grant and 50% two years from the date of grant, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Under the terms of the 2002 Plan, no options may be granted on or after November 12, 2012, but options previously granted may extend beyond that date based on the terms of the relevant grant. This plan was approved by our stockholders.
	The American Pacific Corporation Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) permits the granting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants. A total of 800,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the 2008 Plan, provided that no more than 400,000 shares of common stock may be granted pursuant to awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Generally, awards granted under the 2008 Plan vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, and in the case of option awards, expire ten years from the date of grant. As of September 30, 2013, there were 245,232 shares available for grant under the 2008 Plan. This plan was approved by our stockholders.
	Stock Options and Restricted Stock. A summary of our outstanding and non-vested stock option and restricted stock activity for the year ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Stock Options										Restricted Stock
		Outstanding					Non-Vested					Outstanding and
												Non-Vested
		Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
					Average					Average					Average
					Exercise					Fair Value					Fair Value
					Price Per					Per Share					Per Share
					Share
	Balance, September 30, 2012		612,071		$	8.47		138,835		$	3.55		64,497		$	7.52
	Granted		47,470			11.93		47,470			5.41		36,060			11.93
	Vested		-			-		(77,184	)		3.61		(29,505	)		7.42
	Exercised		(204,157	)		8.72		-			-		-			-
	Expired / Cancelled		(17,749	)		8.32		(4,749	)		3.77		(2,000	)		7.61
	Balance, September 30, 2013		437,635			8.73		104,372			4.34		69,052			9.87
	A summary of our exercisable stock options as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Number of vested stock options		333,263
	Weighted average exercise price per share	$	8.48
	Aggregate intrinsic value	$	15,423
	Weighted average remaining contractual term in years		4.5
	We determine the fair value of stock option awards at their grant date, using a Black-Scholes Option-Pricing model applying the assumptions in the following table. We determine the fair value of restricted stock awards based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Actual compensation, if any, ultimately realized by optionees may differ significantly from the amount estimated using an option valuation model. The following stock option information is as of September 30:
		2013			2012		2011
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$	5.41		$	3.46		-
	Significant fair value assumptions
	Expected term in years		5.7			5.7		-
	Expected volatility		49.00%			49.00%		-
	Expected dividends		0.00%			0.00%		-
	Risk-free interest rates		0.64%			0.85%		-
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$	2,910		$	525	$	20
	Aggregate cash received for option exercises	$	1,781		$	754	$	81
	Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)
	Stock options	$	223		$	260	$	231
	Restricted stock		364			248		73
	Total		587			508		304
	Tax benefit recognized		140			108		56
	Net compensation cost	$	447		$	400	$	248
	As of period end date
	Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized
	Stock options	$	138		$	122	$	65
	Restricted stock	$	218		$	167	$	15
	Weighted-average years to be recognized
	Stock options		1.4			1.5		1
	Restricted stock		1.4			1.5		1
	For each year presented, the expected option term was determined using the simplified method under the applicable accounting standard. Expected volatility is based on historical market factors related to the Company’s common stock. Risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury rates appropriate for the expected term.
	Our share-based compensation plans permit us, but do not require us, to repurchase newly exercised shares from optionees in settlement of the optionees’ exercise price obligation. Shares are repurchased at a price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of exercise. No shares were repurchased during the years presented.
	Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Units. Cash-settled restricted stock units (“RSU”) are awards that, if vested, entitle the recipient to a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one share of our common stock for each unit granted. The currently outstanding RSU awards granted under the 2008 Plan cliff-vest on September 30, 2014, subject to the attainment of financial performance criteria that were established for the two-year period ending September 30, 2014 and continued employment by the recipient. RSUs are accounted for as liability awards, and accordingly, compensation cost is remeasured based on our closing stock price at the end of each reporting period. If we estimate that it is probable that the vesting criteria will be met, then we record compensation expense based on the proportionate share of the total estimated fair value of the award to the requisite service period.
	A summary of our RSU activity for the year ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-
		Units			Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
					Per Unit
	Outstanding, September 30, 2012		-		$	-
	Grants		77,231			11.93
	Forfeitures		-			-
	Vested		-			-
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		77,231		$	11.93
	A summary of estimated compensation expense for RSU awards is as follows:
	Year Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	$	1,883		$	-
Tax benefit recognized		720			-
Net compensation cost	$	1,163		$	-
As of period end date:
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized	$	2,346		$	-
Weighted-average years to be recognized		1			-
Accrued compensation cost included in other long-term liabilities at year end	$	1,883		$	-

BALANCE_SHEET_DATA

BALANCE SHEET DATA	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BALANCE SHEET DATA	'
	3. BALANCE SHEET DATA
	The following tables provide additional disclosure for accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant and equipment at September 30:
		2013			2012
	Accounts Receivable:
	Trade receivables	$	20,875		$	23,384
	Employee and other receivables		462			827
	Allowance for bad debt		(28	)		-
	Total	$	21,309		$	24,211
	We assess the collectability of our accounts receivable based on historical collection experience and provide allowances for estimated credit losses. Typically, our customers consist of large corporations and government contractors procuring products from us on behalf of or for the benefit of government agencies.
		2013			2012
	Inventories:
	Finished goods	$	9,020		$	2,966
	Work-in-progress		36,032			28,851
	Raw materials and supplies		14,520			12,340
	Total	$	59,572		$	44,157
	Finished goods includes final product that has shipped to our customers but remains subject to a specified customer acceptance period before revenues and the related costs of revenues are recognized.
		2013			2012
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Land and improvements	$	3,693		$	3,693
	Buildings and improvements		52,343			50,891
	Machinery and equipment		161,472			149,522
	Construction in progress		4,264			3,689
	Total Cost		221,772			207,795
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(117,925	)		(104,479	)
	Total	$	103,847		$	103,316

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DEBT	'
	4. DEBT
	Our outstanding debt balances consist of the following as of September 30:
			2013			2012
	Term Loan, variable-rate interest, due through 2017		$	55,500		$	-
	Senior Notes, 9%, due 2015			-			65,000
	Capital Leases, due through 2014			2			20
	Total Debt			55,502			65,020
	Less Current Portion			(6,002	)		(16	)
	Total Long-term Debt		$	49,500		$	65,004
	Senior Notes. In February 2007, we issued and sold $110,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.0% Senior Notes due February 1, 2015 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes accrued interest at an annual rate of 9.0%, payable semi-annually in February and August. The Senior Notes were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our existing and future material U.S. subsidiaries.
	On August 9, 2012, we called $40,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes. On September 10, 2012, we completed the redemption, using net cash proceeds from the sale of AMPAC-ISP and available cash balances. The redemption price for the Notes was 102.25% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The transaction resulted in a net loss on debt retirement of $1,397 which includes the call premium of $900, unamortized debt issuances costs of $482 and other expenses of $15.
	In connection with our entering into the Credit Facility (as defined below), on October 26, 2012, a notice of redemption was issued for all remaining outstanding Senior Notes specifying a redemption date of November 25, 2012. The Redemption Price for the Notes was 102.250% of the outstanding principal amount of $65,000, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. On October 26, 2012, we irrevocably deposited funds with the trustee in an amount equal to the Redemption Price for the Senior Notes and the related indenture was discharged. The transaction resulted in a net loss on debt retirement of $2,835 which includes the call premium of $1,463, the write-off of then unamortized debt issuances costs of $1,252 and other expenses of $120.
	ABL Credit Facility. On January 31, 2011, American Pacific Corporation, as borrower, with certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, entered into an asset-based lending credit agreement (the “ABL Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent and as lender, which provided a secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20,000 at any time outstanding with an initial maturity of 90 days prior to the maturity date of the Senior Notes, which was February 1, 2015. The maximum borrowing availability under the ABL Credit Facility was based upon a percentage of our eligible account receivables and eligible inventories. On October 26, 2012, we terminated the ABL Credit Facility.
	Credit Facility. On October 26, 2012, we entered into an $85,000 senior secured credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) by and among American Pacific Corporation, the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”) and KeyBank National Association, as the swing line lender, issuer of letters of credit under the Credit Facility and as the Administrative Agent of the Lenders. Under the Credit Facility, we (i) obtained a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $60,000 with an initial maturity in five years (the “Term Loan”), and (ii) may obtain revolving loans of up to $25,000 in aggregate principal amount, of which up to $5,000 may be outstanding in connection with the issuance of letters of credit (the “Revolving Facility”). We may prepay and terminate the Credit Facility at any time, without premium or penalty. The Credit Facility contains certain mandatory prepayment provisions which are based upon certain asset sales, equity issuances, incurrence of certain indebtedness and events of loss.
	Available borrowings under the Revolving Facility are computed as the $25,000 committed line less any outstanding revolving loans and outstanding letters of credits. As of September 30, 2013, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility, outstanding letters of credit of $4,466 and availability for revolving loans of $20,534.
	For any loans under the Credit Facility, we elect between two options to determine the annual interest rates applicable to such loans: Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans. These elections can be renewed or changed from time to time during the term of the Credit Facility. The interest rate for an election period is determined as the Base Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (each as defined in the Credit Facility), and in each case, plus an applicable margin, which shall range from 0.75% to 1.50% for Base Rate Loans or from 1.75% to 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans, subject to adjustment based on the leverage ratio. Interest payments are due at least quarterly and may be more frequent under certain Eurodollar Loan elections. The Term Loan includes quarterly principal amortization payments which commenced on December 31, 2012. Scheduled Amortization of the Term Loan is $4,500, $6,000, $6,000, $6,000 and $7,500 for each of the five years in the period ending September 30, 2017, respectively. The remaining balance of the Term Loan of $30,000 is due upon maturity.
	The Credit Facility is guaranteed by our current and future domestic subsidiaries and is secured by substantially all of our assets and the assets of our current and future domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Credit Facility.
	The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants which, among other things, restrict our ability to:
		—		pay dividends, repurchase our stock, or make other restricted payments;
		—		make certain investments or acquisitions;
		—		incur additional indebtedness;
		—		create or permit to exist certain liens;
		—		enter into certain transactions with affiliates;
		—		consummate a merger, consolidation or sale of assets;
		—		change our business; and
		—		wind up, liquidate, or dissolve our affairs.
	In each case, the covenants set forth above are subject to customary and negotiated exceptions and exclusions.
	The Credit Facility includes two financial covenants that are measured quarterly.
	Leverage Ratio. The Leverage Ratio must be less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00. The Credit Facility defines the Leverage Ratio as the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt as of the last day of a quarter (“Test Date”) to Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive quarters preceding the Test Date, each as defined in the Credit Facility.
	Debt Service Coverage Ratio. The Debt Service Coverage Ratio must be at least 2.00 to 1.00, with increases to 2.25 to 1.00 for the period commencing September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015, and to 2.50 to 1.00 for the period commencing September 30, 2015 and thereafter. The Credit Facility defines the Debt Service Coverage Ratio as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA minus Consolidated Capital Expenditures to Scheduled Repayments plus Consolidated Adjusted Interest Expense, each as defined in the Credit Facility.
	With respect to these covenant compliance calculations, Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Facility (hereinafter, referred to as “Credit Facility EBITDA”), differs from typical EBITDA calculations and our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, which is used in certain of our public releases and in connection with our incentive compensation plan. The most significant difference in the Credit Facility EBITDA calculation is the inclusion of cash payments for environmental remediation as part of the calculation. The following statements summarize the elements of those definitions that are material to our computations. Consolidated Total Debt generally includes principal amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility, capital leases, drawn amounts for outstanding letters of credit and other indebtedness for borrowed money. Credit Facility EBITDA is generally computed as consolidated net income (loss) plus income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and certain non-cash charges and less cash payments for environmental remediation, extraordinary gains and certain other non-cash gains. In accordance with the definitions contained in the Credit Facility, as of September 30, 2013, our Leverage Ratio was 1.04 to 1.00 and our Debt Service Coverage Ratio was 6.21 to 1.00, each of which are in compliance with the applicable financial covenant.
	The Credit Facility also contains usual and customary events of default (subject to certain threshold amounts and grace periods). If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Company may be required to repay the obligations under the Credit Facility prior to the Credit Facility’s stated maturity and the related commitments may be terminated.
	Principal Maturities. Principal maturities for our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	Years ending September 30:
	2014		$	6,002
	2015			6,000
	2016			6,000
	2017			7,500
	2018			30,000
	Total		$	55,502
	Debt Issue Costs. In connection with the issuance of the Credit Facility, we incurred debt issuance costs of approximately $1,386, which are capitalized and classified as other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. These costs are being amortized, using the effective interest rate method, as additional interest expense over the term of the Credit Facility.
	Letters of Credit. We issue letters of credit principally to secure performance related to insurance, utilities and certain product contracts. As of September 30, 2013, we had $4,466 in outstanding letters of credit, maturing through April 2017, that were issued under our Revolving Facility. In addition, as of September 30, 2013, we had $315 in outstanding standby letters of credit, maturing through April 2016, that were not issued under our Revolving Facility. Letters of credit that are not issued under our Revolving Facility are collateralized by cash on deposit with the issuing bank in the amount of 105% of the outstanding letters of credit. Collateral deposits are classified as other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENT

