Ferro (FOE) 10-Q 23 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Document Type	'10-Q
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1
Trading Symbol	'FOE
Entity Registrant Name	'FERRO CORP
Entity Central Index Key	'0000035214
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	86,924,138

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Net sales	$391,735	$417,524
Cost of sales	302,261	338,287
Gross profit	89,474	79,237
Selling, general and administrative expenses	57,576	61,592
Restructuring and impairment charges	4,352	9,454
Other expense (income):	'	'
Interest expense	5,884	7,297
Interest earned	-15	-53
Foreign currency losses, net	1,367	1,506
Miscellaneous expense (income), net	846	-10,516
Income before income taxes	19,464	9,957
Income tax expense	2,732	1,016
Income from continuing operations	16,732	8,941
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	-8,421
Net income	16,732	520
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-472	-363
Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$17,204	$883
Basic earnings (loss):	'	'
From continuing operations	$0.20	$0.11
From discontinued operations	'	($0.10)
Total	$0.20	$0.01
Diluted earnings (loss):	'	'
From continuing operations	$0.20	$0.11
From discontinued operations	'	($0.10)
Total	$0.20	$0.01

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$16,732	$520
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-350	-2,982
Postretirement benefit liabilities	-36	-68
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-386	-3,050
Total comprehensive income (loss)	16,346	-2,530
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-652	-342
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation	$16,998	($2,188)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$41,088	$28,328
Accounts receivable, net	318,838	287,925
Inventories	210,758	190,216
Deferred income taxes	7,791	6,584
Other receivables	22,043	25,775
Other current assets	12,513	16,561
Total current assets	613,031	555,389
Other assets	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	293,963	297,104
Goodwill	63,547	63,473
Amortizable intangible assets, net	12,598	13,027
Deferred income taxes	19,020	19,451
Other non-current assets	59,954	59,748
Total assets	1,062,113	1,008,192
Current liabilities	'	'
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	44,400	44,230
Accounts payable	193,654	153,877
Accrued payrolls	29,886	44,509
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	64,013	71,115
Total current liabilities	331,953	313,731
Other liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt, less current portion	313,557	267,469
Postretirement and pension liabilities	94,995	120,527
Other non-current liabilities	28,745	32,622
Total liabilities	769,250	734,349
Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 300.0 million shares authorized; 93.4 million shares issued; 86.9 million and 86.7 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	93,436	93,436
Paid-in capital	315,232	318,055
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	2,540	-14,664
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,287	8,493
Common shares in treasury, at cost	-138,099	-143,802
Total Ferro Corporation shareholders' equity	281,396	261,518
Noncontrolling interests	11,467	12,325
Total equity	292,863	273,843
Total liabilities and equity	$1,062,113	$1,008,192

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, authorized	300	300
Common stock, issued	93.4	93.4
Common stock, outstanding	86.9	86.7

