CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 351,010	$ 551,155
Product revenues	161,689	164,240
Total revenues	512,699	715,395
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	293,999	443,396
Cost of products sold	115,466	120,862
Selling, general and administrative expenses	66,794	124,698
Research and development expenses	2,619	2,196
Loss on disposal of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs	2,138	0
Other income	(656)	(1,542)
Total costs and expenses	480,360	689,610
Operating income from continuing operations	32,339	25,785
Interest income	297	406
Interest expense	(11,421)	(11,743)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(2,546)	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity loss	18,669	14,448
Income tax expense	(4,495)	(4,965)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities, net	(1,230)	(14)
Income from continuing operations	12,944	9,469
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(640)	(642)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	237	245
Loss from discontinued operations	(403)	(397)
Net income	12,541	9,072
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,402)	(1,827)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	11,139	7,245
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	11,542	7,642
Loss from discontinued operations	(403)	(397)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 11,139	$ 7,245
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,816	80,706
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.14	$ 0.09
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.14	$ 0.09
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	81,022	80,930
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.14	$ 0.09
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.14	$ 0.09
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.205	$ 0.205