Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ (532,256)		$ (370,615)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,928		(3,930)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	5,065		4,101
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee	(4,976)		(281)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure Transaction			(1,447)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	4,017		(1,557)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	764		300
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	4,781		(1,257)
Ending balance	(527,475)		(371,872)
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(39,938)		6,110
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(23,653)	[1]	1,090	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee	(5,189)		(913)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure Transaction			(1,447)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(28,842)		(1,270)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	754		300
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(28,088)		(970)
Ending balance	(68,026)		5,140
Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(9,025)		(7,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	7,955	[2]	(3,964)	[2]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1		1
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee	(382)		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure Transaction			0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7,574		(3,963)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	10		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	7,584		(3,963)
Ending balance	(1,441)		(10,986)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(483,278)		(369,682)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	19,634	[1]	(1,051)	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	5,064		4,100
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee	595		632
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure Transaction			0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	25,293		3,681
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	25,293		3,681
Ending balance	(457,985)		(366,001)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(15)		(20)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(8)		(5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee	0		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure Transaction			0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(8)		(5)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(8)		(5)
Ending balance	$ (23)		$ (25)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.