Lydall (LDL) 10-K 24 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 17, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	LDL
Entity Registrant Name	LYDALL INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	60,977
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
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		17,115,378
Entity Public Float			$ 482,323,396

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 524,505	$ 535,829	$ 397,969
Cost of sales	402,008	420,851	312,744
Gross profit	122,497	114,978	85,225
Selling, product development and administrative expenses	70,020	80,930	56,512
Operating income	52,477	34,048	28,713
Gain on sale of business	(18,647)	0	0
Interest expense	755	1,093	304
Other (income) expense, net	(654)	(701)	67
Income before income taxes	71,023	33,656	28,342
Income tax expense	24,764	11,809	9,187
Net income	$ 46,259	$ 21,847	$ 19,155
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 2.76	$ 1.31	$ 1.16
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 2.71	$ 1.28	$ 1.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	16,746	16,662	16,570
Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding (in shares)	17,084	17,003	16,866

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 46,259	$ 21,847	$ 19,155
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in pension plans, net of income taxes of $55, $1,595, and $4,028, respectively	(90)	(2,603)	6,572
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,334)	(12,714)	2,950
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(10,424)	(15,317)	9,522
Comprehensive income	$ 35,835	$ 6,530	$ 28,677

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in pension plans, tax	$ 55	$ 1,595	$ 4,028

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 75,909	$ 62,051
Accounts receivable, (net of allowance for doubtful receivables of $1,251 and $709, respectively)	82,149	84,366
Inventories	46,530	51,241
Taxes receivable	4,194	4,539
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,521	11,109
Total current assets	219,303	213,306
Property, plant and equipment, net	114,433	115,357
Goodwill	16,841	21,943
Other intangible assets, net	5,399	7,841
Deferred tax assets	134	1,408
Other assets, net	2,150	1,915
Total assets	358,260	361,770
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	323	615
Accounts payable	42,470	49,325
Accrued payroll and other compensation	10,210	14,550
Accrued taxes	1,200	1,447
Other accrued liabilities	6,797	7,140
Total current liabilities	61,000	73,077
Long-term debt	20,156	40,315
Deferred tax liabilities	14,997	13,867
Benefit plan liabilities	14,222	19,142
Other long-term liabilities	$ 2,660	$ 2,770
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share; authorized 500,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share; authorized 30,000 shares; issued 24,733 and 24,631 shares, respectively)	247	2,463
Capital in excess of par value	76,746	68,961
Retained earnings	288,358	242,099
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(34,585)	(24,161)
Treasury stock, 7,592 and 7,312 shares of common stock, respectively, at cost	(85,541)	(76,763)
Total stockholders’ equity	245,225	212,599
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 358,260	$ 361,770

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful receivables	$ 1,251	$ 709
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	500,000	500,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	24,733,000	24,631,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	7,592,000	7,312,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 46,259	$ 21,847	$ 19,155
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of business	(18,647)	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	17,275	17,646	12,703
Inventory step-up amortization	0	2,053	0
Long-lived asset impairment charge	1,354	0	0
Deferred income taxes	3,585	(1,477)	969
Stock based compensation	2,827	2,787	1,763
Pension settlement charge	0	4,914	0
Loss on disposition of property, plant and equipment	288	241	359
Accounts receivable	(2,749)	(7,189)	(4,101)
Inventories	479	4,539	(3,046)
Taxes receivable	276	(4,129)	(640)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,337)	(2,318)	161
Accounts payable	(4,886)	1,167	(59)
Accrued payroll and other compensation	(3,416)	3,299	(121)
Benefit plan liabilities	(4,778)	(3,563)	(684)
Other, net	(420)	1,811	3,821
Net cash provided by operating activities	36,110	41,628	30,280
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(79,407)	0
Capital expenditures	(20,645)	(13,971)	(13,826)
Proceeds from sale of business, net	28,550	0	0
Acquisition earn out payments	0	(111)	(160)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	7,905	(93,489)	(13,986)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	0	60,000	0
Debt repayments	(20,571)	(20,646)	(768)
Common stock issued	1,521	2,457	1,497
Common stock repurchased	(8,701)	(748)	(6,617)
Excess tax benefit on stock awards	1,044	1,486	271
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(26,707)	42,549	(5,617)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(3,450)	(4,044)	1,107
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	13,858	(13,356)	11,784
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	62,051	75,407	63,623
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	75,909	62,051	75,407
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	632	875	214
Income taxes	$ 20,180	$ 14,679	$ 7,227

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Non-cash capital expenditures	$ 5.9	$ 5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Treasury Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		23,785
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 174,496	$ 2,379	$ 58,784	$ 201,097	$ (18,366)	$ (69,398)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	19,155			19,155
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,522				9,522
Stock repurchased	(6,617)					(6,617)
Stock issued under employee plans (in shares)		297
Stock issued under employee plans	1,497	$ 30	1,467
Excess tax benefit on stock awards	271		271
Stock based compensation expense	1,511		1,511
Stock issued to directors (in shares)		16
Stock issued to directors	252	$ 1	251
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		24,098
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	200,087	$ 2,410	62,284	220,252	(8,844)	(76,015)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	21,847			21,847
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(15,317)				(15,317)
Stock repurchased	(748)					(748)
Stock issued under employee plans (in shares)		524
Stock issued under employee plans	2,457	$ 52	2,405
Excess tax benefit on stock awards	1,486		1,486
Stock based compensation expense	2,535		2,535
Stock issued to directors (in shares)		9
Stock issued to directors	$ 252	$ 1	251
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	24,631	24,631
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 212,599	$ 2,463	68,961	242,099	(24,161)	(76,763)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	46,259			46,259
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(10,424)				(10,424)
Stock repurchased	(8,778)					(8,778)
Stock issued under employee plans (in shares)		91
Stock issued under employee plans	1,698	$ (2)	1,700
Excess tax benefit on stock awards	1,044		1,044
Stock based compensation expense	2,477		2,477
Stock issued to directors (in shares)		10
Stock issued to directors	$ 350		350
Change in par value		$ (2,214)	2,214
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	24,733	24,732
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 245,225	$ 247	$ 76,746	$ 288,358	$ (34,585)	$ (85,541)

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Business — Lydall, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Lydall”) design and manufacture specialty engineered filtration media, industrial thermal insulating solutions, automotive thermal and acoustical barriers for filtration/separation and thermal/acoustical applications. On February 20, 2014, the Company acquired certain industrial filtration businesses ("Industrial Filtration") of Andrew Industries Limited, an Altham, United Kingdom based corporation. The Industrial Filtration business serves a global customer base in the manufacture of non-woven felt filtration media and filter bags used primarily in industrial air filtration applications including power, cement, asphalt, incineration, food and pharmaceutical. This business, which strengthened the Company’s position as an industry leading, global provider of filtration and engineered materials products, added complementary and new technologies and diversified the Company’s end markets and geographic base. Principles of consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Lydall, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Estimates and assumptions — The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Risks and uncertainties — Worldwide economic cycles and political changes affect the markets that the Company’s businesses serve and affect demand for Lydall’s products and impact profitability. Among other factors, disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, swings in consumer confidence and spending, unstable economic growth and fluctuations in unemployment rates has caused economic instability and can have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Concentrations of credit risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in high-quality financial institutions. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited by the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographies. At December 31, 2015 , Ford Motor Company ("Ford") represented 13.2% of total accounts receivable. No other customers accounted for more than 10.0% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Foreign and export sales were 44.2% of the Company’s net sales in 2015 , 46.2% in 2014 , and 45.2% in 2013 . Export sales primarily to Canada, Mexico, Asia and Europe were $52.5 million , $57.6 million , and $52.1 million in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Sales to the automotive market, included in the Thermal/Acoustical Metals and Thermal/Acoustical Fibers segments, were 56.6% of the Company’s net sales in 2015 , 54.1% in 2014 , and 68.5% in 2013 . Sales to Ford were 18.2% , 16.5% , and 20.0% of Lydall’s 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 net sales, respectively. Sales to Chrysler Group LLC ("Chrysler") accounted for 10.9% of Lydall's 2013 net sales. No other customers accounted for more than 10% of total net sales in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . Inventories — Inventories are valued at lower of cost or market, cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method. Inventories in excess of requirements for current or anticipated orders have been written down to net realizable value. Pre-production design and development costs — The Company enters into contractual agreements with certain customers to design and develop molds, dies and tools (collectively, “tooling”). All such tooling contracts relate to parts that the Company will supply to customers under long-term supply agreements. Tooling costs are accumulated in work-in process inventory and are charged to operations as the related revenue from the tooling is recognized. Revenue is recognized as tooling is delivered and accepted by the customer. The Company also may progress bill on certain tooling being constructed. These billings are recorded as progress billings (a reduction of the associated work-in-process inventory) until the appropriate revenue recognition criteria have been met. Periodically, the Company enters into contractually guaranteed reimbursement arrangements as a mechanism to collect amounts due from customers from tooling sales. Under these arrangements, amounts due from tooling sales are collected as parts are delivered over the part supply arrangement, in accordance with the specific terms of the arrangement. The amounts due from the customer in such transactions are recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net” or “Other assets, net” based upon the expected term of the reimbursement arrangement. The following tooling related assets were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December, 31 In thousands 2015 2014 Inventories, net of progress billings and reserves $ 9,220 $ 8,832 Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net 266 30 Total tooling related assets $ 9,486 $ 8,862 Amounts included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net” include the short-term portion of receivables due under contractually guaranteed reimbursement arrangements. Included in the inventory balance was an offset for progress billings of $0.3 million and $1.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Company owned tooling is recorded in “Property, plant and equipment, net” at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Assets held under capital leases are recorded at the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property, plant and equipment, including property, plant and equipment under capital leases, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the life of the asset, whichever is shorter. The cost and accumulated depreciation amounts applicable to assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and any net gain or loss is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenses for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Goodwill and other intangible assets — Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired companies. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 14 years. In performing impairment tests, the Company considers discounted cash flows and other market factors as best evidence of fair value. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these analyses. Valuation of long-lived assets — The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, or asset groups, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Should such evaluations indicate that the related future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying values of the assets, such carrying values would be reduced to fair value and this adjusted carrying value would become the assets’ new cost basis. Fair value is determined primarily using future anticipated cash flows that are directly associated with, and that are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset, or asset group, as well as market conditions and other factors. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these analyses. Employer sponsored benefit plans — The Company recognizes the funded status of its domestic defined benefit pension plan. Net benefit obligations are calculated based on actuarial valuations using key assumptions related to discount rates, mortality rates and expected return on plan assets. Derivative instruments — Derivative instruments are measured at fair value and recognized as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in either current or non-current other assets or other accrued liabilities or other long-term liabilities depending upon maturity and commitment. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedge transaction affects earnings. In general, the types of risks being hedged by the Company are related to the variability of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and hedging the impact of variability of foreign exchange rates on recorded intercompany assets or liabilities. Lydall’s objective for entering into derivative instruments has always been for risk management purposes. The Company does not engage in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. Lydall has historically not been a party to a significant number of derivative instruments. Revenue recognition — The Company recognizes revenue (1) once evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) product delivery has occurred; (3) pricing is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured. The four criteria required to recognize revenue are considered to be met, and the passage of title to the customer occurs, at the respective FOB point and, therefore, revenue is recognized at that time. The Company’s standard sales and shipping terms are FOB shipping point, therefore, substantially all revenue is recognized upon shipment. However, the Company conducts business with certain customers on FOB destination terms and in these instances revenue is recognized upon receipt by the customer. The Company generally does not provide specific customer inspection or acceptance provisions in its sales terms, with the exception of tooling sales discussed in “Pre-production design and development costs” above. Sales returns and allowances are recorded as identified or communicated by the customer and internally approved. The Company does not provide customers with general rights of return for products sold; however, in limited circumstances, the Company will allow sales returns and allowances from customers if the products sold do not conform to specifications. Shipping and handling costs consist primarily of costs incurred to deliver products to customers and internal costs related to preparing products for shipment and are recorded in cost of sales. Amounts billed to customers as shipping and handling are classified as revenue. Research and development — Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and amounted to $8.5 million in 2015 , $9.0 million in 2014 , and $7.6 million in 2013 . Research and development costs were primarily comprised of development personnel salaries, prototype material costs and testing and trials of new products. Earnings per share — Basic earnings per common share are equal to net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are equal to net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of stock options and stock awards, if such effect is dilutive. Income taxes — The provision for income taxes is based upon income reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of income and expense recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes. In the event the Company was to determine that it would not be able to realize all or a portion of its deferred tax assets in the future, the Company would record a valuation allowance through a charge to income in the period that such determination was made. Conversely, if the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net carrying amounts, the Company would decrease the recorded valuation allowance and record an increase to income in the period that such determination was made. Translation of foreign currencies — Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Any resulting translation gains or losses are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Stock options and share grants — The Company accounts for awards of equity instruments under the fair value method of accounting and recognizes such amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award. Stock-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures, and such estimates of forfeitures are adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. The effect of changes in estimated forfeitures is recognized in the period of change and also impacts the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. The Company estimates the fair value of option grants based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatility and expected term are based on historical information. The Company believes that its future volatility and expected term are not likely to materially differ from the Company’s historical stock price volatility and historical exercise data, respectively. Compensation expense for all restricted stock awards is recorded based on the market value of the stock on the grant date and recognized as expense over the vesting period of the award. Compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock is also impacted by the probability of achieving the performance targets. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08 “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company evaluated the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-08 had on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures related to the January 2015 sale of its Life Sciences Vital Fluids business and determined that the sale of this business did not qualify as a discontinued operation.

