CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ (9,483)	$ 26,129	$ 14,108	$ 25,144
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(3,747) and $5,322, and $(855) and $4,862 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively	(36,854)	(18,355)	(74,671)	(16,608)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $(799) and $(458), and $(1,337) and $210 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively	4,164	(1,244)	10,045	(3,111)
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(2,384) and $(2,057), and $(3,344) and $(2,130) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively	19,580	18,211	27,796	18,887
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $4 and $(1), and $7 and $(3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively	(8)	2	(12)	6
Total other comprehensive loss	(13,118)	(1,386)	(36,842)	(826)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(22,601)	24,743	(22,734)	24,318
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,917	(877)	1,270	(1,879)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (20,684)	$ 23,866	$ (21,464)	$ 22,439