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT	'
	5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT
	Interest Rate Swap Agreement. On January 24, 2013, we entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap with an initial notional amount of $58,875 (such notional amount reducing over the life of the arrangement), terminating October 26, 2017, which will effectively convert our floating-rate debt to a fixed rate (the “Swap Agreement”). Under the terms of the Swap Agreement, we will pay a fixed rate of approximately 0.775%, we will receive a floating-rate payment tied to the one-month LIBOR, and there will be no exchange of notional amounts. Our objective in using an interest rate derivative is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements.
	We designated the Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge in accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 815. As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of the Swap Agreement was an asset of $256. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of a derivative designated and that qualifies as a cash flow hedge is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. For the year ended September 30, 2013, we had no hedge ineffectiveness.
	The following table provides quantitative disclosures about the Swap Agreement before income tax effects for the years ended September 30:
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Balance sheet location of fair value:
	Other assets	$	554	$	-
	Accrued liabilities	$	298	$	-
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2011
	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	$	31	$	-	$	-
	Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense (effective portion)	$	225	$	-	$	-

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	'
	6. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The following table provides changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of income tax:
		Defined			Cash Flow		Foreign			Total
		Benefit			Hedge		Currency
		Pension Plans					Items
	Balance, September 30, 2011	$	(23,470	)	$	-	$	(475	)	$	-23,945
	Current year other comprehensive income (loss)		(8,567	)		-		475			-8,092
	Balance, September 30, 2012		(32,037	)		-		-			-32,037
	Current year other comprehensive income (loss)		16,420			158		-			16,578
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	(15,617	)	$	158	$	-		$	-15,459

EARNINGS_LOSS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE	'
	7. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
	Shares used to compute earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations are as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013		2012		2011
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$	23,133	$	20,332	$	(9,379	)
	Basic Weighted Average Shares		7,772,000		7,554,000		7,517,000
	Diluted:
	Weighted Average Shares, Basic		7,772,000		7,554,000		7,517,000
	Dilutive Effect of Stock Options		291,000		82,000		-
	Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock		38,000		27,000		-
	Weighted Average Shares, Diluted		8,101,000		7,663,000		7,517,000
	Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$	2.98	$	2.69	$	(1.25	)
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$	2.86	$	2.65	$	(1.25	)
	Antidilutive options and restricted shares are excluded from potential dilutive shares. As of September 30, 2013, we had no antidilutive options and restricted stock outstanding. As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, we had an aggregate of 278,385 and 653,304, respectively, of antidilutive options and restricted shares outstanding.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES	'
	8. INCOME TAXES
	Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense (benefit) is classified as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Continuing Operations	$	12,243		$	(3,766	)	$	6,985
	Discontinued Operations		(90	)		715			1,185
	Total	$	12,153		$	(3,051	)	$	8,170
	The components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Current
	Federal	$	11,930			1,328			(330	)
	State		(9	)		1,129			(16	)
	Foreign		-			183			(90	)
	Deferred
	Federal		(1,131	)		(4,473	)		7,614
	State		1,363			(1,218	)		1,025
	Foreign		-			-			(33	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	12,153			(3,051	)		8,170
	A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to our effective tax (benefit) rate from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax at the statutory rate		35.00%			35.00%			-35.00%
	State income tax, net of federal benefit		3.40%			4.10%			-3.60%
	Nondeductible expenses		0.20%			1.40%			8.60%
	Valuation allowance		-0.20%			-62.90%			318.60%
	Interest and penalties		-2.00%			0.40%			1.10%
	Domestic production activities and state credits		-7.90%			0.00%			0.00%
	State tax rate change		5.40%			0.00%			0.00%
	Other		0.70%			-0.70%			2.00%
	Effective tax rate		34.60%			-22.70%			291.70%
	Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities. Deferred tax assets arise primarily because expenses have been recorded in historical financial statement periods which will not become deductible for income taxes until future tax years. Deferred tax assets are comprised of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventory	$	11,459		$	9,183
	Pension obligations		10,755			22,270
	Environmental remediation reserves		7,533			9,997
	Accrued expenses		4,314			3,824
	Deferred gain on sale of business		996			1,448
	Tax credits and carryforwards		515			66
	Other		1,117			1,439
	Subtotal		36,689			48,227
	Valuation allowance		-			(66	)
	Deferred tax assets		36,689			48,161
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		(13,358	)		(13,805	)
	Prepaid expenses		(576	)		(432	)
	Other		(95	)		(100	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(14,029	)		(14,337	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	22,660		$	33,824
	Valuation Allowance. We record valuation allowances to reduce the book value of our deferred tax assets to amounts that are estimated to be more likely than not realized. This assessment requires judgment and is performed on the basis of the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, with greater weight placed on information that is objectively verifiable, such as historical performance.
	The following schedule provides detail regarding our deferred tax asset valuation allowance as of September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance, Beginning of Year	$	66		$	10,486		$	66
	Amounts charged to income tax expense (benefit)		(66	)		(10,420	)		7,628
	Amounts charged to other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			2,792
	Balance, End of the Year	$	-		$	66		$	10,486
	For the year ended September 30, 2011, we evaluated negative evidence noting that for the three year period then ended we reported a cumulative net loss. Pursuant to FASB guidance, a cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that must be considered and this form of negative evidence is difficult to overcome without sufficient objectively verifiable positive evidence. Our then objectively verifiable positive evidence included certain aspects of our historical results. Additional positive evidence includes forecasts of future taxable income. However, since this latter form of evidence was not objectively verifiable, its weight is not sufficient to overcome the negative evidence. As a result of this evaluation, we increased our valuation allowance by $10,420 as of September 30, 2011. Of this amount, $7,628 was recorded as income tax expense and $2,792 was charged to other comprehensive loss offsetting deferred tax assets that were generated in Fiscal 2011.
	For the year ended September 30, 2012, we reported significant income before tax from continuing operations which resulted in cumulative earnings for the three-year period then ended. We evaluated the current facts and circumstances and concluded that the negative evidence that existed as of September 30, 2011, no longer existed. Accordingly, we relied on positive evidence, which included taxable income in the current year, a forecast of significant taxable income in coming years and the absence of credit carry forward balances. As a result, we reversed the valuation allowance of $10,420.
	The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on having sufficient taxable income in the future years when the tax deductions associated with the deferred tax assets become deductible. The establishment or reversal of a valuation allowance, if any, does not impact cash nor does it preclude us from using our tax credits, loss carryforwards and other deferred assets in the future.
	Credits and Carryforwards. As of September 30, 2013, we have California Enterprise Zone credit carryforwards of $792, expiring 2024, which are available to offset future California income tax. As of September 30, 2012, we had aggregate net operating loss carryforward balances of $1,208 in two states where we no longer conduct business. Since we did not anticipate future taxable income in these states we provided a full valuation allowance of $66 as of September 30, 2012. During Fiscal 2013, we filed final tax returns in these states and removed the related deferred tax assets and valuation allowance from the balance sheet.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits. We review our portfolio of uncertain tax positions and recorded liabilities based on the applicable recognition standards. In this regard, an uncertain tax position represents our expected treatment of a tax position taken in a filed tax return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return, that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. We classify uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be settled within one year.
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, our recorded liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $204 and $1,274, respectively, of which $201 and $405, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized. The remaining balance is related to deferred tax items, which only impact the timing of tax payments. In December 2012, the internal revenue service completed its examination of our federal income tax returns for Fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 and the related net operating loss carryback claims for Fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 with no significant adjustments. Upon completion of this audit, we released $1,070 of unrecognized tax benefits.
	We have no additional significant statutes of limitations that are anticipated to expire in Fiscal 2014. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that none of the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits will be reversed during Fiscal 2014.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30 is as follows:
		2013			2012
Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Beginning of Year	$	1,274		$	1,246
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-			28
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1,070	)		-
Lapse of statute of limitations		-			-
Unrecognized Tax Benefits - End of Year	$	204		$	1,274
We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, we had accrued $10 and $679, respectively, for the payment of tax-related interest and penalties. For the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, income tax expense includes a benefit of $671 and an expense of $70 for interest and penalties.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal or state income tax examinations for the years before 2008.

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
	9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Defined Benefit Plan Descriptions. We maintain three defined benefit pension plans, which cover substantially all of our employees: the Amended and Restated American Pacific Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “AMPAC Plan”), the Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC Pension Plan for Salaried Employees (the “AFC Salaried Plan”), and the Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC Pension Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees (the “AFC Bargaining Plan”), each as amended to date. Collectively, these three plans are referred to as the “Pension Plans.” Pension Plans benefits are paid based on an average of earnings, retirement age, and length of service, among other factors. In May 2010, our board of directors approved amendments to our Pension Plans which effectively closed the Pension Plans to participation by any new employees. Retirement benefits for existing U.S. employees and retirees through June 30, 2010 were not affected by this change. Beginning July 1, 2010, new U.S. employees began participating solely in one of the Company’s 401(k) plans. In addition, we maintain the American Pacific Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) that as of September 30, 2013, includes three executive officers and two former executive officers. We use a measurement date of September 30 to account for our Pension Plans and SERP.
	Defined Contribution Plan Descriptions. We maintain two 401(k) plans in which participating employees may make contributions. One covers substantially all U.S. employees, except bargaining unit employees of our Fine Chemicals segment, and the other covers those bargaining unit employees (collectively, the “401(k) Plans”). We make matching contributions for Fine Chemicals segment employees and eligible U.S. employees who began employment on or after July 1, 2010.
	Summary Defined Benefit Plan Results. The table below presents the annual changes in benefit obligations and plan assets and the funded status of our Pension Plans and SERP as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	96,989		$	73,383		$	11,087		$	7,942
	Service cost		3,326			2,653			817			435
	Interest cost		3,944			3,915			422			369
	Amendments		298			-			-			-
	Actuarial losses		(18,090	)		18,693			(615	)		2,868
	Benefits paid		(1,781	)		(1,655	)		(525	)		(527	)
	Benefit obligation, end of year		84,686			96,989			11,186			11,087
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year		52,249			36,935			-			-
	Actual return (loss) on plan assets		8,124			7,649			-			-
	Employer contributions		6,704			9,320			525			527
	Benefits paid		(1,781	)		(1,655	)		(525	)		(527	)
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year		65,296			52,249			-			-
	Funded status	$	(19,390	)	$	(44,740	)	$	(11,186	)	$	(11,087	)
	Amounts pertaining to our Pension Plans and SERP recognized in our consolidated balance sheet are classified as follows as of September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Employee related liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	(677	)	$	(527	)
	Pension obligations and other long-term liabilities		(19,390	)		(44,740	)		(10,509	)		(10,560	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(19,390	)	$	(44,740	)	$	(11,186	)	$	(11,087	)
	The following table summarizes changes in the components of unrecognized benefit plan costs for the year ended September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	(21,817	)	$	14,443		$	(616	)	$	2,867
	Prior service costs		298			-			-			-
	Amortization of:
	Net actuarial loss from previous years		(3,590	)		(2,549	)		(376	)		-
	Prior service costs		(70	)		(63	)		(420	)		(420	)
	Income tax benefits related to above items		9,631			(4,732	)		540			(979	)
	Changes in unrecognized benefit plan costs	$	(15,548	)	$	7,099		$	(872	)	$	1,468
	The following table sets forth the amounts recognized as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	17,950		$	43,357		$	2,576		$	3,568
	Prior service costs		642			414			982			1,402
	Income tax benefits related to above items		(4,931	)		(14,562	)		(1,602	)		(2,142	)
	Unrecognized benefit plan costs, net of tax	$	13,661		$	29,209		$	1,956		$	2,828
	The table below sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013, that we expect to recognize in periodic pension cost in the year ending September 30, 2014.
		Pension Plans			SERP
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	1,143		$	262
	Amortization of prior service costs		67			420
		$	1,210		$	682
	The table below provides data for our defined benefit plans as of September 30:
		2013			2012
	Plan Assets:
	Ampac Plan	$	49,913		$	41,055
	AFC Salaried Plan		8,991			6,744
	AFC Bargaining Plan		6,392			4,450
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation:
	Ampac Plan		54,786			61,368
	AFC Salaried Plan		10,409			12,500
	AFC Bargaining Plan		7,210			7,585
	Projected Benefit Obligation:
	Ampac Plan		65,838			74,645
	AFC Salaried Plan		11,638			14,759
	AFC Bargaining Plan		7,210			7,585
Net periodic benefit plan cost is comprised of the following for the years ended September 30:
	Pension Plans									SERP
	2013			2012			2011			2013			2012		2011
Net Periodic Benefit Plan Cost:
Service cost	$	3,326		$	2,653		$	2,432		$	817		$	435	$	324
Interest cost		3,944			3,914			3,541			422			369		356
Expected return on plan assets		(4,399	)		(3,398	)		(2,886	)		-			-		-
Recognized actuarial losses		3,589			2,549			1,752			376			-		-
Amortization of prior service costs		70			63			63			420			420		420
Net periodic pension cost	$	6,530		$	5,781		$	4,902		$	2,035		$	1,224	$	1,100
Assumptions.
	Pension Plans									SERP
	2013			2012			2011			2013			2012		2011
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions
Used to Determine Benefit Obligation as of September 30:
Discount rate		5.31%			4.00%			5.40%			4.67%			3.90%		4.80%
Rate of compensation increase		3.50%			3.50%			4.00%			3.50%			3.50%		4.00%
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions
Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit
Plan Cost for the Years Ended
September 30:
Discount rate		4.00%			5.40%			5.80%			3.90%			4.80%		4.80%
Rate of compensation increase		3.50%			4.00%			4.00%			3.50%			4.00%		4.00%
Expected return on plan assets		8.00%			8.00%			8.00%			-			-		-
The discount rate is determined for the Pension Plans and SERP, respectively, by projecting the expected future benefit payments of the Pension Plans and SERP, discounting those payments using a theoretical zero-coupon spot-yield curve derived from a universe of high-quality bonds as of the measurement date, and solving for a single equivalent discount rate that results in the same projected benefit obligation.
Through consultation with investment advisors and actuaries, the expected long-term returns for each of the Pension Plans’ strategic asset classes were developed. Several factors were considered, including survey of investment managers’ expectations, current market data and historical returns of long periods. Using policy target allocation percentages and the asset class expected returns, a weighted average expected return was calculated.
Plan Assets and Investment Policy. The Pension Plans’ assets include no shares of our common stock. We developed assumptions for expected long-term returns for the targeted asset classes of each of the Pension Plans based on factors that include current market data such as yields/price-earnings ratios, and historical market returns over long periods. Using policy target allocation percentages and the asset class expected returns, a weighted average expected return was calculated. The actual and target asset allocation for the Pension Plans is as follows at September 30:
	Target			Actual
	2013			2013			2012
Equity securities		68%			68%			74%
Debt securities		24%			21%			22%
Real estate securities		5%			5%			0%
Cash and marketable securities		3%			6%			4%
Total		100%			100%			100%
The table below provides the fair values of the Pension Plans’ assets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, and identifies the level of inputs used to determine the fair value of assets in each category (see Note 1 for additional information regarding the level categories).
	Quotes Prices			Significant			Significant			Total
	in Active			Other			Unobservable
	Markets for			Observable			Inputs
	Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
	(Level 1)			(Level 2)
September 30, 2013:
Equity Securities
Domestic large-cap	$	15,964								$	15,964
Domestic mid-cap		3,331									3,331
Domestic small-cap		902									902
International		7,861									7,861
Mutual funds		15,478									15,478
Other		1,324									1,324
Fixed Income Securities
Mutual funds		6,216									6,216
Corporate bonds				$	3,999						3,999
Certificate of deposit											-
U.S. Treasuries		1,016									1,016
Mortgage-backed					303						303
Foreign bonds					1,901						1,901
Real Estate Securities		3,076									3,076
Cash and cash equivalents		3,859									3,859
Other		7			58						65
	$	59,034		$	6,261		$	-		$	65,295
September 30, 2012:
Equity Securities
Domestic large-cap	$	20,188								$	20,188
Domestic mid-cap		5,590									5,590
Domestic small-cap		1,768									1,768
International		5,939									5,939
Other		3,217									3,217
Fixed Income Securities											-
Mutual funds		6,146									6,146
Corporate bonds				$	3,652						3,652
Certificate of deposit					805						805
U.S. Treasuries		973									973
Mortgage-backed					477						477
Foreign bonds					1,366						1,366
Cash and cash equivalents		2,056									2,056
Other					72						72
	$	45,877		$	6,372		$	-		$	52,249
Contributions and Benefit Payments. We made total contributions of $1,061, $1,378 and $1,301 to the 401(k) Plans during the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the year ending September 30, 2014, we expect to contribute approximately $2,100 to the Pension Plans and approximately $677 to the SERP.
The table below sets forth expected future benefit payments for the years ending September 30:
Years ending September 30:	Pension Plans			SERP
2014	$	2,344		$	677
2015		2,464			662
2016		2,681			1,081
2017		2,779			1,055
2018		3,019			1,027
2019-2023		20,326			4,662

