Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (515,688)	$ (532,256)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			6,419	(38,632)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			11,910	15,136
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity method investment			28,743
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee			1,844	(13,346)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 21,948	$ (13,118)	48,916	(36,842)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			413	2,195
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			49,329	(34,647)
Ending balance	(466,359)	(566,903)	(466,359)	(566,903)
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(125,561)	(39,938)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(23,744)	(61,537)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity method investment			28,641
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee			1,943	(13,134)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			6,840	(74,671)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			420	2,187
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			7,260	(72,484)
Ending balance	(118,301)	(112,422)	(118,301)	(112,422)
Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(400)	(9,025)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(1,915)	10,905
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(258)	(52)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity method investment			1,636
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee			(405)	(808)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			(942)	10,045
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(7)	8
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			(949)	10,053
Ending balance	(1,349)	1,028	(1,349)	1,028
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(389,696)	(483,278)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			32,067	12,012
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			12,168	15,188
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity method investment			(1,534)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee			306	596
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			43,007	27,796
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			43,007	27,796
Ending balance	(346,689)	(455,482)	(346,689)	(455,482)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(31)	(15)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			11	(12)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity method investment			0
Other comprehensive income (loss) from equity method investee			0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			11	(12)
Less: Other Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation			11	(12)
Ending balance	$ (20)	$ (27)	$ (20)	$ (27)