CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 6,332	$ (17,676)	$ (223,095)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	144,652	164,588	221,266
Amortization	11,823	11,738	15,775
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	8,491	9,740	966
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	5,174	7,241	(24,277)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(175)	1,558	(1,548)
Dividends from unconsolidated entities	28	0	37
Loss on disposal of Harsco Infrastructure Segment	0	2,911	272,250
Other, net	(6,429)	39,376	2,735
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions of businesses:
Accounts receivable	41,650	6,475	(33,953)
Inventories	(44,806)	(20,788)	18,740
Accounts payable	(401)	(29,416)	14,834
Accrued interest payable	(2,753)	70	(1,836)
Accrued compensation	(10,319)	5,699	(9,860)
Advances on contracts	(795)	92,769	(21,365)
Harsco Infrastructure Segment 2010 Restructuring Program accrual	0	0	(6,788)
Harsco 2011/2012 Restructuring Program accrual	(398)	(2,672)	(17,705)
Other assets and liabilities	(30,567)	(44,886)	(18,517)
Net cash provided by operating activities	121,507	226,727	187,659
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(123,552)	(208,859)	(245,551)
Proceeds from Infrastructure transaction	0	15,699	303,039
Proceeds from sales of assets	25,966	14,976	18,984
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	7,788	26,336	2,849
Payment of unit adjustment liability	(22,320)	(22,320)	(2,123)
Other investing activities, net	(2,679)	(2,721)	(8,219)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(130,373)	(229,561)	63,281
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	18,875	8,851	(1,901)
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	427,996	177,499	316,804
Reductions	(399,533)	(131,007)	(498,600)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(65,730)	(66,322)	(66,211)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(4,498)	(2,186)	(3,381)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(395)	0	(166)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	0	4,825
Common stock issued-options	0	0	371
Common stock acquired for treasury	(12,143)	(941)	0
Proceeds from cross-currency interest rate swap termination	75,057	0	0
Deferred pension underfunding payment to unconsolidated affiliate	(7,688)	(7,688)	0
Other financing activities, net	(9,487)	0	(405)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	22,454	(21,794)	(248,664)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	3,325	(6,134)	(3,921)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,913	(30,762)	(1,645)
Cash and cash equivalents	79,756	62,843	93,605
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	79,756	62,843	93,605
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Working capital	(560)	(1,107)	0
Propery, plant and equipment	(72)	(330)	(2,437)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	(3,490)	(6,839)	0
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	(4,078)	(17,575)	0
Other noncurrent assets and liabilites, net	412	(485)	(412)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	$ 7,788	$ 26,336	$ 2,849