Acquisition and Divestiture

Acquisition and Divestiture	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition and Divestiture	Acquisition and Divestiture Divestiture On January 30, 2015, the Company sold all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its Life Sciences Vital Fluids business, reported as Other Products and Services, for a cash purchase price of $30.1 million . The disposition was completed pursuant to a Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 30, 2015, by and among the Company, and the buyer. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of $18.6 million , reported as non-operating income in the first quarter of 2015. Net of income taxes, the Company reported a gain on sale of $11.8 million . In accordance with the revised accounting guidance for reporting discontinued operations, the Company did not report Life Sciences Vital Fluids as a discontinued operation as it would not be considered a strategic shift in Lydall's business. Accordingly, the operating results of Life Sciences Vital Fluids are included in the operating results of the Company through the sale date and in all periods presented in 2014. Acquisition On February 20, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of certain industrial filtration businesses of Andrew Industries Limited, an Altham, United Kingdom based corporation. The Industrial Filtration business serves a global customer base in the manufacture of non-woven felt filtration media and filter bags used primarily in industrial air filtration applications including power, cement, asphalt, incineration, food and pharmaceutical. This business, which strengthened the Company’s position as an industry leading, global provider of filtration and engineered materials products, added complementary and new technologies and diversified the Company’s end markets and geographic base. The Company acquired the Industrial Filtration business for $86.9 million in cash (including cash acquired of $7.5 million and a post-closing adjustment payment of $0.2 million to Andrew Industries Limited) and with no debt being acquired. The purchase price was financed with a combination of cash on hand and $60.0 million of borrowings through the Company’s amended $100 million credit facility. The following table summarizes the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition: In thousands Cash $ 7,493 Accounts Receivable 26,779 Inventory 25,046 Other current assets 2,894 Property, plant and equipment 38,780 Deferred Taxes 2,501 Intangible assets (Note 5) 5,596 Goodwill (Note 5) 3,943 Total assets acquired 113,032 Other liabilities (18,002 ) Deferred taxes (8,130 ) Total liabilities assumed (26,132 ) Net assets acquired $ 86,900 The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma operating results of the Company for years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which give effect to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration as if it had occurred on January 1, 2013. The pro forma information includes the historical financial results of the Company and Industrial Filtration. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the acquisition been effective January 1, 2013, nor are they intended to be indicative of results that may occur in the future. The pro forma information does not include the effects of any synergies related to the acquisition. (Unaudited Pro Forma) For The Years Ended In thousands 2014 2013 Net Sales $ 553,345 $ 525,134 Net Income $ 26,302 $ 21,500 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.58 $ 1.30 Diluted $ 1.55 $ 1.27 Pro forma earnings during the year ended December 31, 2014 were adjusted to exclude non-recurring items such as acquisition-related costs of $2.6 million and expense related to the fair value adjustment to inventory of $2.1 million , and to include additional amortization of the acquired Industrial Filtration intangible assets recognized at fair value in purchase accounting as well as additional interest expense associated with borrowings under the Company’s Amended Credit Facility. No amount is included in the pro forma earnings during the year ended December 31, 2014 related to inventory fair value adjustments which would have been recognized in cost of sales as the corresponding inventory would have been completely sold during 2013. Pro forma earnings during the year ended December 31, 2013 were adjusted to include acquisition-related costs of $2.6 million and expense of $2.6 million related to the amortization of the fair value adjustments to inventory and additional amortization of the acquired Industrial Filtration intangible assets recognized at fair value in purchase accounting as well as $0.9 million of interest expense associated with borrowings under the Company’s Amended Credit Facility. Pro forma earnings during the year ended December 31, 2013 were adjusted to exclude acquisition-related costs of $1.2 million from 2013 which would have been included in the year ended December 31, 2012 if the acquisition had been effective January 1, 2013.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories Inventories as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Raw materials $ 17,128 $ 21,248 Work in process 14,670 15,753 Finished goods 15,048 15,348 46,846 52,349 Less: Progress billings (316 ) (1,108 ) Total inventories $ 46,530 $ 51,241 Included in work in process is gross tooling inventory of $9.5 million and $9.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Tooling inventory, net of progress billings, was $9.2 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment,

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Estimated Useful Lives December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Land – $ 2,636 $ 2,773 Buildings and improvements 10-35 years 55,887 56,562 Machinery and equipment 5-25 years 195,125 197,804 Office equipment 2-8 years 30,622 31,139 Vehicles 3-6 years 864 930 Assets under capital leases: Land – 546 609 Buildings and improvements 10-35 years 4,798 5,345 290,478 295,162 Accumulated depreciation (185,356 ) (186,510 ) Accumulated amortization of capital leases (2,829 ) (2,944 ) 102,293 105,708 Construction in progress 12,140 9,649 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 114,433 $ 115,357 Depreciation expense was $16.4 million in 2015 , $16.7 million in 2014 , and $12.1 million in 2013 .

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Gross and net carrying amounts of goodwill at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: In thousands Performance Materials Industrial Filtration Thermal/ Acoustical Metals Other Products and Services Totals Goodwill $ 13,340 $ 3,943 $ 12,160 $ 5,787 $ 35,230 Accumulated amortization/impairment — — (12,160 ) (1,127 ) (13,287 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 13,340 3,943 — 4,660 21,943 Goodwill 12,898 3,943 12,160 — 29,001 Accumulated amortization/impairment — — (12,160 ) — (12,160 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12,898 $ 3,943 $ — $ — $ 16,841 The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill in 2014 and 2015 were as follows: In thousands Performance Materials Industrial Filtration Other Products and Services Totals Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 13,929 $ — $ 4,660 $ 18,589 Goodwill adjustment — 3,943 — 3,943 Currency translation adjustment (589 ) — — (589 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 13,340 3,943 4,660 21,943 Goodwill adjustment — — (4,660 ) (4,660 ) Currency translation adjustment (442 ) — — (442 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12,898 $ 3,943 $ — $ 16,841 Goodwill Associated with Acquisitions and Divestitures The goodwill adjustment in 2015 associated with Other Products and Services of $4.7 million was the result of the sale of the Company's Life Sciences Vital Fluids business on January 30, 2015. The goodwill associated with the Industrial Filtration segment results from the acquisition of the Industrial Filtration business on February 20, 2014. The amount allocated to goodwill is reflective of the benefits the Company expects to realize from the entrance into new global markets and Industrial Filtration's assembled workforce. None of the recognized goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill Impairment Testing During the fourth quarter of 2015 , the Company performed its annual impairment analysis of the $12.9 million of goodwill in the Performance Materials reporting unit (PM reporting unit) and $3.9 million in the Industrial Filtration reporting unit (IF reporting unit). After considering changes in assumptions used in the Company's most recent quantitative annual testing, including the capital markets environment, economic conditions, industry trends, changes in results of operations, and other factors, the Company concluded it was necessary to perform the two-step impairment test for the PM reporting unit. As a result of testing, the Company concluded that the PM reporting unit, with $12.9 million of goodwill, had an estimated fair value which exceeded its carrying value by greater than 50% , and as a result, step two of the impairment test was not required. The Company used both the income approach and market approach in performing step one of the impairment analysis to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The income approach involved determining the present value of future cash flows from the reporting unit’s projected financial results from 2016 - 2018 and the projected cash flows beyond that three year period computed as the terminal value. The Company believes the income approach was appropriate because it provided a fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit’s expected long-term operations and cash flow performance. In applying the market approach, valuation multiples were derived from historic operating data of selected guideline companies, which were evaluated and adjusted, if necessary. The valuation multiples were then applied to the appropriate operating data of the reporting unit to arrive at an indication of fair value. The Company believes the market approach was appropriate because it provided a fair value using multiples from companies with operations and economic characteristics similar to its reporting unit. The Company used the qualitative method to analyze the goodwill for the IF reporting unit, which was acquired in February 2014. When considering capital markets environment, economic conditions, industry trends, results of operations, and other factors the Company determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Other Intangible Assets The table below presents the gross carrying amount and, as applicable, the accumulated amortization of the Company’s acquired intangible assets other than goodwill included in “Other intangible assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 In thousands Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Amortized intangible assets License agreements $ 771 $ (771 ) $ 818 $ (818 ) Technology 2,500 (310 ) 2,500 (143 ) Customer Relationships 2,412 (411 ) 2,477 (195 ) Patents 4,137 (3,272 ) 6,037 (3,274 ) Other 612 (269 ) 691 (252 ) Total amortized intangible assets $ 10,432 $ (5,033 ) $ 12,523 $ (4,682 ) During 2014, the Company recognized $5.6 million of intangible assets as a result of the Industrial Filtration acquisition, including $2.5 million in both technology and customer relationships and $0.6 million in other. As of December 31, 2015 , the weighted average useful life of the Industrial Filtration intangible assets was approximately 11 years. Amortization of all intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 was $0.8 million , $0.9 million , and $0.4 million , respectively. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets is expected to be $0.6 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2016 through 2018 , and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 . As of December 31, 2015 , the weighted average useful life of intangible assets was approximately 10 years. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company performed an impairment analysis for long-lived assets at the Company’s DSM Solutech B.V. (“Solutech”) operation, included in the Performance Materials segment, as a result of indicators of possible impairment. During 2015, Solutech reported a cash flow loss which was caused by the delay in commercialization of certain Solutech products to the market place by Solutech’s customers. As a result of these negative cash flows, combined with historical operating losses, and a reduction in the expected amount of future cash flows of Solutech, the Company determined that it was appropriate to test the Solutech asset group for recoverability in the fourth quarter of 2015. Patents, with a remaining useful life of 8 years , and machinery and equipment primarily comprise the carrying value of the asset group of $3.2 million . To determine the recoverability of the Solutech asset group the Company completed an undiscounted cash flow analysis and compared it to the asset group carrying value. This analysis was primarily dependent on the increase in net sales over the period when the business has technological exclusivity provided by its patents. Future cash flows are dependent on the success of commercialization efforts of Solutech products by OEMs, the quality of Solutech products and technology advancements and management’s ability to manage costs. The impairment test concluded that the Solutech asset group was not recoverable as the resulting undiscounted cash flows were less than their carrying amount. Accordingly, the Company estimated the fair value of the Solutech long-lived assets to determine the impairment amount. Determining fair value is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions considered to be Level 3 inputs including royalty rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates. To determine the fair value of its patents, the Company used the relief from royalty method, which is a form of the income approach, which focused on the level of royalty payments that the user of an intangible asset would have to pay a third party for the use of the asset if it were not owned by the user. Under this approach, revenue associated with the associated technology was projected over the expected remaining useful life of the asset, with a royalty rate applied to the expected revenue. The estimated fair value of the patents was below its carrying value. To determine the estimated fair value of its machinery and equipment, the Company used the cost approach. Under the cost approach, the determination of fair value considered the replacement cost of the assets with adjustments in value for physical deterioration, functional obsolescence, and economic obsolescence, all Level 3 inputs. The estimated fair value of the machinery and equipment exceeded its carrying value, resulting in no adjustment to the machinery and equipment. As a result of the Company’s fair value estimates, the Company adjusted the carrying value of the patents to $0.7 million and recorded an impairment charge of $1.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 . This charge was recorded in the Company’s Performance Materials segment as part of selling, product development and administrative expenses.

Long-term Debt and Financing Ar

Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements	Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements On February 18, 2014, the Company amended and restated its $35.0 million senior secured domestic revolving credit facility (as further amended May 5, 2015, “Amended Credit Facility”) with a financial institution and two additional lenders, increasing the available borrowing from $35 million to $100 million . The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The maturity date for the Amended Credit Facility is January 31, 2019, at which time amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility are due and payable. The Company entered into this Amended Credit Facility in part to fund a majority of the purchase price of the Industrial Filtration acquisition. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Facility, the lenders are providing a $100 million revolving credit facility to the Company, under which the lenders may make revolving loans and issue letters of credit to or for the benefit of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Amended Credit Facility may be increased by an aggregate amount not to exceed $50 million through an accordion feature, subject to specified conditions. The Amended Credit Facility contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants, including financial and operational covenants. The Company is required to meet a minimum interest coverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio requires that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Interest Charges, both as defined in the Amended Credit Facility, may not be less than 2.0 to 1.0 for the immediately preceding 12 month period. In addition, the Company must maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility, as of the end of each fiscal quarter of no greater than 3.0 to 1.0 . The Company must also meet minimum consolidated EBITDA as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the preceding 12 month period of $30.0 million . The Company was in compliance with all covenants during 2015 and at December 31, 2015 . Interest is charged on borrowings at the Company’s option of either: (i) Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Rate. The Base Rate is a fluctuating rate equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (b) the prime rate as set by Bank of America, and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00% . The Eurocurrency Rate means (i) if denominated in LIBOR quoted currency, a fluctuating LIBOR per annum rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate; (ii) if denominated in Canadian Dollars, the rate per annum equal to the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate; or (iii) the rate per annum as designated with respect to such alternative currency at the time such alternative currency is approved by the Lenders. The Applicable Rate is determined based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement). The Applicable Rate added to the Base Rate Committed Loans ranges from 15 basis points to 100 basis points, and the Applicable Rate added to Eurocurrency Rate Committed Loans and Letters of Credit ranges from 75 basis points to 175 basis points. The Company pays a quarterly fee ranging from 20 basis points to 30 basis points on the unused portion of the $100 million available under the Amended Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had borrowing availability of $78.1 million under the Amended Credit Facility net of $20.0 million of borrowings outstanding and standby letters of credit outstanding of $1.9 million . The Company has a capital lease agreement for the land and building at the St. Nazaire, France operating facility, included in the Thermal/Acoustical Metals segment, requiring monthly principal and interest payments through 2016. The capital lease provides an option for the Company to purchase the land and building at the end of the lease for a nominal amount. Total outstanding debt consists of: December 31, In thousands Effective Rate Maturity 2015 2014 Revolver Loan, due January 31, 2019 1.42% 2019 $ 20,000 $ 40,000 Capital Lease, land and building, St. Nazaire, France 5.44% 2016 277 893 Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina 5.00% 2017 9 37 Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina 1.65% 2020 193 — 20,479 40,930 Less portion due within one year (323 ) (615 ) Total long-term debt $ 20,156 $ 40,315 As of December 31, 2015 , total debt maturing in 2016 was $0.3 million and debt maturing in 2019 was $20.0 million . There was minimal debt maturing in 2017, 2018 and 2020. The weighted average interest rate on long-term debt was 1.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015 , compared with 1.5% and 5.4% for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt are determined using discounted cash flows based upon the Company’s estimated current interest cost for similar type borrowings or current market value, which falls under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values of the long-term debt approximate fair market value.

Capital Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Capital Stock At the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in April 2015, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation as detailed below: Preferred Stock — The Company decreased the par value of its preferred stock from $1.00 to $0.01 . None of the 500,000 authorized shares have been issued. Common Stock — The Company decreased the per share par value of its common stock from $0.10 to $0.01 . During the second quarter of 2015, the Company reclassified approximately $2.2 million from common stock to capital in excess of par value as a result of the change in par value. As of December 31, 2015 , 6,289 Lydall stockholders of record held 17,140,426 shares of Common Stock. Dividend policy — The Company does not pay a cash dividend on its common stock. The Company’s Amended Credit Facility does not place any restrictions on cash dividend payments, so long as the payments do not place the Company in default.