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Operating Leases. We lease our corporate offices under an operating lease that expires in 2018 and contains step rent provisions, escalation clauses and also provides for cash allowances toward the funding of capital improvements. Our minimum lease payments include these considerations. Total rental expense for continuing operations under operating leases was $1,938, $1,735 and $1,642 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Minimum lease payments are recognized as rental expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Estimated future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
	Years ending September 30:
	2014		$	1,192
	2015			1,163
	2016			1,158
	2017			1,170
	2018			709
	Thereafter			53
	Total		$	5,445
	Purchase Commitments. Purchase commitments represent obligations under agreements that are not unilaterally cancelable by us, are legally enforceable, and specify fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices. As of September 30, 2013, our purchase commitments were not material.
	Employee Agreements. We have an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer. The term of the employment agreement currently ends on September 30, 2016, unless amended or extended in accordance with the terms of the agreement or otherwise. Significant contract provisions include annual base salary, health care benefits, and non-compete provisions. The employment agreement is primarily an “at will” employment agreement, under which we may terminate the executive officer’s employment for any or no reason. Generally, the agreement provides that a termination without cause obligates us to pay certain severance benefits specified in the contract.
	We maintain severance agreements with four other executive officers which generally provide that a termination of the executive without cause obligates us to pay certain severance benefits specified in the contract. In addition, certain other key divisional executives are eligible for severance benefits. Estimated minimum aggregate severance benefits under all of these agreements and arrangements was approximately $5,800 as of September 30, 2013. In addition, we maintain a general ongoing employee severance policy that may provide benefits only for specified terminations, such as involuntary terminations without cause. The policy provides a formula for determining benefits based on position and years of service.
	Environmental Matters.
	Regulatory Review of Perchlorates. Our Specialty Chemicals segment manufactures and sells products that contain perchlorates. Currently, perchlorate is on Contaminant Candidate List 3 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”). In February 2011, the EPA announced that it had determined to move forward with the development of a regulation for perchlorates in drinking water, reversing its October 2008 preliminary determination not to promulgate such a regulation. Accordingly, the EPA announced its intention to begin to evaluate the feasibility and affordability of treatment technologies to remove perchlorate and to examine the costs and benefits of potential standards. The EPA has conducted various meetings, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, including a meeting of the Science Advisory Board, whose report was issued May 29, 2013. We continue to monitor activities and currently expect, based on EPA statements, that the earliest a final regulation is expected to be published is December 2014. Regulatory review and anticipated regulatory actions present general business risk to the Company, but no regulatory proposal of the EPA or any state in which we operate, to date, has been publicly announced that we believe would have a material effect on our results of operations and financial position or that would cause us to significantly modify or curtail our business practices, including our remediation activities discussed below.
	Perchlorate Remediation Project in Henderson, Nevada. We commercially manufactured perchlorate chemicals at a facility in Henderson, Nevada (the “AMPAC Henderson Site”) from 1958 until the facility was destroyed in May 1988, after which we relocated our production to a new facility in Iron County, Utah. Legacy production at the AMPAC Henderson Site resulted in perchlorate presence in the groundwater near the vicinity of the former facility.
	At the direction of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (“NDEP”) and the EPA, we conducted an investigation of remediation technologies for perchlorate in groundwater with the intention of remediating groundwater near the AMPAC Henderson Site. In 2002, we conducted a pilot test and in Fiscal 2005, we submitted a work plan to NDEP for the construction of a remediation facility near the AMPAC Henderson Site. The conditional approval of the work plan by NDEP in our third quarter of Fiscal 2005 allowed us to generate estimated costs for the installation and operation of the remediation facility to address perchlorate at the AMPAC Henderson Site. We commenced construction in July 2005. In December 2006, we began operations of the permanent facility. The location of this facility is several miles, in the direction of groundwater flow, from the AMPAC Henderson Site.
	From time to time, we held discussions with NDEP to formalize our remediation efforts in an agreement. In June 2013, we entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (the “AOC”) with NDEP. We have been conducting our remediation efforts in cooperation with NDEP. Accordingly, the formalization of our remediation efforts under an AOC had no significant effect on our scope of activities or cost estimates. Significant terms of the AOC include:
		—		formalizing the oversight of ongoing or modified remediation efforts required by NDEP;
		—		procedures for reimbursing NDEP for past and future oversight costs;
		—		providing NDEP with enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the AOC, including stipulated penalties for failures to comply with certain requirements under the AOC;
		—		preservation of AMPAC’s right to make future cost recovery or contribution claims;
		—		providing a procedure for closing part or all of the remediation efforts once goals are achieved; and
		—		resolving certain environmental liability claims that NDEP might have had without the AOC.
	Henderson Site Environmental Remediation Reserve. We accrue for anticipated costs associated with environmental remediation that are probable and estimable. On a quarterly basis, we review our estimates of future costs that could be incurred for remediation activities. In some cases, only a range of reasonably possible costs can be estimated. In establishing our reserves, the most probable estimate is used; otherwise, we accrue the minimum amount of the range.
	During Fiscal 2005 and Fiscal 2006, we recorded aggregate charges of $26,000 representing our estimates at the time of the probable costs of our remediation efforts at the AMPAC Henderson Site, including the costs for capital equipment and on-going operating and maintenance (“O&M”).
	Late in Fiscal 2009, we gained additional information from groundwater modeling that indicated groundwater emanating from the AMPAC Henderson Site in certain areas in deeper zones (more than 150 feet below ground surface) was moving toward our existing remediation facility at a much slower pace than previously estimated. Utilization of our existing facilities alone, at this slower groundwater pace, could, according to this groundwater model, extend the life of our remediation project to well in excess of 50 years. As a result of this additional data, related model interpretations and consultations with NDEP, we re-evaluated our remediation operations and determined that we should be able to improve the effectiveness of the treatment program and significantly reduce the total project time by expanding the treatment system existing at the time. The expansion included installation of additional groundwater extraction wells in the deeper, more concentrated areas, construction of an underground pipeline to move extracted groundwater to our treatment facility, and the addition of fluidized bed reactor (“FBR”) bioremediation treatment equipment (the “Expansion Project”) that will enhance, and in some cases replace, primary components of the existing treatment system. In our Fiscal 2009 fourth quarter, we accrued $13,700 as our initial estimate of the capital cost of the Expansion Project and the related estimates of the effects of the enhanced operations on the on-going O&M costs and project life.
	Through June 2011, and in cooperation with NDEP, we worked to develop the formal design, engineering and permitting of the Expansion Project. Based on data obtained through that date, which was largely comprised of firm quotations, we determined that significant modifications to our Fiscal 2009 assumptions were required. As a result, in June 2011, we accrued an additional $6,000 for the estimated increase in cost of the capital component of the Expansion Project, offset slightly by reductions in O&M cost estimates. The estimated capital costs of the Expansion Project increased by approximately $6,400. The increase reflected (i) an increase in the capacity of the FBR bioremediation treatment equipment to accommodate technical requirements based on the testing of new extraction wells in the fall of 2010, and (ii) higher than initially anticipated cost associated with the installation of the equipment and construction of the pipeline. Our estimate of total O&M costs was reduced by approximately $400.
	In September 2012, we commenced initial operation of the Expansion Project with planned start up activities completed in Fiscal 2013. System optimization will continue in Fiscal 2014. In September 2012, we recorded an additional remediation charge in the amount of $700, which is substantially attributed to the true-up of estimates to the expected final cost of the Expansion Project. Due to uncertainties inherent in making estimates, our estimates of capital and O&M costs may later require significant revision as new facts become available and circumstances change.
	The estimated life of the project is a key assumption underlying the accrued estimated cost of our remediation activities. Groundwater modeling and other information regarding the characteristics of the surrounding land and demographics indicate that at our targeted processing rates and targeted perchlorate mass destruction rates, the life of the project could range from five to 18 years from the date that the Expansion Project was placed in service. Further, the data indicates that within that range, seven to 14 years is the more likely range. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if no point within the more likely range is considered more likely than another, then estimates should be based on the low end of the range. Accordingly, our accrued remediation
	cost includes estimated O&M costs through 2019, which is the low end of the likely range of the project life. Groundwater speed, perchlorate concentrations, aquifer characteristics and forecasted groundwater extraction rates will continue to be key factors considered when estimating the life of the project. If additional information becomes available in the future that leads to a different interpretation of the model, thereby dictating a change in equipment and operations, our estimate of the resulting project life could change significantly.
	The estimate of the annual O&M cost of the project is a key assumption in our computation of the estimated cost of our remediation activities. To estimate future O&M costs, we consider, among other factors, the remaining project scope and historical expense rates to develop assumptions regarding labor, utilities, repairs, maintenance supplies and professional services costs. We estimate average annual O&M costs to range from approximately $1,800 to $2,100. If additional information becomes available in the future that is different than information currently available to us and thereby leads us to different conclusions, our estimate of O&M expenses could change significantly.
	In addition, certain remediation activities are conducted on public lands under operating permits. In general, these permits may require us to relocate our underground pipeline or equipment to accommodate future public utilities and features and require us to return the land to its original condition at the end of the permit period. If we are required to relocate our underground pipeline or equipment in the future, the costs of such activities would be incremental to our current cost estimates. Estimated costs associated with removal of remediation equipment from the land are not material and are included in our range of estimated costs.
	As of September 30, 2013, the aggregate range of anticipated environmental remediation costs was from approximately $8,300 to approximately $32,000. This range represents a significant estimate and is based on the estimable elements of cost for capital and O&M costs, and an estimated remaining operating life of the project through a range from the years 2017 to 2030. As of September 30, 2013, the accrued amount was $11,947, based on an estimated remaining life of the project through the year 2019, or the low end of the more likely range of the expected life of the project. Cost estimates are based on our current assessments of the facility configuration. As we proceed with the project, we have, and may in the future, become aware of elements of the facility configuration that must be changed to meet the targeted operational requirements. Certain of these changes may result in corresponding cost increases. Costs associated with the changes are accrued when a reasonable alternative, or range of alternatives, is identified and the cost of such alternative is estimable. Our estimated reserve for environmental remediation is based on information currently available to us and may be subject to material adjustment upward or downward in future periods as new facts or circumstances may indicate.
	A summary of our environmental reserve activity for the year ended September 30, 2013, is shown below:
	Balance, September 30, 2012		$	16,754
	Expenditures			(4,807	)
	Balance, September 30, 2013		$	11,947
	AFC Environmental Matters. The primary operations of our Fine Chemicals segment are located on land leased from Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc. (“Aerojet”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GenCorp Inc. (“GenCorp”). The leased land is part of a tract of land owned by Aerojet designated as a “Superfund Site” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”). The tract of land had been used by Aerojet and affiliated companies to manufacture and test rockets and related equipment since the 1950s. Although the chemicals identified as contaminants on the leased land were not used by Aerojet Fine Chemicals LLC (predecessor in interest to Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC) as part of its operations, CERCLA, among other things, provides for joint and several liability for environmental liabilities including, for example, environmental remediation expenses.
	As part of the agreement by which we acquired our Fine Chemicals segment business from GenCorp, an Environmental Indemnity Agreement was entered into whereby GenCorp agreed to indemnify us against any and all environmental costs and liabilities arising out of or resulting from any violation of environmental law prior to the effective date of the sale, or any release of hazardous substances by Aerojet Fine Chemicals LLC, Aerojet or GenCorp on the premises of Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC or Aerojet’s Sacramento site prior to the effective date of the sale.
	On November 29, 2005, EPA Region IX provided us with a letter indicating that the EPA does not intend to pursue any clean up or enforcement actions under CERCLA against future lessees of the Aerojet property for existing contamination, provided that the lessees do not contribute to or do not exacerbate existing contamination on or under the Aerojet Superfund site.
	Other Matters. Although we are not currently party to any material pending legal proceedings, we are from time to time subject to claims and lawsuits related to our business operations. We accrue for loss contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal fees, which can be material in any given period, are expensed as incurred. We believe that current claims or lawsuits against us, individually and in the aggregate, will not result in loss contingencies that will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	We report our continuing operations in three operating segments: Fine Chemicals, Specialty Chemicals, and Other Businesses. These segments are based upon business units that offer distinct products and services, are operationally managed separately and produce products using different production methods. Segment operating income or loss includes all sales and expenses directly associated with each segment. Environmental remediation charges, corporate general and administrative costs, which consist primarily of executive, investor relations, accounting, human resources and information technology expenses, and interest are not allocated to segment operating results.
	Fine Chemicals. Our Fine Chemicals segment includes the operating results of our wholly-owned subsidiaries Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC and AMPAC Fine Chemicals Texas, LLC (collectively, “AFC”). AFC is a custom manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients and registered intermediates for commercial customers in the pharmaceutical industry. AFC operates in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current Good Manufacturing Practices and the requirements of certain other regulatory agencies such as the European Union’s European Medicines Agency and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. AFC also complies with Drug Enforcement Administration requirements related to the manufacture and sale of certain controlled substances. AFC has distinctive competencies and specialized engineering capabilities in performing chiral separations, manufacturing chemical compounds that require high containment, performing energetic chemistries at large scale, and manufacturing Schedule II controlled substances.
	Specialty Chemicals. Our Specialty Chemicals segment manufactures and sells: (i) perchlorate chemicals, principally ammonium perchlorate, which is the predominant oxidizing agent for solid propellant rockets, booster motors and missiles used in space exploration, commercial satellite transportation and national defense programs, (ii) sodium azide, a chemical used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and (iii) Halotron®, a series of clean fire extinguishing agents used in fire extinguishing products ranging from portable fire extinguishers to total flooding systems.
	Other Businesses. Our Other Businesses segment contains our water treatment equipment division and real estate activities. Our water treatment equipment business markets, designs, and manufactures electrochemical On Site Hypochlorite Generation, or OSHG, systems. These systems are used in the disinfection of drinking water, control of noxious odors, and the treatment of seawater to prevent the growth of marine organisms in cooling systems. We supply our equipment to municipal, industrial and offshore customers. Our real estate activities are not material.
	Our revenues are characterized by individually significant orders and relatively few customers. As a result, in any given reporting period, certain customers may account for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues. The following table provides disclosure of the percentage of our consolidated revenues attributed to customers that exceed 10% of the total in each of the fiscal years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Fine chemicals customer		28%			31%			23%
	Fine chemicals customer					12%
	Specialty chemicals customer					17%
	Specialty chemicals customer		20%			12%			24%
	The following provides financial information about our segment operations for the fiscal years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Fine Chemicals	$	124,898		$	111,536		$	89,497
	Specialty Chemicals		82,636			68,513			66,905
	Other Businesses		7,551			5,578			4,312
	Total Revenues	$	215,085		$	185,627		$	160,714
	Segment Operating Income (Loss):
	Fine Chemicals	$	11,295		$	8,678		$	(6,283	)
	Specialty Chemicals		47,961			34,919			35,600
	Other Businesses		(1,066	)		(473	)		(1,308	)
	Total Segment Operating Income		58,190			43,124			28,009
	Corporate Expenses		(17,101	)		(14,326	)		(14,124	)
	Environmental Remediation Charges		-			(700	)		(6,000	)
	Operating Income	$	41,089		$	28,098		$	7,885
	Depreciation and Amortization:
	Fine Chemicals	$	12,013		$	11,914		$	12,473
	Specialty Chemicals		1,144			1,401			1,136
	Other Businesses		21			18			17
	Corporate		275			367			432
	Total	$	13,453		$	13,700		$	14,058
	Capital Expenditures:
	Fine Chemicals	$	11,138		$	7,383		$	11,153
	Specialty Chemicals		2,661			1,353			756
	Other Businesses		6			18			8
	Corporate		111			34			14
	Total	$	13,916		$	8,788		$	11,931
	Assets, at year end:
	Fine Chemicals	$	154,707		$	143,551		$	144,003
	Specialty Chemicals		27,427			21,029			19,785
	Other Businesses		5,319			7,302			5,064
	Corporate		89,854			74,582			60,954
	Total	$	277,307		$	246,464		$	229,806
	All of our continuing operations are located in the United States. Export sales consist mostly of fine chemicals and water treatment equipment sales. For the year ended September 30, 2013, sales outside the U.S. represented 43% of consolidated revenues. Of this amount 19% was sold to customers in Ireland, with no other individual country representing more than 10%. For the year ended September 30, 2012, sales outside the U.S. represented 36% of consolidated revenues. Of this amount, 17% was sold to customers in Ireland and 12% sold to customers in Belgium, with no other individual country representing more than 10%. For the year ended September 30, 2011, sales outside the U.S. represented 25% of consolidated revenues, with no individual country representing more than 10%.