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares in Treasury [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$206,674	($151,605)	$93,436	$321,652	($86,606)	$16,650	$13,147
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	6,962	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	520	'	'	'	883	'	-363
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-3,050	'	'	'	'	-3,071	21
Stock-based compensation transactions	667	3,052	'	-2,385	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation transactions, shares	'	-95	'	'	'	'	'
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2013	204,811	-148,553	93,436	319,267	-85,723	13,579	12,805
Ending Balances, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	6,867	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	273,843	-143,802	93,436	318,055	-14,664	8,493	12,325
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	6,730	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	16,732	'	'	'	17,204	'	-472
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-386	'	'	'	'	-206	-180
Stock-based compensation transactions	2,880	5,703	'	-2,823	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation transactions, shares	'	-219	'	'	'	'	'
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-206	'	'	'	'	'	-206
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2014	$292,863	($138,099)	$93,436	$315,232	$2,540	$8,287	$11,467
Ending Balances, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	'	6,511	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'		'
Net cash used for operating activities	($22,240)		($17,106)
Cash flows from investing activities	'		'
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment and other long lived assets	-12,163		-8,178
Proceeds from sale of assets	652		15,109
Proceeds from sale of stock of Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc.	'		16,912
Other investing activities	'		1,119
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	-11,511		24,962
Cash flows from financing activities	'		'
Net borrowings (repayments) under loans payable	523	[1]	-9,635	[1]
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	155,301		110,133
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	-109,008		-106,094
Other financing activities	-221		1,409
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	46,595		-4,187
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-84		-348
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,760		3,321
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,328		29,576
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	41,088		32,897
Cash paid during the period for:	'		'
Interest	10,870		12,308
Income taxes	$941		$1,548
[1]	Includes cash flows related to our domestic accounts receivable program, international accounts receivable sales programs as well as loans payable to banks.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferro Corporation (“Ferro,” “we,” “us” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q, and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. These statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company owns 51% of an operating affiliate in Venezuela that is accounted for as a fully consolidated subsidiary of Ferro. In the first quarter of 2014 the Venezuelan government expanded and introduced alternative market mechanisms for monetary exchange between the local currency, the Bolivar, and the United States Dollar. As a result of changes in the political and economic environment in the country, we began to remeasure the monetary assets and liabilities of the entity utilizing the most relevant exchange mechanism available. The impact of the remeasurement in the current period prior to adjustment for losses allocated to our nonconctrolling interest partner was a $1.6 million loss which is recorded within Foreign currency losses, net within our condensed consolidated statement of operations. In the event that other parallel markets become more relevant in future periods, additional losses or gains on remeasurement could occur.
	Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent quarters or for the full year ending December 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	2	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Standards Adopted in the period ended March 31, 2014
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustments upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investments in a Foreign Entity, which is codified in ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters. This pronouncement clarifies the application of Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation—Overall, and Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters—Translation of Financial Statements, related to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity, and the treatment of business combinations achieved in stages involving a foreign entity. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which is codified in ASC Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements and ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. This pronouncement changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, and changes the criteria and enhances disclosures for reporting discontinued operations. The pronouncement is to be applied prospectively, and is effective for our fiscal year that begins January 1, 2015. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3	Inventories
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Raw materials		$	60,883	$	58,765
	Work in process			35,257		30,266
	Finished goods			114,618		101,185
	Total inventories		$	210,758	$	190,216
	In the production of some of our products, we use precious metals, some of which we obtain from financial institutions under consignment agreements with terms of one year or less. The financial institutions retain ownership of the precious metals and charge us fees based on the amounts we consign. These fees were $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We had on hand precious metals owned by participants in our precious metals consignment program of $30.1 million at March 31, 2014, and $30.8 million at December 31, 2013, measured at fair value based on market prices for identical assets and net of credits.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	4	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $644.0 million at March 31, 2014, and $625.6 million at December 31, 2013. Unpaid capital expenditure liabilities, which are noncash investing activities, were $5.6 million at March 31, 2014, and $2.4 million at March 31, 2013.
	During the first quarter of 2013, we sold assets related to our solar pastes product line. The consideration for the assets sold was $10.9 million, and resulted in a gain on the transaction of $9.0 million and is included within miscellaneous expense (income), net within the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	5	Debt
	Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Loans payable to banks		$	2,214		$	2,062
	Domestic accounts receivable asset securitization program			41,000			41,000
	Current portion of long-term debt			1,186			1,168
	Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt		$	44,400		$	44,230
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	7.875% Senior Notes		$	250,000		$	250,000
	Revolving credit facility			55,498			9,204
	Capital lease obligations			5,622			5,816
	Other notes			3,623			3,617
	Total long-term debt			314,743			268,637
	Current portion of long-term debt			(1,186	)		(1,168	)
	Long-term debt, less current portion		$	313,557		$	267,469
	Receivable Sales Programs
	We have an asset securitization program for Ferro’s U.S. trade accounts receivable. We sell undivided variable percentage interests in our domestic receivables to various purchasers, and we may obtain up to $50.0 million in the form of cash or letters of credit. Advances received under this program are accounted for as borrowings secured by the receivables and included in net cash provided by financing activities. The purchasers have no recourse to Ferro’s other assets for failure of payment of the receivables as a result of the lack of creditworthiness, or financial inability to pay, of the related obligor. In May 2013, we extended the maturity of this credit facility through May 2014. At March 31, 2014, advances received of $41.0 million were secured by $76.1 million of accounts receivable. After reductions for any non-qualifying receivables and outstanding letters of credit, we had additional borrowings available under the program of $0.2 million. The interest rate under the amended agreement is the sum of (A) either (1) LIBOR rates or (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the prime rate and (B) a fixed margin. At March 31, 2014, the interest rate was 0.4%.
