Calgon Carbon 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	CALGON CARBON Corp
Entity Central Index Key	812701
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		52,705,898
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net sales	$135,703	$131,632
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	87,218	87,463
Depreciation and amortization	8,701	7,029
Selling, general and administrative expenses	21,098	20,064
Research and development expenses	1,396	1,578
Restructuring		-103
Total costs and expenses	118,413	116,031
Income from operations	17,290	15,601
Interest income	11	10
Interest expense	-131	-109
Other expense - net	-548	-546
Income before income tax provision	16,622	14,956
Income tax provision	5,561	5,147
Net income	11,061	9,809
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (Note 8)
Foreign currency translation	-10,296	124
Defined benefit pension plans	810	202
Derivatives	244	-206
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-9,242	120
Total comprehensive income	$1,819	$9,929
Net income per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.18
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.05
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	52,450,994	53,608,465
Diluted (in shares)	53,330,262	54,525,367

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$48,414	$53,133
Receivables (net of allowance of $1,601 and $1,526)	97,480	95,232
Revenue recognized in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	10,954	10,763
Inventories	101,761	98,446
Deferred income taxes - current	17,307	19,827
Other current assets	14,697	15,561
Total current assets	290,613	292,962
Property, plant and equipment, net	292,149	290,586
Intangibles, net	5,741	6,281
Goodwill	25,913	26,197
Deferred income taxes - long-term	3,113	2,870
Other assets	2,592	2,765
Total assets	620,121	621,661
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	49,814	53,614
Restructuring reserve	251	280
Billings in excess of revenue recognized on uncompleted contracts	5,211	5,430
Payroll and benefits payable	10,520	14,725
Accrued income taxes	3,006	537
Short-term debt		833
Current portion of long-term debt	1,125
Total current liabilities	69,927	75,419
Long-term debt	78,636	70,448
Deferred income taxes - long-term	31,027	31,879
Accrued pension and other liabilities	36,159	38,442
Total liabilities	215,749	216,188
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 57,541,631 and 57,469,389 shares issued	575	575
Additional paid-in capital	178,240	176,475
Retained earnings	374,025	365,594
Treasury stock, at cost, 8,295,050 and 8,196,372 shares	-111,716	-109,661
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-36,752	-27,510
Total stockholders' equity	404,372	405,473
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$620,121	$621,661

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Receivables allowance (in dollars)	$1,601	$1,526
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	57,541,631	57,469,389
Treasury stock, shares	8,295,050	8,196,372

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$11,061	$9,809
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,701	7,029
Employee benefit plan provisions	360	18
Stock-based compensation	1,255	721
Deferred income tax expense	793	2,535
Restructuring income		-103
Restructuring cash payments		-47
Changes in assets and liabilities-net of effects from foreign exchange:
Increase in receivables	-5,398	-3,038
(Increase) decrease in inventories	-5,958	1,271
Decrease (increase) in revenue in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts and other current assets	627	-1,393
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-2,833	-5,557
Pension contributions	-377	-707
Other items - net	715	-316
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,946	10,222
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	-16,060	-8,638
Government grants received		1,254
Net cash used in investing activities	-16,060	-7,384
Cash flows from financing activities
Reductions of debt obligations		-1,527
Treasury stock purchased (Note 7)	-2,055	-21,230
Common stock dividends paid	-2,630
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	405	959
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,172	919
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,777	-484
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents	-4,719	3,273
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	53,133	32,942
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	48,414	36,215
U.S. Credit Agreement | Long-term debt
Cash flows from financing activities
Revolving credit facility borrowings (Note 5)	18,500	31,950
Revolving credit facility repayments (Note 5)	-9,200	-10,700
Japanese working capital loan | Short-term debt
Cash flows from financing activities
Revolving credit facility borrowings (Note 5)		1,955
Revolving credit facility repayments (Note 5)	($848)	($488)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Acco

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
	1.   Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared by Calgon Carbon Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  Management of the Company believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes included therein for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company on Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In management’s opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, and which are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of financial results for the interim periods presented.  Operating results for the first three months of 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.  Refer to Note 13 for reclassifications made to include depreciation and amortization expense in income from operations for the Company’s segments.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU), No. 2014-09, “Revenue (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by applying five steps listed in the guidance.   ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosure of both quantitative and qualitative information that enables users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customers.   The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is not permitted.   In April 2015, the FASB tentatively decided to defer for one year the effective date and permit entities to early adopt the new standard.   If the deferral becomes final, the new guidance would be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach.   The Company is evaluating the provisions of this ASU and assessing the impact it may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories
Inventories
	2.   Inventories
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	25,958	$	26,860
	Finished goods	75,803		71,586
	Total	$	101,761	$	98,446
	Inventories are recorded net of reserves of $1.8 million and $2.3 million for obsolete and slow-moving items as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
	3.   Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as 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 fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
		·		Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
		·		Level 2 — Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
		·		Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	The following financial instrument assets (liabilities) are presented below at carrying amount, fair value, and classification within the fair value hierarchy (refer to Notes 4 and 5 for details relating to derivative instruments and borrowing arrangements).  The only financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are derivative instruments and the acquisition earn-out liability:
			Fair Value		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
			Hierarchy		Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
			Level		Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Derivative assets		2		$	2,411		$	2,411		$	2,155		$	2,155
	Derivative liabilities		2		(1,028		)	(1,028		)	(861		)	(861		)
	Acquisition earn-out liability		2		(693		)	(693		)	(670		)	(670		)
	Short-term debt		2		—			—			(833		)	(833		)
	Long-term debt, including current portion		2		(79,761		)	(79,761		)	(70,448		)	(70,448		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value and are excluded from the table above.  The recorded debt amounts are primarily based on the prime rate, LIBOR, or Fed Funds rate and, accordingly, the carrying value of these obligations equals fair value.  Fair value for the acquisition earn-out liability is based upon Level 2 inputs which are periodically re-evaluated for changes in future projections and the discount rate. This liability is recorded in accrued pension and other liabilities within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments
	4.   Derivative Instruments
	The Company uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts and foreign exchange option contracts to limit the exposure of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables, payables, and other known and forecasted transactional exposures for periods consistent with the expected cash flow of the underlying transactions.  Management’s policy for managing foreign currency risk is to use derivatives to hedge up to 75% of the forecasted intercompany sales to its European, Canadian, and Japanese subsidiaries.  The foreign currency forward exchange and foreign exchange option contracts generally mature within eighteen months and are designed to limit exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.
	The Company also uses natural gas forward contracts to limit the exposure to changes in natural gas prices.  Management’s policy for managing natural gas exposure is to use derivatives to hedge up to 75% of the forecasted natural gas requirements.  The natural gas forward contracts generally mature within twenty-four months.
	The Company accounts for its derivative instruments under ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging.”  Hedge effectiveness is measured on a quarterly basis and any portion of ineffectiveness as well as hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, are recorded directly to current earnings.  In accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” the fair value of the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign exchange option contracts, and natural gas forward contracts is determined using Level 2 inputs, which are defined as observable inputs.  The inputs used are from market sources that aggregate data based upon market transactions.
	The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts in the condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows:
	Asset Derivatives	Balance Sheet Locations		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		$	2,061		$	1,665
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other assets		111			182
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		239			308
	Total asset derivatives			$	2,411		$	2,155
	Liability Derivatives	Balance Sheet Locations		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Natural gas contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	672		$	427
	Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued pension and other liabilities		1			—
	Natural gas contracts	Accrued pension and other liabilities		143			372
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		212			62
	Total liability derivatives			$	1,028		$	861
	The Company had the following outstanding derivative contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted transactions:
	(in thousands except for mmbtu)	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Natural gas contracts (mmbtu)	965,000			810,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	45,869		$	41,237
	The use of derivatives exposes the Company to the risk that a counter party may default on a derivative contract. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments with high credit quality counterparties and diversifies its positions among such counterparties. The aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments in asset positions represents the maximum loss that the Company would recognize at that date if all counterparties failed to perform as contracted. The Company has entered into various master netting arrangements with counterparties to facilitate settlement of gains and losses on these contracts. These arrangements may allow for netting of exposures in the event of default or termination of the counterparty agreement due to breach of contract. The Company does not net its derivative positions by counterparty for purposes of balance sheet presentation and disclosure.
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Fair Value			Fair Value			Fair Value			Fair Value
		of Assets			of Liabilities			of Assets			of Liabilities
	Gross derivative amounts recognized in the balance sheet	$	2,411		$	1,028		$	2,155		$	861
	Gross derivative amounts not offset in the balance sheet that are eligible for offsetting	(84		)	(84		)	(26		)	(26		)
	Net  amount	$	2,327		$	944		$	2,129		$	835
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
		in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,050		$	(356	)
	Natural gas contracts	(323		)	105
	Total	$	727		$	(251	)
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
		Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	444		$	133
	Natural gas contracts	(124		)	4
	Total	$	320		$	137
	(1) Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates as of March 31, 2015, a gain of $1.7 million is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next 12 months.
	The location of the gain or (loss) reclassified into earnings related to the effective portion for derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships is cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization).
	During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there was no gain or (loss) recognized in earnings on derivatives related to the ineffective portion and the amount excluded from effectiveness testing, which would have been recorded in other expense — net.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	The Company has also entered into certain derivatives to minimize its exposure of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency receivables, payables, and other known and forecasted transactional exposures.  The Company has not qualified these contracts for hedge accounting treatment and therefore, the fair value gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in earnings as follows:
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
		in Earnings on Derivatives
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,030	)	$	(198	)
	Total	$	(1,030	)	$	(198	)
	The location of the gain or (loss) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments is other expense — net.

