Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Accrued liabilities for environmental matters Accrued general liability insurance claims as of the balance sheet date which are included in accrued and other liabilities. Accrued General Liability Insurance Claims Accrued general liability insurance claims Expenses and fees incurred evaluating and analyzing proposals received from certain activists shareholders and dealing, negotiating and settling with those shareholders in order to avoid a proxy contest. Activist Shareholder Fees And Expense Fees and expenses relating to shareholders Additional Paid in Capital Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member] The amount estimated to be payable to a subcontractor or vendor after adjustments for payments already made which reduced the estimated payable amount in a legal matter. Adjusted Estimated Claim Amount Adjusted estimated claim amount Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by continuing operating activities: Agreement Maturity Date Agreement Maturity Date Ammonium nitrate supply agreement maturity date Other Segments [Member] Other [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Period Increase (Decrease) Provision for (recovery of) losses on accounts receivable The amended direct cost mark-up percentage included in an agreement. Amended Direct Cost Mark Up Percentage Amended mark-up The amended increase in the amount of overhead charges. Amended Increased Overhead Charges Amended increase in overhead charges The amended maximum limit of direct cost where the reduced mark-up percentage must be applied. Amended Maximum Direct Cost Mark Up Reduction Limit Amended mark-up reduction application limit Payable terms which have been amended by an agreement. Amended Payment Terms Terms Amended working capital revolver. Amended Working Capital Revolver [Member] Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earning per share Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Accrued liability for AROs Assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other: The balance of an asset deposited or invested that are in excess of the FDIC-insured limit. Balance In Excess Of Fdic Insured Limits Balance in excess of FDIC-insured limits The outstanding payable balance limit whereby certain agreement limits have been established. Balance Limit Outstanding payable balance limit Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and long-term debt associated with additions of property, plant and equipment Fair value as of the balance sheet date of carbon credit assets, which do not meet the criteria of a derivative instrument. Carbon Credit Assets Fair Value Disclosure Carbon credits The number of carbon credit units held by the entity subject to contractual obligations. Carbon Credit Contractual Obligation Number Of Instruments Held Number of carbon credits The fair value per carbon credit unit as of the balance sheet date. Carbon Credit Fair Value Per Unit Carbon credit fair value per unit Fair value as of the balance sheet date of carbon credit liabilities, which do not meet the criteria of a derivative instrument. Carbon Credit Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Contractual obligations - carbon credits Carbon credits. Carbon Credits [Member] Carbon Credits [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Noncurrent Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Noncash investing and financing activities: Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Operating cash flows Certificate Of Deposit Original Maturity Period Certificate Of Deposit Original Maturity Period Original maturity period Certificates of Deposit [Member] CD [Member] Goodwill of Chemical. Chemical [Member] Chemical [Member] Chemical products. Chemical Products [Member] Chemical Products [Member] Cherokee Facility [Member] Cherokee Facility [Member] Cherokee Facility [Member] An amount claimed to be payable by a subcontractor or vendor in a legal matter. Claimed Amount Payable Claimed amount payable by Global for certain work Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Goodwill of Climate Control. Climate Control [Member] Climate Control [Member] Climate control products. Climate Control Products [Member] Climate Control Business Products [Member] Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for manufactured product period. Commercial And Industrial Product Base Warranty Coverage For Manufactured Product Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for manufactured equipment Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for spare parts. Commercial And Industrial Product Base Warranty Coverage For Spare Parts Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for spare parts Commitment Fees [Member] Commitment Fees [Member] Commitment Fees [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments By Type [Axis] Commitments By Type [Axis] Commitments By Type [Axis] Commitments By Type [Domain] Commitments By Type [Domain] Commitments By Type [Domain] Commodity Contract [Member] Commodities Contracts [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Shares [Member] Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $.10 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 27,131,724 shares issued (26,968,212 shares at December 31, 2014) Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risks for Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments at Financial Institutions Consolidated Leverage Ratio Maximum Limit Consolidated Leverage Ratio Maximum Limit Limit of consolidated leverage ratio Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation and Presentation Construction in Progress, Gross Project costs capitalized Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits. Contractual Obligations Relating To Carbon Credits [Member] Contractual Obligations Relating to Carbon Credits [Member] Contractual weighted average pay rate related to the entity's interest rate contracts as of the balance sheet date. Contractual Weighted Average Pay Rate Contractual weighted-average pay rate Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] Convertible Preferred Stocks [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Corporate [Member] Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Cost of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales [Member] Covenants. Covenants [Member] Covenants [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Criteria [Domain] Criteria [Domain] Criteria [Domain] Criteria One [Member] Criteria One [Member] Commitment if the Preferred Stock and warrants are not issued in certain circumstances [Member] Criteria Range [Axis] Criteria Range [Axis] Criteria Range [Axis] Cumulative Redeemable Nonconvertible Perpetual Non Voting Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Nonconvertible Perpetual Non Voting Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Redeemable Nonconvertible Perpetual Non Voting Preferred Stock [Member] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total