CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from continuing operations:
Product revenues		$ 1,722,380	$ 1,607,062	$ 1,451,223
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative costs		238,690	229,792	196,871
Research and development expenses		5,548	4,227	4,280
Other expenses		(1,522)	4,641	12,620
Total costs and expenses		1,531,453	1,461,668	1,386,340
Operating income from continuing operations		190,927	145,394	64,883
Interest income		2,155	2,469	2,475
Interest expense		(38,148)	(47,552)	(51,584)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)		3,447	(2,595)	(1,414)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(1,127)	(2,265)	(35,337)
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution and sale of equity method investment		0	0	(58,494)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income		157,254	95,451	(79,471)
Income tax expense		(12,899)	(83,803)	(6,637)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net		384	0	5,686
Income (loss) from continuing operations		144,739	11,648	(80,422)
Discontinued operations:
Income on disposal of discontinued business		358	306	1,061
Income tax expense related to discontinued business		(84)	(110)	(392)
Income from discontinued operations		274	196	669
Net income (loss)		145,013	11,844	(79,753)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(7,956)	(4,022)	(5,914)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation		137,057	7,822	(85,667)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax		136,783	7,626	(86,336)
Income from discontinued operations		274	196	669
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders		$ 137,057	$ 7,822	$ (85,667)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		80,716	80,553	80,333
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 1.69	$ 0.09	$ (1.07)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0	0	0.01
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 1.70	$ 0.10	$ (1.07)
Diluted weighted average shares of stock outstanding		83,595	82,840	80,333
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)		$ 1.64	$ 0.09	$ (1.07)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		0	0	0.01
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)		$ 1.64	$ 0.09	$ (1.07)	[1]
Services
Revenues from continuing operations:
Product revenues		$ 1,007,239	$ 981,672	$ 939,129
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services and products sold		780,930	770,268	762,431
Product
Revenues from continuing operations:
Product revenues		715,141	625,390	512,094
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services and products sold		$ 507,807	$ 452,740	$ 410,138

[1] Does not total due to rounding.