Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ (532,256)	$ (370,615)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				(19,777)	(2,417)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				10,116	8,232
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(14,063)	(3,808)
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		$ (27,741)	$ 2,117	(23,724)	560
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				1,105	414
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(22,619)	974
Ending balance		(554,875)	(369,641)	(554,875)	(369,641)
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	[1]			(23,957)	7,634
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				0	0
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(13,860)	(4,440)
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				(37,817)	1,747
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				1,091	425
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(36,726)	2,172
Ending balance		(76,664)	8,282	(76,664)	8,282
Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				(9,025)	(7,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[2]			6,677	(1,868)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				2	1
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(798)	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				5,881	(1,867)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				14	(11)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				5,895	(1,878)
Ending balance		(3,130)	(8,901)	(3,130)	(8,901)
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	[1]			(2,493)	(8,187)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				10,114	8,231
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				595	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				8,216	676
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				8,216	676
Ending balance		(475,062)	(369,006)	(475,062)	(369,006)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				(15)	(20)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				(4)	4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				0	0
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				0	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				(4)	4
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(4)	4
Ending balance		$ (19)	$ (16)	$ (19)	$ (16)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.