CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 598,823	$ 723,516		$ 1,197,523	$ 1,377,043
Product revenues	171,752	151,575		325,387	277,103
Total revenues	770,575	875,091		1,522,910	1,654,146
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	469,998	572,216		953,423	1,098,194
Cost of products sold	114,782	94,997		225,024	179,438
Selling, general and administrative expenses	125,594	141,162		254,797	278,951
Research and development expenses	2,686	1,373		4,746	2,713
Other expenses	22,876	910		62,968	1,381
Total costs and expenses	735,936	810,658		1,500,958	1,560,677
Operating income from continuing operations	34,639	64,433		21,952	93,469
Interest income	882	619		1,556	1,339
Interest expense	(11,608)	(12,644)		(24,432)	(24,579)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	23,913	52,408		(924)	70,229
Income tax expense	(10,446)	(13,335)		(14,944)	(17,735)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	128	125		297	336
Income (loss) from continuing operations	13,595	39,198		(15,571)	52,830
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(515)	(744)		(1,165)	(2,072)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	193	286		437	789
Loss from discontinued operations	(322)	(458)		(728)	(1,283)
Net income (loss)	13,273	38,740		(16,299)	51,547
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(562)	(1,013)		(359)	(2,389)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	12,711	37,727		(16,658)	49,158
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	13,033	38,185		(15,930)	50,441
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(322)	(458)		(728)	(1,283)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 12,711	$ 37,727		$ (16,658)	$ 49,158
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,631	80,749		80,605	80,722
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.16	$ 0.47		$ (0.20)	$ 0.62
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders		$ 0.47	[1]	$ (0.21)	$ 0.61	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,882	81,010		80,605	80,977
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.16	$ 0.47		$ (0.20)	$ 0.62
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)		$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders		$ 0.47	[1]	$ (0.21)	$ 0.61	[1]
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.205	$ 0.205		$ 0.41	$ 0.41

[1] Does not total due to rounding