GAIN_CONTINGENCIES_OTHER_OPERA

GAIN CONTINGENCIES - OTHER OPERATING GAINS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GAIN CONTINGENCIES - OTHER OPERATING GAINS	'
	12. GAIN CONTINGENCIES – OTHER OPERATING GAINS
	We recognize gain contingencies in our consolidated statement of operations when all contingencies have been resolved, which generally coincides with the receipt of cash, if applicable. During the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, our Fine Chemicals segment reported other operating gains of $1,714 and $2,929 that resulted from the resolution of gain contingencies. We did not have any similar gains in the year ended September 30, 2013. The reported gains are comprised of the following two matters.
	Our Fine Chemicals segment is undertaking several mandatory capital projects. Certain of the capital activities are complete and others are in progress or otherwise expected to be completed during our fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. In connection with these projects, our Fine Chemicals segment held, and continues to hold, negotiations with the former owner of its facilities. During the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, we received from the former owner cash consideration in the amount of $1,714 and $258, respectively, for a limited release of liability of the former owner with respect to the completed projects.
	We made a series of filings with the County of Sacramento, California, to appeal the assessed values in prior years of our real and personal property located at our Fine Chemicals segment’s Rancho Cordova, California facility. During the year ended September 30, 2011, we received $2,671 for cash property tax refunds resulting from our appeals and the related favorable reassessment of historical property values.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
	13. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In May 2012, our board of directors approved and we committed to a plan to sell our Aerospace Equipment segment, which is comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines.
	On June 4, 2012, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Moog Inc. (“Moog”) (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which we sold to Moog substantially all of the assets of Ampac-ISP Corp., including all of the equity interests in its foreign subsidiaries (collectively, the “Purchased Assets”). Additionally, Moog assumed certain liabilities related to the operations and the Purchased Assets. The transaction was completed effective August 1, 2012. Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, the total consideration was approximately $46,000 (the “Purchase Price”) in cash.
	The Asset Purchase Agreement provides that $4,000 of the Purchase Price be held in an escrow account for 15 months following the closing of the transaction, or until October 31, 2013. Amounts in the escrow account may be applied towards our indemnification obligations in favor of Moog, if any. The Asset Purchase Agreement provides that we, subject to certain limitations, indemnify Moog for damages and losses incurred or suffered by Moog as a result of, among other things, breaches of our respective representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Asset Purchase Agreement as well as any of the liabilities that we retain. During Fiscal 2013, $650 of the escrow account was released to Moog in settlement of certain retained liabilities.
	In October 2013, we received a claim for indemnification from Moog under the Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Moog Claim”). The Moog Claim demands payment for alleged losses of approximately $6,800 from the claimed breach of certain of our representations and warranties in the Asset Purchase Agreement. In November 2013, we responded to Moog denying Moog’s claim for indemnification. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter, but the ultimate outcome is uncertain.
	We have accounted for the portion of the Purchase Price that was placed in the escrow account as a contingent gain, and accordingly have deferred recognition of the amount until all contingencies have lapsed or been resolved. The balance in the escrow account as of September 30, 2013 is $3,350. If the Moog Claim is resolved for an amount less than the balance in the escrow account, then any amounts remaining in the escrow account after settlement of the Moog Claim will be released to us and recorded as a gain. If the Moog Claim is resolved for an amount greater than the escrow account, then the amount of the settlement that is in excess of the escrow account balance would be recorded by us as a loss.
	Revenues and expenses associated with the operations of AMPAC-ISP are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Summarized financial information for AMPAC-ISP is as follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2011
	Revenues	$	-		$	44,039	$	48,941
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
	Operating income (loss) before tax	$	83		$	643	$	3,328
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(62	)		506		1,185
	Net income from discontinued operations		145			137		2,143
	Gain (Loss) on Sale of Discontinued Operations
	Gain (Loss) on sale of discontinued operations before tax		(74	)		5,059		-
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(28	)		209		-
	Net gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations		(46	)		4,850		-
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	99		$	4,987	$	2,143

SUBSEQUENT_EVENT

SUBSEQUENT EVENT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	'
	14. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	In October 2013, we received a claim for indemnification from Moog under the Asset Purchase Agreement associated with the sale of our former Aerospace Equipment segment (see Note 13).