Borrowing_Arrangements

Borrowing Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Borrowing Arrangements
Borrowing Arrangements
	5.   Borrowing Arrangements
	Short-Term Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Borrowings under Japanese Working Capital Loan	$	—		$	833
	Total Short-Term Debt	$	—		$	833
	Long-Term Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	U.S. Credit Agreement Borrowings	$	76,000		$	66,700
	Japanese Term Loan Borrowings	3,761			3,748
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	79,761		$	70,448
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(1,125		)	—
	Net Long-Term Debt	$	78,636		$	70,448
	U. S. Credit Agreement
	On November 6, 2013, the Company entered into a new U.S. Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement).  The Credit Agreement provides for a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (Revolver) in an amount up to $225.0 million which was originally set to expire on November 6, 2018.  On November 6, 2014, an amendment was signed to the Credit Agreement in order to extend the expiration date for one additional year and to release certain guarantors under the Credit Agreement that have nominal value.  The Company may request that the Revolver be extended for an additional one-year period.  A portion of the Revolver not in excess of $75.0 million shall be available for standby or letters of credit for trade, $15.0 million shall be available for swing loans, and $50.0 million shall be available for loans or letters of credit in certain foreign denominated currencies.  The Company may have the option to increase the Revolver in an amount not to exceed $75.0 million with the consent of the Lenders.  Availability under the Revolver is conditioned upon various customary conditions.
	The Credit Agreement also provides for senior unsecured delayed draw term loans (Delayed Draw Term Loans) in an aggregate amount up to $75.0 million which expire on November 6, 2020.  The Delayed Draw Term Loans are available for two years from the Closing Date.  The Company may only request a maximum of three Delayed Draw Term Loans with a minimum borrowing of $15.0 million and no amount repaid may be re-borrowed.  Beginning January 1, 2016, quarterly repayments are required equal to 2.5% of the outstanding balance of the Delayed Draw Term Loans, with the remaining balance due on the November 6, 2020 expiration date.  As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, $1.1 million was reclassified to the current portion of long-term debt.
	The Company incurred issuance costs of $0.8 million for the Credit Agreement which were deferred and are being amortized over the term of the Revolver and Delayed Draw Term Loan facilities.  A quarterly nonrefundable commitment fee is payable by the Company based on the unused availability under the Revolver and the undrawn portion of the Delayed Draw Term Loans and is currently equal to 0.15%.
	The interest rate on amounts owed under the Revolver and Delayed Draw Term Loans will be, at the Company’s option, either (i) a fluctuating Base Rate or (ii) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus in each case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s leverage ratio as set forth in the Credit Agreement.  The interest rate charged on amounts owed under swing loans will be either (i) a fluctuating Base Rate or (ii) such other interest rates as the lender and the Company may agree to from time to time.  The interest rate per annum on outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2015 ranged from 1.18% to 1.33%.
	Total outstanding borrowings under the Revolver were $31.0 million and $21.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Total availability under the Revolver as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $191.8 million and $201.1 million, respectively, after considering borrowings and the outstanding letters of credit of $2.2 million as of both periods.  Total outstanding borrowings and availability under the Delayed Draw Term Loan were $45.0 million and $30.0 million, respectively as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  The outstanding borrowings are shown as current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and borrowings and repayments are presented on a gross basis within the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries unconditionally guarantee all indebtedness and obligations related to borrowings under the Credit Agreement.  The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are unsecured.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type.  The Company is permitted to pay dividends so long as the sum of availability under the Credit Agreement and the amount of U.S. cash on hand is at least $50.0 million, and debt is less than or equal to 2.75x earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  In addition, the Credit Agreement includes limitations on the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness, additional liens, disposition of assets or subsidiaries, and transactions with affiliates.  The Company must comply with certain financial covenants including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio as defined within the Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest when due, breach of representations and warranties, certain insolvency or receivership events affecting the Company and its subsidiaries and a change in control of the Company.  If an event of default occurs, the lenders will be under no further obligations to make loans or issue letters of credit.  Upon the occurrence of certain events of default, all outstanding obligations of the Company automatically will become immediately due and payable, and other events of default will allow the agent to declare all or any portion of the outstanding obligations of the Company to be immediately due and payable.
	Japanese Loans
	Calgon Carbon Japan (CCJ) maintains a Term Loan Agreement (Japanese Term Loan) and a Working Capital Loan Agreement (Japanese Working Capital Loan).  The Company is jointly and severally liable as the guarantor of CCJ’s obligations and the Company permitted CCJ to grant a security interest and continuing lien in certain of its assets, including inventory and accounts receivable, to secure its obligations under both loan agreements.
	CCJ signed an agreement on May 10, 2013 for the Japanese Term Loan, which provides for borrowings up to 1.0 billion Japanese Yen, and bears interest based on the Uncollateralized Overnight Call Rate plus 0.6%, which totaled 0.7% per annum as of March 31, 2015. This loan matures on May 10, 2017.  As of March 31, 2015, CCJ had 450 million Japanese Yen or $3.8 million outstanding, while as of December 31, 2014 CCJ had 450 million Japanese Yen or $3.7 million outstanding.  The outstanding borrowings are shown as long-term debt within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and borrowings and repayments are presented on a gross basis within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
	The Japanese Working Capital Loan provides for borrowings up to 1.5 billion Japanese Yen, and bears interest based on the Short-term Prime Rate.  During the first quarter of 2015, the maturity date of the Japanese Working Capital Loan was extended to March 31, 2016.  Borrowings and repayments under the Japanese Working Capital Loan have generally occurred in short term intervals, as needed, in order to ensure adequate liquidity while minimizing outstanding borrowings.  As of March 31, 2015, CCJ had no outstanding borrowings under this facility, while as of December 31, 2014 CCJ had 100 million Japanese Yen or $0.8 million outstanding.  The outstanding borrowings are shown as short-term debt within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and borrowings and repayments are presented on a gross basis within the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
	Chinese Credit Facility
	The Company maintained an unsecured Chinese credit facility for working capital requirements totaling 10.0 million Renminbi (RMB) or $1.6 million that matured and was terminated on July 19, 2014.  On August 14, 2014, the Company entered into an Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter (Facility Letter) which provides for an uncommitted line of credit totaling 5.0 million RMB or $0.8 million which matures on July 19, 2015.  The Company is jointly and severally liable as the guarantor under the Facility Letter.  There were no outstanding borrowings under this facility as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Belgian Credit Facility
	The Company maintains an unsecured Belgian credit facility totaling 2.0 million Euros. There are no financial covenants and the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Belgian credit facility as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Bank guarantees of 1.0 million Euros and 0.9 million Euros were issued as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	United Kingdom Credit Facility
	The Company maintains a United Kingdom credit facility for the issuance of various letters of credit and guarantees totaling 0.6 million British Pounds Sterling.  Bank guarantees of 0.4 million British Pounds Sterling were issued as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Pensions

