CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 584,908		$ 598,823	$ 1,136,063	$ 1,197,523
Product revenues	174,828		171,752	339,068	325,387
Total revenues	759,736		770,575	1,475,131	1,522,910
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	460,305		469,998	903,701	953,423
Cost of products sold	116,849		114,782	237,711	225,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses	125,623		125,594	250,321	254,797
Research and development expenses	2,184		2,686	4,380	4,746
Other expenses	3,928		22,876	2,386	62,968
Total costs and expenses	708,889		735,936	1,398,499	1,500,958
Operating income from continuing operations	50,847		34,639	76,632	21,952
Interest income	830		882	1,236	1,556
Interest expense	(12,855)		(11,608)	(24,598)	(24,432)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	38,822		23,913	53,270	(924)
Income tax expense	(11,508)		(10,446)	(16,473)	(14,944)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	595		128	581	297
Income (loss) from continuing operations	27,909		13,595	37,378	(15,571)
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(863)		(515)	(1,505)	(1,165)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	330		193	575	437
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(533)		(322)	(930)	(728)
Net income (loss)	27,376		13,273	36,448	(16,299)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,578)		(562)	(5,405)	(359)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	23,798		12,711	31,043	(16,658)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	24,331		13,033	31,973	(15,930)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(533)		(322)	(930)	(728)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 23,798		$ 12,711	$ 31,043	$ (16,658)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,760		80,631	80,733	80,605
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.30		$ 0.16	$ 0.40	$ (0.20)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)		$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.29	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.38	$ (0.21)
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	81,004		80,882	80,967	80,605
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.30		$ 0.16	$ 0.39	$ (0.20)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)		$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.29	[1]	$ 0.16	$ 0.38	$ (0.21)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.205		$ 0.205	$ 0.41	$ 0.41

[1] (a) Does not total due to rounding