CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 19,731	$ (24,301)	$ 29,868	$ (33,893)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			60,495	65,736
Amortization			4,008	5,926
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution of equity method investment	0	1,489	0	13,706
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)			3,433	(2,857)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	0	694	0	(2,481)
Dividends from unconsolidated entities			19	16
Contract estimated forward loss provision for Harsco Rail Segment		40,050	0	40,050	$ 45,100
Other, net			5,708	1,871
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(42,806)	3,011
Inventories			(6,296)	(23,791)
Accounts payable			4,259	(16,308)
Accrued interest payable			166	(36)
Accrued compensation			(4,365)	1,237
Advances on contracts and other customer advances			(1,479)	(1,109)
Retirement plan liabilities, net			(11,221)	(13,871)
Other assets and liabilities			4,990	(8,534)
Net cash provided by operating activities			46,779	28,673
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(40,700)	(32,176)
Proceeds from sales of assets			1,534	5,115
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired			0	(26)
Other investing activities, net			4,170	(616)
Net cash used by investing activities			(34,996)	(27,703)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net			2,302	1,949
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions			24,000	50,019
Reductions			(46,712)	(75,608)
Cash dividends paid on common stock			0	(4,105)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,769)	(1,702)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests			0	(4,731)
Stock-based compensation - Employee taxes paid			(1,326)	(91)
Proceeds from cross-currency interest rate swap termination			0	16,625
Deferred financing costs			(42)	(895)
Other financing activities, net			(368)	0
Net cash used by financing activities			(23,915)	(18,539)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash			3,029	7,051
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash			(9,103)	(10,518)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of period			71,879	79,756	79,756
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of period	$ 62,776	$ 69,238	$ 62,776	$ 69,238	$ 71,879