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan	Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan The Company maintains a domestic defined benefit pension plan, which covers certain domestic Lydall employees, is noncontributory and benefits are based on either years of service or eligible compensation paid while a participant is in a plan. The plan has been closed to new employees for several years and benefits under the pension plan are no longer accruing. The Company’s funding policy for its domestic defined benefit pension plan is to fund not less than the ERISA minimum funding standard and not more than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets and benefit obligations of the domestic defined benefit pension plan are as follows: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation: Net benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 50,827 $ 53,427 Interest cost 2,066 2,348 Actuarial loss (gain) (2,430 ) 7,654 Gross benefits paid (2,382 ) (12,602 ) Net benefit obligation at end of year $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 33,275 $ 40,680 Actual return on plan assets (1,106 ) 945 Contributions 5,626 4,252 Gross benefits paid (2,382 ) (12,602 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 35,413 $ 33,275 Net benefit obligation in excess of plan assets $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Balance sheet amounts: Noncurrent liabilities $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Total liabilities $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax consist of: Net actuarial loss $ 17,313 $ 17,228 Net amount recognized $ 17,313 $ 17,228 At December 31, 2015 , in addition to the accrued benefit liability of $12.7 million recognized for the Company’s domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Company also had foreign regulatory labor agreements with an accrued benefit liability of $1.4 million and accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, of $0.4 million . At December 31, 2014 , in addition to the accrued benefit liability of $17.6 million recognized for the Company’s domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Company also had an accrued benefit liability of $1.4 million and accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to foreign regulatory labor agreements of $0.4 million . The domestic defined benefit pension plan liability, net of tax, included in other comprehensive income increased by $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and increased by $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 . These changes are mainly due to changes in pension assumptions, primarily the discount and mortality rates. Aggregated information for the domestic defined benefit pension plan with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is provided in the tables below: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Projected benefit obligation $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Fair value of plan assets $ 35,413 $ 33,275 Components of net periodic benefit cost for the domestic pension plan: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Interest cost $ 2,066 $ 2,348 $ 2,453 Expected return on plan assets (2,360 ) (2,798 ) (2,691 ) Amortization of actuarial net loss 897 725 1,069 Pension settlement cost — 4,914 — Total net periodic benefit cost $ 603 $ 5,189 $ 831 On April 1, 2014, the Company offered a voluntary one-time lump sum payment option to certain former U.S. employees who were vested defined benefit plan participants and not currently receiving monthly payments from the Company's domestic pension plan. The election period for this voluntary offer ended in the second quarter of 2014. Approximately 62% of eligible participants elected to receive a one-time lump sum payout resulting in $10.3 million being paid out of domestic pension plan assets in July 2014. This payout required a re-measurement of the domestic pension plan and a partial plan settlement charge, which resulted in a non-cash pre-tax loss of $4.9 million in net periodic pension benefit expense, which was recorded in selling, product development and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2014, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholder’s equity, net of $1.9 million tax benefit. The non-cash charge was required to accelerate the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the domestic pension plan. It is estimated that $0.9 million of actuarial net loss will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs for the domestic pension plan in 2016 . The major assumptions used in determining the year-end benefit obligation and annual net cost for the domestic pension plan are presented in the following table: Benefit Obligation Net Cost For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.56 % 4.16 % 4.16 % 5.09 % 4.16 % Expected return on plan assets 7.00 % 7.25 % 7.25 % 7.25 % 7.50 % The year-end benefit obligation decreased primarily due to an increase in the assumed discount rate from 4.16% as of December 31, 2014 to 4.56% as of December 31, 2015. In 2014, the Society of Actuaries issued an updated set of mortality tables and improvement scale collectively known as RP-2014 and MP-2014, respectively. The Company reviewed the findings and recommendations of these reports with their actuary. Based on that review, the Company elected to utilize the Society of Actuaries' base mortality scale RP-2014 with the BB-2D mortality improvement scale, as the Company believes the BB-2D mortality improvement table more accurately reflects recent rates of mortality improvement since 2006 for the general population compared to the MP-2014 table. Actuarial losses, related to the change in mortality tables at December 31, 2014, increased the pension plan liability $2.4 million and decreased other comprehensive income net-of-tax by $1.5 million . Plan Assets The domestic defined benefit pension plan is administered by an Administrative Committee and an Investment Committee, which are appointed by the Board of Directors. The Investment Committee’s responsibilities are to establish a funding policy for the Lydall Pooled Pension Investment Trust (“the Trust”) and to appoint and oversee the investment advisors responsible for the Trust’s investments. The Investment Committee is a named fiduciary under the plan with respect to management of the Trust’s investments. The assets of the domestic defined benefit pension plan are invested in the Trust for the purpose of investment diversification. In determining the expected return on plan assets, the Investment Committee considers the relative weighting of plan assets, the historical performance of marketable debt and equity securities and economic and other indicators of future performance. Investment management objectives include maintaining an adequate level of diversification to balance market risk and to provide sufficient liquidity for near-term payments of benefits accrued under the domestic pension plan and to pay the expenses of administration. The long-term investment objective of the Trust is to achieve a total return equal to or greater than the Trust’s actuarially assumed rate of return, currently 7.00% . Though it is the intent of the Investment Committee to achieve income and growth, that intent does not include taking extraordinary risks or engaging in investment activities not commonly considered prudent under the standards imposed by ERISA. The Investment Committee defines risk as the probability of not meeting the Trust’s objectives and the probability of not meeting the Trust’s liability requirements. The allowable investments include: exchange-traded stocks, over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights, convertible securities, depository receipts and shares, trust certificates, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies, real estate investment trusts and equity participation, obligations of foreign governments, obligations of international agencies, obligations issued by the U.S. government, mortgage related and other asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, inflation-index bonds issued by corporations, structured notes, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities, bank certificates of deposit, debt securities issued by state of local governments, and money market funds. Prohibited investments include: venture capital investments, direct investment in real estate properties, CMO derivatives, hedge funds, Lydall, Inc. securities, and commodities. The Investment Committee’s target asset allocation seeks to control risk through portfolio diversification and takes into account, among other factors, objectives discussed above, current funding levels, cash flow conditions and economic and industry trends. Equity securities include investments in large-cap and mid/small-cap companies primarily located in the United States, non-U.S. equities, and emerging market equities. Fixed income securities include fixed income mutual bond funds and common and collective funds. The following table presents the target allocation of pension plan assets for 2016 and the actual allocation of plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 by major asset category: Target Allocation Actual Allocation of Plan Assets Asset Category 2016 2015 2014 Equity securities: U.S. Equity 22% - 60% 42 % 43 % Non-U.S. 15% - 25% 21 % 19 % Emerging Markets 3% - 9% 6 % 6 % Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 12% - 38% 25 % 26 % Non-U.S. Bond funds 2% - 8% 3 % 3 % Real estate investment trusts 0% - 8% — % — % Cash and cash equivalents 0% - 5% 3 % 3 % The investments of the Trust are stated at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The asset’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The framework for measuring fair value provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Equity securities, which consist primarily of common stocks, are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which individual securities are traded. Short-term cash funds, mutual funds, bond funds and real estate investment trusts are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the plan at year end as reported in the active market in which the funds are traded. The Trust’s purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : December 31, 2015 In thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities: U.S. Equity $ 14,789 $ — $ — $ 14,789 Non-U.S. 7,356 — — 7,356 Emerging Markets 2,027 — — 2,027 Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 8,915 — — 8,915 Non-U.S. Bond funds 1,034 — — 1,034 Real estate investment trusts 195 — — 195 Cash and cash equivalents 1,097 — — 1,097 Total Assets at Fair Value $ 35,413 $ — $ — $ 35,413 December 31, 2014 In thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities: U.S. Equity $ 14,272 $ — $ — $ 14,272 Non-U.S. 6,432 — — 6,432 Emerging Markets 1,896 — — 1,896 Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 8,528 — — 8,528 Non-U.S. Bond funds 917 — — 917 Real estate investment trusts 170 — — 170 Cash and cash equivalents 1,060 — — 1,060 Total Assets at Fair Value $ 33,275 $ — $ — $ 33,275 Estimated Future Contributions and Benefit Payments The Company expects to contribute approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million in cash to its domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2016 . Estimated future benefit payments for the next 10 years are as follows: In thousands 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020-2024 Benefit payments $ 2,385 $ 2,443 $ 2,519 $ 2,655 $ 2,802 $ 14,704 Employee Savings Plan The Company also sponsors a 401(k) Plan. Employer contributions to this plan amounted to $2.3 million in 2015 , $2.1 million in 2014 , and $1.7 million in 2013 . Matching contributions by the Company are made on employee pretax contributions up to five percent of compensation, with the first three percent matched at 100% and the next two percent matched at 50% .

Equity Compensation Plans

Equity Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Compensation Plans	Equity Compensation Plans As of December 31, 2015 , the Company’s equity compensation plans consisted of the 2003 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2003 Plan”) and the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan” and together with the 2003 Plan, the “Plans”) under which incentive and non-qualified stock options and time and performance based restricted shares have been granted to employees and directors from authorized but unissued shares of common stock or treasury shares. The 2003 Plan is not active, but continues to govern all outstanding awards granted under the plan until the awards themselves are exercised or terminate in accordance with their terms. The 2012 Plan, approved by stockholders on April 27, 2012, authorized 1,750,000 shares of common stock for awards. The 2012 Plan also authorizes an additional 1,200,000 shares of common stock to the extent awards granted under prior stock plans that were outstanding as of April 27, 2012 are forfeited. The 2012 Plan provides for the following type of awards: options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The Company accounts for the expense of all share-based compensation by measuring the awards at fair value on the date of grant. The Company recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award. Options issued by the Company under its stock option plans have a term of ten years and generally vest ratably over a period of three to four years. Time-based restricted stock grants are expensed over the vesting period of the award, which is typically two to four years. The number of performance based restricted shares that vest or forfeit depend upon achievement of certain targets during the performance period. Stock-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures. Compensation expense for performance based awards is recorded based upon management’s assessment of the probability of achieving the performance goals and service period and will be adjusted based upon actual achievement. Stock options issued under the current plan must have an exercise price that may not be less than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. The Plans provide for automatic acceleration of vesting in the event of a change in control of the Company. Upon the exercise of a stock option under the Plans, shares are issued from authorized shares or treasury shares held by the Company. The Company incurred compensation expense of $2.8 million , $2.8 million , and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively, for all stock-based compensation plans, including restricted stock awards. No compensation costs were capitalized as part of inventory. The associated tax benefit realized was $1.5 million , $2.5 million , and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. Stock Options The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the years ended December 31: 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % 1.6 % 1.7 % Expected life 5.5 years 5.1 years 5.2 years Expected volatility 43 % 46 % 65 % Expected dividend yield — % — % — % The following is a summary of the option activity as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the year then ended: In thousands except per share amounts and years Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 609 $ 14.81 Granted 92 $ 36.74 Exercised (166) $ 10.21 Forfeited/Cancelled (72) $ 19.08 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 463 $ 20.15 7.2 $ 7,213 Options exercisable at December 31, 2015 241 $ 12.37 5.6 $ 5,569 Expected to vest at December 31, 2015 209 $ 28.55 9.0 $ 1,556 The Company granted 91,900 , 131,800 , and 75,279 stock options during 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 was $15.28 , $11.85 , and $9.41 , respectively. There were 166,175 options exercised in 2015, 277,006 options exercised in 2014 , and 158,322 options exercised in 2013 . The intrinsic value for options exercised during 2015 was $3.5 million and the associated tax benefit realized from stock options exercised was $1.1 million . The total intrinsic value for options exercised during 2014 was $5.0 million and the associated tax benefit realized from stock options exercised was $1.8 million . The total intrinsic value for options exercised during 2013 was $1.0 million and the associated tax benefit realized from stock options exercised was $0.3 million . The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $1.5 million in 2015 , $2.5 million in 2014 , and $1.5 million in 2013 . At December 31, 2015 , the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards was approximately $2.0 million , with a weighted average expected amortization period of 3.2 years . Restricted Stock The following is a summary of the Company’s unvested restricted shares for the year ended and as of December 31, 2015 : In thousands except per share amounts Outstanding Restricted Shares Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 459 $ 19.17 Granted 72 $ 34.09 Vested (41) $ 14.69 Forfeited/Cancelled (147) $ 16.43 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 343 $ 24.01 Expected to vest at December 31, 2015 307 $ 25.88 Restricted stock includes both performance-based and time-based awards. Compensation for restricted stock is recorded based on the market value of the stock on the grant date and amortized to expense over the vesting period of the award. The Company granted 38,170 , 204,800 , and 95,090 shares of performance-based restricted stock during 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The Company granted 33,755 shares of time-based restricted stock in 2015 , 48,649 shares in 2014 , and 29,480 in 2013 . The weighted average fair value per share of restricted stock granted was $34.09 , $22.93 , and $16.01 during 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. During 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively, there were 147,187 , 6,212 and 10,565 shares of restricted stock forfeited. The fair value of awards for which restrictions lapsed during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 was $1.4 million , $2.2 million , and $1.6 million , respectively. At December 31, 2015 , the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards was approximately $4.0 million , with a weighted average expected amortization period of 2.2 years . Stock Repurchase Program In April 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “2012 Stock Repurchase Program”) which authorized the Company to repurchase up to 1.0 million shares of its common stock. The Company repurchased 267,089 shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2015 under the 2012 Stock Repurchase Program. As of December 31, 2015 , there were no shares remaining and authorized for repurchase under the 2012 Stock Repurchase Program. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company purchased 12,935 shares of common stock valued at $0.4 million , through withholding, pursuant to provisions in agreements with recipients of restricted stock granted under the Company's equity compensation plans, which allow the Company to withhold the number of shares having fair value equal to each recipient's tax withholding due.