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Pacific Corporation and our subsidiaries (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). All intercompany accounts have been eliminated. We report our results based on a fiscal year which ends on September 30. References to Fiscal years refer to the twelve months ended or ending September 30 of the Fiscal year referenced.
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations. In May 2012, our board of directors approved and we committed to a plan to sell our Aerospace Equipment segment, which is comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). We completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of AMPAC-ISP effective August 1, 2012. The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines. Revenues and expenses associated with the Aerospace Equipment segment operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. (See Note 13).
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying our accounting policies in many areas. For example, key assumptions and estimates are particularly important when determining our projected liabilities for pension benefits, useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, and deferred tax assets. Other areas in which significant judgment exists include, but are not limited to, costs that may be incurred in connection with environmental matters and the resolution of litigation and other contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimates on which our consolidated financial statements were prepared.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title passes, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Almost all products sold by our Fine Chemicals segment are subject to customer acceptance periods. Specifically, these customers have contractually negotiated acceptance periods from the time they receive certificates of analysis and compliance (“Certificates”) to reject the material based on issues with the quality of the product, as defined in the applicable agreement. At times we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance. If we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenue upon delivery of the product and recognize revenues in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred.
	Some of our perchlorate and fine chemicals products customers have requested that we store materials purchased from us in our facilities (“Bill and Hold” transactions or arrangements). We recognize revenue prior to shipment of these Bill and Hold transactions when we have satisfied the applicable revenue recognition criteria, which include the point at which title and risk of ownership transfer to our customers. These customers have specifically requested in writing, pursuant to a contract, that we invoice for the finished product and hold the finished product until a later date. For our Bill and Hold arrangements that contain customer acceptance periods, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues when such products are available for delivery and Certificates have been delivered to the customers. We recognize revenue on our Bill and Hold transactions in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred. The sales value of inventory, subject to Bill and Hold arrangements, at our facilities was $9,517 and $19,346 as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Customer Deposits	'
	Customer Deposits. Customer deposits include upfront payments received from customers at the inception of an arrangement and progress or milestones payments that become collectable as work progresses on an arrangement. These amounts are recorded as current liabilities and applied against the total consideration for an arrangement upon completion of the deliverable.
Deferred Revenues	'
	Deferred Revenues. Deferred revenues include revenues associated with products that have been delivered under an arrangement but have not yet met all of the requisite revenue recognition requirements. Most commonly we defer revenue recognition on shipped product because the customer acceptance period (discussed above) has not lapsed. Deferred costs of revenues, which is a component of inventories, includes the cost of inventory that is directly associated with deferred revenues. Deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues are recognized when all elements of the revenue recognition process have been met.
Environmental Remediation	'
	Environmental Remediation. We are subject to environmental regulations that relate to our past and current operations. We record liabilities for environmental remediation costs when our assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. On a quarterly basis, we review our estimates of future costs that could be incurred for remediation activities. In some cases, only a range of reasonably possible costs can be estimated. In establishing our reserves, the most probable estimate is used; otherwise, we accrue the minimum amount of the range. Estimates of liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technologies and presently enacted laws and regulations. These estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. Accrued environmental remediation costs include the undiscounted cost of equipment, operating and maintenance costs, and fees to outside law firms and consultants, for the estimated duration of the remediation activity and do not include an assumption for inflation. Estimating environmental cost requires us to exercise substantial judgment regarding the cost, effectiveness and duration of our remediation activities. Actual future expenditures could differ materially from our current estimates.
	We evaluate potential claims for recoveries from other parties separately from our estimated liabilities. We record an asset for expected recoveries when recoveries of the amounts are probable.
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions. Our related party transactions generally fall into the following categories: payments of professional fees to firms affiliated with certain members of our board of directors, and payments to certain directors for consulting services outside of the scope of their duties as directors. For the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, such transactions totaled approximately $120, $180 and $146, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investment securities with a maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash balances that exceed federally insured limits; however, we have incurred no losses on such accounts.
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	Fair Value Disclosures. The current authoritative guidance on fair value clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
	Level 3 – Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
	We estimate the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. As of September 30, 2013, our floating-rate term loan had a carrying value of $55,500 and an estimated fair value of $55,898 (level 3 in the fair value hierarchy). Our interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value, which was an asset of $256 as of September 30, 2013 (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). The estimated fair values of our floating-rate term loan and interest rate swap agreement are based on a valuation technique that takes into consideration expected cash flows, the then-current interest rates and the then-current creditworthiness of the Company or the counterparty, as applicable. Refer to Notes 4 and 5 for additional information regarding our term loan and interest rate swap agreement.
Derivative Instrument	'
	Derivative Instrument. We are party to an interest rate swap agreement for the purpose of hedging floating interest rate risk. The differential to be paid or received in connection with this instrument is accrued and recognized in income as an adjustment to interest expense. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedging relationships. We assess hedge effectiveness at inception and on a quarterly basis. If it is determined that a derivative instrument is not highly effective or the transaction is no longer deemed probable of occurring, we discontinue hedge accounting and recognize the ineffective portion in current period earnings.
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that have potential concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality credit institutions. Our accounts receivable have concentration risk because significant amounts relate to customers in the aerospace and defense or pharmaceutical industries. From time to time we make sales to a customer that exceed 10% of our then-outstanding accounts receivable balance. As of September 30, 2013, three Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 14%, 12%, 10% and 15% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, two Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 27%, 16% and 19% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively.
Inventories	'
	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs are removed from inventories using the average-cost method. Inventoried costs include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventoried costs also include certain overhead parts and supplies. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Raw materials costs are determined on a moving average basis. We expense the cost of inventories which are considered to be excess because on-hand inventory quantities exceed our estimates of future demand.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated productive lives of the assets of three to 15 years for machinery and equipment and seven to 30 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated productive life of seven to nine years or the term of the lease.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	'
	Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for continuing operations is classified as follows in our statements of operations as of September 30:
		2013		2012		2011
	Classified as cost of revenues
	Depreciation	$	13,154	$	13,305	$	13,062
	Classified as operating expenses
	Depreciation		299		395		459
	Amortization		-		-		537
	Total continuing operations		13,453		13,700		14,058
	Classified as discontinued operations		-		791		1,158
	Total	$	13,453	$	14,491	$	15,216
	Amortization expense related to an intangible asset of our Fine Chemicals segment for customer relationships. This intangible asset became fully amortized as of May 2011.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured separately for each tax-paying entity in each tax jurisdiction, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with an accounting standard which creates a single model to address uncertainty in income tax positions and prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Under this standard, we may recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the issue. The amount recognized is the largest benefit that we believe has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We test our property, plant and equipment assets for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, operating or cash flow losses from the use of such assets or changes in our intended uses of such assets. To test for recovery, we group assets (an “Asset Group”) in a manner that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Our Asset Groups are typically identified by facility because each facility has a unique cost overhead and general and administrative expense structure that is supported by cash flows from products produced at the facility. The carrying amount of an Asset Group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the Asset Group.
	If we determine that an Asset Group is not recoverable, then we would record an impairment charge if the carrying value of the Asset Group exceeds its fair value. Fair value is based on estimated discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the Asset Group. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections would represent management’s best estimates at the time of the impairment review. Some of the factors that management would consider or estimate include: industry and market conditions, sales volume and prices, costs to produce and inflation. Changes in key assumptions or actual conditions which differ from estimates could result in an impairment charge. We use reasonable and supportable assumptions when performing impairment reviews but cannot predict the occurrence of future events and circumstances that could result in impairment charges. There were no impairments of long-lived assets recorded in any of the years presented.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	'
	Earnings (Loss) Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, which is computed using the treasury stock method.
Foreign Currency	'
	Foreign Currency. We sold our foreign subsidiaries in connection with the divestiture of AMPAC-ISP. We translated our foreign subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars using the year-end exchange rate. Revenue and expense amounts were translated at the average monthly exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains or losses were reported as cumulative currency translation adjustments as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, which amends Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The amendment allows an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This standard was effective for us beginning on October 1, 2012. This standard changes presentation requirements, and accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-2, which amends the Comprehensive Income Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The updated standard requires the presentation of information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-2 is effective for us beginning October 1, 2013. The updated standard will affect our disclosures but has no impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (ASU Topic 815) – Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in this update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under ASC Topic 815, in addition to U.S. Treasury (“UST”) and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. We have not entered into any new hedging relationships since July 17, 2013.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This new standard requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. We do not expect that the new standard will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	'
	Depreciation and amortization expense for continuing operations is classified as follows in our statements of operations as of September 30:
		2013		2012		2011
	Classified as cost of revenues
	Depreciation	$	13,154	$	13,305	$	13,062
	Classified as operating expenses
	Depreciation		299		395		459
	Amortization		-		-		537
	Total continuing operations		13,453		13,700		14,058
	Classified as discontinued operations		-		791		1,158
	Total	$	13,453	$	14,491	$	15,216

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Outstanding and Non-Vested Stock Option and Restricted Stock Activity	'
	A summary of our outstanding and non-vested stock option and restricted stock activity for the year ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Stock Options										Restricted Stock
		Outstanding					Non-Vested					Outstanding and
												Non-Vested
		Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
					Average					Average					Average
					Exercise					Fair Value					Fair Value
					Price Per					Per Share					Per Share
					Share
	Balance, September 30, 2012		612,071		$	8.47		138,835		$	3.55		64,497		$	7.52
	Granted		47,470			11.93		47,470			5.41		36,060			11.93
	Vested		-			-		(77,184	)		3.61		(29,505	)		7.42
	Exercised		(204,157	)		8.72		-			-		-			-
	Expired / Cancelled		(17,749	)		8.32		(4,749	)		3.77		(2,000	)		7.61
	Balance, September 30, 2013		437,635			8.73		104,372			4.34		69,052			9.87
Summary of Exercisable Stock Options	'
	A summary of our exercisable stock options as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Number of vested stock options		333,263
	Weighted average exercise price per share	$	8.48
	Aggregate intrinsic value	$	15,423
	Weighted average remaining contractual term in years		4.5
Fair Value of Stock Option	'
	We determine the fair value of stock option awards at their grant date, using a Black-Scholes Option-Pricing model applying the assumptions in the following table. We determine the fair value of restricted stock awards based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. Actual compensation, if any, ultimately realized by optionees may differ significantly from the amount estimated using an option valuation model. The following stock option information is as of September 30:
		2013			2012		2011
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$	5.41		$	3.46		-
	Significant fair value assumptions
	Expected term in years		5.7			5.7		-
	Expected volatility		49.00%			49.00%		-
	Expected dividends		0.00%			0.00%		-
	Risk-free interest rates		0.64%			0.85%		-
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$	2,910		$	525	$	20
	Aggregate cash received for option exercises	$	1,781		$	754	$	81
	Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)
	Stock options	$	223		$	260	$	231
	Restricted stock		364			248		73
	Total		587			508		304
	Tax benefit recognized		140			108		56
	Net compensation cost	$	447		$	400	$	248
	As of period end date
	Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized
	Stock options	$	138		$	122	$	65
	Restricted stock	$	218		$	167	$	15
	Weighted-average years to be recognized
	Stock options		1.4			1.5		1
	Restricted stock		1.4			1.5		1
Summary of RSU Activity	'
	A summary of our RSU activity for the year ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-
		Units			Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
					Per Unit
	Outstanding, September 30, 2012		-		$	-
	Grants		77,231			11.93
	Forfeitures		-			-
	Vested		-			-
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		77,231		$	11.93
Estimated Compensation Expenses For RSU Award	'
	A summary of estimated compensation expense for RSU awards is as follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	$	1,883		$	-
	Tax benefit recognized		720			-
	Net compensation cost	$	1,163		$	-
	As of period end date:
	Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized	$	2,346		$	-
	Weighted-average years to be recognized		1			-
	Accrued compensation cost included in other long-term liabilities at year end	$	1,883		$	-

BALANCE_SHEET_DATA_Tables

BALANCE SHEET DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Accounts Receivables	'
	The following tables provide additional disclosure for accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant and equipment at September 30:
		2013			2012
	Accounts Receivable:
	Trade receivables	$	20,875		$	23,384
	Employee and other receivables		462			827
	Allowance for bad debt		(28	)		-
	Total	$	21,309		$	24,211
Inventories	'
		2013			2012
	Inventories:
	Finished goods	$	9,020		$	2,966
	Work-in-progress		36,032			28,851
	Raw materials and supplies		14,520			12,340
	Total	$	59,572		$	44,157
Summary of Property Plant and Equipment	'
		2013			2012
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Land and improvements	$	3,693		$	3,693
	Buildings and improvements		52,343			50,891
	Machinery and equipment		161,472			149,522
	Construction in progress		4,264			3,689
	Total Cost		221,772			207,795
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(117,925	)		(104,479	)
	Total	$	103,847		$	103,316

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Outstanding Debt Balance	'
	Our outstanding debt balances consist of the following as of September 30:
		2013			2012
	Term Loan, variable-rate interest, due through 2017	$	55,500		$	-
	Senior Notes, 9%, due 2015		-			65,000
	Capital Leases, due through 2014		2			20
	Total Debt		55,502			65,020
	Less Current Portion		(6,002	)		(16	)
	Total Long-term Debt	$	49,500		$	65,004
Principal Maturities for Outstanding Debt and Credit Facility	'
	Principal Maturities. Principal maturities for our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	Years ending September 30:
	2014	$	6,002
	2015		6,000
	2016		6,000
	2017		7,500
	2018		30,000
	Total	$	55,502

DERIVATIVE_INSTRUMENT_Tables

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Quantitative Disclosures about the Swap Agreement Before Income Tax Effects	'
	The following table provides quantitative disclosures about the Swap Agreement before income tax effects for the years ended September 30:
		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Balance sheet location of fair value:
	Other assets	$	554	$	-
	Accrued liabilities	$	298	$	-
Interest Rate Swap Agreement Amount of Gain (Loss) and Reclassification	'
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2011
	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	$	31	$	-	$	-
	Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense (effective portion)	$	225	$	-	$	-

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component, Net of Income Tax	'
	The following table provides changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of income tax:
		Defined			Cash Flow		Foreign			Total
		Benefit			Hedge		Currency
		Pension Plans					Items
	Balance, September 30, 2011	$	(23,470	)	$	-	$	(475	)	$	-23,945
	Current year other comprehensive income (loss)		(8,567	)		-		475			-8,092
	Balance, September 30, 2012		(32,037	)		-		-			-32,037
	Current year other comprehensive income (loss)		16,420			158		-			16,578
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	(15,617	)	$	158	$	-		$	-15,459

EARNINGS_LOSS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Shares used to Compute Earnings Per Share	'
	Shares used to compute earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations are as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013		2012		2011
	Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$	23,133	$	20,332	$	(9,379	)
	Basic Weighted Average Shares		7,772,000		7,554,000		7,517,000
	Diluted:
	Weighted Average Shares, Basic		7,772,000		7,554,000		7,517,000
	Dilutive Effect of Stock Options		291,000		82,000		-
	Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock		38,000		27,000		-
	Weighted Average Shares, Diluted		8,101,000		7,663,000		7,517,000
	Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$	2.98	$	2.69	$	(1.25	)
	Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$	2.86	$	2.65	$	(1.25	)

