CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (31,544)	$ (9,483)	$ (65,437)	$ 14,108
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(16,992) and $(27,680), and $(3,747) and $(855) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	9,613	(36,854)	6,840	(74,671)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $(813) and $(398), and $(799) and $(1,337) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	1,609	4,164	(942)	10,045
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $336 and $(920), and $(466) and $(1,405) for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	10,712	19,580	43,007	27,796
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $(9) and $(7), and $4 and $7 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	14	(8)	11	(12)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	21,948	(13,118)	48,916	(36,842)
Total comprehensive loss	(9,596)	(22,601)	(16,521)	(22,734)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,448)	1,917	(4,179)	1,270
Comprehensive loss attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (11,044)	$ (20,684)	$ (20,700)	$ (21,464)