Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment (there is no goodwill associated with the Harsco Infrastructure or Harsco Industrial Segments) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2013:

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals  & Minerals Segment			Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	419,888		$	9,310	$	429,198
Foreign currency translation	(10,633		)	—		(10,633		)
Balance at March 31, 2013	$	409,255		$	9,310	$	418,565

Schedule of intangible assets by class

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	March 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	179,395	$	130,013	$	183,862	$	129,904
Non-compete agreements	1,346		1,314		1,347		1,310
Patents	6,805		5,475		6,909		5,503
Technology related	29,334		18,147		29,588		17,551
Trade names	18,611		12,426		18,685		11,688
Other	9,641		6,332		9,947		6,656
Total	$	245,132	$	173,707	$	250,338	$	172,612

Schedule of amortization expense

Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
(In thousands)	2013		2012
Amortization expense for intangible assets	$	3,948	$	5,308

Schedule of estimated amortization expense

The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows:

(In thousands)	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017
Estimated amortization expense (a)	$	16,500	$	14,250	$	9,750	$	8,000	$	4,250