Other Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of other expenses (income)

The major components of this Consolidated Statements of Operations caption are as follows:

(In thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Net gains	$	(5,136	)	$	(1,764	)	$	(10,613	)
Employee termination benefit costs	7,350			10,777			14,914
Other costs to exit activities	1,633			440			13,451
Impaired asset write-downs	1,025			399			8,170
Foreign currency gains related to Harsco Rail Segment advances on contracts	—			—			(10,940		)
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment separation costs	—			3,235			9,922
Subcontractor settlement	—			—			4,220
Other expense	(231		)	(467		)	1,449
Total	$	4,641		$	12,620		$	30,573

Schedule of net gains from sales of redundant properties and non-core assets

	Net Gains
(In thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	(1,354	)	$	(1,828	)	$	(7,059	)
Harsco Industrial Segment	(3,782		)	64			(3,554		)
Total	$	(5,136	)	$	(1,764	)	$	(10,613	)

Schedule of employee termination benefit costs

	Employee Termination Benefit Costs
(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	4,411	$	8,491	$	11,454
Harsco Industrial Segment	617		947		561
Harsco Rail Segment	1,133		297		145
Corporate	1,189		1,042		2,754
Total	$	7,350	$	10,777	$	14,914

Schedule of exit costs

	Costs to Exit Activities
(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	706	$	220	$	12,638
Harsco Industrial Segment	371		40		—
Corporate	556		180		813
Total	$	1,633	$	440	$	13,451

Schedule of impaired asset write-downs

	Impaired Asset Write-downs
(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	706	$	399	$	8,170
Harsco Industrial Segment	151		—		—
Corporate	168		—		—
Total	$	1,025	$	399	$	8,170