Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

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 Segment) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment		Harsco Infrastructure Segment			Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	411,876	$	259,715		$	9,310	$	680,901
Changes to goodwill (a)	—		(2,295		)	—		(2,295		)
Goodwill impairment	—		(265,038		)	—		(265,038		)
Foreign currency translation	8,012		7,618			—		15,630
Balance at December 31, 2012	419,888		—			9,310		429,198
Foreign currency translation	2,067		—			—		2,067
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	421,955	$	—		$	9,310	$	431,265

(a) Changes to goodwill relate principally to the allocation of goodwill, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to components of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that were disposed of as part of the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program.

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

The following table reflects these intangible assets by major category:

	December 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	150,307	$	110,889	$	183,862	$	129,904
Non-compete agreements	1,126		1,024		1,347		1,310
Patents	6,211		5,273		6,909		5,503
Technology related	27,185		18,931		29,588		17,551
Trade names	4,113		2,969		18,685		11,688
Other	7,753		4,348		9,947		6,656
Total	$	196,695	$	143,434	$	250,338	$	172,612

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets.

(In thousands)	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Estimated amortization expense (a)	$	8,500	$	7,250	$	6,750	$	3,750	$	3,500

(a) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The decreases in Intangible assets and estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years since December 31, 2012, primarily relates to the consummation of the Infrastructure transaction. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional information related to the Infrastructure transaction.