	7.875% Senior Notes
	In 2010, we issued $250 million of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were issued at par and bear interest at a rate of 7.875% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
	The Senior Notes mature on August 15, 2018. We may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes prior to August 15, 2014, at a price equal to the principal amount plus a defined applicable premium. The applicable premium on any redemption date is the greater of 1.0% of the principal amount of the note or the excess of (1) the present value at such redemption date of the redemption price of the note at August 15, 2014, plus all required interest payments due on the note through August 15, 2014, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of the redemption date plus 50 basis points; or (2) the principal amount of the note. In addition, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes beginning August 15, 2014, at prices ranging from 100% to 103.938% of the principal amount.
	The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with any other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. The Senior Notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for high-yield debt securities, including, without limitation, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, create liens, pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase our common stock and sell assets outside the ordinary course of business. At March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Senior Notes’ indenture.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	In 2010, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a group of lenders for a five-year, $350 million multi-currency senior revolving credit facility (the “2010 Credit Facility”).
	In March 2013, we amended the 2010 Credit Facility (the “2013 Amended Credit Facility”) to provide additional operating flexibility. The primary effects of the 2013 Amended Credit Facility were to:
		•		Decrease the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount from $350.0 million to $250.0 million;
		•		Amend the calculation of EBITDA to provide for a restructuring expense add-back attributable to the Company’s restructuring programs of $30.0 million in 2013, $20.0 million in 2014 and $10.0 million in 2015, with no aggregate limit on restructuring expense;
		•		Increase the maximum permitted leverage ratio to the levels stated below.
		•		Amend the requirements for Permitted Acquisitions such that for the Company to consummate a Permitted Acquisition the Company must have minimum liquidity of $100.0 million and the Company’s Secured Leverage Ratio must be less than 1.50.
	The 2013 Amended Credit Facility matures on August 24, 2015, and is secured by substantially all of Ferro’s assets. After reductions for borrowings and outstanding letters of credit secured by these facilities, we had $189.7 million of additional borrowings available at March 31, 2014. The interest rate under the 2013 Amended Credit Facility is the sum of (A) either (1) LIBOR or (2) the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, the Prime Rate, or LIBOR plus 1.0% and (B) a variable margin based on the Company’s leverage. At March 31, 2014, the interest rate was 3.4%.
	Under the 2013 Amended Credit Facility, we are subject to a number of financial covenants, including limitations on the payment of common stock dividends. At March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants of the 2013 Amended Credit Facility.
	Other Financing Arrangements
	We maintain other lines of credit to provide global flexibility for Ferro’s short-term liquidity requirements. These facilities are uncommitted lines for our international operations and totaled $17.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The unused portions of these lines provided additional liquidity of $13.5 million at March 31, 2014, and $10.1 million at December 31, 2013.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments	'
	6	Financial Instruments
	The following financial instrument assets (liabilities) are presented at their respective carrying amount, fair value and classification within the fair value hierarchy:
			March 31, 2014
			Carrying			Fair Value
			Amount			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	41,088		$	41,088		$	41,088		$	—		$	—
	Loans payable			(43,214	)		(43,214	)		—			(43,214	)		—
	7.875% Senior Notes			(250,000	)		(263,750	)		(263,750	)		—			—
	Revolving Credit Facility			(55,498	)		(57,041	)					(57,041	)		—
	Other long-term notes payable			(3,623	)		(2,993	)		—			(2,993	)		—
	Foreign currency forward contracts, net			(726	)		(726	)		—			(726	)		—
			December 31, 2013
			Carrying			Fair Value
			Amount			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	28,328		$	28,328		$	28,328		$	—		$	—
	Loans payable			(43,062	)		(43,062	)		—			(43,062	)		—
	7.875% Senior Notes			(250,000	)		(266,250	)		(266,250	)		—			—
	Revolving credit facility			(9,204	)		(9,496	)		—			(9,496	)		—
	Other long-term notes payable			(3,617	)		(2,988	)		—			(2,988	)		—
	Foreign currency forward contracts, net			(2,255	)		(2,255	)		—			(2,255	)		—
	The fair values of cash and cash equivalents are based on the fair values of identical assets. The fair values of loans payable are based on the present value of expected future cash flows and approximate their carrying amounts due to the short periods to maturity. The fair value of the 7.875% Senior Notes is based on trades in an active market. At March 31, 2014, the quoted market price was $105.50 per $100 reflecting a yield of 6.41%. The fair values of the revolving credit facility and the other long-term notes are based on the present value of expected future cash flows and assumptions about current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the Company that market participants would use in pricing the debt.
	Foreign currency forward contracts. We manage foreign currency risks principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions. These forward contracts are not formally designated as hedges. Gains and losses on these foreign currency forward contracts are netted with gains and losses from currency fluctuations on transactions arising from international trade and reported as foreign currency losses, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Net foreign currency loss was approximately $1.4 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is primarily comprised of the foreign exchange impact on transactions in countries where it is not economically feasible for us to enter into hedging arrangements and hedging inefficiencies, such as timing of transactions. We incurred net gains of $2.4 million and net losses of $1.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, arising from the change in fair value of our financial instruments, which offset the related net gains and losses on international trade transactions. The fair values of these contracts are based on market prices for comparable contracts. The notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts was $274.8 million at March 31, 2014, and $244.9 million at December 31, 2013.
	The following table presents the effect on our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of our foreign currency forward contracts:
			Amount of (Gain) Loss
			Recognized in Earnings
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014			2013			Location of Loss in Earnings
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	(2,402	)	$	964		Foreign currency losses, net
	The following table presents the fair values on our consolidated balance sheets of foreign currency forward contracts:
			March 31,			December 31,			Balance Sheet Location
			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Asset derivatives:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	444		$	186		Other current assets
	Liability derivatives:
	Foreign currency forward contracts			(1,170	)		(2,441	)	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	7	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was $2.7 million, or 14.0% of pre-tax income. In the three months ended March 31, 2013 we recorded income tax expense of $1.0 million, or 10.2% of pre-tax income. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily the result of differences in pre-tax income in loss jurisdictions with full valuation allowances for which no tax benefit or expense is recognized.

