CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (24,301)	$ 7,762	$ (33,893)	$ 23,591
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(4,977) and $4,542, and $(8,554) and $2,892 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	(14,394)	(8,975)	(2,773)	(37,817)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $401 and $984, and $415 and $(538) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	(144)	(1,693)	(2,551)	5,881
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(517) and $(469), and $(1,034) and $(939) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	21,855	(17,077)	32,295	8,216
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $(2) and $(1), and $2 and $3 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	4	4	(3)	(4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	7,321	(27,741)	26,968	(23,724)
Total comprehensive loss	(16,980)	(19,979)	(6,925)	(133)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,183)	(846)	(2,731)	(647)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (18,163)	$ (20,825)	$ (9,656)	$ (780)