Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 segment Customer	Dec. 31, 2015 Customer	Dec. 31, 2014 Customer
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers	1	2	2
Harsco Industrial
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers	0	2	1
Harsco Rail
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers	1	2	1