Contingent_Liabilities

Contingent Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingent Liabilities	'
	8	Contingent Liabilities
	We have recorded environmental liabilities of $10.2 million at March 31, 2014, and $9.7 million at December 31, 2013, for costs associated with the remediation of certain of our properties that have been contaminated. The balance at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, was primarily comprised of liabilities related to a non-operating facility in Brazil, and for environmental obligations that we retained related to a site in the United States from the sale of our North American and Asian metal powders product lines during the fourth quarter of 2013. The costs include legal and consulting fees, site studies, the design and implementation of remediation plans, post-remediation monitoring and related activities. The ultimate liability could be affected by numerous uncertainties, including the extent of contamination found, the required period of monitoring and the ultimate cost of required remediation.
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Supreme Court in Argentina ruled unfavorably related to certain export taxes associated with a divested operation. As a result of this ruling, we recorded a $6.8 million liability at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	There are various lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. We do not currently expect the resolution of these lawsuits and claims to materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

Retirement_Benefits

Retirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Benefits	'
	9	Retirement Benefits
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost of our U.S. pension plans (including our unfunded nonqualified plans), non-U.S. pension plans, and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, follow:
			U.S. Pension Plans						Non-U.S. Pension						Other Benefit
									Plans						Plans
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost		$	5		$	4		$	451		$	533		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost			4,924			4,485			1,301			1,230			301			285
	Expected return on plan assets			(7,034	)		(6,181	)		(797	)		(748	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)			3			3			15			6			(26	)		(29	)
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost		$	(2,102	)	$	(1,689	)	$	970		$	1,021		$	275		$	256
	Net periodic benefit (credit) for our U.S. pension plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014, increased from the effects of larger plan asset balances resulting in increased expected returns partially offset by the effect of a higher discount rate. Net periodic benefit cost for our non-U.S. pension plans and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans did not change significantly compared with the same period in the prior year. During the first quarter of 2014 we made contributions to our U.S pension plans of $22.0 million, resulting in the improvement of our funded status compared with December 31, 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	10	Stock-Based Compensation
	On May 22, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 22, 2013, subject to shareholder approval. The Plan’s purpose is to promote the Company’s long-term financial interests and growth by attracting, retaining and motivating high quality key employees and directors, to achieve the Company’s short- and long-range performance goals and objectives, thereby aligning their interests with those of its shareholders. The Plan reserves 4,400,000 shares of common stock to be issued for grants of several different types of long-term incentives including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, performance shares, other common stock based awards, and dividend equivalent rights. No future grants may be made under the previous incentive plans. However, any outstanding awards or grants made under the previous incentive plans will continue until the end of their specified terms.
	In the first quarter of 2014, our Board of Directors granted 0.2 million stock options, 0.2 million performance share units and 0.1 million deferred stock units under The Plan. We estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table details the weighted-average grant-date fair values and the assumptions used for estimating the fair values of stock option grants made during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
			Stock Options
	Weighted-average grant-date fair value		$	9.54
	Expected life, in years			6
	Risk-free interest rate			2.2	%
	Expected volatility			86.3	%
	The weighted average grant date fair value of our performance share units was $13.09. We measure the fair value of performance share units based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. These shares are currently expensed at target and are evaluated each reporting period for likelihood of achieving the performance criteria.
	We measure the fair value of deferred stock units based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. The weighted-average fair value per unit for grants made during the three months ended March 31, 2014, was $13.09.
	We recognized stock-based compensation expense of $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. At March 31, 2014, unearned compensation cost related to the unvested portion of all stock-based awards was approximately $11.4 million and is expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the respective grants, through the first quarter of 2017.

Restructuring_and_Cost_Reducti

Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs	'
	11	Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs
	In 2013, we initiated a Global Cost Reduction Program that was designed to address 3 key areas of the company—(1) business realignment, (2) operational efficiency and (3) corporate and back office functions. Business realignment was targeted at right-sizing our commercial management organizations globally. The operational efficiency component of the program was designed to improve the efficiency of our plant operations across our global footprint, as well as supply chain. Corporate and back office is principally comprised of work that we are doing with our strategic partners in the areas of finance and accounting and information technology outsourcing, and procurement. The cumulative charges incurred to date associated with these programs are $36.4 million. Total costs related to the program expected to be incurred are approximately $49 million. Total restructuring charges were $4.4 million and $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively.
	The activities and accruals related to our restructuring and cost reduction programs are summarized below:
			Employee			Other			Asset		Total
			Severance			Costs			Impairment
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	6,999		$	4,579		$	—	$	11,578
	Restructuring charges			1,697			2,655			—		4,352
	Cash payments			(4,689	)		(4,793	)		—		(9,482	)
	Non-cash items			15			(10	)		—		5
	Balance at March 31, 2014		$	4,022		$	2,431		$	—	$	6,453
	We expect to make cash payments to settle the remaining liability for employee termination benefits and other costs over the next twelve months, except where legal or contractual restrictions prevent us from doing so.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	12	Discontinued Operations
	During the first quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of the stock of our pharmaceuticals business, Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc. (“FPL”), which was previously reported within the Pharmaceuticals reportable segment. Consideration was comprised of a $16.9 million cash payment, and the transaction also included an earn-out incentive of up to $8.0 million based on achieving certain earnings targets over a two-year period. In March 2013, prior to the sale, an impairment loss of $8.7 million associated with the long lived assets of FPL was recorded under ASC Topic 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. The write down was determined by estimating the fair value of the assets less cost to sell of $14.8 million using the market approach considering a bona fide purchase offer, a level three measurement within the fair value hierarchy.
	The operations of FPL have been segregated from continuing operations and are included in discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest expense has been allocated to the discontinued operation based on the ratio of net assets of FPL to consolidated net assets excluding debt. In 2013 we did not record a tax benefit associated with the loss from discontinued operations as a result of the full valuation allowance in the jurisdiction.
			Three months ended
			March 31, 2013
	Net sales		$	4,791
	Cost of sales			2,762
	Gross profit			2,029
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			1,181
	Impairment			8,682
	Interest expense			589
	Miscellaneous income, net			(2	)
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes			(8,421	)
	Income tax expense			—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$	(8,421	)

