Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense for property, plant and equipment	$ 51,700,000	$ 54,900,000	$ 66,100,000
Operating leases
2014	11,610,000
2015	8,277,000
2016	5,271,000
2017	2,937,000
2018	1,617,000
After 2018	11,218,000
Minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable subleases	200,000
Harsco Infrastructure [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rental expense for property, plant and equipment	$ 33,800,000