Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,896,520	$ 3,046,018	$ 3,302,740
Operating Income (Loss)	(134,799)	(174,790)	87,649
Total Assets	2,441,748	2,975,969	3,338,877
Depreciation and Amortization	237,041	272,117	310,441
Capital Expenditures	246,147	265,023	313,101
Interest income	2,087	3,676	2,751
Interest expense	(49,654)	(47,381)	(48,735)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	966	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(183,332)	(218,495)	41,665
Segment operating income
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	(105,627)	(166,895)	93,440
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,359,004	1,404,103	1,588,302
Operating Income (Loss)	80,801	85,523	109,593
Total Assets	1,595,221	1,561,973	1,537,538
Depreciation and Amortization	158,837	163,137	183,784
Capital Expenditures	173,179	189,358	212,009
Harsco Infrastructure [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	885,377	937,293	1,108,293
Operating Income (Loss)	(275,762)	(368,657)	(125,555)
Total Assets	456,323	1,018,979	1,371,143
Depreciation and Amortization	58,449	89,814	107,621
Capital Expenditures	62,889	63,137	88,456
Harsco Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	286,167	352,036	300,029
Operating Income (Loss)	28,299	56,079	58,746
Total Assets	159,774	188,348	213,410
Depreciation and Amortization	10,362	10,116	10,133
Capital Expenditures	3,502	4,133	4,497
Harsco Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	365,972	352,586	306,116
Operating Income (Loss)	61,035	60,160	50,656
Total Assets	83,189	81,035	80,784
Depreciation and Amortization	3,329	3,098	2,805
Capital Expenditures	3,936	3,669	4,938
General Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	(29,172)	(7,895)	(5,791)
Total Assets	147,241	125,634	136,002
Depreciation and Amortization	6,064	5,952	6,098
Capital Expenditures	$ 2,641	$ 4,726	$ 3,201