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	13	Earnings Per Share
	Details of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2014		2013
			(In thousands, except
			per share amounts)
	Basic earnings per share computation:
	Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders		$	17,204	$	883
	Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations			—		8,421
	Total		$	17,204	$	9,304
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			86,778		86,439
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders		$	0.2	$	0.11
	Diluted earnings per share computation:
	Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders		$	17,204	$	883
	Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations			—		8,421
	Total		$	17,204	$	9,304
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			86,778		86,439
	Assumed exercise of stock options			454		98
	Assumed satisfaction of deferred stock unit conditions			72		62
	Assumed satisfaction of restricted stock unit conditions			179		35
	Assumed satisfaction of performance stock unit conditions			507		45
	Assumed satisfaction of restricted share conditions			—		97
	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding			87,990		86,776
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders		$	0.2	$	0.11
	The number of anti-dilutive or unearned shares, including shares related to contingently convertible debt, was 1.4 million and 5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	14	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:
			Postretirement			Translation			Other			Total
			Benefit			Adjustments			Adjustments
			Liability
			Adjustments
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		$	1,942		$	6,621		$	(70	)	$	8,493
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(170	)		—			(170	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(36	)		—			—			(36	)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss			(36	)		(170	)		—			(206	)
	Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		$	1,906		$	6,451		$	(70	)	$	8,287

Reporting_for_Segments

Reporting for Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reporting for Segments	'
	15	Reporting for Segments
	Net sales to external customers by segment are presented in the table below. Sales between segments were not material.
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Pigments, Powders and Oxides		$	30,048		$	54,787
	Performance Colors and Glass			103,370			98,127
	Performance Coatings			143,263			138,902
	Polymer Additives			69,743			80,869
	Specialty Plastics			45,311			44,839
	Total net sales		$	391,735		$	417,524
	Each segment’s gross profit and reconciliations to income before income taxes are presented in the table below:
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Pigments, Powders and Oxides		$	6,930		$	8,173
	Performance Colors and Glass			34,372			27,258
	Performance Coatings			33,243			28,592
	Polymer Additives			7,437			8,854
	Specialty Plastics			7,870			7,389
	Other cost of sales			(378	)		(1,029	)
	Total gross profit			89,474			79,237
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			57,576			61,592
	Restructuring and impairment charges			4,352			9,454
	Other expense (income), net			8,082			(1,766	)
	Income before income taxes		$	19,464		$	9,957

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Accounting Standards Adopted	'
	Accounting Standards Adopted in the period ended March 31, 2014
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustments upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investments in a Foreign Entity, which is codified in ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters. This pronouncement clarifies the application of Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation—Overall, and Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters—Translation of Financial Statements, related to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity, and the treatment of business combinations achieved in stages involving a foreign entity. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which is codified in ASC Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements and ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. This pronouncement changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, and changes the criteria and enhances disclosures for reporting discontinued operations. The pronouncement is to be applied prospectively, and is effective for our fiscal year that begins January 1, 2015. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	60,883	$	58,765
	Work in process		35,257		30,266
	Finished goods		114,618		101,185
	Total inventories	$	210,758	$	190,216

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Loans Payable and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	'
	Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Loans payable to banks	$	2,214		$	2,062
	Domestic accounts receivable asset securitization program		41,000			41,000
	Current portion of long-term debt		1,186			1,168
	Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	$	44,400		$	44,230
Summary of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	7.875% Senior Notes	$	250,000		$	250,000
	Revolving credit facility		55,498			9,204
	Capital lease obligations		5,622			5,816
	Other notes		3,623			3,617
	Total long-term debt		314,743			268,637
	Current portion of long-term debt		(1,186	)		(1,168	)
	Long-term debt, less current portion	$	313,557		$	267,469

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	'
	The following financial instrument assets (liabilities) are presented at their respective carrying amount, fair value and classification within the fair value hierarchy:
		March 31, 2014
		Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,088		$	41,088		$	41,088		$	—		$	—
	Loans payable		(43,214	)		(43,214	)		—			(43,214	)		—
	7.875% Senior Notes		(250,000	)		(263,750	)		(263,750	)		—			—
	Revolving Credit Facility		(55,498	)		(57,041	)					(57,041	)		—
	Other long-term notes payable		(3,623	)		(2,993	)		—			(2,993	)		—
	Foreign currency forward contracts, net		(726	)		(726	)		—			(726	)		—
		December 31, 2013
		Carrying			Fair Value
		Amount			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	28,328		$	28,328		$	28,328		$	—		$	—
	Loans payable		(43,062	)		(43,062	)		—			(43,062	)		—
	7.875% Senior Notes		(250,000	)		(266,250	)		(266,250	)		—			—
	Revolving credit facility		(9,204	)		(9,496	)		—			(9,496	)		—
	Other long-term notes payable		(3,617	)		(2,988	)		—			(2,988	)		—
	Foreign currency forward contracts, net		(2,255	)		(2,255	)		—			(2,255	)		—
Effect on Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Financial Performance	'
	The following table presents the effect on our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of our foreign currency forward contracts:
		Amount of (Gain) Loss
		Recognized in Earnings
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013			Location of Loss in Earnings
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	(2,402	)	$	964		Foreign currency losses, net
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table presents the fair values on our consolidated balance sheets of foreign currency forward contracts:
		March 31,			December 31,			Balance Sheet Location
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Asset derivatives:
	Foreign currency forward contracts	$	444		$	186		Other current assets
	Liability derivatives:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		(1,170	)		(2,441	)	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Retirement_Benefits_Tables

Retirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost	'
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost of our U.S. pension plans (including our unfunded nonqualified plans), non-U.S. pension plans, and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, follow:
		U.S. Pension Plans						Non-U.S. Pension						Other Benefit
								Plans						Plans
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	5		$	4		$	451		$	533		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		4,924			4,485			1,301			1,230			301			285
	Expected return on plan assets		(7,034	)		(6,181	)		(797	)		(748	)		—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		3			3			15			6			(26	)		(29	)
	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(2,102	)	$	(1,689	)	$	970		$	1,021		$	275		$	256

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables) (Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Member]	'
Details of Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Values	'
	The following table details the weighted-average grant-date fair values and the assumptions used for estimating the fair values of stock option grants made during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Stock Options
	Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$	9.54
	Expected life, in years		6
	Risk-free interest rate		2.2	%
	Expected volatility		86.3	%

Restructuring_and_Cost_Reducti1

Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accruals Related to Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs	'
	The activities and accruals related to our restructuring and cost reduction programs are summarized below:
		Employee			Other			Asset		Total
		Severance			Costs			Impairment
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	6,999		$	4,579		$	—	$	11,578
	Restructuring charges		1,697			2,655			—		4,352
	Cash payments		(4,689	)		(4,793	)		—		(9,482	)
	Non-cash items		15			(10	)		—		5
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	4,022		$	2,431		$	—	$	6,453

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Summary of Discontinued Operations	'
	The operations of FPL have been segregated from continuing operations and are included in discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest expense has been allocated to the discontinued operation based on the ratio of net assets of FPL to consolidated net assets excluding debt. In 2013 we did not record a tax benefit associated with the loss from discontinued operations as a result of the full valuation allowance in the jurisdiction.
		Three months ended
		March 31, 2013
	Net sales	$	4,791
	Cost of sales		2,762
	Gross profit		2,029
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		1,181
	Impairment		8,682
	Interest expense		589
	Miscellaneous income, net		(2	)
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes		(8,421	)
	Income tax expense		—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(8,421	)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	Details of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands, except
		per share amounts)
	Basic earnings per share computation:
	Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$	17,204	$	883
	Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations		—		8,421
	Total	$	17,204	$	9,304
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		86,778		86,439
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$	0.2	$	0.11
	Diluted earnings per share computation:
	Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$	17,204	$	883
	Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations		—		8,421
	Total	$	17,204	$	9,304
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		86,778		86,439
	Assumed exercise of stock options		454		98
	Assumed satisfaction of deferred stock unit conditions		72		62
	Assumed satisfaction of restricted stock unit conditions		179		35
	Assumed satisfaction of performance stock unit conditions		507		45
	Assumed satisfaction of restricted share conditions		—		97
	Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding		87,990		86,776
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$	0.2	$	0.11

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component, Net of Tax	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:
		Postretirement			Translation			Other			Total
		Benefit			Adjustments			Adjustments
		Liability
		Adjustments
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,942		$	6,621		$	(70	)	$	8,493
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		—			(170	)		—			(170	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(36	)		—			—			(36	)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss		(36	)		(170	)		—			(206	)
	Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,906		$	6,451		$	(70	)	$	8,287

Reporting_for_Segments_Tables

Reporting for Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Net Sales to External Customers by Segment	'
	Net sales to external customers by segment are presented in the table below. Sales between segments were not material.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Pigments, Powders and Oxides	$	30,048		$	54,787
	Performance Colors and Glass		103,370			98,127
	Performance Coatings		143,263			138,902
	Polymer Additives		69,743			80,869
	Specialty Plastics		45,311			44,839
	Total net sales	$	391,735		$	417,524
Segment's Income (Loss) and Reconciliations to (Loss) Income before Income Taxes	'
	Each segment’s gross profit and reconciliations to income before income taxes are presented in the table below:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Pigments, Powders and Oxides	$	6,930		$	8,173
	Performance Colors and Glass		34,372			27,258
	Performance Coatings		33,243			28,592
	Polymer Additives		7,437			8,854
	Specialty Plastics		7,870			7,389
	Other cost of sales		(378	)		(1,029	)
	Total gross profit		89,474			79,237
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		57,576			61,592
	Restructuring and impairment charges		4,352			9,454
	Other expense (income), net		8,082			(1,766	)
	Income before income taxes	$	19,464		$	9,957