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information On February 20, 2014, the Company acquired the Industrial Filtration business from Andrew Industries Limited, which is being reported as a separate reportable segment since the acquisition date. Segment information is consistent with how management reviews the businesses, makes investing and resource allocation decisions and assesses operating performance. The Company’s reportable segments are Performance Materials, Industrial Filtration, Thermal/Acoustical Metals, and Thermal/Acoustical Fibers. Other Products and Services (“OPS”) included Life Sciences Vital Fluids, which was sold on January 30, 2015. Performance Materials Segment The Performance Materials segment includes filtration media solutions primarily for air, fluid power, and industrial applications (“Filtration”), thermal insulation solutions for building products, appliances, and energy and industrial markets (“Thermal Insulation”), and air and liquid life science applications (“Life Sciences Filtration”). Filtration products include LydAir® MG (Micro-Glass) Air Filtration Media, LydAir® MB (Melt Blown) Air Filtration Media, LydAir® SC (Synthetic Composite) Air Filtration Media, and Arioso ™ Membrane Composite Media. These products constitute the critical media component of clean-air systems for applications in clean-space, commercial, industrial and residential HVAC, power generation, and industrial processes. Lydall has leveraged its extensive technical expertise and applications knowledge into a suite of media products covering the vast liquid filtration landscape across the engine and industrial fields. The LyPore® Liquid Filtration Media series address a variety of application needs in fluid power including hydraulic filters, air-water and air-oil coalescing, industrial fluid processes and diesel fuel filtration. Thermal Insulation products are high performance non-woven veils, papers, mats and specialty composites for the building products, appliance, and energy and industrial markets. The Manniglas® Thermal Insulation brand is diverse in its product application ranging from high temperature seals and gaskets in ovens and ranges to specialty veils for HVAC and cavity wall insulation. The appLY® Mat Needled Glass Mats have been developed to expand Lydall’s high temperature technology portfolio for broad application into the appliance market and supplements the Lytherm® Insulation Media product brand, traditionally utilized in the industrial market for kilns and furnaces used in metal processing. Lydall’s Cryotherm® Super-Insulating Media, CRS-Wrap® Super-Insulating Media and Cryo-Lite ™ Cryogenic Insulation products are industry standards for state-of-the-art cryogenic insulation designs used by manufacturers of cryogenic equipment for liquid gas storage, piping, and transportation. Life Sciences Filtration products have been developed to meet the requirements of life science applications including biopharmaceutical pre-filtration and clarification, diagnostic and analytical testing, respiratory protection, life protection, medical air filtration, drinking water filtration and high purity process filtration such as that found in food and beverage and medical applications. Lydall also offers Solupor® Membrane specialty microporous membranes that are utilized in various markets and applications including air and liquid filtration and transdermal drug delivery. Solupor® membranes incorporate a unique combination of mechanical strength, chemical inertness, and high porosity in a unique open structure. Industrial Filtration Segment The Industrial Filtration segment includes non-woven felt media and filter bags used primarily in industrial air and liquid filtration applications. Non-woven filter media is the most commonly used filter technology to satisfy increasing emission control regulations in a wide range of industries, including power, cement, steel, asphalt, incineration, mining, food, and pharmaceutical. The business also produces non-woven rolled-good media that is used in other commercial applications and media for automotive applications is supplied to the Company's Thermal/Acoustical Fibers segment. Industrial Filtration segment products include air and liquid filtration media sold under the brand names Fiberlox® high performance filtration felts, Checkstatic™ conductive filtration felts, Microfelt® high efficiency filtration felts, Pleatlox® pleatable filtration felts, Ultratech™ PTFE filtration felts, Powertech® and Powerlox® power generation filtration felts, Microcap® high efficiency liquid filtration felts, Duotech membrane composite filtration felts, along with traditional scrim supported filtration felts. Industrial Filtration also offers extensive finishing and coating capabilities which provide custom engineered properties tailored to meet the most demanding filtration applications. The business leverages a wide range of fiber types and extensive technical capabilities to provide products that meet our customers’ needs across a variety of applications providing both high performance and durability. Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment The Thermal/Acoustical Metals segment offers a full range of innovative engineered products for the transportation sector to assist primarily in the reduction of powertrain and road noise as well as thermally shield sensitive components from high heat. Lydall products are found in the underbody (tunnel, fuel tank, exhaust, rear muffler and spare tire) and under hood (engine compartment, turbo charger, and manifolds) of cars, trucks, SUVs, heavy duty trucks and recreational vehicles. Thermal/Acoustical Metals segment products are formed on production lines capable of combining multiple layers of metal and thermal or acoustical media to provide an engineered thermal and acoustical shielding solution for an array of application areas in the global automotive and truck markets. The flux® product family in Thermal/Acoustical Metals includes several patented or IP-rich products that address applications which include: Direct Exhaust Mount heat shields, which are mounted to high temperature surfaces like exhaust down-pipes, turbochargers or engine manifolds using aluminized and stainless steel with high performance heat insulating materials; Powertrain heat shields that absorb noise at the source or are acoustically transparent and do not contribute to the engine’s noise budget; and Durable and thermally robust solutions for sensitive plastic components such as fuel tanks that are in proximity to high temperature heat sources. Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment The Thermal/Acoustical Fibers segment offers innovative engineered products to assist primarily in noise vibration and harshness (NVH) abatement within the transportation sector. Lydall products are found in the interior (dash insulators, cabin flooring), underbody (wheel well, aerodynamic belly pan, fuel tank, exhaust) and under hood (engine compartment) of cars, trucks, SUVs, heavy duty trucks and recreational vehicles. Thermal/Acoustical Fibers segment products offer thermal and acoustical insulating solutions comprised of organic and inorganic fiber composites for the automotive and truck markets primarily in North America. Lydall’s dBCore® is a lightweight acoustical composite that emphasizes absorption principles over heavy-mass type systems. Lydall’s dBLyte® is a high-performance acoustical barrier with sound absorption and blocking properties and can be used throughout a vehicle’s interior to minimize intrusive noise from an engine compartment and road. Lydall’s ZeroClearance® is an innovative thermal solution that utilizes an adhesive backing for attachment and is used to protect vehicle components from excessive heat. Lydall’s specially engineered products provide a solution that provides weight reduction, superior noise suppression, and increased durability over conventional designs. Thermal/Acoustical Metals segment and Thermal/Acoustical Fibers segment operating results include allocations of certain costs shared between the segments. Other Products and Services The Life Sciences Vital Fluids business offered specialty products for blood filtration devices, blood transfusion single-use containers and the design and manufacture of single-use solutions for cell growth, frozen storage and fluid handling, as well as equipment for bioprocessing applications. On January 30, 2015, the Company sold all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its Life Sciences Vital Fluids business for a cash purchase price of $30.1 million . The disposition was completed pursuant to a Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated January 30, 2015, by and among the Company, and the buyer. The Company recognized an after-tax gain on the sale of this business of approximately $11.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. Net sales by segment and for OPS, as well as reconciling items, to equal consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Consolidated Net Sales For the Years Ended December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment: Filtration $ 62,716 $ 71,648 $ 64,752 Thermal Insulation 28,311 31,404 36,929 Life Sciences Filtration 10,451 12,814 10,320 Performance Materials Segment net sales 101,478 115,866 112,001 Industrial Filtration Segment: Industrial Filtration (1) 139,133 112,220 — Industrial Filtration net sales 139,133 112,220 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment: Metal parts 141,117 145,135 135,833 Tooling 19,815 19,130 22,573 Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment net sales 160,932 164,265 158,406 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment: Fiber parts 135,595 124,458 105,876 Tooling 3,152 4,133 8,444 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment net sales 138,747 128,591 114,320 Other Products and Services: Life Sciences Vital Fluids 1,671 19,682 17,175 Other Products and Services net sales 1,671 19,682 17,175 Eliminations and Other (1) (17,456 ) (4,795 ) (3,933 ) Consolidated Net Sales $ 524,505 $ 535,829 $ 397,969 (1) Included in the Industrial Filtration segment and Eliminations and Other is $13.8 million and $1.0 million in intercompany sales to the T/A Fibers segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Operating income by segment and for OPS and Corporate Office Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Operating Income For the Years Ended December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 6,790 $ 9,706 $ 9,462 Industrial Filtration Segment 13,431 6,412 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 15,517 13,823 14,088 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 37,086 29,167 21,486 Other Products and Services: Life Sciences Vital Fluids 118 1,582 778 Corporate Office Expenses (20,465 ) (26,642 ) (17,101 ) Consolidated Operating Income $ 52,477 $ 34,048 $ 28,713 Operating results in 2015 were negatively impacted by a $1.4 million long-lived asset impairment charge within the Performance Materials segment and unfavorable foreign currency translation of $2.0 million impacting the Performance Materials, T/A Metals and Industrial Filtration segments. Operating results in 2014 were negatively impacted by $2.1 million of purchase accounting adjustments relating to inventory step-up for the Industrial Filtration segment and a $2.9 million sales commission settlement within the T/A Metals segment. Corporate Office Expenses in 2014 were negatively impacted by a $4.9 million non-cash pension plan settlement charge and $2.6 million of transaction related costs. Corporate Office Expenses in 2013 were impacted by $1.2 million of transaction related costs. Total assets by segment and for OPS and the Corporate Office were as follows at December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 : Total Assets December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 66,706 $ 71,325 $ 74,838 Industrial Filtration Segment 89,566 100,201 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 111,195 106,210 104,908 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 38,881 33,109 30,176 Other Products and Services — 11,580 11,866 Corporate Office 51,912 39,345 52,897 Total Assets $ 358,260 $ 361,770 $ 274,685 Total capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization by segment and for OPS and the Corporate Office for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Capital Expenditures Depreciation and Amortization (2) (3) (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 3,519 $ 4,124 $ 4,604 $ 4,499 $ 4,654 $ 4,667 Industrial Filtration Segment 968 1,804 — 4,996 4,536 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 11,494 8,544 6,027 4,233 4,578 4,777 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 4,807 3,296 1,887 2,400 2,166 2,217 Other Products and Services 22 574 243 45 804 588 Corporate Office 745 659 1,065 1,102 908 454 Total $ 21,555 $ 19,001 $ 13,826 $ 17,275 $ 17,646 $ 12,703 (2) Other Products and Services reports results for the period preceding the date of disposition of the Vital Fluids Life Sciences business on January 30, 2015. (3) Industrial Filtration segment reports results for the period following the date of acquisition of February 20, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Net sales by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 and long-lived asset information by geographic area as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Net Sales Long-Lived Assets In thousands 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 United States (4),(5) $ 344,950 $ 345,864 $ 269,989 $ 76,502 $ 72,832 $ 48,787 France 47,495 52,534 47,831 12,899 13,861 16,436 Germany 68,861 77,896 77,229 10,149 12,366 13,287 United Kingdom (5) 26,598 26,387 — 6,399 7,601 — China (5) 33,885 29,401 — 9,953 11,225 — Other 2,716 3,747 2,920 815 795 1,815 Total $ 524,505 $ 535,829 $ 397,969 $ 116,717 $ 118,680 $ 80,325 (4) Other Products and Services reports results for the period preceding the date of disposition of the Vital Fluids Life Sciences business on January 30, 2015. (5) Industrial Filtration segment reports results for the period following the date of acquisition of February 20, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Foreign sales are based on the country in which the sales originated (i.e., where the Company’s legal entity is domiciled). Sales to Ford Motor Company in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were $95.4 million , $88.4 million , and $79.7 million , respectively, and accounted for 18.2% , 16.5% , and 20.0% of Lydall’s net sales in the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. Sales to Chrysler Group LLC in 2013 were $43.5 million and accounted for 10.9% of Lydall's net sales in the year ended 2013 . These sales were reported in the Thermal/Acoustical Metal and Thermal/Acoustical Fiber segments. No other customers accounted for more than 10.0% of total net sales in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income taxes consists of the following: For the years ended December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 18,291 $ 8,069 $ 5,477 State 1,204 1,334 709 Foreign 1,684 3,883 2,032 Total Current 21,179 13,286 8,218 Deferred: Federal $ 1,583 $ (42 ) $ 1,609 State 1,696 (1,626 ) (1,144 ) Foreign 306 191 504 Total Deferred 3,585 (1,477 ) 969 Provision for income taxes $ 24,764 $ 11,809 $ 9,187 The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual provision for income taxes and the provision computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate on earnings: For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes 2.9 0.8 2.9 Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, including state 1.3 1.3 (1.8 ) Research and development credits (1.5 ) (0.5 ) (1.1 ) Capitalized transaction costs — 2.0 — Domestic production activities deduction (1.6 ) (2.6 ) (2.7 ) Foreign income taxed at lower rates (1.3 ) (3.5 ) — Other 0.1 2.6 0.1 Effective income tax rate 34.9 % 35.1 % 32.4 % In 2015, the effective tax rate of 34.9% was positively impacted by a favorable mix of taxable income generated from countries with lower tax rates compared to that of the United States, resulting in a tax benefit of $1.0 million . The Company also recorded a tax benefit of $1.2 million attributable to the Domestic Production Activities Deduction and a tax benefit of $1.1 million related to research and development credits. These favorable adjustments were partially offset by tax expense of $0.9 million related to a net increase in valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets and by a $0.6 million reduction to state deferred tax assets as a result of state tax law changes that led the Company to deem the asset unrealizable in future periods. The net increase in valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets of $0.9 million in 2015 was primarily related to tax valuation allowances of $0.8 million recorded against certain net deferred tax assets in the Netherlands and China, as future realization of the assets is not reasonably assured. In 2014, the effective tax rate of 35.1% was positively impacted by a favorable mix of taxable income generated from countries with lower tax rates compared to that of the United States resulting in a tax benefit of $1.2 million and a tax benefit of $0.9 million attributable to the Domestic Production Activities Deduction. These favorable adjustments were partially offset by tax expense of $0.8 million related to nondeductible transaction costs from the Industrial Filtration acquisition, and a net increase in tax valuation allowances of $0.2 million . The other line item above is net of nondeductible expenses and other income and expense items. In 2013, the effective tax rate of 32.4% was positively impacted by the release of valuation allowances against state tax credit carryovers of $1.1 million , $0.8 million of benefit relating to Domestic Production Activities Deduction, and a tax benefit of $0.5 million related to the conclusion of certain U.S. federal income tax matters through the year ended December 31, 2009. These favorable tax adjustments were partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance established against a foreign net deferred tax asset. The $1.1 million reversal of valuation allowances against state tax credit carryovers included $0.3 million of state tax credits which offset 2013 state income taxes and $0.8 million expected to benefit future periods. The Company maintains valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets where realization is not reasonably assured. The Company evaluates the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduces the carrying amount to the extent it believes a portion will not be realized. The Company’s effective tax rates in future periods could be affected by earnings being lower or higher than anticipated in countries where tax rates differ from the United States federal rate, the relative impact of permanent tax adjustments on higher or lower earnings from domestic operations, changes in net deferred tax asset valuation allowances, completion of acquisitions or divestitures, changes in tax rates or tax laws and the outcome of tax audits. The following schedule presents net current and net long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities by tax jurisdiction as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Assets In thousands Current Long-term Current Long-term Federal $ 3,684 $ — $ 3,399 $ — State 147 134 711 1,408 Foreign 782 — 1,504 — Totals $ 4,613 $ 134 $ 5,614 $ 1,408 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities In thousands Current Long-term Current Long-term Federal $ — $ 12,504 $ — $ 10,562 State — — — — Foreign — 2,493 — 3,305 Totals $ — $ 14,997 $ — $ 13,867 Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 218 $ 211 Inventories 741 884 Net operating loss carryforwards 4,213 4,992 Other accrued liabilities 2,745 3,341 Pension 3,684 7,295 Tax Credits 1,634 1,879 Total deferred tax assets 13,235 18,602 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets 4,077 6,525 Property, plant and equipment 15,101 15,195 Total deferred tax liabilities 19,178 21,720 Valuation allowance 4,307 3,727 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (10,250 ) $ (6,845 ) For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , income before income taxes was derived from the following sources: For the years ended December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 United States $ 64,923 $ 27,463 $ 23,433 Foreign 6,100 6,193 4,909 Total income before income taxes $ 71,023 $ 33,656 $ 28,342 At December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $4.3 million of state net operating loss carryforward which expires in 2035 and 2036. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax asset for this carryforward as the Company anticipates paying a non-income based franchise tax for the foreseeable future in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, at December 31, 2015, the Company had $2.6 million of state tax credit carry forwards that expire between 2016 and 2031. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has provided a valuation reserve against $2.0 million of its state tax credit carryforwards. The Company also has $7.1 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers in China, $0.1 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers in France, $0.4 million of net operating loss carryovers in the United Kingdom and $9.2 million of net operating loss carryovers in the Netherlands. The Netherlands’ net operating losses expire between the years 2017 and 2024 and the China net operating losses expire between the years 2016 and 2020. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against $9.2 million of its net operating losses in the Netherlands and $3.6 million of its net operating losses in China as future realization is not reasonably assured. The Company evaluates and weighs the positive and negative evidence present at each period. The Company will continue to monitor the realization criteria based on future operating results. As of December 31, 2015 the Company has not paid U.S. income taxes on approximately $24.5 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company’s intention is to reinvest these earnings indefinitely or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax effective to do so. The Company estimates that the amount of tax that would be payable on the undistributed earnings if repatriated to the United States would fall in the range of $1.0 million to $6.0 million , based on current facts, but depending on the timing and extent of the repatriation. This amount may vary in the future due to a variety of factors including future tax law changes, future earnings and statutory taxes paid by foreign subsidiaries, and ongoing tax planning strategies by the Company. The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return, as well as returns required by various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities, including such major jurisdictions as the United States, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Within the next fiscal year, the Company expects to conclude certain federal income tax matters through the year ended December 31, 2012 and it is reasonably expected that net unrecognized benefits of $0.1 million may be recognized. The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized is $1.1 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations for years before 2012, state and local examinations for years before 2011, and non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2003. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: In thousands 2015 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $ 2,272 $ 1,864 Increases relating to positions taken in prior periods — 20 Increases relating to current period 49 388 Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities (336 ) — Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations (328 ) — Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $ 1,657 $ 2,272 The Company recognizes the interest accrued and the penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Leases The Company has operating leases that resulted in expense of $5.1 million in 2015 , $6.4 million in 2014 , and $4.0 million in 2013 . These contracts include building, office equipment, vehicle and machinery leases that require payment of property taxes, insurance, repairs and other operating costs. The Company has a capital lease agreement for the land and building at the St. Nazaire, France operating facility requiring monthly principal and interest payments until 2016. (See Note 6) Approximate future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases are: Payments due by period In thousands Operating Lease Payments Capital Lease Payments Total 2016 $ 4,385 $ 326 $ 4,711 2017 3,782 42 3,824 2018 2,284 42 2,326 2019 828 42 870 2020 526 35 561 Thereafter 603 — 603 Total 12,408 487 12,895 Interest on capital leases — (11 ) (11 ) Total $ 12,408 $ 476 $ 12,884 Commitments and Contingencies The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, investigations and inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of business such as, but not limited to, actions with respect to commercial, intellectual property, employment, personal injury and environmental matters. While the outcome of any matter is inherently uncertain and the Company cannot be sure that it will prevail in any of the cases, subject to the matter referenced below, the Company is not aware of any matters pending that are expected to be material with respect to the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Lydall Gerhardi GmbH & Co. KG ("Lydall Gerhardi"), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and part of the Thermal/Acoustical Metals segment, is cooperating with the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) in connection with an investigation, initiated in the second quarter of 2014, relating to possible violations of German anti-trust laws by and among certain European automotive heat shield manufacturers, including Lydall Gerhardi. The Company has been conducting an internal investigation utilizing outside counsel. In the course of this internal investigation, the Company has discovered instances of inappropriate conduct by certain German employees of Lydall Gerhardi. The Company has disclosed its findings in an application for leniency submitted to the German Federal Cartel Office on July 22, 2014. The Company is continuing its internal investigation and has taken, and will continue to take, remedial actions. The German Federal Cartel Office has wide discretion in fixing the amount of a fine, up to a maximum fine of ten percent ( 10% ) of the Company’s annual revenue of the year preceding the year in which the fine is imposed. The Company believes a loss is probable. However, in light of the uncertainties and variables involved, the Company is unable to estimate either the timing or the amount of the loss associated with this matter. There can be no assurance that this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following table provides a reconciliation of weighted-average shares used to determine basic and diluted earnings per share. For the years ended In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Basic average common shares outstanding 16,746 16,662 16,570 Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock awards 338 341 296 Diluted average common shares outstanding 17,084 17,003 16,866 For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , stock options for 0.1 million , less than 0.1 million , and 0.2 million shares of Common Stock, respectively, were not considered in computing diluted earnings per common share as the stock options were considered anti-dilutive.

Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) The following table summarizes quarterly financial results for 2015 and 2014 . In management’s opinion, all material adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information for such quarters have been reflected. 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter In thousands except per share data 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net sales $ 127,306 $ 125,226 $ 134,561 $ 148,793 $ 131,240 $ 134,227 $ 131,398 $ 127,583 Gross profit $ 27,700 $ 26,199 $ 33,889 $ 34,653 $ 31,691 $ 28,564 $ 29,217 $ 25,562 Net income $ 18,937 $ 3,716 $ 10,817 $ 8,240 $ 11,186 $ 4,158 $ 5,319 $ 5,733 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 1.12 $ 0.22 $ 0.65 $ 0.50 $ 0.67 $ 0.25 $ 0.32 $ 0.34 Diluted $ 1.11 $ 0.22 $ 0.64 $ 0.49 $ 0.66 $ 0.24 $ 0.31 $ 0.34 The table above includes the quarterly results of Industrial Filtration since the acquisition date of February 20, 2014 and Other Products and Services preceding the disposition date of January 30, 2015. Net income during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was positively impacted by an after-tax gain of $11.8 million due to the sale of Life Sciences Vital Fluids. Net income during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was positively impacted by discrete tax benefits of $1.2 million , related to the completion of a tax credit project and the release of reserves for previously uncertain tax positions. Net income during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was negatively impacted by a $1.4 million long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech and $1.2 million of a discrete income tax charges related to changes in state tax legislation. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company identified an error in its income tax expense related to a state tax credit carryforward that resulted in the overstatement of net income by $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The correction of this error was recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and reduced net income by $0.4 million , or $0.02 per share. The Company evaluated the impact of the error and determined it to be immaterial to both the third and fourth quarters of 2015. Gross profit during the quarters ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, and September 30, 2014 were negatively impacted by purchase accounting adjustments of $1.3 million , $0.5 million , and $0.2 million , respectively, related to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration. These purchase accounting adjustments reduced net income by $0.9 million , $0.4 million and $0.2 million during the quarters ended March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively. (See Note 2) Net income during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was negatively impacted by $2.2 million of transaction related costs due to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration. Net income during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was negatively impacted by a $2.0 million sales commission settlement within the T/A Metals segment. Net income during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, was negatively impacted by $3.0 million , related to a non-cash pension plan settlement charge associated with the Company's domestic defined benefit pension plan. (See Note 8)

Recently Issued Accounting Stan

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-11, “Inventory" (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." This ASU requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail inventory method. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). This ASU provides guidance for revenue recognition and affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is the recognition of revenue when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date", which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes" (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes". This ASU requires an entity to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this ASU. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall" (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities". This ASU revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Changes in Accumulated Other Co

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table discloses the changes by classification within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : In thousands Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Pension Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 3,178 $ (21,544 ) $ (18,366 ) Other Comprehensive income 2,950 5,909 (a) 8,859 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 663 (b) 663 Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 6,128 $ (14,972 ) $ (8,844 ) Other Comprehensive loss (12,714 ) (6,099 ) (a) (18,813 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 3,496 (b) 3,496 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (6,586 ) $ (17,575 ) $ (24,161 ) Other Comprehensive loss (10,334 ) (637 ) (a) (10,971 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 547 (b) 547 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (16,920 ) $ (17,665 ) $ (34,585 ) (a) Amount represents actuarial (losses) gains arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. This amount was $(0.6) million , net of $0.4 million tax benefit, for 2015 , $(6.1) million , net of a $3.7 million tax benefit, for 2014 and $5.9 million , net of $3.6 million tax expense in 2013 . (See Note 8) (b) Amount represents the amortization of actuarial losses to pension expense arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. This amount was $0.5 million , net of $0.3 million tax benefit in 2015 , $3.5 million , net of $2.1 million tax benefit, which included $3.0 million , net of $1.9 million tax benefit for pension settlement costs in 2014, and $0.7 million , net of $0.4 million tax benefit in 2013 . (See Note 8)

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II LYDALL, INC. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	Schedule II LYDALL, INC. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED December 31, 2015 , 2014 AND 2013 In thousands Balance at January 1, Charges to Costs and Expenses Charges (Deductions) to Other Accounts Deductions Balance at December 31, 2015 Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 709 $ 855 $ (53 ) 2 $ (260 ) 1 $ 1,251 Tax valuation allowances 3,727 1,615 (272 ) 2 (763 ) 3 4,307 2014 Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 480 $ 384 $ (39 ) 2 $ (116 ) 1 $ 709 Tax valuation allowances 3,315 1,120 193 2,4 (901 ) 3 3,727 2013 Allowance for doubtful receivables $ 469 $ 60 $ 15 2 $ (64 ) 1 $ 480 Tax valuation allowances 3,587 855 — (1,127 ) 3 3,315 1. Uncollected receivables written off and recoveries. 2. Foreign currency translation and other adjustments. 3. Reduction to income tax expense. 4. Adjustments relating to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration.

Significant Accounting Polici27

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of consolidation	Principles of consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Lydall, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Estimates and assumptions	Estimates and assumptions — The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Risks and uncertainties	Risks and uncertainties — Worldwide economic cycles and political changes affect the markets that the Company’s businesses serve and affect demand for Lydall’s products and impact profitability. Among other factors, disruptions in the global credit and financial markets, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, swings in consumer confidence and spending, unstable economic growth and fluctuations in unemployment rates has caused economic instability and can have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Concentration of credit risk	Concentrations of credit risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in high-quality financial institutions. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited by the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographies.
Inventories	Inventories — Inventories are valued at lower of cost or market, cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method. Inventories in excess of requirements for current or anticipated orders have been written down to net realizable value.
Pre-production design and development costs	Pre-production design and development costs — The Company enters into contractual agreements with certain customers to design and develop molds, dies and tools (collectively, “tooling”). All such tooling contracts relate to parts that the Company will supply to customers under long-term supply agreements. Tooling costs are accumulated in work-in process inventory and are charged to operations as the related revenue from the tooling is recognized. Revenue is recognized as tooling is delivered and accepted by the customer. The Company also may progress bill on certain tooling being constructed. These billings are recorded as progress billings (a reduction of the associated work-in-process inventory) until the appropriate revenue recognition criteria have been met. Periodically, the Company enters into contractually guaranteed reimbursement arrangements as a mechanism to collect amounts due from customers from tooling sales. Under these arrangements, amounts due from tooling sales are collected as parts are delivered over the part supply arrangement, in accordance with the specific terms of the arrangement. The amounts due from the customer in such transactions are recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net” or “Other assets, net” based upon the expected term of the reimbursement arrangement. The following tooling related assets were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December, 31 In thousands 2015 2014 Inventories, net of progress billings and reserves $ 9,220 $ 8,832 Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net 266 30 Total tooling related assets $ 9,486 $ 8,862 Amounts included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net” include the short-term portion of receivables due under contractually guaranteed reimbursement arrangements.
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Assets held under capital leases are recorded at the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property, plant and equipment, including property, plant and equipment under capital leases, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the life of the asset, whichever is shorter. The cost and accumulated depreciation amounts applicable to assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and any net gain or loss is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenses for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets — Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired companies. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 14 years. In performing impairment tests, the Company considers discounted cash flows and other market factors as best evidence of fair value. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these analyses.
Valuation of long-lived assets	Valuation of long-lived assets — The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, or asset groups, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Should such evaluations indicate that the related future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying values of the assets, such carrying values would be reduced to fair value and this adjusted carrying value would become the assets’ new cost basis. Fair value is determined primarily using future anticipated cash flows that are directly associated with, and that are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset, or asset group, as well as market conditions and other factors. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these analyses.
Employer sponsored benefit plans	Employer sponsored benefit plans — The Company recognizes the funded status of its domestic defined benefit pension plan. Net benefit obligations are calculated based on actuarial valuations using key assumptions related to discount rates, mortality rates and expected return on plan assets.
Derivative instruments	Derivative instruments — Derivative instruments are measured at fair value and recognized as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in either current or non-current other assets or other accrued liabilities or other long-term liabilities depending upon maturity and commitment. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedge transaction affects earnings. In general, the types of risks being hedged by the Company are related to the variability of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and hedging the impact of variability of foreign exchange rates on recorded intercompany assets or liabilities. Lydall’s objective for entering into derivative instruments has always been for risk management purposes. The Company does not engage in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. Lydall has historically not been a party to a significant number of derivative instruments.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition — The Company recognizes revenue (1) once evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) product delivery has occurred; (3) pricing is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured. The four criteria required to recognize revenue are considered to be met, and the passage of title to the customer occurs, at the respective FOB point and, therefore, revenue is recognized at that time. The Company’s standard sales and shipping terms are FOB shipping point, therefore, substantially all revenue is recognized upon shipment. However, the Company conducts business with certain customers on FOB destination terms and in these instances revenue is recognized upon receipt by the customer. The Company generally does not provide specific customer inspection or acceptance provisions in its sales terms, with the exception of tooling sales discussed in “Pre-production design and development costs” above. Sales returns and allowances are recorded as identified or communicated by the customer and internally approved. The Company does not provide customers with general rights of return for products sold; however, in limited circumstances, the Company will allow sales returns and allowances from customers if the products sold do not conform to specifications. Shipping and handling costs consist primarily of costs incurred to deliver products to customers and internal costs related to preparing products for shipment and are recorded in cost of sales. Amounts billed to customers as shipping and handling are classified as revenue.
Research and development	Research and development — Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and amounted to $8.5 million in 2015 , $9.0 million in 2014 , and $7.6 million in 2013 . Research and development costs were primarily comprised of development personnel salaries, prototype material costs and testing and trials of new products.
Earnings per share	Earnings per share — Basic earnings per common share are equal to net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are equal to net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of stock options and stock awards, if such effect is dilutive.
Income taxes	Income taxes — The provision for income taxes is based upon income reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of income and expense recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes. In the event the Company was to determine that it would not be able to realize all or a portion of its deferred tax assets in the future, the Company would record a valuation allowance through a charge to income in the period that such determination was made. Conversely, if the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net carrying amounts, the Company would decrease the recorded valuation allowance and record an increase to income in the period that such determination was made.
Translation of foreign currencies	Translation of foreign currencies — Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Any resulting translation gains or losses are reported in other comprehensive income (loss).
Stock options and share grants	Stock options and share grants — The Company accounts for awards of equity instruments under the fair value method of accounting and recognizes such amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award. Stock-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures, and such estimates of forfeitures are adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. The effect of changes in estimated forfeitures is recognized in the period of change and also impacts the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. The Company estimates the fair value of option grants based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatility and expected term are based on historical information. The Company believes that its future volatility and expected term are not likely to materially differ from the Company’s historical stock price volatility and historical exercise data, respectively. Compensation expense for all restricted stock awards is recorded based on the market value of the stock on the grant date and recognized as expense over the vesting period of the award. Compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock is also impacted by the probability of achieving the performance targets.
Recently adopted accounting standards	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08 “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company evaluated the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-08 had on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures related to the January 2015 sale of its Life Sciences Vital Fluids business and determined that the sale of this business did not qualify as a discontinued operation.

Significant Accounting Polici28

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet	The following tooling related assets were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December, 31 In thousands 2015 2014 Inventories, net of progress billings and reserves $ 9,220 $ 8,832 Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net 266 30 Total tooling related assets $ 9,486 $ 8,862

Acquisition and Divestiture (Ta

Acquisition and Divestiture (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Values of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed at Date of Acquisition	The following table summarizes the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition: In thousands Cash $ 7,493 Accounts Receivable 26,779 Inventory 25,046 Other current assets 2,894 Property, plant and equipment 38,780 Deferred Taxes 2,501 Intangible assets (Note 5) 5,596 Goodwill (Note 5) 3,943 Total assets acquired 113,032 Other liabilities (18,002 ) Deferred taxes (8,130 ) Total liabilities assumed (26,132 ) Net assets acquired $ 86,900
Unaudited Pro Forma Operating Results	The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma operating results of the Company for years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which give effect to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration as if it had occurred on January 1, 2013. The pro forma information includes the historical financial results of the Company and Industrial Filtration. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred had the acquisition been effective January 1, 2013, nor are they intended to be indicative of results that may occur in the future. The pro forma information does not include the effects of any synergies related to the acquisition. (Unaudited Pro Forma) For The Years Ended In thousands 2014 2013 Net Sales $ 553,345 $ 525,134 Net Income $ 26,302 $ 21,500 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.58 $ 1.30 Diluted $ 1.55 $ 1.27

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Raw materials $ 17,128 $ 21,248 Work in process 14,670 15,753 Finished goods 15,048 15,348 46,846 52,349 Less: Progress billings (316 ) (1,108 ) Total inventories $ 46,530 $ 51,241

Property, Plant and Equipment31

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Estimated Useful Lives December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Land – $ 2,636 $ 2,773 Buildings and improvements 10-35 years 55,887 56,562 Machinery and equipment 5-25 years 195,125 197,804 Office equipment 2-8 years 30,622 31,139 Vehicles 3-6 years 864 930 Assets under capital leases: Land – 546 609 Buildings and improvements 10-35 years 4,798 5,345 290,478 295,162 Accumulated depreciation (185,356 ) (186,510 ) Accumulated amortization of capital leases (2,829 ) (2,944 ) 102,293 105,708 Construction in progress 12,140 9,649 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 114,433 $ 115,357

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross and net Carrying Amounts of Goodwill	Gross and net carrying amounts of goodwill at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: In thousands Performance Materials Industrial Filtration Thermal/ Acoustical Metals Other Products and Services Totals Goodwill $ 13,340 $ 3,943 $ 12,160 $ 5,787 $ 35,230 Accumulated amortization/impairment — — (12,160 ) (1,127 ) (13,287 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 13,340 3,943 — 4,660 21,943 Goodwill 12,898 3,943 12,160 — 29,001 Accumulated amortization/impairment — — (12,160 ) — (12,160 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12,898 $ 3,943 $ — $ — $ 16,841
Changes in the Carrying Amounts of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill in 2014 and 2015 were as follows: In thousands Performance Materials Industrial Filtration Other Products and Services Totals Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 13,929 $ — $ 4,660 $ 18,589 Goodwill adjustment — 3,943 — 3,943 Currency translation adjustment (589 ) — — (589 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 13,340 3,943 4,660 21,943 Goodwill adjustment — — (4,660 ) (4,660 ) Currency translation adjustment (442 ) — — (442 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12,898 $ 3,943 $ — $ 16,841
Amortization of the Companys Acquired Intangible Assets other than Goodwill	The table below presents the gross carrying amount and, as applicable, the accumulated amortization of the Company’s acquired intangible assets other than goodwill included in “Other intangible assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 In thousands Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Amortized intangible assets License agreements $ 771 $ (771 ) $ 818 $ (818 ) Technology 2,500 (310 ) 2,500 (143 ) Customer Relationships 2,412 (411 ) 2,477 (195 ) Patents 4,137 (3,272 ) 6,037 (3,274 ) Other 612 (269 ) 691 (252 ) Total amortized intangible assets $ 10,432 $ (5,033 ) $ 12,523 $ (4,682 )

