Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions In March 2015, the Company acquired Protran Technology ("Protran"), a U.S. designer and producer of safety systems for transportation and industrial applications; and in April 2015, the Company acquired JK Rail Products, LLC ("JK Rail"), a provider of after-market parts for railroad track maintenance. Protran and JK Rail have been included in the results of the Harsco Rail Segment. Inclusion of pro forma financial information for these transactions is not necessary as the acquisitions are immaterial.

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

In March 2015, the Company acquired Protran Technology ("Protran"), a U.S. designer and producer of safety systems for transportation and industrial applications; and in April 2015, the Company acquired JK Rail Products, LLC ("JK Rail"), a provider of after-market parts for railroad track maintenance. Protran and JK Rail have been included in the results of the Harsco Rail Segment. Inclusion of pro forma financial information for these transactions is not necessary as the acquisitions are immaterial.