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Classification	'
	Income tax expense (benefit) is classified as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Continuing Operations	$	12,243		$	(3,766	)	$	6,985
	Discontinued Operations		(90	)		715			1,185
	Total	$	12,153		$	(3,051	)	$	8,170
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
	The components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Current
	Federal	$	11,930			1,328			(330	)
	State		(9	)		1,129			(16	)
	Foreign		-			183			(90	)
	Deferred
	Federal		(1,131	)		(4,473	)		7,614
	State		1,363			(1,218	)		1,025
	Foreign		-			-			(33	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	12,153			(3,051	)		8,170
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to our effective tax (benefit) rate from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax at the statutory rate		35.00%			35.00%			-35.00%
	State income tax, net of federal benefit		3.40%			4.10%			-3.60%
	Nondeductible expenses		0.20%			1.40%			8.60%
	Valuation allowance		-0.20%			-62.90%			318.60%
	Interest and penalties		-2.00%			0.40%			1.10%
	Domestic production activities and state credits		-7.90%			0.00%			0.00%
	State tax rate change		5.40%			0.00%			0.00%
	Other		0.70%			-0.70%			2.00%
	Effective tax rate		34.60%			-22.70%			291.70%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets	'
	Deferred tax assets are comprised of the following at September 30:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventory	$	11,459		$	9,183
	Pension obligations		10,755			22,270
	Environmental remediation reserves		7,533			9,997
	Accrued expenses		4,314			3,824
	Deferred gain on sale of business		996			1,448
	Tax credits and carryforwards		515			66
	Other		1,117			1,439
	Subtotal		36,689			48,227
	Valuation allowance		-			(66	)
	Deferred tax assets		36,689			48,161
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment		(13,358	)		(13,805	)
	Prepaid expenses		(576	)		(432	)
	Other		(95	)		(100	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(14,029	)		(14,337	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	22,660		$	33,824
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance	'
	The following schedule provides detail regarding our deferred tax asset valuation allowance as of September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance, Beginning of Year	$	66		$	10,486		$	66
	Amounts charged to income tax expense (benefit)		(66	)		(10,420	)		7,628
	Amounts charged to other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			2,792
	Balance, End of the Year	$	-		$	66		$	10,486
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30 is as follows:
		2013			2012
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Beginning of Year	$	1,274		$	1,246
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		-			28
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1,070	)		-
	Lapse of statute of limitations		-			-
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits - End of Year	$	204		$	1,274

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Annual Changes in Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans and SERP	'
	The table below presents the annual changes in benefit obligations and plan assets and the funded status of our Pension Plans and SERP as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	96,989		$	73,383		$	11,087		$	7,942
	Service cost		3,326			2,653			817			435
	Interest cost		3,944			3,915			422			369
	Amendments		298			-			-			-
	Actuarial losses		(18,090	)		18,693			(615	)		2,868
	Benefits paid		(1,781	)		(1,655	)		(525	)		(527	)
	Benefit obligation, end of year		84,686			96,989			11,186			11,087
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year		52,249			36,935			-			-
	Actual return (loss) on plan assets		8,124			7,649			-			-
	Employer contributions		6,704			9,320			525			527
	Benefits paid		(1,781	)		(1,655	)		(525	)		(527	)
	Fair value of plan assets, end of year		65,296			52,249			-			-
	Funded status	$	(19,390	)	$	(44,740	)	$	(11,186	)	$	(11,087	)
Amounts Pertaining to Pension Plans and SERP Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	Amounts pertaining to our Pension Plans and SERP recognized in our consolidated balance sheet are classified as follows as of September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Employee related liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	(677	)	$	(527	)
	Pension obligations and other long-term liabilities		(19,390	)		(44,740	)		(10,509	)		(10,560	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(19,390	)	$	(44,740	)	$	(11,186	)	$	(11,087	)
Changes in Components of Unrecognized Benefit Plan Costs	'
	The following table summarizes changes in the components of unrecognized benefit plan costs for the year ended September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	(21,817	)	$	14,443		$	(616	)	$	2,867
	Prior service costs		298			-			-			-
	Amortization of:
	Net actuarial loss from previous years		(3,590	)		(2,549	)		(376	)		-
	Prior service costs		(70	)		(63	)		(420	)		(420	)
	Income tax benefits related to above items		9,631			(4,732	)		540			(979	)
	Changes in unrecognized benefit plan costs	$	(15,548	)	$	7,099		$	(872	)	$	1,468
Amounts Recognized as Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table sets forth the amounts recognized as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30:
		Pension Plans						SERP
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	17,950		$	43,357		$	2,576		$	3,568
	Prior service costs		642			414			982			1,402
	Income tax benefits related to above items		(4,931	)		(14,562	)		(1,602	)		(2,142	)
	Unrecognized benefit plan costs, net of tax	$	13,661		$	29,209		$	1,956		$	2,828
Expected Recognized Periodic Pension Cost Related to Accumulated Comprehensive Loss	'
	The table below sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013, that we expect to recognize in periodic pension cost in the year ending September 30, 2014.
		Pension Plans			SERP
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	$	1,143		$	262
	Amortization of prior service costs		67			420
		$	1,210		$	682
Defined Benefit Plans	'
	The table below provides data for our defined benefit plans as of September 30:
		2013			2012
	Plan Assets:
	Ampac Plan	$	49,913		$	41,055
	AFC Salaried Plan		8,991			6,744
	AFC Bargaining Plan		6,392			4,450
	Accumulated Benefit Obligation:
	Ampac Plan		54,786			61,368
	AFC Salaried Plan		10,409			12,500
	AFC Bargaining Plan		7,210			7,585
	Projected Benefit Obligation:
	Ampac Plan		65,838			74,645
	AFC Salaried Plan		11,638			14,759
	AFC Bargaining Plan		7,210			7,585
Net Periodic Benefit Plan Cost	'
	Net periodic benefit plan cost is comprised of the following for the years ended September 30:
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012		2011
	Net Periodic Benefit Plan Cost:
	Service cost	$	3,326		$	2,653		$	2,432		$	817		$	435	$	324
	Interest cost		3,944			3,914			3,541			422			369		356
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,399	)		(3,398	)		(2,886	)		-			-		-
	Recognized actuarial losses		3,589			2,549			1,752			376			-		-
	Amortization of prior service costs		70			63			63			420			420		420
	Net periodic pension cost	$	6,530		$	5,781		$	4,902		$	2,035		$	1,224	$	1,100
Weighted Average Actuarial Assumptions	'
	Assumptions.
		Pension Plans									SERP
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012		2011
	Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions
	Used to Determine Benefit Obligation as of September 30:
	Discount rate		5.31%			4.00%			5.40%			4.67%			3.90%		4.80%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.50%			3.50%			4.00%			3.50%			3.50%		4.00%
	Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions
	Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit
	Plan Cost for the Years Ended
	September 30:
	Discount rate		4.00%			5.40%			5.80%			3.90%			4.80%		4.80%
	Rate of compensation increase		3.50%			4.00%			4.00%			3.50%			4.00%		4.00%
	Expected return on plan assets		8.00%			8.00%			8.00%			-			-		-
Actual and Target Asset Allocation for Pension Plans	'
	Using policy target allocation percentages and the asset class expected returns, a weighted average expected return was calculated. The actual and target asset allocation for the Pension Plans is as follows at September 30:
		Target			Actual
		2013			2013			2012
	Equity securities		68%			68%			74%
	Debt securities		24%			21%			22%
	Real estate securities		5%			5%			0%
	Cash and marketable securities		3%			6%			4%
	Total		100%			100%			100%
Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets	'
	The table below provides the fair values of the Pension Plans’ assets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, and identifies the level of inputs used to determine the fair value of assets in each category (see Note 1 for additional information regarding the level categories).
		Quotes Prices			Significant			Significant			Total
		in Active			Other			Unobservable
		Markets for			Observable			Inputs
		Identical Assets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	September 30, 2013:
	Equity Securities
	Domestic large-cap	$	15,964								$	15,964
	Domestic mid-cap		3,331									3,331
	Domestic small-cap		902									902
	International		7,861									7,861
	Mutual funds		15,478									15,478
	Other		1,324									1,324
	Fixed Income Securities
	Mutual funds		6,216									6,216
	Corporate bonds				$	3,999						3,999
	Certificate of deposit											-
	U.S. Treasuries		1,016									1,016
	Mortgage-backed					303						303
	Foreign bonds					1,901						1,901
	Real Estate Securities		3,076									3,076
	Cash and cash equivalents		3,859									3,859
	Other		7			58						65
		$	59,034		$	6,261		$	-		$	65,295
	September 30, 2012:
	Equity Securities
	Domestic large-cap	$	20,188								$	20,188
	Domestic mid-cap		5,590									5,590
	Domestic small-cap		1,768									1,768
	International		5,939									5,939
	Other		3,217									3,217
	Fixed Income Securities											-
	Mutual funds		6,146									6,146
	Corporate bonds				$	3,652						3,652
	Certificate of deposit					805						805
	U.S. Treasuries		973									973
	Mortgage-backed					477						477
	Foreign bonds					1,366						1,366
	Cash and cash equivalents		2,056									2,056
	Other					72						72
		$	45,877		$	6,372		$	-		$	52,249
Expected Future Benefit Payments	'
	The table below sets forth expected future benefit payments for the years ending September 30:
	Years ending September 30:	Pension Plans			SERP
	2014	$	2,344		$	677
	2015		2,464			662
	2016		2,681			1,081
	2017		2,779			1,055
	2018		3,019			1,027
	2019-2023		20,326			4,662

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Estimated Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases	'
	Minimum lease payments are recognized as rental expense on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Estimated future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
	Years ending September 30:
	2014	$	1,192
	2015		1,163
	2016		1,158
	2017		1,170
	2018		709
	Thereafter		53
	Total	$	5,445
Summary of Our Environmental Reserve Activity	'
	A summary of our environmental reserve activity for the year ended September 30, 2013, is shown below:
	Balance, September 30, 2012	$	16,754
	Expenditures		(4,807	)
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	11,947

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Percentage of Our Consolidated Revenues Attributed To Customers	'
	The following table provides disclosure of the percentage of our consolidated revenues attributed to customers that exceed 10% of the total in each of the fiscal years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Fine chemicals customer		28%			31%			23%
	Fine chemicals customer					12%
	Specialty chemicals customer					17%
	Specialty chemicals customer		20%			12%			24%
Financial Information about Segment Operations	'
	The following provides financial information about our segment operations for the fiscal years ended September 30:
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Fine Chemicals	$	124,898		$	111,536		$	89,497
	Specialty Chemicals		82,636			68,513			66,905
	Other Businesses		7,551			5,578			4,312
	Total Revenues	$	215,085		$	185,627		$	160,714
	Segment Operating Income (Loss):
	Fine Chemicals	$	11,295		$	8,678		$	(6,283	)
	Specialty Chemicals		47,961			34,919			35,600
	Other Businesses		(1,066	)		(473	)		(1,308	)
	Total Segment Operating Income		58,190			43,124			28,009
	Corporate Expenses		(17,101	)		(14,326	)		(14,124	)
	Environmental Remediation Charges		-			(700	)		(6,000	)
	Operating Income	$	41,089		$	28,098		$	7,885
	Depreciation and Amortization:
	Fine Chemicals	$	12,013		$	11,914		$	12,473
	Specialty Chemicals		1,144			1,401			1,136
	Other Businesses		21			18			17
	Corporate		275			367			432
	Total	$	13,453		$	13,700		$	14,058
	Capital Expenditures:
	Fine Chemicals	$	11,138		$	7,383		$	11,153
	Specialty Chemicals		2,661			1,353			756
	Other Businesses		6			18			8
	Corporate		111			34			14
	Total	$	13,916		$	8,788		$	11,931
	Assets, at year end:
	Fine Chemicals	$	154,707		$	143,551		$	144,003
	Specialty Chemicals		27,427			21,029			19,785
	Other Businesses		5,319			7,302			5,064
	Corporate		89,854			74,582			60,954
	Total	$	277,307		$	246,464		$	229,806

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues and Expenses Associated with Operations of Ampac-Isp	'
	Summarized financial information for AMPAC-ISP is as follows:
		Year Ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2011
	Revenues	$	-		$	44,039	$	48,941
	Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
	Operating income (loss) before tax	$	83		$	643	$	3,328
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(62	)		506		1,185
	Net income from discontinued operations		145			137		2,143
	Gain (Loss) on Sale of Discontinued Operations
	Gain (Loss) on sale of discontinued operations before tax		(74	)		5,059		-
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(28	)		209		-
	Net gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations		(46	)		4,850		-
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	99		$	4,987	$	2,143

