Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	$ 401,758
Foreign currency translation	4,948
Balance at March 31, 2018	406,706
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	381,893
Foreign currency translation	4,948
Balance at March 31, 2018	386,841
Harsco Industrial Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	6,839
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2018	6,839
Harsco Rail Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	13,026
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2018	$ 13,026

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77989000&loc=SL49117168-202975

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant