Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective income tax rate related to continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 36.5% and 47.7%, respectively, compared with (4.9)% and (16.3)% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The effective income tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 changed primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of the loss on disposal of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs during 2013. An income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on technical merits, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes. The unrecognized income tax benefit at September 30, 2014 was $16.4 million, including interest and penalties. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that up to $0.4 million of unrecognized income tax benefits will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

The effective income tax rate related to continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 36.5% and 47.7%, respectively, compared with (4.9)% and (16.3)% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The effective income tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 changed primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of the loss on disposal of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs during 2013.

An income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on technical merits, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes. The unrecognized income tax benefit at September 30, 2014 was $16.4 million, including interest and penalties. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that up to $0.4 million of unrecognized income tax benefits will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.