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Sales value of inventory	$9,517	$19,346	'
Carrying value of floating-rate term loan	55,500	'	'
Fair value of floating-rate term loan	55,898	'	'
Percentage of tax benefits recognized upon settlement	50.00%	'	'
Machinery and Equipment | Minimum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'3 years	'	'
Machinery and Equipment | Maximum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'15 years	'	'
Building Improvements | Minimum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'7 years	'	'
Building Improvements | Maximum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'30 years	'	'
Leasehold Improvements | Minimum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'7 years	'	'
Leasehold Improvements | Maximum	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated productive lives of the assets	'9 years	'	'
Accounts Receivable | Fine Chemicals Customer One	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration risk from customers having more than 10% of accounts receivable	14.00%	27.00%	'
Accounts Receivable | Fine Chemicals Customer Two	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration risk from customers having more than 10% of accounts receivable	12.00%	16.00%	'
Accounts Receivable | Fine Chemicals Customer Three	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration risk from customers having more than 10% of accounts receivable	10.00%	'	'
Accounts Receivable | Specialty Chemicals Customer	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration risk from customers having more than 10% of accounts receivable	15.00%	19.00%	'
Interest Rate Swap	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of the swap agreement	256	'	'
Related Party Transactions	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total transactions	$120	$180	$146

Depreciation_and_Amortization_

Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Classified as cost of revenues	'	'	'
Depreciation	$13,154	$13,305	$13,062
Classified as operating expenses	'	'	'
Depreciation	299	395	459
Amortization	'	'	537
Total continuing operations	13,453	13,700	14,058
Classified as discontinued operations	'	791	1,158
Total	$13,453	$14,491	$15,216

ShareBased_Compensation_Additi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Share-based compensation number of plans maintained	3
Restricted Stock Awards And Units	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
RSU awards cliff-vest date	30-Sep-14
RSU awards cliff-vest period	'2 years
2001 Stock Option Plan	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Options vested at the grant date	50.00%
Options vested at the grant date	50.00%
Expiration period, from grant date	'10 years
Shares available for grant	0
2002 directors stock option plan	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Shares available for grant	0
2002 directors plan prior to September 30, 2007	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Options vested at the grant date	50.00%
Options vested at the grant date	50.00%
Expiration period, from grant date	'10 years
2002 directors plan in November 2007	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Options vested at the grant date	50.00%
Expiration period, from grant date	'10 years
Options vested on the one-year anniversary of the grant date	50.00%
2008 Stock Incentive Plan	'
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]	'
Expiration period, from grant date	'10 years
Shares available for grant	245,232
Common stock authorized	800,000
Maximum shares of common stock able to be granted pursuant to awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units	400,000
Number of annual installments	3

Summary_of_Outstanding_and_Non

Summary of Outstanding and Non-Vested Stock Option and Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	612,071
Granted, Shares	47,470
Exercised, Shares	-204,157
Expired / Cancelled, Shares	-17,749
Ending Balance, Shares	437,635
Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise price	$8.47
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	$11.93
Exercised, Weighted Average Fair Value	$8.72
Expired / Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.32
End of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.73
Non Vested Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	138,835
Granted, Shares	47,470
Vested, Shares	-77,184
Expired / Cancelled, Shares	-4,749
Ending Balance, Shares	104,372
Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise price	$3.55
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	$5.41
Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	$3.61
Expired / Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.77
End of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.34
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance, Outstanding and Non-Vested shares	64,497
Granted, Outstanding and Non vested shares	36,060
Vested Outstanding and Non vested, shares	-29,505
Exercised, Outstanding and Non vested, shares	'
Expired / Cancelled, Outstanding and Non vested, shares	-2,000
Ending Balance, Outstanding and Non-Vested Shares	69,052
Beginning Balance, Outstanding and Non Vested, Weighted average fair value per share	$7.52
Granted, Restricted Stock Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.93
Vested Outstanding and Non-Vested Weighted Average Fair Value	$7.42
Exercised, Restricted Stock Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Expired / Cancelled, Restricted Stock Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.61
Ending Balance, Outstanding and Non-Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share	$9.87

Summary_of_Exercisable_Stock_O

Summary of Exercisable Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of vested stock options	333,263
Weighted-average exercise price per share	$8.48
Aggregate intrinsic value	$15,423
Weighted-average remaining contractual term in years	'4 years 6 months

Fair_Value_of_Stock_Option_Det

Fair Value of Stock Option (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$5.41	$3.46	'
Significant fair value assumptions	'	'	'
Expected term in years	'5 years 8 months 12 days	'5 years 8 months 12 days	'
Expected volatility	49.00%	49.00%	'
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	'
Risk-free interest rates	0.64%	0.85%	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$2,910	$525	$20
Aggregate cash received for option exercises	1,781	754	81
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	'	'	'
Compensation cost	587	508	304
Tax benefit recognized	140	108	56
Net compensation cost	447	400	248
Stock Options	'	'	'
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	'	'	'
Compensation cost	223	260	231
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized	'	'	'
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards	138	122	65
Weighted-average years to be recognized	'	'	'
Weighted-average years	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'1 year 6 months	'1 year
Restricted Stock	'	'	'
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	'	'	'
Compensation cost	364	248	73
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized	'	'	'
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards	$218	$167	$15
Weighted-average years to be recognized	'	'	'
Weighted-average years	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'1 year 6 months	'1 year

Summary_of_RSU_Activity_Detail

Summary of RSU Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Grants	77,231
Forfeitures	'
Vested	'
Ending Balance, Outstanding and Non-Vested Shares	77,231
Grants	$11.93
Forfeitures	'
Vested	'
Ending Balance, Outstanding and Non-Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share	$11.93

Estimated_Compensation_Expense

Estimated Compensation Expenses For RSU Award (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	$587	$508	$304
Tax benefit recognized	140	108	56
Net compensation cost	447	400	248
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax benefit recognized	720	'	'
Net compensation cost	1,163	'	'
Total compensation cost for non-vested awards not yet recognized	2,346	'	'
Weighted-average years to be recognized	'1 year	'	'
Restricted Stock Units | Other long-term liabilities	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued compensation cost included in other long-term liabilities at year end	1,883	'	'
Restricted Stock Units | Operating Expenses	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation cost (included in operating expenses)	$1,883	'	'

Accounts_Receivables_Detail

Accounts Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable:	'	'
Trade receivables	$20,875	$23,384
Employee and other receivables	462	827
Allowance for bad debt	-28	'
Total	$21,309	$24,211

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Finished goods	$9,020	$2,966
Work-in-progress	36,032	28,851
Raw materials and supplies	14,520	12,340
Total	$59,572	$44,157

Property_Plant_Equipment_Detai

Property, Plant Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'
Land and improvements	$3,693	$3,693
Buildings and improvements	52,343	50,891
Machinery and equipment	161,472	149,522
Construction in progress	4,264	3,689
Total Cost	221,772	207,795
Less: accumulated depreciation	-117,925	-104,479
Total	$103,847	$103,316

Outstanding_Debt_Balance_Detai

Outstanding Debt Balance (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term Loan, variable-rate interest, due through 2017	$55,500	'
Senior Notes, 9%, due 2015	'	65,000
Capital Leases, due through 2014	2	20
Total Debt	55,502	65,020
Less Current Portion	-6,002	-16
Total Long-term Debt	$49,500	$65,004

Outstanding_Debt_Balance_Paren

Outstanding Debt Balance (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term Loan, due date	'2017	'
Senior Notes, interest rate	9.00%	9.00%
Senior Notes, due date	'2015	'2015
Capital Leases, due date	'2014	'2014

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2011

Sep. 10, 2012

Feb. 28, 2007

Aug. 31, 2012

Oct. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 26, 2012

Oct. 26, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Year One

Year Two

There After

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Average

Base Rate Loans

Base Rate Loans

Eurodollar Loans

Eurodollar Loans

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Term Loan

ABL Credit Facility

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Revolving Loans

Revolving Loans

Standby Letters of Credit

Letter of Credit

Year One

There After

Year Two

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$110,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual interest rate

9.00%

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

1.50%

1.75%

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, expiration date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Feb-15

'

1-Feb-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Apr-16

1-Apr-17

Redeemed amount of the outstanding principle amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption price percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102.25%

'

'

102.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss result from repurchase of senior note

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,397

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Call premium amount included in the debt retirement net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900

'

'

'

1,463

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance cost included in the debt retirement net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

482

'

'

'

1,252

'

'

'

'

'

Other expenses included in the debt retirement net loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15

'

'

'

120

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss on debt retirement

-2,835

-1,397

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,835

'

'

'

'

'

Drawn amount under the credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000

'

'

'

'

'

85,000

25,000

'

'

'

Maturity period for the credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount under the credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding amount in connection with the issuance of letter of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

'

'

'

Letter of credit outstanding

4,466

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,466

315

'

Letter of credit available

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,534

'

'

Amortization of term loan, 2013

6,002

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan, 2014

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan, 2015

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan, 2016

7,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan, 2017

30,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of term loan, thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage Ratio

1.04

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Service Coverage Ratio

6.21%

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

2.50%

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Service Coverage Ratio Commencing Date

'

'

30-Sep-14

29-Sep-15

30-Sep-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,386

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Letter of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.00%

Principal_Maturities_for_Outst

Principal Maturities for Outstanding Debt and Credit Facility (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Principal Amounts Of Long Term Debt Including Senior Notes And Non Recourse Funding By Maturity [Line Items]	'
2014	$6,002
2015	6,000
2016	6,000
2017	7,500
2018	30,000
Total	$55,502

Derivative_Instrument_Addition

Derivative Instrument - Additional Information (Detail) (Interest Rate Swap, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 24, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Rate Swap	'	'
Derivative Instruments Notional And Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Initial notional amount	$58,875	'
Derivative agreement maturity date	26-Oct-17	'
Interest rate swap fixed rate	0.78%	'
Fair value of the swap agreement	'	$256

Quantitative_Disclosures_About

Quantitative Disclosures About the Swap Agreement Before Income Tax Effects (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance sheet location of fair value:	'
Other assets	$554
Accrued liabilities	$298

Interest_Rate_Swap_Agreement_A

Interest Rate Swap Agreement Amount of Gain (Loss) and Reclassification (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Interest Rate Swaps [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest Expense	$2,996	$10,173	$10,514
Cash Flow Hedge	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	31	'	'
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedge | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest Expense	$225	'	'

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component, Net of Income Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, September 30, 2011	($32,037)	($23,945)	'
Current year other comprehensive income (loss)	16,578	-8,092	-7,037
Balance, September 30, 2012	-15,459	-32,037	-23,945
Defined Benefit Pension Plans	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, September 30, 2011	-32,037	-23,470	'
Current year other comprehensive income (loss)	16,420	-8,567	'
Balance, September 30, 2012	-15,617	-32,037	'
Cash Flow Hedge	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current year other comprehensive income (loss)	158	'	'
Balance, September 30, 2012	158	'	'
Foreign Currency Items	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, September 30, 2011	'	-475	'
Current year other comprehensive income (loss)	'	$475	'

Shares_Used_to_Compute_Earning

Shares Used to Compute Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations	$23,133	$20,332	($9,379)
Basic Weighted Average Shares	7,772,000	7,554,000	7,517,000
Diluted:	'	'	'
Weighted Average Shares, Basic	7,772,000	7,554,000	7,517,000
Weighted Average Shares, Diluted	8,101,000	7,663,000	7,517,000
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$2.98	$2.69	($1.25)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share from Continuing Operations	$2.86	$2.65	($1.25)
Stock Option	'	'	'
Diluted:	'	'	'
Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock	291,000	82,000	'
Restricted Stock	'	'	'
Diluted:	'	'	'
Dilutive Effect of Restricted Stock	38,000	27,000	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Antidilutive securities and unvested restricted shares outstanding excluded from computation of earnings per share amount	278,385	653,304

Income_Tax_Expense_Benefit_Cla

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Classification (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Continuing Operations	$12,243	($3,766)	$6,985
Discontinued Operations	-90	715	1,185
Total	$12,153	($3,051)	$8,170

Components_of_Income_Tax_Expen

Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current	'	'	'
Federal	$11,930	$1,328	($330)
State	-9	1,129	-16
Foreign	'	183	-90
Deferred	'	'	'
Federal	-1,131	-4,473	7,614
State	1,363	-1,218	1,025
Foreign	'	'	-33
Income tax expense (benefit)	$12,153	($3,051)	$8,170

Reconciliation_of_Federal_Stat

Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Tax Rate [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal income tax at the statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	-35.00%
State income tax, net of federal benefit	3.40%	4.10%	-3.60%
Nondeductible expenses	0.20%	1.40%	8.60%
Valuation allowance	-0.20%	-62.90%	318.60%
Interest and penalties	-2.00%	0.40%	1.10%
Domestic production activities and state credits	-7.90%	0.00%	0.00%
State tax rate change	5.40%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	0.70%	-0.70%	2.00%
Effective tax rate	34.60%	-22.70%	291.70%

Schedule_of_Deferred_Tax_Asset

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'	'	'
Inventory	$11,459	$9,183	'	'
Pension obligations	10,755	22,270	'	'
Environmental remediation reserves	7,533	9,997	'	'
Accrued expenses	4,314	3,824	'	'
Deferred gain on sale of business	996	1,448	'	'
Tax credits and carryforwards	515	66	'	'
Other	1,117	1,439	'	'
Subtotal	36,689	48,227	'	'
Valuation allowance	'	-66	-10,486	-66
Deferred tax assets	36,689	48,161	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	-13,358	-13,805	'	'
Prepaid expenses	-576	-432	'	'
Other	-95	-100	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-14,029	-14,337	'	'
Net deferred tax assets	$22,660	$33,824	'	'