Long-term Debt and Financing 33

Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Total outstanding debt consists of: December 31, In thousands Effective Rate Maturity 2015 2014 Revolver Loan, due January 31, 2019 1.42% 2019 $ 20,000 $ 40,000 Capital Lease, land and building, St. Nazaire, France 5.44% 2016 277 893 Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina 5.00% 2017 9 37 Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina 1.65% 2020 193 — 20,479 40,930 Less portion due within one year (323 ) (615 ) Total long-term debt $ 20,156 $ 40,315

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl34

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Funded Status	Plan assets and benefit obligations of the domestic defined benefit pension plan are as follows: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation: Net benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 50,827 $ 53,427 Interest cost 2,066 2,348 Actuarial loss (gain) (2,430 ) 7,654 Gross benefits paid (2,382 ) (12,602 ) Net benefit obligation at end of year $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 33,275 $ 40,680 Actual return on plan assets (1,106 ) 945 Contributions 5,626 4,252 Gross benefits paid (2,382 ) (12,602 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 35,413 $ 33,275 Net benefit obligation in excess of plan assets $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Balance sheet amounts: Noncurrent liabilities $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Total liabilities $ (12,668 ) $ (17,552 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax consist of: Net actuarial loss $ 17,313 $ 17,228 Net amount recognized $ 17,313 $ 17,228
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets	Aggregated information for the domestic defined benefit pension plan with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is provided in the tables below: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Projected benefit obligation $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 48,081 $ 50,827 Fair value of plan assets $ 35,413 $ 33,275
Summary of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Domestic Pension Plan	Components of net periodic benefit cost for the domestic pension plan: December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Interest cost $ 2,066 $ 2,348 $ 2,453 Expected return on plan assets (2,360 ) (2,798 ) (2,691 ) Amortization of actuarial net loss 897 725 1,069 Pension settlement cost — 4,914 — Total net periodic benefit cost $ 603 $ 5,189 $ 831
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized	The major assumptions used in determining the year-end benefit obligation and annual net cost for the domestic pension plan are presented in the following table: Benefit Obligation Net Cost For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.56 % 4.16 % 4.16 % 5.09 % 4.16 % Expected return on plan assets 7.00 % 7.25 % 7.25 % 7.25 % 7.50 %
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	The following table presents the target allocation of pension plan assets for 2016 and the actual allocation of plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 by major asset category: Target Allocation Actual Allocation of Plan Assets Asset Category 2016 2015 2014 Equity securities: U.S. Equity 22% - 60% 42 % 43 % Non-U.S. 15% - 25% 21 % 19 % Emerging Markets 3% - 9% 6 % 6 % Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 12% - 38% 25 % 26 % Non-U.S. Bond funds 2% - 8% 3 % 3 % Real estate investment trusts 0% - 8% — % — % Cash and cash equivalents 0% - 5% 3 % 3 %
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : December 31, 2015 In thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities: U.S. Equity $ 14,789 $ — $ — $ 14,789 Non-U.S. 7,356 — — 7,356 Emerging Markets 2,027 — — 2,027 Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 8,915 — — 8,915 Non-U.S. Bond funds 1,034 — — 1,034 Real estate investment trusts 195 — — 195 Cash and cash equivalents 1,097 — — 1,097 Total Assets at Fair Value $ 35,413 $ — $ — $ 35,413 December 31, 2014 In thousands Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities: U.S. Equity $ 14,272 $ — $ — $ 14,272 Non-U.S. 6,432 — — 6,432 Emerging Markets 1,896 — — 1,896 Fixed income securities: U.S. Bond funds 8,528 — — 8,528 Non-U.S. Bond funds 917 — — 917 Real estate investment trusts 170 — — 170 Cash and cash equivalents 1,060 — — 1,060 Total Assets at Fair Value $ 33,275 $ — $ — $ 33,275
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	The Company expects to contribute approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million in cash to its domestic defined benefit pension plan in 2016 . Estimated future benefit payments for the next 10 years are as follows: In thousands 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020-2024 Benefit payments $ 2,385 $ 2,443 $ 2,519 $ 2,655 $ 2,802 $ 14,704

Equity Compensation Plans (Tabl

Equity Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the years ended December 31: 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.8 % 1.6 % 1.7 % Expected life 5.5 years 5.1 years 5.2 years Expected volatility 43 % 46 % 65 % Expected dividend yield — % — % — %
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity	The following is a summary of the option activity as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the year then ended: In thousands except per share amounts and years Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 609 $ 14.81 Granted 92 $ 36.74 Exercised (166) $ 10.21 Forfeited/Cancelled (72) $ 19.08 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 463 $ 20.15 7.2 $ 7,213 Options exercisable at December 31, 2015 241 $ 12.37 5.6 $ 5,569 Expected to vest at December 31, 2015 209 $ 28.55 9.0 $ 1,556
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following is a summary of the Company’s unvested restricted shares for the year ended and as of December 31, 2015 : In thousands except per share amounts Outstanding Restricted Shares Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 459 $ 19.17 Granted 72 $ 34.09 Vested (41) $ 14.69 Forfeited/Cancelled (147) $ 16.43 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 343 $ 24.01 Expected to vest at December 31, 2015 307 $ 25.88

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net Sales by Segment and for OPS, Reconciling Items to Equal to Consolidated Net Sales	Net sales by segment and for OPS, as well as reconciling items, to equal consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Consolidated Net Sales For the Years Ended December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment: Filtration $ 62,716 $ 71,648 $ 64,752 Thermal Insulation 28,311 31,404 36,929 Life Sciences Filtration 10,451 12,814 10,320 Performance Materials Segment net sales 101,478 115,866 112,001 Industrial Filtration Segment: Industrial Filtration (1) 139,133 112,220 — Industrial Filtration net sales 139,133 112,220 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment: Metal parts 141,117 145,135 135,833 Tooling 19,815 19,130 22,573 Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment net sales 160,932 164,265 158,406 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment: Fiber parts 135,595 124,458 105,876 Tooling 3,152 4,133 8,444 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment net sales 138,747 128,591 114,320 Other Products and Services: Life Sciences Vital Fluids 1,671 19,682 17,175 Other Products and Services net sales 1,671 19,682 17,175 Eliminations and Other (1) (17,456 ) (4,795 ) (3,933 ) Consolidated Net Sales $ 524,505 $ 535,829 $ 397,969 (1) Included in the Industrial Filtration segment and Eliminations and Other is $13.8 million and $1.0 million in intercompany sales to the T/A Fibers segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Operating income by segment and for OPS and Corporate Office Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Operating Income For the Years Ended December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 6,790 $ 9,706 $ 9,462 Industrial Filtration Segment 13,431 6,412 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 15,517 13,823 14,088 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 37,086 29,167 21,486 Other Products and Services: Life Sciences Vital Fluids 118 1,582 778 Corporate Office Expenses (20,465 ) (26,642 ) (17,101 ) Consolidated Operating Income $ 52,477 $ 34,048 $ 28,713
Total Assets By Segment	Total assets by segment and for OPS and the Corporate Office were as follows at December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 : Total Assets December 31, (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 66,706 $ 71,325 $ 74,838 Industrial Filtration Segment 89,566 100,201 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 111,195 106,210 104,908 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 38,881 33,109 30,176 Other Products and Services — 11,580 11,866 Corporate Office 51,912 39,345 52,897 Total Assets $ 358,260 $ 361,770 $ 274,685 Total capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization by segment and for OPS and the Corporate Office for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Capital Expenditures Depreciation and Amortization (2) (3) (2) (3) In thousands 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Performance Materials Segment $ 3,519 $ 4,124 $ 4,604 $ 4,499 $ 4,654 $ 4,667 Industrial Filtration Segment 968 1,804 — 4,996 4,536 — Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment 11,494 8,544 6,027 4,233 4,578 4,777 Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment 4,807 3,296 1,887 2,400 2,166 2,217 Other Products and Services 22 574 243 45 804 588 Corporate Office 745 659 1,065 1,102 908 454 Total $ 21,555 $ 19,001 $ 13,826 $ 17,275 $ 17,646 $ 12,703
Net Sales by Geographic Area	Net sales by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 and long-lived asset information by geographic area as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: Net Sales Long-Lived Assets In thousands 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 United States (4),(5) $ 344,950 $ 345,864 $ 269,989 $ 76,502 $ 72,832 $ 48,787 France 47,495 52,534 47,831 12,899 13,861 16,436 Germany 68,861 77,896 77,229 10,149 12,366 13,287 United Kingdom (5) 26,598 26,387 — 6,399 7,601 — China (5) 33,885 29,401 — 9,953 11,225 — Other 2,716 3,747 2,920 815 795 1,815 Total $ 524,505 $ 535,829 $ 397,969 $ 116,717 $ 118,680 $ 80,325

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Provision for Income Taxes	The provision for income taxes consists of the following: For the years ended December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 18,291 $ 8,069 $ 5,477 State 1,204 1,334 709 Foreign 1,684 3,883 2,032 Total Current 21,179 13,286 8,218 Deferred: Federal $ 1,583 $ (42 ) $ 1,609 State 1,696 (1,626 ) (1,144 ) Foreign 306 191 504 Total Deferred 3,585 (1,477 ) 969 Provision for income taxes $ 24,764 $ 11,809 $ 9,187
Reconciliation of the Difference between the Actual Provisions for Income Taxes	The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual provision for income taxes and the provision computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate on earnings: For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Statutory federal income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes 2.9 0.8 2.9 Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, including state 1.3 1.3 (1.8 ) Research and development credits (1.5 ) (0.5 ) (1.1 ) Capitalized transaction costs — 2.0 — Domestic production activities deduction (1.6 ) (2.6 ) (2.7 ) Foreign income taxed at lower rates (1.3 ) (3.5 ) — Other 0.1 2.6 0.1 Effective income tax rate 34.9 % 35.1 % 32.4 %
Schedule Presents Net Current and Net Long-Term Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities by Tax Jurisdiction	The following schedule presents net current and net long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities by tax jurisdiction as of December 31, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Assets In thousands Current Long-term Current Long-term Federal $ 3,684 $ — $ 3,399 $ — State 147 134 711 1,408 Foreign 782 — 1,504 — Totals $ 4,613 $ 134 $ 5,614 $ 1,408 2015 2014 Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities In thousands Current Long-term Current Long-term Federal $ — $ 12,504 $ — $ 10,562 State — — — — Foreign — 2,493 — 3,305 Totals $ — $ 14,997 $ — $ 13,867
Components of Deferred Tax Asset and Liability	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 : December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 218 $ 211 Inventories 741 884 Net operating loss carryforwards 4,213 4,992 Other accrued liabilities 2,745 3,341 Pension 3,684 7,295 Tax Credits 1,634 1,879 Total deferred tax assets 13,235 18,602 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets 4,077 6,525 Property, plant and equipment 15,101 15,195 Total deferred tax liabilities 19,178 21,720 Valuation allowance 4,307 3,727 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (10,250 ) $ (6,845 )
Schedule of Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes	For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , income before income taxes was derived from the following sources: For the years ended December 31, In thousands 2015 2014 2013 United States $ 64,923 $ 27,463 $ 23,433 Foreign 6,100 6,193 4,909 Total income before income taxes $ 71,023 $ 33,656 $ 28,342
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: In thousands 2015 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $ 2,272 $ 1,864 Increases relating to positions taken in prior periods — 20 Increases relating to current period 49 388 Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities (336 ) — Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations (328 ) — Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $ 1,657 $ 2,272

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments	Approximate future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases are: Payments due by period In thousands Operating Lease Payments Capital Lease Payments Total 2016 $ 4,385 $ 326 $ 4,711 2017 3,782 42 3,824 2018 2,284 42 2,326 2019 828 42 870 2020 526 35 561 Thereafter 603 — 603 Total 12,408 487 12,895 Interest on capital leases — (11 ) (11 ) Total $ 12,408 $ 476 $ 12,884

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Used to Determine Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table provides a reconciliation of weighted-average shares used to determine basic and diluted earnings per share. For the years ended In thousands 2015 2014 2013 Basic average common shares outstanding 16,746 16,662 16,570 Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock awards 338 341 296 Diluted average common shares outstanding 17,084 17,003 16,866

Quarterly Financial Informati40

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summarizes Quarterly Financial Results	The following table summarizes quarterly financial results for 2015 and 2014 . In management’s opinion, all material adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information for such quarters have been reflected. 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter In thousands except per share data 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net sales $ 127,306 $ 125,226 $ 134,561 $ 148,793 $ 131,240 $ 134,227 $ 131,398 $ 127,583 Gross profit $ 27,700 $ 26,199 $ 33,889 $ 34,653 $ 31,691 $ 28,564 $ 29,217 $ 25,562 Net income $ 18,937 $ 3,716 $ 10,817 $ 8,240 $ 11,186 $ 4,158 $ 5,319 $ 5,733 Earnings per common share: Basic $ 1.12 $ 0.22 $ 0.65 $ 0.50 $ 0.67 $ 0.25 $ 0.32 $ 0.34 Diluted $ 1.11 $ 0.22 $ 0.64 $ 0.49 $ 0.66 $ 0.24 $ 0.31 $ 0.34

Changes in Accumulated Other 41

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Changes By Classification Within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table discloses the changes by classification within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : In thousands Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Pension Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 3,178 $ (21,544 ) $ (18,366 ) Other Comprehensive income 2,950 5,909 (a) 8,859 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 663 (b) 663 Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 6,128 $ (14,972 ) $ (8,844 ) Other Comprehensive loss (12,714 ) (6,099 ) (a) (18,813 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 3,496 (b) 3,496 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (6,586 ) $ (17,575 ) $ (24,161 ) Other Comprehensive loss (10,334 ) (637 ) (a) (10,971 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 547 (b) 547 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (16,920 ) $ (17,665 ) $ (34,585 ) (a) Amount represents actuarial (losses) gains arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. This amount was $(0.6) million , net of $0.4 million tax benefit, for 2015 , $(6.1) million , net of a $3.7 million tax benefit, for 2014 and $5.9 million , net of $3.6 million tax expense in 2013 . (See Note 8) (b) Amount represents the amortization of actuarial losses to pension expense arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. This amount was $0.5 million , net of $0.3 million tax benefit in 2015 , $3.5 million , net of $2.1 million tax benefit, which included $3.0 million , net of $1.9 million tax benefit for pension settlement costs in 2014, and $0.7 million , net of $0.4 million tax benefit in 2013 . (See Note 8)

Significant Accounting Polici42

Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total tooling related assets	$ 9,486	$ 8,862
Inventories, net of progress billings and reserves
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total tooling related assets	9,220	8,832
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Total tooling related assets	$ 266	$ 30

Significant Accounting Polici43

Significant Accounting Policies (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of foreign and export sales	44.20%	46.20%	45.20%
Export sales	$ 52,500	$ 57,600	$ 52,100
Percentage of sales to automotive market	56.60%	54.10%	68.50%
Progress billings adjustment	$ (316)	$ (1,108)
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life	10 years
Research and development expense	$ 8,500	$ 9,000	$ 7,600
Minimum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life	4 years
Maximum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life	14 years
Ford Motor Company
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of accounts receivable from significant customer	13.20%
Percentage of foreign and export sales	18.20%	16.50%	20.00%
Chrysler Group Llc
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of foreign and export sales			10.90%

Acquisition and Divestiture (Di

Acquisition and Divestiture (Divestiture Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain on sale			$ 18,647	$ 0	$ 0
Vital Fluids
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Business sold cash received	$ 30,100
Pre-tax gain on sale		$ 18,600
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Vital Fluids
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Business sold cash received	$ 30,100
Gain on disposal of business		11,800
Life Sciences Vital Fluids | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of business		$ 11,800