Pensions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Pensions
Pensions
	6.   Pensions
	U.S. Plans
	For the U.S. plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension costs (benefit) of the plans for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	293		$	251
	Interest cost	1,153			1,199
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,793		)	(1,901		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	4			18
	Net actuarial loss amortization	684			276
	Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	341		$	(157	)
	European Plans
	For the European plans, the following table provides the components of net periodic pension costs of the plans for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	73		$	86
	Interest cost	305			405
	Expected return on plan assets	(414		)	(377		)
	Net actuarial loss amortization	55			61
	Net periodic pension cost	$	19		$	175
	Multi-Employer Plan
	In addition to the aforementioned European plans, the Company participates in a multi-employer plan in Europe.  This multi-employer plan almost entirely relates to former employees of operations it has divested.  Benefits are distributed by the multi-employer plan.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company has a $1.0 million and $0.9 million liability recorded as a component of payroll and benefits payable within its condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Refer to Note 11 for further information related to this multi-employer plan.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity
	7.   Stockholders’ Equity
	The Company’s Board of Directors did not declare or pay a dividend for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  On February 18, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors reinstated its common stock dividend program declaring a quarterly dividend payable in the amount of $0.05 per share on March 15, 2015 to its stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2015.  Common stock dividends of $2.6 million were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  On May 5, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on June 15, 2015, to shareholders of record on June 5, 2015.
	In December 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program with a total of $150 million of purchases authorized.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 80,500 and 1,013,341 shares, respectively, at an average price of $20.88 per share and $20.50 per share, respectively.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company had repurchased a total of 2,158,141 shares at an average price of $20.57 per share under this program.  During the period April 1, 2015 through April 27, 2015, the Company repurchased an additional 150,700 shares at an average share price of $21.80.  All of the above mentioned repurchases were funded from operating cash flows, cash on hand, and borrowings and the shares are initially held as treasury stock.  Subsequent to these repurchases, the Company’s remaining authorization to repurchase its common stock is approximately $102.3 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	8.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, are as follows:
			Foreign			Defined						Total Accumulated
			Currency			Benefit						Other
			Translation			Pension Plan						Comprehensive
			Adjustments			Adjustments			Derivatives			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014, net of tax		$	1,943		$	(30,358	)	$	905		$	(27,510	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(10,296		)	310			462			(9,524		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		—			500			(218		)	282
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(10,296		)	810			244			(9,242		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015, net of tax		$	(8,353	)	$	(29,548	)	$	1,149		$	(36,752	)
			Foreign			Defined						Total Accumulated
			Currency			Benefit						Other
			Translation			Pension Plan						Comprehensive
			Adjustments			Adjustments			Derivatives			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013, net of tax		$	16,793		$	(18,450	)	$	517		$	(1,140	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		124			(23		)	(135		)	(34		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		—			225			(71		)	154
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		124			202			(206		)	120
	Balance as of March 31, 2014, net of tax		$	16,917		$	(18,248	)	$	311		$	(1,020	)
	Details about		Amount Reclassified from
			Accumulated Other
			Comprehensive Income (Loss)(1)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Three Months Ended March 31,						Affected Line Item in the Statement
	Income (Loss) Components		2015			2014			where Net Income is Presented
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments:
	Prior-service costs		$	(4	)	$	(18	)	-2
	Actuarial losses		(739		)	(337		)	-2
			(743		)	(355		)	Total before tax
			243			130			Tax benefit
			$	(500	)	$	(225	)	Net of tax
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	444		$	133		Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
	Natural gas contracts		(124		)	4			Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
			320			137			Total before tax
			(102		)	(66		)	Tax expense
			$	218		$	71		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(282	)	$	(154	)	Net of tax
		-1		Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to income/loss.
		-2		These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
	Foreign currency translation adjustments exclude income tax expense (benefit) for the earnings of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries as management believes these earnings will be reinvested for an indefinite period of time.  Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability on these unremitted earnings is not practicable.
	The income tax benefit associated with ASC 715 “Compensation — Retirement Benefits” included in accumulated other comprehensive loss were $16.7 million and $17.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The income tax expense associated with the Company’s derivatives included in accumulated other comprehensive income was $0.5 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The following table contains the components of income tax expense (benefit) included in other comprehensive income (loss):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Defined benefit pension plan		$	243		$	130
	Derivatives		125			(145		)

