CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (79,753)	$ 6,332	$ (17,676)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	129,083	144,652	164,588
Amortization	12,403	11,823	11,738
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	58,494	8,491	9,740
Contract estimated forward loss provision for Harsco Rail Segment	45,050	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	35,337	0	0
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(7,654)	5,174	7,241
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(5,686)	(175)	1,558
Dividends from unconsolidated entities	16	28	0
Loss on disposal of Harsco Infrastructure Segment	0	0	2,911
Other, net	2,085	(6,429)	39,376
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions of businesses:
Accounts receivable	16,041	41,650	6,475
Inventories	(12,313)	(44,806)	(20,788)
Accounts payable	(20,285)	(401)	(29,416)
Accrued interest payable	(3,197)	(2,753)	70
Accrued compensation	8,865	(10,319)	5,699
Advances on contracts and other customer advances	14,485	(795)	92,769
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Pension Costs	(20,420)	(24,593)	(27,775)
Harsco 2011/2012 Restructuring Program accrual	0	(398)	(2,672)
Other assets and liabilities	(12,766)	(5,974)	(17,111)
Net cash provided by operating activities	159,785	121,507	226,727
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(69,340)	(123,552)	(208,859)
Proceeds from Infrastructure transaction	0	0	15,699
Proceeds from sales of assets	9,305	25,966	14,976
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(26)	(7,788)	(26,336)
Payment of unit adjustment liability	0	(22,320)	(22,320)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	165,640	0	0
Other investing activities, net	17,308	(2,679)	(2,721)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	122,887	(130,373)	(229,561)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	(2,350)	18,875	8,851
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	720,727	427,996	177,499
Reductions	(979,567)	(399,533)	(131,007)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(4,105)	(65,730)	(66,322)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(1,702)	(4,498)	(2,186)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(4,731)	(395)	0
Common stock acquired for treasury	0	(12,143)	(941)
Proceeds from derivative transaction	16,625	75,057	0
Deferred pension underfunding payment to unconsolidated affiliate	(20,640)	(7,688)	(7,688)
Other financing activities, net	(16,530)	(9,487)	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(292,273)	22,454	(21,794)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,724	3,325	(6,134)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(7,877)	16,913	(30,762)
Cash and cash equivalents	71,879	79,756	62,843
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	71,879	79,756	62,843
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Working capital	0	(560)	(1,107)
Property, plant and equipment	0	(72)	(330)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0	(3,490)	(6,839)
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	0	(4,078)	(17,575)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(26)	412	(485)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	$ (26)	$ (7,788)	$ (26,336)