Acquisition and Divestiture (Ac

Acquisition and Divestiture (Acquisition Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 20, 2014	Feb. 18, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash acquired	$ 7,493,000
Andrew Industries Limited
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Payment to acquire business	86,900,000
Cash acquired	7,500,000
Post-closing adjustment	200,000
Purchase price borrowings	60,000,000
Amended Credit Facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity increased value	$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Acquisition-related Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues			$ 2,600,000	$ (2,600,000)
Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues			$ 2,100,000	(2,600,000)
Interest Expense Associated with Borrowings Under the Company's Amended Credit Facility
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues				(900,000)
Excluded Acquisition-related Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Revenues				$ 1,200,000

Acquisition and Divestiture (46

Acquisition and Divestiture (Acquisition, Fair Values of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) $ in Thousands	Feb. 20, 2014USD ($)
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Cash	$ 7,493
Accounts Receivable	26,779
Inventory	25,046
Other current assets	2,894
Property, plant and equipment	38,780
Deferred Taxes	2,501
Intangible assets	5,596
Goodwill	3,943
Total assets acquired	113,032
Other liabilities	(18,002)
Deferred taxes	(8,130)
Total liabilities assumed	(26,132)
Net assets acquired	$ 86,900

Acquisition and Divestiture (Un

Acquisition and Divestiture (Unaudited Pro Forma Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 553,345	$ 525,134
Net Income	$ 26,302	$ 21,500
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.58	$ 1.30
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.55	$ 1.27

Inventories (Summary of Invento

Inventories (Summary of Inventories) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 17,128	$ 21,248
Work in process	14,670	15,753
Finished goods	15,048	15,348
Inventory, Gross, Total	46,846	52,349
Less: Progress billings	(316)	(1,108)
Total inventories	$ 46,530	$ 51,241

Inventories (Additional Informa

Inventories (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross tooling inventory	$ 9.5	$ 9.9
Tooling inventory, net of progress billings	$ 9.2	$ 8.8

Property, Plant and Equipment50

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 290,478	$ 295,162
Accumulated depreciation	(185,356)	(186,510)
Accumulated amortization of capital leases	(2,829)	(2,944)
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property And Equipment Net Excluding Work In Progress	102,293	105,708
Construction in progress	12,140	9,649
Total property, plant and equipment, net	114,433	115,357
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	2,636	2,773
Land | Assets Held Under Capital Leases
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	546	609
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 55,887	56,562
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	35 years
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	10 years
Buildings and improvements | Assets Held Under Capital Leases
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 4,798	5,345
Buildings and improvements | Assets Held Under Capital Leases | Maximum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	35 years
Buildings and improvements | Assets Held Under Capital Leases | Minimum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	10 years
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 195,125	197,804
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	25 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 30,622	31,139
Office equipment | Maximum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	8 years
Office equipment | Minimum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	2 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 864	$ 930
Vehicles | Maximum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	6 years
Vehicles | Minimum
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment useful life	3 years

Property, Plant and Equipment51

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 16.4	$ 16.7	$ 12.1

Goodwill and Intangible Asset52

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Gross and Net Carrying Amounts of Goodwill) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 29,001	$ 35,230
Accumulated amortization/impairment	(12,160)	(13,287)
Goodwill	16,841	21,943	$ 18,589
Performance Materials
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	12,898	13,340
Accumulated amortization/impairment	0	0
Goodwill	12,898	13,340
Industrial Filtration
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,943	3,943
Accumulated amortization/impairment	0	0
Goodwill	3,943	3,943	$ 0
Thermal/ Acoustical Metals
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	12,160	12,160
Accumulated amortization/impairment	(12,160)	(12,160)
Goodwill	0	0
Other Products and Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	0	5,787
Accumulated amortization/impairment	0	(1,127)
Goodwill	$ 0	$ 4,660

Goodwill and Intangible Asset53

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reporting Unit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 21,943	$ 18,589
Goodwill adjustment	(4,660)	3,943
Currency translation adjustment	(442)	(589)
Ending Balance	16,841	21,943
Performance Materials
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	13,340	13,929
Goodwill adjustment	0	0
Currency translation adjustment	(442)	(589)
Ending Balance	12,898	13,340
Industrial Filtration
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,943	0
Goodwill adjustment	0	3,943
Currency translation adjustment	0	0
Ending Balance	3,943	3,943
Other Products and Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,660	4,660
Goodwill adjustment	(4,660)	0
Currency translation adjustment	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 4,660

Goodwill and Intangible Asset54

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Amortized intangible assets
License Agreements, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 771	$ 818
Technology, Gross Carrying Amount	2,500	2,500
Customer Relationships, Gross Carrying Amount	2,412	2,477
Patents, Gross Carrying Amount	4,137	6,037
Other, Gross Carrying Amount	612	691
Total amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	10,432	12,523
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,033)	(4,682)
License agreements
Amortized intangible assets
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(771)	(818)
Technology
Amortized intangible assets
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(310)	(143)
Customer Relationships
Amortized intangible assets
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(411)	(195)
Patents
Amortized intangible assets
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,272)	(3,274)
Other
Amortized intangible assets
Total amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (269)	$ (252)

Goodwill and Intangible Asset55

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 16,841	$ 16,841	$ 21,943	$ 18,589
Amortization of Intangible Assets		800	900	400
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2016	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2017	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2018	600	600
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2019	500	500
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in 2020	500	$ 500
Weighted Average Useful Life		10 years
Carrying Value of Asset Group	358,260	$ 358,260	361,770	274,685
Finite-Lived Patents, Gross	4,137	4,137	6,037
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech		1,354	0	0
Performance Materials Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	12,900	12,900
Industrial Filtration
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,943	3,943	3,943	$ 0
Other Products and Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	0	0	4,660
Other Products and Services | Life Sciences Vital Fluids
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill purchase accounting adjustment		$ (4,700)
Andrew Industries Limited
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			5,600
Weighted Average Useful Life		11 years
Andrew Industries Limited | Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			600
Andrew Industries Limited | Customer Relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			2,500
Andrew Industries Limited | Technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets			$ 2,500
Solutech
Goodwill [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful Life		8 years
Carrying Value of Asset Group	3,200	$ 3,200
Finite-Lived Patents, Gross	700	$ 700
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech	$ 1,400

Long-term Debt and Financing 56

Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements (Total Outstanding Debt) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 20,479	$ 40,930
Less portion due within one year	(323)	(615)
Total long-term debt	$ 20,156	40,315
Revolver Loan, due January 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Rate	1.42%
Maturity	2,019
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 20,000	40,000
Capital Lease, land and building, St. Nazaire, France
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Rate	5.44%
Maturity	2,016
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 277	893
Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Rate	5.00%
Maturity	2,017
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 9	37
Capital Lease, manufacturing equipment, Hamptonville, North Carolina
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective Rate	1.65%
Maturity	2,020
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 193	$ 0

Long-term Debt and Financing 57

Long-term Debt and Financing Arrangements (Additional Information) (Detail)	Feb. 20, 2014USD ($)	Feb. 18, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Feb. 17, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Required consolidated EBITDA				$ 30,000,000
Total debt maturing in 2016				300,000
Total debt maturing in 2019			$ 40,930,000	$ 20,479,000
Weight-average interest rate			1.50%	1.30%		5.40%
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 1,900,000
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Required consolidated leverage ratio as of end of each fiscal quarter				2
Unused borrowing capacity, commitment fee percentage				0.20%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Required consolidated leverage ratio as of end of each fiscal quarter				3
Unused borrowing capacity, commitment fee percentage				0.30%
Domestic credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 35,000,000			$ 35,000,000
Amended Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity increased value	$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity possible value of increase			$ 50,000,000
Remaining borrowing availability				$ 78,100,000
Borrowings outstanding				20,000,000
Revolver Loan, due January 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt maturing in 2019			$ 40,000,000	$ 20,000,000
Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				0.50%
Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				0.15%
Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				1.00%
Eurocurrency Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				1.00%
Eurocurrency Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				0.75%
Eurocurrency Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread				1.75%

Capital Stock (Additional Infor

Capital Stock (Additional Information) (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)stockholder$ / sharesshares	Apr. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2015$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 1	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, issued (in shares) | shares	0			0
Preferred stock, authorized | shares	500,000			500,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.10	$ 0.01
Common stock reclassified to capital in excess of par	$ 247			$ 2,463
Capital in excess of par value	$ 76,746			$ 68,961
Number of Stockholders | stockholder	6,289
Common stock, shares, outstanding (in shares) | shares	17,140,426
Scenario, Adjustment
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock reclassified to capital in excess of par		$ 2,200
Capital in excess of par value		$ 2,200

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl59

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Balance sheet amounts:
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (14,222)	$ (19,142)
Domestic Pension Plan
Change in benefit obligation:
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	50,827	53,427
Interest cost	2,066	2,348	$ 2,453
Actuarial loss (gain)	(2,430)	7,654
Gross benefits paid	(2,382)	(12,602)
Net benefit obligation at end of year	48,081	50,827	53,427
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	33,275	40,680
Actual return on plan assets	(1,106)	945
Contributions	5,626	4,252
Gross benefits paid	(2,382)	(12,602)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	35,413	33,275	$ 40,680
Net benefit obligation in excess of plan assets	(12,668)	(17,552)
Balance sheet amounts:
Noncurrent liabilities	(12,668)	(17,552)
Total liabilities	(12,668)	(17,552)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax consist of:
Net actuarial loss	17,313	17,228
Net amount recognized	$ 17,313	$ 17,228

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl60

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Defined Benefit Pension Plan with an Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess of Plan Assets) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 48,081	$ 50,827
Accumulated benefit obligation	48,081	50,827
Fair value of plan assets	$ 35,413	$ 33,275

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl61

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Interest cost		$ 2,066	$ 2,348	$ 2,453
Expected return on plan assets		(2,360)	(2,798)	(2,691)
Amortization of actuarial net loss		897	725	1,069
Pension settlement cost	$ 4,900	0	4,914	0
Total net periodic benefit cost		$ 603	$ 5,189	$ 831

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl62

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Assumptions Used in Determining the Year-End Benefit Obligation and Annual Net Cost) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate, Benefit Obligation	4.56%	4.16%
Expected return on plan assets, Benefit Obligation	7.00%	7.25%
Discount rate, Net Cost	4.16%	5.09%	4.16%
Expected return on plan assets, Net Cost	7.25%	7.25%	7.50%

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl63

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Target Allocation and the Actual Allocation of Plan Assets) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	42.00%	43.00%
Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	21.00%	19.00%
Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	6.00%	6.00%
U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	25.00%	26.00%
Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	3.00%	3.00%
Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	0.00%	0.00%
Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual Allocation of Plan Assets	3.00%	3.00%
Maximum | U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	60.00%
Maximum | Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	25.00%
Maximum | Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	9.00%
Maximum | U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	38.00%
Maximum | Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	8.00%
Maximum | Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	8.00%
Maximum | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	5.00%
Minimum | U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	22.00%
Minimum | Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	15.00%
Minimum | Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	3.00%
Minimum | U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	12.00%
Minimum | Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	2.00%
Minimum | Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	0.00%
Minimum | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Allocation	0.00%

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl64

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Trust's Assets at Fair Value) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	$ 35,413	$ 33,275	$ 40,680
U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	14,789	14,272
Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	7,356	6,432
Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	2,027	1,896
U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	8,915	8,528
Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	1,034	917
Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	195	170
Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	1,097	1,060
Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	35,413	33,275
Level 1 | U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	14,789	14,272
Level 1 | Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	7,356	6,432
Level 1 | Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	2,027	1,896
Level 1 | U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	8,915	8,528
Level 1 | Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	1,034	917
Level 1 | Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	195	170
Level 1 | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	1,097	1,060
Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 2 | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | U.S. Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | Non-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | Emerging Markets
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | Non-U.S. Bond funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | Real estate investment trusts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	0	0
Level 3 | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total Assets at Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl65

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Estimated Future Benefit Payments) (Detail) - Domestic Pension Plan $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions [Abstract]
2,016	$ 2,385
2,017	2,443
2,018	2,519
2,019	2,655
2,020	2,802
2020-2024	$ 14,704

Employer Sponsored Benefit Pl66

Employer Sponsored Benefit Plan (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Tax Benefit			$ (55)	$ (1,595)	$ (4,028)
Defined Contribution Plan:
Employer Contributions to 401(k) Plan			$ 2,300	2,100	1,700
Matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay			5.00%
Matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay, remaining 2%			50.00%
Matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay, first 3%			100.00%
Domestic Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan liability			$ 12,668	17,552
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax			17,313	17,228
Increase in OCI pension adjustment			100	2,400
Percentage of eligible participants electing lump sum payment	62.00%
Pension lump sum payment	$ 10,300
Pension settlement cost		$ 4,900	0	$ 4,914	$ 0
Tax Benefit		$ 1,900
Future amortization of gain (loss)			$ (900)
Discount rate, benefit obligation			4.56%	4.16%
Increase in pension plan liability due to change in mortality tables				$ 2,400
Increase (decrease) in other comprehensive income, net-of-tax, due to change in mortality tables				$ (1,500)
Expected return on plan assets, benefit obligation			7.00%	7.25%
Foreign Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan liability			$ 1,400	$ 1,400
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax			400	$ 400
Minimum | Domestic Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year			3,000
Maximum | Domestic Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated future employer contributions in next fiscal year			$ 4,000

Equity Compensation Plans (Weig

Equity Compensation Plans (Weighted - Average Assumptions) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.80%	1.60%	1.70%
Expected life	5 years 5 months 19 days	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 2 months 12 days
Expected volatility	43.00%	46.00%	65.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Equity Compensation Plans (Summ

Equity Compensation Plans (Summary of Option Activity) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Shares:
Outstanding, Beginning balance (in shares)	609,000
Granted (in shares)	91,900	131,800	75,279
Exercised (in shares)	(166,175)	(277,006)	(158,322)
Forfeited/Cancelled (in shares)	(72,000)
Outstanding, Ending balance (in shares)	463,000	609,000
Exercisable (in shares)	241,000
Expected to vest (in shares)	209,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price:
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 14.81
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Granted (in dollars per share)	36.74
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Exercised (in dollars per share)	10.21
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Forfeited/Cancelled (in dollars per share)	19.08
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Ending Balance (in dollars per share)	20.15	$ 14.81
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	12.37
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Expeceted to vest (in dollars per share)	$ 28.55
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Outstanding	7 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Exercisable	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Expected to vest	9 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$ 7,213
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	5,569
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Expected to vest	$ 1,556

Equity Compensation Plans (Su69

Equity Compensation Plans (Summary of Unvested Restricted Shares) (Detail) - Restricted Stock shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Shares:
Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in shares) | shares	459
Granted (in shares) | shares	72
Vested (in shares) | shares	(41)
Forfeited/Cancelled (in shares) | shares	(147)
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares) | shares	343
Expected to Vest (in shares) | shares	307
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value:
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Outstanding Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 19.17
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	34.09
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	14.69
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited/Cancelled (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	16.43
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Outstanding Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	24.01
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Expected to vest (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.88