Basic_and_Diluted_Net_Income_P

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
	9.   Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
	Computation of basic and diluted net income per common share is performed as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	11,061	$	9,809
	Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
	Basic	52,450,994		53,608,465
	Effect of Dilutive Securities	879,268		916,902
	Diluted	53,330,262		54,525,367
	Net income per common share
	Basic and Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.18
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were 818,825 and zero stock options, respectively, which were excluded from the dilutive calculations as the effect would have been antidilutive.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	10.   Income Taxes
	The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 33.5% compared to 34.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to non-taxable permanent differences.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	11.   Commitments and Contingencies
	Waterlink
	In conjunction with the February 2004 purchase of substantially all of Waterlink Inc.’s (Waterlink) operating assets and the stock of Waterlink’s U.K. subsidiary, environmental studies were performed on Waterlink’s Columbus, Ohio property by environmental consulting firms that provided an identification and characterization of certain areas of contamination.  In addition, these firms identified alternative methods of remediating the property and prepared cost evaluations of the various alternatives.  The Company concluded from the information in the studies that a loss at this property was probable and recorded the liability. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balances recorded were $0.2 million and $0.1 million as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and $0.3 million and $0.4 million as a component of accrued pension and other liabilities, respectively.  Liability estimates are based on an evaluation of, among other factors, currently available facts, existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, and the remediation experience of experts in groundwater remediation.  It is possible that a further change in the estimate of this obligation will occur as remediation progresses.  Remediation activities are ongoing and are currently expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
	Carbon Imports
	General Anti-Dumping Background:  In March 2006, the Company and another U.S. producer of activated carbon (collectively the “Petitioners”) formally requested that the United States Department of Commerce (Commerce Department) investigate unfair pricing of certain thermally activated carbon imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
	In March 2007, the Commerce Department published its final determination (subsequently amended) finding that imports of the subject merchandise from China were being unfairly priced, or dumped, and that anti-dumping duties should be imposed to offset the amount of the unfair pricing.  Following a finding by the U.S. International Trade Commission that the domestic industry was injured by unfairly traded imports of activated carbon from China, an anti-dumping order imposing these tariffs was issued by the Commerce Department and was published in the Federal Register in April 2007.  All imports from China remain subject to the order.  Importers of subject activated carbon from China are required to make cash deposits of estimated anti-dumping duties at the time the goods are entered into the United States’ customs territory.  Final assessment of duties and duty deposits are subject to revision based on annual retrospective reviews conducted by the Commerce Department.
	The Company is a domestic producer, exporter from China (through its wholly-owned subsidiary Calgon Carbon (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. (Calgon Carbon Tianjin)), and a U.S. importer of the activated carbon that is subject to the anti-dumping order.  As such, the Company’s involvement in the Commerce Department’s proceedings is both as a domestic producer (a “petitioner”) and as a foreign exporter (a “respondent”).
	The Company’s role as an importer, which has in the past (and may in the future) required it to pay anti-dumping duties, results in a contingent liability related to the final amount of tariffs that are ultimately assessed on the imported product following the Commerce Department’s annual review of relevant shipments and calculation of the anti-dumping duties due.  The amount of estimated anti-dumping tariffs payable on goods imported into the United States is subject to review and retroactive adjustment based on the actual amount of dumping that is found on entries made during a given annual period.  As a result of proceedings before the Commerce Department that concluded in November 2014, the Company is currently required to post a duty of $0.018 per pound when importing activated carbon from Calgon Carbon Tianjin into the United States.  The impact of the tariffs to the Company’s financial results was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  As noted above, however, the Company’s ultimate assessment rate and future cash deposit rate on such imports could change in the future, as a result of on-going proceedings before the Commerce Department.
	As part of its standard process, the Commerce Department conducts annual reviews of sales made to the first unaffiliated U.S. customer, typically over the prior 12-month period.  These reviews will be conducted for at least five years subsequent to a determination in February 2013 finding that the anti-dumping duty order should remain in effect, and can result in changes to the anti-dumping tariff rate (either increasing or reducing the rate) applicable to any foreign exporter.  Revision of tariff rates has two effects.  First, it will alter the actual amount of tariffs that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) will collect for the period reviewed, by either collecting additional duties above those deposited with Customs by the importer at the time of entry or refunding a portion of the duties deposited at the time of importation to reflect a decline in the margin of dumping.  If the actual amount of tariffs owed increases, Customs will require the U.S. importer to pay the difference, plus interest.  Conversely, if the tariff rate decreases, any difference will be refunded by Customs to the U.S. importer with interest.  Second, the revised rate becomes the cash deposit rate applied to future entries, and can either increase or decrease the amount of duty deposits an importer will be required to post at the time of importation.
	There have been seven periods of review since the anti-dumping order was published in 2007.  Periods of Review (POR) I and II and V related to the periods that ended on March 31, 2008, 2009 and 2012, respectively are final and not subject to further review or appeal.  A summary of the proceedings in the remaining PORs follows below.
	Period of Review III:  On April 1, 2010, the Commerce Department published a formal notice allowing parties to request a third annual administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order covering the period April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010 (POR III).  On October 31, 2011, the Commerce Department published the results of its review of POR III.  Based on the POR III results, the Company’s ongoing duty deposit rate was adjusted to zero.  The Company recorded a receivable of $1.1 million reflecting expected refunds for duty deposits made during POR III as a result of the announced decrease in the POR III assessment rate.  The Commerce Department continued to assign cooperative respondents involved in POR III a deposit rate of $0.127 per pound.  In early December 2011, several separate rate respondents appealed the Commerce Department’s final results of POR III.  On August 15, 2013, the Court of International Trade (the “Court”) issued its opinion in the appeal of the POR III review results.  The Court remanded the case back to the Commerce Department to reconsider certain surrogate values selected by the agency to value raw materials consumed by the respondents to produce steam activated carbon in China.  The Court also instructed the Commerce Department to reconsider the separate rate applied to the non-responding companies and the use of per-unit rates for one respondent.
	On January 9, 2014, the Commerce Department filed its remand redetermination with the Court.  In its redetermination, the Commerce Department continued to calculate a zero duty for imports of steam activated carbon entered into the United States by the Company during POR III.  In addition, the Commerce Department revised its earlier determination and assigned a zero margin as a separate rate to several Chinese producers/exporters of steam activated carbon to the United States that were not subjected to an individual investigation.  Those separate rate exporters had previously been assigned a margin of approximately $0.127 per pound.  The Company is contesting this aspect of the Commerce Department’s redetermination and submitted comments to the Court in that regard.  On November 24, 2014, the Court affirmed the Commerce Department’s remand determination.  The various parties involved in this review (the Company, the United States, and the Chinese respondents) had a right to appeal this determination within 60 days to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Court of Appeals).  The Company, a Chinese respondent, a U.S. importer that purchased activated carbon from the Chinese entity, and the Commerce Department filed timely notices to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals.  Briefing on this appeal will be occurring throughout 2015, and a decision from the Court of Appeals is possible before the conclusion of 2015.
	Period of Review IV:  On April 1, 2011, the Commerce Department published a formal notice allowing parties to request a fourth annual administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order covering the period April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 (POR IV).  On November 9, 2012, the Commerce Department published the final results of its review of POR IV.
	Specifically, the Commerce Department calculated anti-dumping margins for the mandatory respondents it examined ranging from $0.20 per pound (Jacobi Carbons AB and its affiliates) to $0.96 per pound (Ningxia Guanghua Cherishmet Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and its affiliates), and it calculated an anti-dumping margin of $0.47 per pound for the cooperative, separate rate respondents whose shipments of activated carbon to the United States were not individually reviewed.  The Commerce Department also calculated a zero anti-dumping margin for Datong Juqiang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.  The Company, as a Chinese exporter and a U.S. importer, elected not to participate as a respondent in this administrative review.  By not participating as a respondent in the review, the Company’s tariff deposits made at a rate of 14.51% during POR IV became final and are not subject to further adjustment.  The Company’s ongoing deposit rate continued to be zero, as a result of the company-specific rate calculated in POR III.  Appeals challenging the Commerce Department’s final results for POR IV were commenced before the Court by Jacobi Carbons AB, Ningxia Guanghua Cherishment Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and its affiliates; Tangshan Solid Carbon Co., Ltd.; Carbon Activated Corporation and Car Go Worldwide, Inc.; and Shanxi Industry Technology Trading Co., Ltd.  The Court issued a decision on June 24, 2014 that sustained the Commerce Department’s final results in their entirety.  An appeal of this decision has been filed with the Court of Appeals by Jacobi Carbons AB, Ningxia Guanghua Cherishment Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and its affiliates; Tangshan Solid Carbon Co., Ltd; Carbon Activated Corporation and Car Go Worldwide, Inc.  The Company is participating in the proceedings before the Court of Appeals and is supporting the affirmance of the Commerce Department’s final results in POR IV.  A decision by the Court of Appeals on the Chinese exporters’ challenges is anticipated during or after the second quarter of 2015.
	Period of Review VI: On April 2, 2013, the Commerce Department published a formal notice allowing parties to request a sixth annual administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order covering the period April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 (POR VI).  Requests for an administrative review were submitted to the Commerce Department in April 2013.  On June 26, 2013, the Commerce Department announced its selection of Jacobi Carbons AB and Ningxia Guanghua Cherishmet Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and its affiliates as the two mandatory respondents for POR VI.  Albemarle Corporation requested a review of Calgon Carbon Tianjin for POR VI.  On May 19, 2014, the Commerce Department announced its preliminary antidumping margins calculated in connection with POR VI.  The specific preliminary margins calculated by the Commerce Department were as follows: Jacobi Carbons AB $1.71/lb., Ningxia Guanghua Cherishmet Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. $0.93/lb., Separate Rate Respondents $1.42/lb., and PRC-Wide Rate $1.10/lb.  Calgon Carbon Tianjin was assigned the separate rate respondent margin of $1.42/lb. as it was considered a separate rate respondent.  On November 19, 2014, the final margins were announced by the Commerce Department and were as follows: Jacobi Carbons AB $0.018/lb., Ningxia Guanghua Cherishmet Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. $0.018/lb., Separate Rate Respondents $0.018/lb., and PRC-Wide Rate $1.10/lb.  Calgon Carbon Tianjin was assigned the separate rate respondent margin of $0.018/lb. as it was considered a separate rate respondent.  In December 2014, the petitioners filed a summons and complaint commencing an appeal challenging the final results of the sixth administrative review.  Briefing will take place on this appeal throughout approximately the first half of 2015, and a decision by the Court on the petitioners’ challenge to the final results of POR VI is possible in the fourth quarter of 2015 or early in 2016.
	Period of Review VII: On April 1, 2014, the Commerce Department published a formal notice allowing parties to request a seventh annual administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order covering the period April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 (POR VII).  Requests for an administrative review were submitted to the Commerce Department in April 2014.  The Commerce Department selected Jacobi Carbons AB and Datong Juqiang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd as mandatory respondents to be reviewed.  The Commerce Department’s analysis of POR VII began in the third quarter of 2014 and the preliminary results of the Commerce Department’s review of POR VII were announced on April 30, 2015. The results were as follows: Jacobi Carbons $0.24/lb., Datong Juqiang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. $0.00/lb., Separate Rate Respondents $0.24/lb., and the PRC-Wide Rate $1.10/lb.  Calgon Carbon Tianjin was assigned the separate rate respondent margin of $0.24/lb. as it was considered a separate rate respondent.  The impact of the POR VII preliminary tariffs on the Company’s financial results would not be material.  Final results are anticipated to be announced in October or November 2015.
	Period of Review VIII:  On April 1, 2015, the Commerce Department published a formal notice allowing parties to request an eighth annual administrative review of the anti-dumping duty order covering the period April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015 (POR VIII).  Requests for an administrative review were submitted to the Commerce Department in April 2015.  Based on the agency’s practice in prior administrative reviews, the Company anticipates that the Commerce Department will initiate POR VIII in May 2015 and will announce the final results of its administrative review for POR VIII in November 2016.
	Big Sandy Plant
	By letter dated January 22, 2007, the Company received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 a report of a hazardous waste facility inspection performed by the EPA and the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (KYDEP) as part of a Multi Media Compliance Evaluation of the Company’s Big Sandy Plant in Catlettsburg, Kentucky that was conducted on September 20 and 21, 2005. Accompanying the report was a Notice of Violation (NOV) alleging multiple violations of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and corresponding EPA and KYDEP hazardous waste regulations as well as the Clean Water Act (CWA).  The alleged violations mainly concerned the Company’s hazardous waste spent activated carbon regeneration facility. In the fall of 2013, the Company, the EPA, and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) signed and delivered a consent decree which the Court ordered effective on January 29, 2014.  As part of the consent decree, the Company paid a civil penalty of $1.6 million on February 24, 2014, but makes no admissions of any violations.  The Company had previously accrued for this penalty.
	The Company was required under the consent decree  to conduct testing of the portion of stockpiled material dredged from onsite wastewater treatment lagoons that had not previously been tested  in accordance with a pre-approved work plan and will install two ground water monitoring wells at the Company’s permitted solid waste landfill where some lagoon solids had previously been disposed.  The consent decree provides that EPA and DOJ agree that such landfill is to be considered a non-hazardous facility and regulated by KYDEP.  The testing of the stockpile material was completed in the second quarter of 2014 and the results have been reviewed by the EPA.  The Company received comments from the EPA including a request for a health and safety risk assessment similar to that which the Company performed on other materials from the lagoons.  The Company has prepared this assessment and it has been accepted by the EPA.  Finally, the Company will not be required to close or retrofit any of the wastewater treatment lagoons as RCRA hazardous waste management units and may continue to use them in their current manner.  The Company will be subject to daily stipulated penalties for any failure to conduct the required testing of the previously untested stockpile or to install and sample the landfill wells in accordance with the EPA-approved protocols and schedules.  As of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance recorded as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $0.1 million.
	Multi-employer Pension Plan
	The Company participates in a multi-employer plan in Europe.  This multi-employer plan almost entirely relates to former employees of operations it has divested.  Benefits are distributed by the multi-employer plan.  In August 2012, the Company learned that the multi-employer plan had previously elected to reduce benefits to entitled parties.  Also in August 2012, the Company learned that the local Labor Court had issued a judgment where it concluded that an employer was required to compensate its pensioners for the shortfall if benefits had been reduced by the plan.  As a result, the Company accrued a liability for the past shortfall to its former employees in 2012.  The Company recorded a $1.1 million reduction in this liability for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The Company has had several claims from pensioners seeking compensation for the shortfall.  In the first quarter of 2014, the Company also learned that certain pensioners are claiming that the employers should also pay a cost of living adjustment on the amounts paid by the multi-employer plan and that the local Labor Court heard that issue with respect to a different employer in the fall of 2014.  In February 2015, the Court published an opinion ruling that employers may be required to pay a cost of living adjustment.  As a result, the Company recorded an additional accrual of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company has a $1.0 million and $0.9 million liability recorded as a component of payroll and benefits payable within its condensed consolidated balance sheets for the past shortfall adjustments to its former employees.  The Company cannot predict if future benefit payments to entitled parties to be made by the multi-employer plan will continue to be reduced.
	Other
	In addition to the matters described above, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims, including employment, product warranty and environmental matters of a nature considered normal to its business.  It is the Company’s policy to accrue for amounts related to these legal matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the loss amount is reasonably estimable.  Management is currently unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible losses, if any, resulting from such lawsuits and claims.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	12.   Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The Company has reflected $(0.5) million and $0.7 million of its capital expenditures as a non-cash decrease and increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for changes in unpaid capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information
Segment Information
	13.   Segment Information
	The Company’s management has identified three segments based on the product line and associated services. Those segments include Activated Carbon and Service, Equipment, and Consumer. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, its chief executive officer, receives and reviews financial information in this format. The Activated Carbon and Service segment manufactures granular activated carbon for use in applications to remove organic compounds from liquids, gases, water, and air. This segment also consists of services related to activated carbon including reactivation of spent carbon and the leasing, monitoring, and maintenance of carbon fills at customer sites. The service portion of this segment also includes services related to the Company’s ion exchange technologies for treatment of groundwater and process streams. The Equipment segment provides solutions to customers’ air and water process problems through the design, fabrication, and operation of systems that utilize the Company’s enabling technologies: ballast water, ultraviolet light, advanced ion exchange separation, and carbon adsorption. The Consumer segment supplies activated carbon cloth for use in military, industrial, and medical applications. Intersegment net sales are not material.
	The following segment information represents the results of operations:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net sales
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	122,747		$	117,723
	Equipment	10,708			10,468
	Consumer	2,248			3,441
		$	135,703		$	131,632
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Income (loss) from operations before restructuring
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	18,055		$	16,493
	Equipment	(1,160		)	(1,682		)
	Consumer	395			687
		17,290			15,498
	Reconciling items:
	Restructuring income	—			103
	Interest income	11			10
	Interest expense	(131		)	(109		)
	Other expense — net	(548		)	(546		)
	Income before income tax provision	$	16,622		$	14,956
	Depreciation and amortization
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	7,835		$	6,176
	Equipment	713			695
	Consumer	153			158
	Depreciation and amortization	$	8,701		$	7,029

