Ascent Industries Co. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Acquisitions (Pro Forma Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Specialty Pipe And Tube, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenues	$ 228,647	$ 224,570
Pro forma net income	8,928	6,459
Earnings per share:
Basic (dollars per share)	$ 1.85	$ 0.93
Diluted (dollars per share)	$ 1.85	$ 0.93
CRI Tolling [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenues		223,969	204,850
Pro forma net income		1,230	3,599
Earnings per share:
Basic (dollars per share)		$ 0.18	$ 0.57
Diluted (dollars per share)		$ 0.18	$ 0.56
Palmer of Texas [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenues			220,955	202,689
Pro forma net income			$ 5,537	$ 6,478
Earnings per share:
Basic (dollars per share)			$ 0.87	$ 1.03
Diluted (dollars per share)			$ 0.87	$ 1.02