Restructuring Programs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Project Orion Operational Savings - Min		$ 20,000
Project Orion Phase III Operational Savings - Max		25,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Employee termination benefit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	$ 5,807	7,668
Expense incurred		5,070
Other adjustments	(47)	(1,003)
Cash expenditures	(5,413)	(5,854)
Foreign currency translation	29	(74)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	$ 376	$ 5,807