Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017:

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals  & Minerals Segment		Harsco Industrial Segment		Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	362,386	$	6,839	$	13,026	$	382,251
Foreign currency translation	17,665		—		—		17,665
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	380,051	$	6,839	$	13,026	$	399,916

Schedule of intangible assets by class

Intangible assets included in the caption, Intangible assets, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following:

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	152,423	$	119,870	$	146,840	$	112,610
Patents	5,832		5,697		5,729		5,534
Technology related	26,151		26,151		25,687		25,634
Trade names	8,316		4,767		8,306		4,529
Other	8,805		5,702		8,512		5,200
Total	$	201,527	$	162,187	$	195,074	$	153,507

Schedule of amortization expense

Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30				September 30
(In thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Amortization expense for intangible assets	$	1,269	$	2,053	$	3,868	$	6,208

Schedule of estimated amortization expense

The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows:

(In thousands)	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021
Estimated amortization expense (a)	$	5,000	$	4,750	$	4,500	$	4,250	$	4,000

(a) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange fluctuations.