Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ (532,256)	$ (370,615)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				(38,736)	(10,880)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				15,240	12,380
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(13,346)	(879)
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		$ (13,118)	$ (1,386)	(36,842)	(826)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				2,195	1,069
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(34,647)	243
Ending balance		(566,903)	(370,372)	(566,903)	(370,372)
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]			(61,537)	(13,650)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				0	0
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(13,134)	(1,511)
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				(74,671)	(16,608)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				2,187	1,088
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(72,484)	(15,520)
Ending balance		(112,422)	(9,410)	(112,422)	(9,410)
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]			10,801	(3,114)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				52	3
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				(808)	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				10,045	(3,111)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				8	(19)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				10,053	(3,130)
Ending balance		1,028	(10,153)	1,028	(10,153)
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]			12,012	5,878
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				15,188	12,377
Amounts Reclassified From Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee				596	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				27,796	18,887
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				27,796	18,887
Ending balance		(455,482)	(350,795)	(455,482)	(350,795)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				(15)	(20)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				(12)	6
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				(12)	6
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests				0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation				(12)	6
Ending balance		$ (27)	$ (14)	$ (27)	$ (14)

[1] Principally foreign currency fluctuation.

[2] Net change from periodic revaluations.