Government_Grants

Government Grants	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Government Grants
Government Grants
	14.   Government Grants
	On December 7, 2007, the Company was awarded two separate grants with the Walloon region (the “Region”) in Belgium, where its Feluy facility is located.  The awards are based on the Company’s contributions to the strategic development of the Region through its investment in the expansion of the Feluy facility and creation of employment opportunities.  The grants total approximately 2.6 million Euros or $3.4 million.  The Company received 0.9 million Euros or $1.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 which was recognized as a deduction from the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had received the full amount of these grants.
	On December 19, 2014, the Company received an incentive of 3.86 million RMB or approximately $0.6 million from the Suzhou Wuzhong Economic Development Zone (WEDZ), where the Company’s Suzhou, China facility is located.  This incentive was provided based on the Company’s commitment to the construction of carbon reactivation lines in two phases.  Under phase one, the construction of two reactivation lines and under phase two, the construction of another two reactivation lines on the same site.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized 1.93 million RMB or approximately $0.3 million (which represents 50% of the total awarded incentive) less related expenses as a reduction to other expense - net on its consolidated statements of comprehensive income as phase one of the agreed upon commitment had been completed and all required documentation had been submitted to WEDZ.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has a $0.3 million liability recorded as a component of accrued pension and other liabilities within its condensed consolidated balance sheets for the remainder of the incentive that relates to phase two of the commitment as it has not yet been constructed.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Acco1