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign currency translation income(loss) due to remeasuresment of assets and liabilities	($350)	($2,982)
Venezuela [Member]	'	'
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'	'
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	51.00%	'
Foreign currency translation income(loss) due to remeasuresment of assets and liabilities	($1,600)	'

Inventories_Inventories_Detail

Inventories - Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$60,883	$58,765
Work in process	35,257	30,266
Finished goods	114,618	101,185
Total inventories	$210,758	$190,216

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Terms of precious metals consignment agreements, maximum	'1 year	'	'
Fees under precious metals consignment agreements	$0.20	$1	'
Fair value of precious metals on hand under consignment agreements	$30.10	'	$30.80

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation	$644	'	$625.60
Unpaid capital expenditure liabilities	5.6	2.4	'
Solar Pastes (Member)	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash consideration for asset sold	'	10.9	'
Gain from assets sold	'	$9	'

Debt_Loans_Payable_and_Current

Debt - Loans Payable and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	$44,400	$44,230
Loans payable to banks [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	2,214	2,062
Domestic accounts receivable asset securitization program [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	41,000	41,000
Current portion of long-term debt [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt	$1,186	$1,168

Debt_Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_

Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$314,743	$268,637
Current portion of long-term debt	-1,186	-1,168
Long-term debt, less current portion	313,557	267,469
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	250,000	250,000
Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	55,498	9,204
Capital lease obligations [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	5,622	5,816
Other notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$3,623	$3,617

Debt_Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_1

Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (7.875% Senior Notes [Member])	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt stated interest rate	7.88%	7.88%

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Domestic accounts receivable asset securitization program [Member]

Domestic accounts receivable asset securitization program [Member]

Other financing arrangements [Member]

Other financing arrangements [Member]

2013 Amended Credit Facility [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

2010 Credit Facility [Member]

2010 Credit Facility [Member]

Two Thousand And Fourteen Credit Facility [Member]

Two Thousand And Fifteen Credit Facility [Member]

Prior to August 15, 2014 [Member]

Beginning August 15, 2014 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum available in form of cash or letters of credit

'

'

$50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt

44,400,000

44,230,000

41,000,000

41,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable securing advances

'

'

76,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional availability under program

'

'

200,000

'

13,500,000

10,100,000

189,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

0.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument basis spread on variable rate

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt amount issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.88%

7.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Aug-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum premium percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable Treasury Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount redemption price, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount redemption price, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103.94%

'

'

'

'

Debt facility amount

'

'

'

'

17,100,000

17,100,000

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

350,000,000

'

'

Term of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

Restructuring Add back line of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

10,000,000

Minimum liquidity for permitted acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

24-Aug-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The interest rate under the 2013 Amended Credit Facility is the sum of (A) either (1) LIBOR or (2) the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, the Prime Rate, or LIBOR plus 1.0% and (B) a variable margin based on the Company's leverage. At March 31, 2014, the interest rate was 3.4%.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable Federal Funds Rate plus

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable LIBOR Rate plus

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial_Instruments_Financia

Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$41,088	$28,328	$32,897	$29,576
Loans payable	-43,214	-43,062	'	'
Carrying Amount	-314,743	-268,637	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	-726	-2,255	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	41,088	28,328	'	'
Loans payable	-43,214	-43,062	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	-726	-2,255	'	'
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	-263,750	-266,250	'	'
Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Carrying Amount	-55,498	-9,204	'	'
Credit notes payable	-57,041	-9,496	'	'
Other notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Carrying Amount	-3,623	-3,617	'	'
Credit notes payable	-2,993	-2,988	'	'
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Carrying Amount	-250,000	-250,000	'	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	41,088	28,328	'	'
Loans payable	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	'	'	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | 7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	-263,750	-266,250	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Other notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'
Loans payable	-43,214	-43,062	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	-726	-2,255	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | 7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	-57,041	-9,496	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Other notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	-2,993	-2,988	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'
Loans payable	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	'	'	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | 7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Other notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit notes payable	'	'	'	'

Financial_Instruments_Financia1

Financial Instruments - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Parenthetical) (Detail) (7.875% Senior Notes [Member])	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Debt stated interest rate	7.88%	7.88%

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net foreign currency loss	$1.40	$1.50	'
Gain (loss) from the change in fair value of financial instruments	2.4	-1	'
Notional amount	$274.80	'	$244.90
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Quoted market price	$105.50	'	'
Senior Notes, yield	6.41%	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	7.88%	'	7.88%

Financial_Instruments_Effect_o

Financial Instruments - Effect on Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Financial Performance (Detail) (Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], Foreign Currency (Loss) Gain [Member], Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] | Foreign Currency (Loss) Gain [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings	($2,402)	$964

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Asset derivatives	$444	$186
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Liability derivatives	($1,170)	($2,441)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Income tax expense	$2,732	$1,016
Effective income tax rate	14.00%	10.20%

Contingent_Liabilities_Additio

Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Undiscounted remediation liability associated with environmentally contaminated non-operating facility	$10.20	$9.70
Litigation settlement contingent liability	$6.80	$6.80

