Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment			Harsco Industrial Segment			Harsco Rail Segment			Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	400,006		$	6,839		$	9,310		$	416,155
Changes to goodwill	(493		)	(33		)	3,490		(a)	2,964
Foreign currency translation	(18,752		)	—			—			(18,752		)
Balance at December 31, 2015	380,761			6,806			12,800			400,367
Changes to goodwill	—			33			226			259
Foreign currency translation	(18,375		)	—			—			(18,375		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	362,386		$	6,839		$	13,026		$	382,251

(a) Changes to goodwill in the Harsco Rail Segment relate to the acquisitions of Protran and JK Rail. See Note 3, Acquisitions, for additional information.

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

The following table reflects these intangible assets by major category:

	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	146,840	$	112,610	$	153,287	$	111,227
Patents	5,729		5,534		5,882		5,495
Technology related	25,687		25,634		25,559		23,089
Trade names	8,306		4,529		8,303		4,194
Other	8,512		5,200		8,701		4,669
Total	$	195,074	$	153,507	$	201,732	$	148,674

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets.

(In thousands)	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021
Estimated amortization expense (b)	$	5,000	$	4,750	$	4,500	$	4,250	$	4,000

(b) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.