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared by Calgon Carbon Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  Management of the Company believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading when read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes included therein for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company on Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In management’s opinion, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, and which are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of financial results for the interim periods presented.  Operating results for the first three months of 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.  Refer to Note 13 for reclassifications made to include depreciation and amortization expense in income from operations for the Company’s segments.
New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU), No. 2014-09, “Revenue (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by applying five steps listed in the guidance.   ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosure of both quantitative and qualitative information that enables users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customers.   The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is not permitted.   In April 2015, the FASB tentatively decided to defer for one year the effective date and permit entities to early adopt the new standard.   If the deferral becomes final, the new guidance would be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach.   The Company is evaluating the provisions of this ASU and assessing the impact it may have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories
Schedule of inventories
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	25,958	$	26,860
	Finished goods	75,803		71,586
	Total	$	101,761	$	98,446

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements
Schedule of carrying amount, fair value, and classification within fair value hierarchy of financial instrument assets (liabilities)
		Fair Value	March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Hierarchy	Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair
		Level	Amount			Value			Amount			Value
	Derivative assets	2	$	2,411		$	2,411		$	2,155		$	2,155
	Derivative liabilities	2	(1,028		)	(1,028		)	(861		)	(861		)
	Acquisition earn-out liability	2	(693		)	(693		)	(670		)	(670		)
	Short-term debt	2	—			—			(833		)	(833		)
	Long-term debt, including current portion	2	(79,761		)	(79,761		)	(70,448		)	(70,448		)

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments
Schedule of fair value of outstanding derivative contracts
	Asset Derivatives	Balance Sheet Locations		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		$	2,061		$	1,665
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other assets		111			182
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		239			308
	Total asset derivatives			$	2,411		$	2,155
	Liability Derivatives	Balance Sheet Locations		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Natural gas contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	672		$	427
	Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued pension and other liabilities		1			—
	Natural gas contracts	Accrued pension and other liabilities		143			372
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		212			62
	Total liability derivatives			$	1,028		$	861
Schedule of outstanding derivative contracts
	(in thousands except for mmbtu)	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Natural gas contracts (mmbtu)	965,000			810,000
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	45,869		$	41,237
Schedule of gross and net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Fair Value			Fair Value			Fair Value			Fair Value
		of Assets			of Liabilities			of Assets			of Liabilities
	Gross derivative amounts recognized in the balance sheet	$	2,411		$	1,028		$	2,155		$	861
	Gross derivative amounts not offset in the balance sheet that are eligible for offsetting	(84		)	(84		)	(26		)	(26		)
	Net  amount	$	2,327		$	944		$	2,129		$	835
Schedule of amount of gain or loss on derivatives recognized in OCI and reclassified from accumulated OCI into earnings (effective portion)
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
		in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	1,050		$	(356	)
	Natural gas contracts	(323		)	105
	Total	$	727		$	(251	)
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from
		Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion) (1)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	444		$	133
	Natural gas contracts	(124		)	4
	Total	$	320		$	137
	(1) Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates as of March 31, 2015, a gain of $1.7 million is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next 12 months.
Schedule of fair value gains and losses on derivative contracts not qualified for hedge accounting treatment
		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
		in Earnings on Derivatives
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,030	)	$	(198	)
	Total	$	(1,030	)	$	(198	)

Borrowing_Arrangements_Tables

Borrowing Arrangements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Borrowing Arrangements
Schedule of short-term debt
	Short-Term Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Borrowings under Japanese Working Capital Loan	$	—		$	833
	Total Short-Term Debt	$	—		$	833
Schedule of long-term debt
	Long-Term Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	U.S. Credit Agreement Borrowings	$	76,000		$	66,700
	Japanese Term Loan Borrowings	3,761			3,748
	Total Long-Term Debt	$	79,761		$	70,448
	Less current portion of long-term debt	(1,125		)	—
	Net Long-Term Debt	$	78,636		$	70,448

Pensions_Tables

Pensions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
U.S. Plans
Pensions
Schedule of components of net periodic pension (benefit) costs
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	293		$	251
	Interest cost	1,153			1,199
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,793		)	(1,901		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	4			18
	Net actuarial loss amortization	684			276
	Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	341		$	(157	)
European Plans
Pensions
Schedule of components of net periodic pension (benefit) costs
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	73		$	86
	Interest cost	305			405
	Expected return on plan assets	(414		)	(377		)
	Net actuarial loss amortization	55			61
	Net periodic pension cost	$	19		$	175

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Schedule of changes in components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
			Foreign			Defined						Total Accumulated
			Currency			Benefit						Other
			Translation			Pension Plan						Comprehensive
			Adjustments			Adjustments			Derivatives			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014, net of tax		$	1,943		$	(30,358	)	$	905		$	(27,510	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(10,296		)	310			462			(9,524		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		—			500			(218		)	282
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(10,296		)	810			244			(9,242		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015, net of tax		$	(8,353	)	$	(29,548	)	$	1,149		$	(36,752	)
			Foreign			Defined						Total Accumulated
			Currency			Benefit						Other
			Translation			Pension Plan						Comprehensive
			Adjustments			Adjustments			Derivatives			Income (Loss)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013, net of tax		$	16,793		$	(18,450	)	$	517		$	(1,140	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		124			(23		)	(135		)	(34		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)		—			225			(71		)	154
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		124			202			(206		)	120
	Balance as of March 31, 2014, net of tax		$	16,917		$	(18,248	)	$	311		$	(1,020	)
Schedule of details about components and amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	Details about		Amount Reclassified from
			Accumulated Other
			Comprehensive Income (Loss)(1)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Three Months Ended March 31,						Affected Line Item in the Statement
	Income (Loss) Components		2015			2014			where Net Income is Presented
	Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments:
	Prior-service costs		$	(4	)	$	(18	)	-2
	Actuarial losses		(739		)	(337		)	-2
			(743		)	(355		)	Total before tax
			243			130			Tax benefit
			$	(500	)	$	(225	)	Net of tax
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	444		$	133		Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
	Natural gas contracts		(124		)	4			Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
			320			137			Total before tax
			(102		)	(66		)	Tax expense
			$	218		$	71		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(282	)	$	(154	)	Net of tax
		-1		Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to income/loss.
		-2		These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.
Schedule of components of income tax expense (benefit) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Defined benefit pension plan		$	243		$	130
	Derivatives		125			(145		)

Basic_and_Diluted_Net_Income_P1

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
Schedule of computation of basic and diluted net income per common share
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	11,061	$	9,809
	Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
	Basic	52,450,994		53,608,465
	Effect of Dilutive Securities	879,268		916,902
	Diluted	53,330,262		54,525,367
	Net income per common share
	Basic and Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.18

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information
Schedule of results of operations by segment
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net sales
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	122,747		$	117,723
	Equipment	10,708			10,468
	Consumer	2,248			3,441
		$	135,703		$	131,632
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Income (loss) from operations before restructuring
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	18,055		$	16,493
	Equipment	(1,160		)	(1,682		)
	Consumer	395			687
		17,290			15,498
	Reconciling items:
	Restructuring income	—			103
	Interest income	11			10
	Interest expense	(131		)	(109		)
	Other expense — net	(548		)	(546		)
	Income before income tax provision	$	16,622		$	14,956
	Depreciation and amortization
	Activated Carbon and Service	$	7,835		$	6,176
	Equipment	713			695
	Consumer	153			158
	Depreciation and amortization	$	8,701		$	7,029