Retirement_Benefits_Defined_Be

Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
U.S. Plans [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	$5	$4
Interest cost	4,924	4,485
Expected return on plan assets	-7,034	-6,181
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	3	3
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	-2,102	-1,689
Non-U.S. Plans [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	451	533
Interest cost	1,301	1,230
Expected return on plan assets	-797	-748
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	15	6
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	970	1,021
Other Benefit Plans [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Service cost	'	'
Interest cost	301	285
Expected return on plan assets	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-26	-29
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$275	$256

Retirement_Benefits_Additional

Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contributions made U.S pension plans	$22

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Shares of common stock reserved under plan	4,400,000	'
Recognized stock-based compensation expense	$3.70	$1.30
Unearned compensation cost related to the unvested portion of all stock-based awards	$11.40	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of share based compensation units granted	200,000	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$9.54	'
Performance Share Units [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of share based compensation units granted	200,000	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$13.09	'
Deferred Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of share based compensation units granted	100,000	'
Weighted average grant date fair value	$13.09	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation - Details of Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Values and Assumptions Used for Estimating Fair Values (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$9.54
Expected life, in years	'6 years
Risk-free interest rate	2.20%
Expected volatility	86.30%

Restructuring_and_Cost_Reducti2

Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Restructuring charges	$4,352,000	$9,454,000
Total expected cost related to restructuring and cost reduction programs	49,000,000	'
Employee Severance [Member]	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'
Cumulative charges to date	$36,400,000	'
Period expected for cash payments for employee benefits and other costs	'Over the next twelve months	'

Restructuring_and_Cost_Reducti3

Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs - Summary of Accruals Related to Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	$11,578
Restructuring charges	4,352
Cash payments	-9,482
Non-cash items	5
Ending Balance	6,453
Employee Severance [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	6,999
Restructuring charges	1,697
Cash payments	-4,689
Non-cash items	15
Ending Balance	4,022
Other Costs [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	4,579
Restructuring charges	2,655
Cash payments	-4,793
Non-cash items	-10
Ending Balance	2,431
Asset Impairment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	'
Restructuring charges	'
Cash payments	'
Non-cash items	'
Ending Balance	'

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Cash payment on sale of pharmaceuticals business	$16,912,000
FPL [Member]	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Cash payment on sale of pharmaceuticals business	16,900,000
Earn-out incentive payment payable over two years	8,000,000
Period of earn-out incentive payment	'2 years
Impairment loss associated with long lived assets of FPL	8,700,000
Write down determined by estimating fair value of assets less cost to sell	$14,800,000

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations - Summary of (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	($8,421)
FPL [Member]	'
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'
Net sales	4,791
Cost of sales	2,762
Gross profit	2,029
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,181
Impairment	8,682
Interest expense	589
Miscellaneous income, net	-2
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	-8,421
Income tax expense	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	($8,421)

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share - Calculations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic earnings per share computation:	'	'
Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$17,204	$883
Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations	'	8,421
Total	17,204	9,304
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	86,778	86,439
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$0.20	$0.11
Diluted earnings per share computation:	'	'
Net income attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	17,204	883
Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations	'	8,421
Total	$17,204	$9,304
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	86,778	86,439
Assumed exercise of stock options	454	98
Assumed satisfaction of deferred stock unit conditions	72	62
Assumed satisfaction of restricted stock unit conditions	179	35
Assumed satisfaction of performance stock unit conditions	507	45
Assumed satisfaction of restricted share conditions	'	97
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding	87,990	86,776
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders	$0.20	$0.11

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1.4	5.3

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	$1,942	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	-36	'
Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	1,906	'
Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Translation Adjustments	6,621	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, Translation Adjustments	-170	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Translation Adjustments	'	'
Net current period other comprehensive loss, Translation Adjustments	-170	'
Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Translation Adjustments	6,451	'
Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Other Adjustments	-70	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, Other Adjustments	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Other Adjustments	'	'
Net current period other comprehensive loss, Other Adjustments	'	'
Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Other Adjustments	-70	'
Beginning accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8,493	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-170	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-36	'
Net current period other comprehensive loss	-386	-3,050
Ending accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8,287	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Net current period other comprehensive loss, Postretirement Benefit Liability Adjustments	-36	'
Net current period other comprehensive loss	($206)	'

Reporting_for_Segments_Net_Sal

Reporting for Segments - Net Sales to External Customers by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	$391,735	$417,524
Pigments, Powders and Oxides [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	30,048	54,787
Performance Colors and Glass [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	103,370	98,127
Performance Coatings [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	143,263	138,902
Polymer Additives [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	69,743	80,869
Specialty Plastics [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'
Net sales	$45,311	$44,839

Reporting_for_Segments_Segment

Reporting for Segments - Segment's Income (Loss) and Reconciliations to (Loss) Income before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Other cost of sales	($378)	($1,029)
Total gross profit	89,474	79,237
Selling, general and administrative expenses	57,576	61,592
Restructuring and impairment charges	4,352	9,454
Other expense (income), net	8,082	-1,766
Income before income taxes	19,464	9,957
Pigments, Powders and Oxides [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Total gross profit	6,930	8,173
Performance Colors and Glass [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Total gross profit	34,372	27,258
Performance Coatings [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Total gross profit	33,243	28,592
Polymer Additives [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Total gross profit	7,437	8,854
Specialty Plastics [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'
Total gross profit	$7,870	$7,389