Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets	$ 207,978	$ 246,147	$ 265,023
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	2,065,738us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	2,896,520us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	3,046,018us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Property, plant and equipment, net	663,244us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	711,346us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	1,266,225us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	880,884	1,021,770	1,108,051
Property, plant and equipment, net	151,397	147,820	242,890
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	257,885	353,915	331,894
China
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	102,842	86,822	55,656
All Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	926,969	1,520,835	1,606,073
Property, plant and equipment, net	339,490	413,543	902,660
Harsco Industrial [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets	9,298	3,936	3,669
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	$ 412,532	$ 365,972	$ 352,586

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

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Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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