Equity Method Investments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016
Assets
Current assets				$ 896,933
Property and equipment , net				884,979
Other noncurrent assets				1,454,951
Total assets				3,236,863
Liabilities and Equity
Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt				14,402
Other current liabilities				341,979
Long-term debt				1,857,162
Other noncurrent liabilities				351,714
Total liabilities				2,565,257
Equity				671,606
Total liabilities and equity				$ 3,236,863
Summarized Statement of Operations Information of Brand:
Net revenues		$ 2,333,561
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue			$ 2,976,471
Gross profit		499,005	649,596
Net income attributable to Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries		20,756	605
Harsco's equity in income of Brand	$ 0	5,686	175
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture
Summarized Statement of Operations Information of Brand:
Harsco's equity in income of Brand		$ 5,686	$ 175