Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (370,615)		$ (411,168)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(11,115)		(33,330)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			12,380		14,901
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			(879)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			(1,447)
Total other comprehensive loss	(1,621)	(3,641)	(1,061)		(18,429)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			1,069		(68)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			8		(18,497)
Ending balance	(370,607)	(429,665)	(370,607)		(429,665)
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			6,110		62,308
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(13,885)	[1]	(33,877)	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Excluding Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			0		0
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			(1,511)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			(1,447)
Total other comprehensive loss			(16,843)		(33,877)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			1,088		(152)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			(15,755)		(34,029)
Ending balance	(9,645)	28,279	(9,645)		28,279
Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(7,023)		(8,139)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(3,114)	[2]	(2,166)	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Excluding Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			3		6
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			0
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			0
Total other comprehensive loss			(3,111)		(2,160)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(19)		84
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			(3,130)		(2,076)
Ending balance	(10,153)	(10,215)	(10,153)		(10,215)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(369,682)		(465,286)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			5,878	[1]	2,692	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Excluding Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			12,377		14,895
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			632
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			0
Total other comprehensive loss			18,887		17,587
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			18,887		17,587
Ending balance	(350,795)	(447,699)	(350,795)		(447,699)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(20)		(51)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			6		21
Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Excluding Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			0		0
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee			0
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net Of Tax, Amounts Related To Asset Impairment Loss Recognized in Acquisitions and Dispositions			0
Total other comprehensive loss			6		21
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			6		21
Ending balance	$ (14)	$ (30)	$ (14)		$ (30)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.