Equity Compensation Plans (Addi

Equity Compensation Plans (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Apr. 27, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized (in shares)	1,200,000
Stock based compensation expense		$ 2.8	$ 2.8	$ 1.8
Tax benefit from compensation expense		$ 1.5	$ 2.5	$ 1
Options granted (in shares)		91,900	131,800	75,279
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options ($ per share)		$ 15.28	$ 11.85	$ 9.41
Options exercised (in shares)		166,175	277,006	158,322
Total intrinsic value for options exercised		$ 3.5	$ 5	$ 1
Cash received from exercise of stock option		1.5	2.5	1.5
Fair value of restrictions lapsed		$ 1.4	2.2	1.6
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, term		10 years
Realized income tax benefit		$ 1.1	$ 1.8	$ 0.3
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 2
Weighted average expected amortization period		3 years 2 months 4 days
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options ($ per share)		$ 34.09	$ 22.93	$ 16.01
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 4
Weighted average expected amortization period		2 years 2 months 12 days
Granted (in shares)		72,000
Restricted stock forfeited (in shares)		147,187	6,212	10,565
Shares paid for tax withholding for share based compensation		12,935
Shares paid for tax withholding for share based compensation, value of shares withheld		$ 0.4
Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)		38,170	204,800	95,090
Time Based Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)		33,755	48,649	29,480
Stock Option Plan 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share options and restricted shares authorized (in shares)	1,750,000
Number of shares approved to be repurchased under the 2012 Stock Repurchase Program (in shares)		0			1,000,000
Stock repurchased during period (in shares)		267,089
Minimum | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period		3 years
Minimum | Time Based Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period		2 years
Maximum | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period		4 years
Maximum | Time Based Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period		4 years

Segment Information (Net Sales

Segment Information (Net Sales By Segment) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 524,505	$ 535,829	$ 397,969
Operating Segments | Performance Materials Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	101,478	115,866	112,001
Operating Segments | Performance Materials Segment | Industrial Filtration
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	62,716	71,648	64,752
Operating Segments | Performance Materials Segment | Thermal Insulation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	28,311	31,404	36,929
Operating Segments | Performance Materials Segment | Life Sciences Filtration
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	10,451	12,814	10,320
Operating Segments | Industrial Filtration Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	139,133	112,220	0
Operating Segments | Industrial Filtration Segment | Industrial Filtration
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	139,133	112,220	0
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	160,932	164,265	158,406
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment | Metal parts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	141,117	145,135	135,833
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment | Tooling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	19,815	19,130	22,573
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	138,747	128,591	114,320
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment | Tooling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,152	4,133	8,444
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment | Fiber parts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	135,595	124,458	105,876
Operating Segments | Other Products and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,671	19,682	17,175
Operating Segments | Other Products and Services | Life Sciences Vital Fluids
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,671	19,682	17,175
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ (17,456)	$ (4,795)	$ (3,933)

Segment Information (Classifica

Segment Information (Classification of Segments) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	$ 52,477	$ 34,048	$ 28,713
Total Assets	358,260	361,770	274,685
Capital Expenditures	21,555	19,001	13,826
Depreciation and Amortization	17,275	17,646	12,703
Operating Segments | Performance Materials Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	6,790	9,706	9,462
Total Assets	66,706	71,325	74,838
Capital Expenditures	3,519	4,124	4,604
Depreciation and Amortization	4,499	4,654	4,667
Operating Segments | Industrial Filtration Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	13,431	6,412	0
Total Assets	89,566	100,201	0
Capital Expenditures	968	1,804	0
Depreciation and Amortization	4,996	4,536	0
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	15,517	13,823	14,088
Total Assets	111,195	106,210	104,908
Capital Expenditures	11,494	8,544	6,027
Depreciation and Amortization	4,233	4,578	4,777
Operating Segments | Thermal/Acoustical Fibers Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	37,086	29,167	21,486
Total Assets	38,881	33,109	30,176
Capital Expenditures	4,807	3,296	1,887
Depreciation and Amortization	2,400	2,166	2,217
Operating Segments | Other Products and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	0	11,580	11,866
Capital Expenditures	22	574	243
Depreciation and Amortization	45	804	588
Operating Segments | Other Products and Services | Life Sciences Vital Fluids
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	118	1,582	778
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income	(20,465)	(26,642)	(17,101)
Total Assets	51,912	39,345	52,897
Capital Expenditures	745	659	1,065
Depreciation and Amortization	$ 1,102	$ 908	$ 454

Segment Information (Net Sale73

Segment Information (Net Sales by Geographic Area) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 524,505	$ 535,829	$ 397,969
Long-Lived Assets	116,717	118,680	80,325
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	344,950	345,864	269,989
Long-Lived Assets	76,502	72,832	48,787
France
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	47,495	52,534	47,831
Long-Lived Assets	12,899	13,861	16,436
Germany
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	68,861	77,896	77,229
Long-Lived Assets	10,149	12,366	13,287
United Kingdom
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	26,598	26,387	0
Long-Lived Assets	6,399	7,601	0
China
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	33,885	29,401	0
Long-Lived Assets	9,953	11,225	0
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,716	3,747	2,920
Long-Lived Assets	$ 815	$ 795	$ 1,815

Segment Information (Additional

Segment Information (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charge					$ 1,354	$ 0	$ 0
Foreign currency translation loss					2,000
Net sales					524,505	535,829	397,969
Chrysler Group Llc
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales							43,500
Performance Materials
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charge					1,400
Industrial Filtration Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany sales					$ 13,800	1,000
Purchase accounting adjustments related to inventory step-up						2,100
Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales commission settlement			$ 2,000			2,900
Vital Fluids
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash purchase sale price of Life Sciences Vital Fluids	$ 30,100
Industrial Filtration
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Transaction related costs				$ 2,200
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Non-cash pension settlement charge associated with domestic defined benefit pension plan						4,900
Transaction related costs						$ 2,600	$ 1,200
Customer Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of total net sales					10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue | Ford Motor Company
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales					$ 95,400	$ 88,400	$ 79,700
Percentage of total net sales					18.20%	16.50%	20.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue | Chrysler Group Llc
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of total net sales							10.90%
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Vital Fluids
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cash purchase sale price of Life Sciences Vital Fluids	$ 30,100
Gain on disposal of business		$ 11,800

Income Taxes (Components of Pro

Income Taxes (Components of Provision for Income Taxes) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current:
Federal	$ 18,291	$ 8,069	$ 5,477
State	1,204	1,334	709
Foreign	1,684	3,883	2,032
Total Current	21,179	13,286	8,218
Deferred:
Federal	1,583	(42)	1,609
State	1,696	(1,626)	(1,144)
Foreign	306	191	504
Total Deferred	3,585	(1,477)	969
Provision for income taxes	$ 24,764	$ 11,809	$ 9,187

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of the Difference between the Actual Provisions for Income Taxes) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes	2.90%	0.80%	2.90%
Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, including state	1.30%	1.30%	(1.80%)
Research and development credits	(1.50%)	(0.50%)	(1.10%)
Capitalized transaction costs	0.00%	2.00%	0.00%
Domestic production activities deduction	(1.60%)	(2.60%)	(2.70%)
Foreign income taxed at lower rates	(1.30%)	(3.50%)	0.00%
Other	0.10%	2.60%	0.10%
Effective income tax rate	34.90%	35.10%	32.40%

Income Taxes (Schedule Presents

Income Taxes (Schedule Presents Net Current and Net Long-Term Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities by Tax Jurisdiction) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Current	$ 4,613	$ 5,614
Deferred Tax Assets, Long-term	134	1,408
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Long-term	14,997	13,867
Federal
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Current	3,684	3,399
Deferred Tax Assets, Long-term	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Long-term	12,504	10,562
State
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Current	147	711
Deferred Tax Assets, Long-term	134	1,408
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Long-term	0	0
Foreign
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Current	782	1,504
Deferred Tax Assets, Long-term	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	0	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Long-term	$ 2,493	$ 3,305

Income Taxes (Components of Def

Income Taxes (Components of Deferred Tax Asset and Liability) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$ 218	$ 211
Inventories	741	884
Net operating loss carryforwards	4,213	4,992
Other accrued liabilities	2,745	3,341
Pension	3,684	7,295
Tax Credits	1,634	1,879
Total deferred tax assets	13,235	18,602
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	4,077	6,525
Property, plant and equipment	15,101	15,195
Total deferred tax liabilities	19,178	21,720
Valuation allowance	4,307	3,727
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (10,250)	$ (6,845)

Income Taxes (Schedule of Incom

Income Taxes (Schedule of Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ 64,923	$ 27,463	$ 23,433
Foreign	6,100	6,193	4,909
Total income before income taxes	$ 71,023	$ 33,656	$ 28,342

Income Taxes (Reconciliation 80

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$ 2,272	$ 1,864
Increases relating to positions taken in prior periods	0	20
Increases relating to current period	49	388
Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities	(336)	0
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitations	(328)	0
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$ 1,657	$ 2,272

Income Taxes (Additional Inform

Income Taxes (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate for income from continuing operations (as percent)	34.90%	35.10%	32.40%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax expense (benefit) foreign income tax rate differential	$ (1)	$ (1.2)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax benefit attributable to the Domestic Production Activities Deduction	1.2	0.9	$ 0.8
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, tax credit related to research and development credits	1.1
Increase in valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets	0.9	0.2
Tax benefit related to conclusion of certain U.S. federal income tax matters			0.5
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, state and local income taxes			1.1
State tax credit carryovers			$ 0.3
Income tax reconciliation state and local income taxes expected to benefit future periods	0.8
Unpaid income taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries	24.5
Reasonably expected net unrecognized benefits may be recognized	0.1
Total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized	1.1
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward	4.3
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, state and local income taxes	0.6
State tax credit carry forwards that expire between 2016 and 2025	2.6
Valuation reserve	2
Netherlands and China
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Increase in valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets	0.8
France | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward	0.1
United Kingdom | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward	0.4
Netherlands | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward	9.2
Operating loss carryforward valuation allowance	9.2
China | Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforward	7.1
Operating loss carryforward valuation allowance	3.6
Industrial Filtration
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax expense related to nondeductible transaction costs		$ 0.8
Minimum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax payable on undistributed earnings	1
Maximum
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax payable on undistributed earnings	$ 6

Commitments and Contingencies82

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Lease Payments, 2016	$ 4,385
Operating Lease Payments, 2017	3,782
Operating Lease Payments, 2018	2,284
Operating Lease Payments, 2019	828
Operating Lease Payments, 2020	526
Operating Lease Payments, Thereafter	603
Operating Lease Payments, Total	12,408
Capital Lease Payments, 2016	326
Capital Lease Payments, 2017	42
Capital Lease Payments, 2018	42
Capital Lease Payments, 2019	42
Capital Lease Payments, 2020	35
Capital Lease Payments, Thereafter	0
Capital Lease Payments, Total	487
Interest on capital leases	(11)
Capital Lease Payments, Total	476
2,016	4,711
2,017	3,824
2,018	2,326
2,019	870
2,020	561
Thereafter	603
Total Operating and Capital Lease Payments	12,895
Interest on capital leases	(11)
Total	$ 12,884

Commitments and Contingencies83

Commitments and Contingencies (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating leases rent expense	$ 5.1	$ 6.4	$ 4
Lydall Gerhardi | Unfavorable Regulatory Action
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum Fine Percentage of Revenue	10.00%

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Used to Determine Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic average common shares outstanding (in shares)	16,746	16,662	16,570
Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock awards (in shares)	338	341	296
Diluted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,084	17,003	16,866

Earnings Per Share (Additional

Earnings Per Share (Additional Information) (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (less than in 0.1 million in 2014)	0.1	0.1	0.2

Quarterly Financial Informati86

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Summary of Quarterly Financial Results) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 131,398	$ 131,240	$ 134,561	$ 127,306	$ 127,583	$ 134,227	$ 148,793	$ 125,226	$ 524,505	$ 535,829	$ 397,969
Gross profit	29,217	31,691	33,889	27,700	25,562	28,564	34,653	26,199	122,497	114,978	85,225
Net income	$ 5,319	$ 11,186	$ 10,817	$ 18,937	$ 5,733	$ 4,158	$ 8,240	$ 3,716	$ 46,259	$ 21,847	$ 19,155
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.67	$ 0.65	$ 1.12	$ 0.34	$ 0.25	$ 0.50	$ 0.22	$ 2.76	$ 1.31	$ 1.16
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.66	$ 0.64	$ 1.11	$ 0.34	$ 0.24	$ 0.49	$ 0.22	$ 2.71	$ 1.28	$ 1.14

Quarterly Financial Informati87

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discrete tax benefits related to the completion of a tax credit project and release of reserves for previously uncertain tax positions		$ 1,200
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech									$ 1,354	$ 0	$ 0
Discrete income tax charges related to changes in state tax legislation	$ 1,200
Net income	5,319	11,186	$ 10,817	$ 18,937	$ 5,733	$ 4,158	$ 8,240	$ 3,716	$ 46,259	21,847	$ 19,155
Industrial Filtration
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase accounting adjustment to gross profit						(200)	(500)	(1,300)
Purchase accounting adjustment to net income						(200)	(400)	(900)
Transaction related costs								$ 2,200
Domestic Pension Plan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Non-cash pension settlement charge associated with domestic defined benefit pension plan						$ 3,000
Solutech
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment charge related to Solutech	1,400
Thermal/Acoustical Metals Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Sales commission settlement							$ 2,000			$ 2,900
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Life Sciences Vital Fluids
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
After-tax gain due to the sale of Life Sciences Vital Fluids				$ 11,800
Overstatement of Net Income | Restatement Adjustment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income	$ (400)	$ 400
Reduction of net income due to overstatement (price per share)	$ (0.02)

Changes In Accumulated Other 88

Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 212,599	$ 200,087		$ 174,496
Ending Balance		245,225	212,599		200,087
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(6,586)	6,128		3,178
Other comprehensive income (loss)		$ (10,334)	(12,714)		2,950
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0		0
Ending Balance		$ (16,920)	(6,586)		6,128
Defined Benefit Pension Adjustment
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(17,575)	(14,972)	[1]	(21,544)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(637)	(6,099)		5,909
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	[1]	547	3,496		663
Ending Balance		(17,665)	(17,575)		(14,972)	[1]
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(24,161)	(8,844)		(18,366)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(10,971)	(18,813)		8,859
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		547	3,496		663
Ending Balance		$ (34,585)	$ (24,161)		$ (8,844)
[1]	(b) Amount represents the amortization of actuarial losses to pension expense arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. This amount was $0.5 million, net of $0.3 million tax benefit in 2015, $3.5 million, net of $2.1 million tax benefit, which included $3.0 million, net of $1.9 million tax benefit for pension settlement costs in 2014, and $0.7 million, net of $0.4 million tax benefit in 2013. (See Note 8)

Changes in Accumulated Other 89

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Additional Information) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Actuarial gains (losses), net of tax	$ (0.6)	$ (6.1)	$ 5.9
Actuarial (losses) gains, tax expense (benefit)	(0.4)	(3.7)	3.6
Amortization of actuarial losses, net of tax	0.5	3.5	0.7
Amortization of actuarial losses, tax expense (benefit)	$ (0.3)	(2.1)	$ (0.4)
Pension settlement costs, net of tax		3
Pension settlement costs, tax expense (benefit)		$ (1.9)

Schedule II - Valuation and Q90

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful receivables
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning of Period		$ 709	[1]	$ 480	[1]	$ 469
Charges to Costs and Expenses		855		384		60
Charges (Deductions) to Other Accounts	[2]	(53)		(39)		15
Deductions		(260)	[2]	(116)	[1]	(64)	[2]
End of Period	[1]	1,251		709		480
Tax valuation allowances
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning of Period		3,727	[3]	3,315	[3]	3,587
Charges to Costs and Expenses		1,615		1,120		855
Charges (Deductions) to Other Accounts		(272)	[2],[4]	193		0
Deductions		(763)	[2],[5]	(901)		(1,127)	[3]
End of Period	[3]	$ 4,307		$ 3,727		$ 3,315
[1]	Uncollected receivables written off and recoveries.
[2]	Foreign currency translation and other adjustments.
[3]	Reduction to income tax expense.
[4]	Adjustments relating to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration.
[5]	Adjustments relating to the acquisition of Industrial Filtration.