Equity Method Investments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2016
Assets
Current assets			$ 806,510		$ 896,933
Property and equipment , net			894,537		884,979
Other noncurrent assets			1,519,722		1,454,951
Total assets			3,220,769		3,236,863
Liabilities and Equity
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt			68,687		14,402
Other current liabilities			397,759		341,979
Long-term debt			1,736,081		1,857,162
Other noncurrent liabilities			383,638		351,714
Total liabilities			2,586,165		2,565,257
Equity			634,604		671,606
Total liabilities and equity			3,220,769		$ 3,236,863
Summarized Statement of Operations Information of Brand:
Net revenues	$ 2,559,556	$ 2,333,561	2,976,471
Gross profit	559,376	499,005	649,596
Net income (loss) attributable to Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries	(4,848)	20,756	605
Harsco's equity in income (loss) of Brand		5,686	175	$ (1,558)
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture
Summarized Statement of Operations Information of Brand:
Harsco's equity in income (loss) of Brand	$ (1,595)	$ 5,686	$ 175