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories
Raw materials	$25,958,000	$26,860,000
Finished goods	75,803,000	71,586,000
Total	101,761,000	98,446,000
Reserves for obsolete and slow-moving items	$1,800,000	$2,300,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements
Derivative assets	$2,411	$2,155
Derivative liabilities	-1,028	-861
Carrying Amount
Fair Value Measurements
Derivative assets	2,411	2,155
Derivative liabilities	-1,028	-861
Acquisition earn-out liability	-693	-670
Carrying Amount | Short-term debt
Fair Value Measurements
Debt		-833
Carrying Amount | Long-term debt
Fair Value Measurements
Debt	-79,761	-70,448
Fair Value | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Short-term debt
Fair Value Measurements
Debt		-833
Fair Value | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Long-term debt
Fair Value Measurements
Debt	-79,761	-70,448
Fair Value | Recurring | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Measurements
Derivative assets	2,411	2,155
Derivative liabilities	-1,028	-861
Acquisition earn-out liability	($693)	($670)

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (Maximum)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments
Percentage of the forecasted intercompany sales to be hedged by using foreign currency risk derivatives	75.00%
Percentage of the forecasted natural gas requirements to be hedged by using derivatives	75.00%
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments
Maturity period of derivatives	18 months
Foreign exchange option contracts
Derivative Instruments
Maturity period of derivatives	18 months
Natural gas contracts | Forward contracts
Derivative Instruments
Maturity period of derivatives	24 months

Derivative_Instruments_Details1

Derivative Instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives	$2,411	$2,155
Liability Derivatives	1,028	861
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets
Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives	2,061	1,665
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other assets
Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives	111	182
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Accrued pension and other liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives	1
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Natural gas contracts | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives	672	427
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Natural gas contracts | Accrued pension and other liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives	143	372
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Other current assets
Derivative Instruments
Asset Derivatives	239	308
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Liability Derivatives	$212	$62

Derivative_Instruments_Details2

Derivative Instruments (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	MMBTU	MMBTU
Natural gas contracts
Derivative Instruments
Outstanding derivative contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted transactions (in mmbtu)	965,000	810,000
Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments
Outstanding derivative contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted transactions	45,869	41,237

Derivative_Instruments_Details3

Derivative Instruments (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value of Assets
Gross derivative amounts recognized in the balance sheet	$2,411	$2,155
Gross derivative amounts not offset in the balance sheet that are eligible for offsetting
Gross derivative amounts not offset that are eligible for offsetting	-84	-26
Net amount	$2,327	$2,129

Derivative_Instruments_Details4

Derivative Instruments (Details 5) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value of Liabilities
Gross derivative amounts recognized in the balance sheet	$1,028	$861
Gross derivative amounts not offset in the balance sheet that are eligible for offsetting
Gross derivative amounts not offset that are eligible for offsetting	-84	-26
Net amount	$944	$835

Derivative_Instruments_Details5

Derivative Instruments (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments
Gain relating to accumulated OCI expected to be recognized in earnings over the next 12 months	$1,700,000
Cash flow hedges
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	727,000	-251,000
Cash flow hedges | Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	320,000	137,000
Cash flow hedges | Other expense - net
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	0	0
Cash flow hedges | Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	1,050,000	-356,000
Cash flow hedges | Foreign exchange contracts | Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	444,000	133,000
Cash flow hedges | Natural gas contracts
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-323,000	105,000
Cash flow hedges | Natural gas contracts | Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	($124,000)	$4,000

Derivative_Instruments_Details6

Derivative Instruments (Details 7) (Other expense - net, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	($1,030)	($198)
Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	($1,030)	($198)

Borrowing_Arrangements_Details

Borrowing Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt
Short-term debt	$833
Japanese working capital loan
Short-term Debt
Short-term debt	$833

Borrowing_Arrangements_Details1

Borrowing Arrangements (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt
Total Long-Term Debt	$79,761	$70,448
Less current portion of long-term debt	-1,125
Net Long-Term Debt	78,636	70,448
Japanese Term Loan due May 2017
Long-term Debt
Total Long-Term Debt	3,761	3,748
U.S. Credit Agreement
Long-term Debt
Total Long-Term Debt	$76,000	$66,700

Borrowing_Arrangements_Details2

Borrowing Arrangements (Details 3)

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

10-May-13

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Nov. 06, 2014

Nov. 06, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 06, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 06, 2013

Nov. 06, 2013

Nov. 06, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Nov. 06, 2013

Nov. 06, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Aug. 14, 2014

Aug. 14, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Japanese Term Loan due May 2017

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Japanese working capital loan

Japanese working capital loan

Japanese working capital loan

Japanese working capital loan

Japanese working capital loan

Chinese Credit Facility

Chinese Credit Facility

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Uncommitted Revolving Loan Facility Letter

Belgian credit facility

Belgian credit facility

Belgian credit facility

Belgian credit facility

United Kingdom credit facility

United Kingdom credit facility

United Kingdom credit facility

CCJ

CCJ

CCJ

CCJ

CCJ

Uncollateralized Overnight Call Rate

USD ($)

Minimum

Maximum

Permitted dividends

Permitted dividends

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Revolving credit facility

Standby or letters of credit for trade

Letters of credit

Letters of credit

Swing loans

Loans or letters of credit in foreign denominated currencies

Delayed Draw Term Loans

Delayed Draw Term Loans

Delayed Draw Term Loans

Delayed Draw Term Loans

Delayed Draw Term Loans

CCJ

CCJ

CCJ

CCJ

Prime rate

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

Bank guarantees

Bank guarantees

GBP (£)

Bank guarantees

Bank guarantees

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

JPY (¥)

CCJ

Minimum

Maximum

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Maximum

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

CCJ

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

item

Borrowing arrangements

Maximum borrowing capacity

¥ 1,000,000,000

$225,000,000

$75,000,000

$15,000,000

$50,000,000

$75,000,000

¥ 1,500,000,000

$1,600,000

10,000,000

$800,000

5,000,000

€ 2,000,000

£ 600,000

Extended term

1 year

Additional maturity period

1 year

Aggregate increase in borrowing capacity that may be requested

75,000,000

Borrowing period

2 years

Number of term loans

3

Minimum borrowing

15,000,000

Required quarterly repayments as a percentage of outstanding principal balance

2.50%

Current portion of long-term debt

1,125,000

1,100,000

Debt issuance costs

800,000

Quarterly nonrefundable commitment fee payable (as a percent)

0.15%

0.15%

Basis for variable interest rate

Uncollateralized Overnight Call Rate

Short-term Prime Rate

Margin added to variable rate (as a percent)

0.60%

Rate of interest at balance sheet date (as a percent)

0.70%

1.18%

1.33%

Amount outstanding

31,000,000

21,700,000

2,200,000

2,200,000

45,000,000

45,000,000

0

0

1,000,000

900,000

400,000

400,000

Amount outstanding and shown as long-term debt

3,800,000

450,000,000

3,700,000

450,000,000

Availability under the credit facility

191,800,000

201,100,000

30,000,000

30,000,000

Sum of availability under Credit Agreement and amount of U.S. cash on hand

50,000,000

Ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

275.00%

Amount outstanding and shown as short-term debt

$0

¥ 0

$800,000

¥ 100,000,000

$0

0

$0

0

Pensions_Details

Pensions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
U.S. Plans
Components of net periodic pension costs (benefit) of the plans
Service cost	$293	$251
Interest cost	1,153	1,199
Expected return on assets	-1,793	-1,901
Amortization of prior service cost	4	18
Net actuarial loss amortization	684	276
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	341	-157
European Plans
Components of net periodic pension costs (benefit) of the plans
Service cost	73	86
Interest cost	305	405
Expected return on assets	-414	-377
Net actuarial loss amortization	55	61
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$19	$175

Pensions_Details_2

Pensions (Details 2) (Multi-employer pension plan, Payroll and benefits payable, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Multi-employer pension plan | Payroll and benefits payable
Multi-employer pension plan
Accrued plan liability	$1	$0.90

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	5-May-15	Feb. 18, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05
Common stock dividends paid			$2,630

