CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 939,129	$ 1,092,725	$ 1,366,246
Product revenues	512,094	630,367	700,042
Total revenues	1,451,223	1,723,092	2,066,288
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	759,120	909,995	1,149,360
Cost of products sold	411,343	446,366	494,510
Selling, general and administrative expenses	200,391	242,112	284,737
Research and development expenses	4,280	4,510	5,467
Loss on disposal of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs	0	1,000	5,103
Other expenses	12,620	30,573	57,824
Total costs and expenses	1,387,754	1,634,556	1,997,001
Operating income from continuing operations	63,469	88,536	69,287
Interest income	2,475	1,574	1,702
Interest expense	(51,584)	(46,804)	(47,111)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(35,337)	0	0
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(58,494)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(4,700)	(8,491)	(9,740)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	(79,471)	34,815	14,138
Income tax expense	(6,637)	(27,678)	(30,366)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities, net	5,686	175	(1,558)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(80,422)	7,312	(17,786)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) on disposal of discontinued business	1,061	(1,553)	176
Income tax (expense) benefit related to discontinued business	(392)	573	(66)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	669	(980)	110
Net income (loss)	(79,753)	6,332	(17,676)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,914)	(144)	(4,495)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(85,667)	6,188	(22,171)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(86,336)	7,168	(22,281)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	669	(980)	110
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (85,667)	$ 6,188	$ (22,171)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	80,333	80,234	80,884
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (1.07)	$ 0.09	$ (0.28)
Discontinued operations	0.01	(0.01)	0.00
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (1.07)	$ 0.08	$ (0.27)
Diluted weighted average shares of stock outstanding	80,333	80,365	80,884
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (1.07)	$ 0.09	$ (0.28)
Discontinued operations	0.01	(0.01)	0.00
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (1.07)	$ 0.08	$ (0.27)