Deferred_Tax_Asset_Valuation_A

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning of Year	'	$10,486	$66
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	'	-10,420	10,420
Balance, End of the Year	'	66	10,486
Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	-66	-10,420	7,628
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	'	'	$2,792

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase (decrease)in valuation allowance	'	'	($10,420)	$10,420
Credit carryforwards	'	515	66	'
Valuation allowance	'	'	66	'
Unrecognized tax benefit	'	204	1,274	1,246
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate	'	201	405	'
Unrecognized tax benefits released	1,070	1,070	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties	'	10	679	'
Interest and penalties expense	'	-671	70	'
California Credit Carryforwards	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit carryforwards	'	792	'	'
Carryforwards expiration year	'	'2024	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate net operating loss carryforward balance	'	'	1,208	'
Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase (decrease)in valuation allowance	'	-66	-10,420	7,628
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase (decrease)in valuation allowance	'	'	'	$2,792

Reconciliation_of_Unrecognized

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Beginning of Year	'	$1,274	$1,246
Additions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	28
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-1,070	-1,070	'
Lapse of statute of limitations	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits - End of Year	'	$204	$1,274

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of defined benefit pension plans	3	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan	2	'	'
K 401 Plan	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contribution to pension plans	$1,061	$1,378	$1,301
Pension Plans	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Additional Contribution to pension plans	2,100	'	'
SERP	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Additional Contribution to pension plans	$677	'	'

Annual_Changes_in_Benefit_Obli

Annual Changes in Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans and SERP (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	$65,295	$52,249	'
Pension Plans	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	3,326	2,653	2,432
Interest cost	3,944	3,914	3,541
Pension Plans | Change in Benefit Obligation	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	96,989	73,383	'
Service cost	3,326	2,653	'
Interest cost	3,944	3,915	'
Amendments	298	'	'
Actuarial losses	-18,090	18,693	'
Benefits paid	-1,781	-1,655	'
Benefit obligation, end of year	84,686	96,989	'
Pension Plans | Change in Plan Assets	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year	52,249	36,935	'
Actual return (loss) on plan assets	8,124	7,649	'
Employer contributions	6,704	9,320	'
Benefits paid	-1,781	-1,655	'
Fair value of plan assets, end of year	65,296	52,249	'
Funded status	-19,390	-44,740	'
SERP	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	817	435	324
Interest cost	422	369	356
SERP | Change in Benefit Obligation	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	11,087	7,942	'
Service cost	817	435	'
Interest cost	422	369	'
Actuarial losses	-615	2,868	'
Benefits paid	-525	-527	'
Benefit obligation, end of year	11,186	11,087	'
SERP | Change in Plan Assets	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employer contributions	525	527	'
Benefits paid	-525	-527	'
Funded status	($11,186)	($11,087)	'

Schedule_of_Pension_Plans_and_

Schedule of Pension Plans and SERP Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Pension obligations and other long-term liabilities	($29,899)	($55,300)
Pension Plans	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Pension obligations and other long-term liabilities	-19,390	-44,740
Net amount recognized	-19,390	-44,740
SERP	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Employee related liabilities	-677	-527
Pension obligations and other long-term liabilities	-10,509	-10,560
Net amount recognized	($11,186)	($11,087)

Schedule_of_Changes_in_Compone

Schedule of Changes in Components of Unrecognized Benefit Plan Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plans	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	($21,817)	$14,443
Prior service costs	298	'
Net actuarial loss from previous years	-3,590	-2,549
Prior service costs	-70	-63
Income tax benefits related to above items	9,631	-4,732
Changes in unrecognized benefit plan costs	-15,548	7,099
SERP	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-616	2,867
Net actuarial loss from previous years	-376	'
Prior service costs	-420	-420
Income tax benefits related to above items	540	-979
Changes in unrecognized benefit plan costs	($872)	$1,468

Schedule_of_Amounts_Recognized

Schedule of Amounts Recognized as Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	$17,950	$43,357
Prior service costs	642	414
Income tax benefits related to above items	-4,931	-14,562
Unrecognized benefit plan costs, net of tax	13,661	29,209
SERP	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	2,576	3,568
Prior service costs	982	1,402
Income tax benefits related to above items	-1,602	-2,142
Unrecognized benefit plan costs, net of tax	$1,956	$2,828

Schedule_of_Expected_Recognize

Schedule of Expected Recognized Periodic Pension Cost Related to Accumulated Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Plans	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Amortization of net actuarial loss	$1,143
Amortization of prior service costs	67
Total	1,210
SERP	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Amortization of net actuarial loss	262
Amortization of prior service costs	420
Total	$682

Schedule_of_Defined_Benefit_Pl

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Plan Assets	$65,295	$52,249
Amended and Restated American Pacific Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Plan Assets	49,913	41,055
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	54,786	61,368
Projected Benefit Obligation	65,838	74,645
Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC Pension Plan for Salaried Employees	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Plan Assets	8,991	6,744
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	10,409	12,500
Projected Benefit Obligation	11,638	14,759
Ampac Fine Chemicals LLC Pension Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Plan Assets	6,392	4,450
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	7,210	7,585
Projected Benefit Obligation	$7,210	$7,585

Schedule_of_Net_Periodic_Benef

Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	$3,326	$2,653	$2,432
Interest cost	3,944	3,914	3,541
Expected return on plan assets	-4,399	-3,398	-2,886
Recognized actuarial losses	3,589	2,549	1,752
Amortization of prior service costs	70	63	63
Net periodic pension cost	6,530	5,781	4,902
SERP	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Service cost	817	435	324
Interest cost	422	369	356
Recognized actuarial losses	376	'	'
Amortization of prior service costs	420	420	420
Net periodic pension cost	$2,035	$1,224	$1,100

Weighted_Average_Actuarial_Ass

Weighted Average Actuarial Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	5.31%	4.00%	5.40%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	4.00%
Discount rate	4.00%	5.40%	5.80%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	4.00%	4.00%
Expected return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
SERP	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.67%	3.90%	4.80%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	4.00%
Discount rate	3.90%	4.80%	4.80%
Rate of compensation increase	3.50%	4.00%	4.00%

Schedule_of_Actual_and_Target_

Schedule of Actual and Target Asset Allocation for Pension Plans (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Target	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	100.00%	'
Target | Equity securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	68.00%	'
Target | Debt securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	24.00%	'
Target | Real estate securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	5.00%	'
Target | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	3.00%	'
Actual	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Actual | Equity securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	68.00%	74.00%
Actual | Debt securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	21.00%	22.00%
Actual | Real estate securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	5.00%	0.00%
Actual | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Actual and target asset allocation	6.00%	4.00%

Schedule_of_Fair_Values_of_Pen

Schedule of Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	$65,295	$52,249
Other securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	65	72
Equity securities | Domestic Equity Large Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	15,964	20,188
Equity securities | Domestic Equity Mid Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,331	5,590
Equity securities | Domestic Equity Small Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	902	1,768
Equity securities | Equity Securities International	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	7,861	5,939
Equity securities | Mutual Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	15,478	'
Equity securities | Other Equity Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	1,324	3,217
Fixed Income Securities | Mutual Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	6,216	6,146
Fixed Income Securities | Corporate Bond Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,999	3,652
Fixed Income Securities | Certificates of Deposit	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	'	805
Fixed Income Securities | US Treasury Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	1,016	973
Fixed Income Securities | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	303	477
Fixed Income Securities | Foreign Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	1,901	1,366
Fixed Income Securities | Real estate securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,076	'
Fixed Income Securities | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,859	2,056
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	59,034	45,877
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	7	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Domestic Equity Large Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	15,964	20,188
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Domestic Equity Mid Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,331	5,590
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Domestic Equity Small Cap	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	902	1,768
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Equity Securities International	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	7,861	5,939
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Mutual Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	15,478	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity securities | Other Equity Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	1,324	3,217
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Securities | Mutual Funds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	6,216	6,146
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Securities | US Treasury Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	1,016	973
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Securities | Real estate securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,076	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Securities | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,859	2,056
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	6,261	6,372
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Other securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	58	72
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Corporate Bond Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	3,999	3,652
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Certificates of Deposit	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	'	805
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	303	477
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Fixed Income Securities | Foreign Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Pension plan assets	$1,901	$1,366

Expected_Future_Benefit_Paymen

Expected Future Benefit Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Plans	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
2014	$2,344
2015	2,464
2016	2,681
2017	2,779
2018	3,019
2019-2023	20,326
SERP	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
2014	677
2015	662
2016	1,081
2017	1,055
2018	1,027
2019-2023	$4,662

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2006
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total rental expense under operating leases	'	'	$1,938	$1,735	$1,642	'
Operating lease expiration year	'	'	'2018	'	'	'
Estimated minimum aggregate severance benefits	'	'	5,800	'	'	'
Environmental Remediation Charges	6,000	13,700	'	700	6,000	26,000
Extension of remediation project, minimum	'	'	'50 years	'	'	'
Estimated increase in capital cost of expansion project	6,400	'	'	'	'	'
Estimate cost of O&M	400	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated life of project, minimum	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'
Estimated life of project, maximum	'	'	'18 years	'	'	'
More likely estimated life of project, minimum	'	'	'7 years	'	'	'
More likely estimated life of project, maximum	'	'	'14 years	'	'	'
Maturity life of the project	'	'	'2019	'	'	'
Amount accrued through estimated life of the project	'	'	11,947	16,754	'	'
Minimum	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Environmental Remediation Charges	'	'	8,300	'	'	'
Estimated project costs	'	'	1,800	'	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'	'
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Environmental Remediation Charges	'	'	32,000	'	'	'
Estimated project costs	'	'	$2,100	'	'	'

Estimated_Future_Minimum_Lease

Estimated Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]	'
2014	$1,192
2015	1,163
2016	1,158
2017	1,170
2018	709
Thereafter	53
Total	$5,445

Summary_of_Environmental_Reser

Summary of Environmental Reserve Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Environment Matters And Other Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Beginning Balance	$16,754
Expenditures	-4,807
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Ending Balance	$11,947

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of reporting segments	3	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	'More than 10%	'	'
Outside the U.S. | Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	43.00%	36.00%	25.00%
IRELAND | Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	19.00%	17.00%	'
BELGIUM | Sales	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	'	12.00%	'

Percentage_of_Consolidated_Rev

Percentage of Consolidated Revenues Attributed To Customers (Detail) (Sales)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Fine Chemicals Customer One	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	28.00%	31.00%	23.00%
Fine Chemicals Customer Two	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	'	12.00%	'
Specialty Chemicals Customer	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	'	17.00%	'
Specialty Chemicals Customer Two	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Percentage	20.00%	12.00%	24.00%

Financial_Information_about_Se

Financial Information about Segment Operations (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2006
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	$215,085	$185,627	$160,714	'
Operating Expenses	'	'	-45,865	-39,066	-35,895	'
Environmental Remediation Charges	-6,000	-13,700	'	-700	-6,000	-26,000
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	41,089	28,098	7,885	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	13,453	13,700	14,058	'
Capital Expenditures	'	'	13,916	8,788	11,931	'
Total Assets	'	'	277,307	246,464	229,806	'
Total Operating Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	58,190	43,124	28,009	'
Total Operating Segments | Fine Chemicals	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	124,898	111,536	89,497	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	11,295	8,678	-6,283	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	12,013	11,914	12,473	'
Capital Expenditures	'	'	11,138	7,383	11,153	'
Total Assets	'	'	154,707	143,551	144,003	'
Total Operating Segments | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	82,636	68,513	66,905	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	47,961	34,919	35,600	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	1,144	1,401	1,136	'
Capital Expenditures	'	'	2,661	1,353	756	'
Total Assets	'	'	27,427	21,029	19,785	'
Total Operating Segments | Other Businesses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	7,551	5,578	4,312	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	-1,066	-473	-1,308	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	21	18	17	'
Capital Expenditures	'	'	6	18	8	'
Total Assets	'	'	5,319	7,302	5,064	'
Corporate, Non-Segment	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Expenses	'	'	-17,101	-14,326	-14,124	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	275	367	432	'
Capital Expenditures	'	'	111	34	14	'
Total Assets	'	'	$89,854	$74,582	$60,954	'

Recovered_Sheet3

Gain Contingencies - Other Operating Gains - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Components of Other Operating Income [Line Items]	'	'
Other Operating Gains	$1,714	$2,929
Cash consideration for a limited release liability	1,714	258
Cash property tax refunds	'	$2,671

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 04, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013
				Subsequent Event
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total consideration for asset purchase agreement	'	'	$46,000	'
Balance in escrow account	'	3,350	4,000	'
Escrow amount released to settle liabilities	-650	'	'	'
Escrow account maturity	'	'15 months	'	'
Claim received for indemnification	'	'	'	$6,800

Revenues_and_Expenses_Associat

Revenues and Expenses Associated with Operations of Ampac- Isp (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	'	$44,039	$48,941
Operating income (loss) before tax	83	643	3,328
Income tax expense (benefit)	-62	506	1,185
Net income from discontinued operations	145	137	2,143
Gain (Loss) on sale of discontinued operations before tax	-74	5,059	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	-28	209	'
Net gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations	-46	4,850	'
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$99	$4,987	$2,143