Stockholders_Equity_Details_2

Stockholders' Equity (Details 2) (Share repurchase program December 2013, USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		16 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Share repurchase program December 2013
Shareholders' Equity
Total purchases authorized under share repurchase program					$150,000,000
Shares repurchased	150,700	80,500	1,013,341	2,158,141
Average purchase price (in dollars per share)	$21.80	$20.88	$20.50	$20.57
Amount of remaining authorization to repurchase common stock	$102,300,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance as of beginning of year, net of tax	($27,510)	($1,140)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-9,524	-34
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)	282	154
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-9,242	120
Balance as of end of period, net of tax	-36,752	-1,020
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance as of beginning of year, net of tax	1,943	16,793
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-10,296	124
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-10,296	124
Balance as of end of period, net of tax	-8,353	16,917
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance as of beginning of year, net of tax	-30,358	-18,450
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	310	-23
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)	500	225
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	810	202
Balance as of end of period, net of tax	-29,548	-18,248
Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance as of beginning of year, net of tax	905	517
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	462	-135
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss)	-218	-71
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	244	-206
Balance as of end of period, net of tax	$1,149	$311

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	($87,218)	($87,463)
Income before income tax provision	16,622	14,956
Tax (expense) or benefit	-5,561	-5,147
Net income	11,061	9,809
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income	-282	-154
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Income before income tax provision	-743	-355
Tax (expense) or benefit	243	130
Net income	-500	-225
Prior-service costs | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net periodic pension cost	-4	-18
Actuarial losses | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net periodic pension cost	-739	-337
Derivatives | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Income before income tax provision	320	137
Tax (expense) or benefit	-102	-66
Net income	218	71
Derivatives | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Foreign exchange contracts
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	444	133
Derivatives | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Natural gas contracts
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	($124)	$4

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of income tax expense (benefit) included in other comprehensive income (loss)
Defined benefit pension plan	$243,000	$130,000
Derivatives	125,000	-145,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Income tax benefit in accumulated other comprehensive loss	16,700,000		17,400,000
Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Income tax expense in accumulated other comprehensive income	$500,000		$500,000

Basic_and_Diluted_Net_Income_P2

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share
Net income available to common shareholders	$11,061	$9,809
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	52,450,994	53,608,465
Effect of Dilutive Securities (in shares)	879,268	916,902
Diluted (in shares)	53,330,262	54,525,367
Net income per common share Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.21	$0.18
Stock options excluded from the dilutive calculations as effect would have been antidilutive (in shares)	818,825	0

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	33.50%	34.40%
U.S. federal statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 24, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Jan. 09, 2014

Jan. 09, 2014

Aug. 15, 2013

Oct. 31, 2011

Nov. 24, 2014

Nov. 09, 2012

Nov. 19, 2014

19-May-14

Jun. 26, 2013

Apr. 30, 2015

Nov. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

item

item

item

Waterlink's Columbus, Ohio property | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Contingencies

Recorded liability estimates for environmental loss contingencies

0.2

$0.10

Waterlink's Columbus, Ohio property | Accrued pension and other liabilities

Contingencies

Recorded liability estimates for environmental loss contingencies

0.3

0.4

Big Sandy Plant

Contingencies

Civil penalty paid

1.6

Number of ground water monitoring wells to be installed

2

Big Sandy Plant | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Contingencies

Recorded liability estimates for environmental loss contingencies

0.1

0.1

Period of Review III

Contingencies

Ongoing duty deposit rate (as a percent)

0

0

Receivable recorded for anticipated refunds of anti-dumping duties

$1.10

Tariff collection rate for cooperative respondents (in dollars per pound)

0

0.127

Number of respondents with per-unit rates

1

Period of Review III | Maximum

Contingencies

Period of right to appeal Court affirmation of Commerce Department's remand determination

60 days

Period of Review IV

Contingencies

Ongoing duty deposit rate (as a percent)

0

Anti-dumping margins for cooperative, separate rate respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.47

Assessment rate finalized at deposit rate due to not participating in review (as a percent)

14.51%

Period of Review IV | Jacobi Carbons AB

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.2

Period of Review IV | Ningxia Guanghua Cherishment Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and affiliates

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.96

Period of Review IV | Datong Juqiang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.

Contingencies

Ongoing duty deposit rate (as a percent)

0

Period of Review VI

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for cooperative, separate rate respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.018

1.42

PRC-wide rate (in dollars per pound)

1.1

1.1

Number of mandatory respondents

2

Period of Review VI | Jacobi Carbons AB

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.018

1.71

Period of Review VI | Ningxia Guanghua Cherishment Activated Carbon Co., Ltd. and affiliates

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.018

0.93

Period of Review VI | Calgon Carbon Tianjin

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for cooperative, separate rate respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.018

1.42

Period Of Review VII

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for cooperative, separate rate respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.24

PRC-wide rate (in dollars per pound)

1.1

Period Of Review VII | Jacobi Carbons AB

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.24

Period Of Review VII | Datong Juqiang Activated Carbon Co., Ltd.

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for mandatory respondents (in dollars per pound)

0

Period Of Review VII | Calgon Carbon Tianjin

Contingencies

Anti-dumping margins for cooperative, separate rate respondents (in dollars per pound)

0.24

Carbon Imports - Anti-dumping duties

Contingencies

Import duty (in dollars per pound)

0.018

Prior period over which Commerce Department reviews anti-dumping tariffs

12 months

Number of periods of review

7

Carbon Imports - Anti-dumping duties | Minimum

Contingencies

Period for which reviews are possible

5 years

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (Multi-employer pension plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015
Multi-employer pension plan
(Reduction in) addition to accrued plan liability	$0.40	($1.10)
Payroll and benefits payable
Multi-employer pension plan
Accrued plan liability	$0.90		$1

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Non-cash decrease and increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for changes in unpaid capital expenditures	($0.50)	$0.70

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	item
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	3
Segment Information
Net Sales	$135,703	$131,632
Income from operations	17,290	15,601
Restructuring income		103
Interest income	11	10
Interest expense	-131	-109
Other expense - net	-548	-546
Income before income tax provision	16,622	14,956
Depreciation and amortization	8,701	7,029
Activated Carbon and Service
Segment Information
Net Sales	122,747	117,723
Depreciation and amortization	7,835	6,176
Equipment
Segment Information
Net Sales	10,708	10,468
Depreciation and amortization	713	695
Consumer
Segment Information
Net Sales	2,248	3,441
Depreciation and amortization	153	158
Business operating segments
Segment Information
Income from operations	17,290	15,498
Business operating segments | Activated Carbon and Service
Segment Information
Income from operations	18,055	16,493
Business operating segments | Equipment
Segment Information
Income from operations	-1,160	-1,682
Business operating segments | Consumer
Segment Information
Income from operations	$395	$687

Government_Grants_Details

Government Grants (Details)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 19, 2014

Dec. 19, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 07, 2007

Dec. 07, 2007

USD ($)

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Suzhou Wuzhong Economics Development Zone (WEDZ) Incentive

Walloon Region Grant

Walloon Region Grant

Walloon Region Grant

Walloon Region Grant

USD ($)

CNY

Accrued pension and other liabilities

Accrued pension and other liabilities

Other expense - net

Other expense - net

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

item

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

item

Government Grants

Number of grants awarded

2

2

Total grants awarded

$3,400,000

€ 2,600,000

Cash Received from Grants

1,254,000

Amount received during the period, recognized as a deduction from carrying amount of property, plant and equipment

1,300,000

900,000

Incentive received

600,000

3,860,000

Number of phases within which the construction of carbon reactivation lines has been committed to be completed

2

2

Number of reactivation lines to be constructed under each phase

2

2

Incentive recognized

300,000

1,930,000

Percentage of total awarded incentive recognized

50.00%

Portion of incentive that relates to remaining construction commitment

$300,000

$300,000