Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 431,265us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 429,198us-gaap_Goodwill
Changes to goodwill	6,539us-gaap_GoodwillOtherChanges
Foreign currency translation	(21,649)us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments	2,067us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAdjustments
Balance at the end of the period	416,155us-gaap_Goodwill	431,265us-gaap_Goodwill
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	421,955	419,888
Changes to goodwill	(300)
Foreign currency translation	(21,649)	2,067
Balance at the end of the period	400,006	421,955
Harsco Industrial [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	0	0
Changes to goodwill	6,839
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	6,839	0
Harsco Rail [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	9,310	9,310
Changes to goodwill	0
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	$ 9,310	$ 9,310

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

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Amount of other (increase) decrease of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Section 50

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Amount of increase (decrease) from foreign currency translation adjustments of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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