Current Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) State Customer deposits current and noncurrent. Customer Deposits Current And Noncurrent Customer deposits Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Covenant Description Amended working capital revolver loan requirements Debt Instrument, Face Amount Aggregate principal amount of notes Maximum principal note amount Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment Debt instrument, frequency of interest payment Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Long-term debt, effective Interest Rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt instrument, interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum Debt instrument, maximum potential interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms Debt instrument term Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Maturity date Debt Instrument Maturity Year Debt Instrument Maturity Year Maturity year Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Payment Terms Secured promissory note, payment term The debt instrument prepayment premiums percentage required by the terms of a note. Debt Instrument PrePayment Premiums Percentage Debt instrument prepayment premium percentage to be paid Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] August 2016 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] August 2018 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] August 2017 [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage Redemption Price Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Decrease in Restricted Cash Proceeds from noncurrent restricted cash and cash equivalents Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Total Deferred Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred: Current and noncurrent carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts. Deferred Revenue On Extended Warranty Contracts Current And Noncurrent Deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) State Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Depreciation Depreciation, depletion and amortization of property, plant and equipment Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate LIBOR rate Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate Contractual weighted-average exchange rate The quantity of derivative future or forward contract(s) measured in ounces. Derivative Future Or Forward Contract In Ounces Future or forward contract in ounces The derivative future or forward contract(s) measured in pounds as of the period end. Derivative Future Or Forward Contract In Pounds Derivative future or forward contracts in pounds The volume of derivative future or forward contract(s) as of the period end. Derivative Future Or Forward Contract In Volume Derivative future or forward contracts in volume Derivative future or forward foreign exchange contract period. Derivative Future Or Forward Foreign Exchange Contract Period Future or forward foreign exchange contracts settlement period The period derivative future or forward platinum contract(s) settle. Derivative Future Or Forward Platinum Contract Period Future or forward platinum contracts settlement period Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Table] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Table] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits The amount of net gains and losses (realized and unrealized) recognized in earnings during the period on derivative instruments and carbon credit assets or carbon credit contractual obligations measured at fair value. Derivative Instruments Carbon Credits Gain Loss Recognized In Earnings Total net gain (losses) included in earnings Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Liability Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities Derivative, Notional Amount Interest rate swap declining balance beginning balance Direct Cost Mark-Up [Member] Direct Cost Mark-Up [Member] Direct Cost Mark-Up [Member] Disclosure Accrued Product Warranty Costs [Abstract] Disclosure Accrued Product Warranty Costs [Abstract] Disclosure Accrued Product Warranty Costs [Abstract] Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash Dividends on preferred stocks Dividends paid on preferred stocks Total dividends on preferred stocks Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Income (loss) per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Basic net income (loss) per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Diluted net income (loss) per common share Numerator. Earnings Per Share Numerator [Abstract] Numerator: Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Income (Loss) Per Common Share Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Percentage of pre-tax income Eldorado Ammonia L L C [Member] EL Dorado Ammonia L.L.C [Member] EL Dorado Ammonia L.L.C [Member] Eldorado. Eldorado [Member] El Dorado Facility [Member] Employee-related Liabilities Accrued payroll and benefits Employee Stock Option [Member] Stock Options [Member] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Environmental loss contingencies civil penalty payable to a regulatory agency. Environmental Loss Contingencies Civil Penalty Payable Environmental loss contingencies civil penalty Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Ownership interest in equity method investment The amount claimed to be payable by a subcontractor or vendor estimated to have already been paid in a legal matter. Estimated Amount Of Claim Paid Estimated amount paid to Global of disputed amount The estimated fair value of natural gas properties as of the balance sheet date. Estimated Fair Value Of Natural Gas Properties Fair value of natural gas properties Estimated market weighted average receive rate related to the entity's interest rate contracts as of the balance sheet date. Estimated Market Weighted Average Receive Rate Estimated market weighted-average receive rate The estimated cost of a project. Estimated Project Costs Estimated range of project costs to construct plants Excess of carrying value over estimated fair value. Excess Of Carrying Value Over Estimated Fair Value Excess of carrying value over estimated fair value Excess Of Estimated Fair Value Over Carrying Value Excess Of Estimated Fair Value Over Carrying Value Excess of estimated fair value over carrying value Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation For the licensing, engineering, and procurement of major manufacturing equipment for a new plant to be constructed Expansion Projects [Member] Expansion Projects [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Tabular disclosure of the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (1) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized); (2) purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net); and (3) transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 (for example, transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs). Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]