CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019		Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 447,288		$ 408,038
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative costs	67,029		57,083
Research and development expenses	1,262		1,239
Other expenses, net	1,876		1,822
Total costs and expenses	409,042		371,497
Operating income from continuing operations	38,246		36,541
Interest income	534		498
Interest expense	(9,739)		(9,583)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(1,337)		839
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	27,704		28,295
Income tax expense	(4,855)		(8,266)
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	20		0
Income from continuing operations	22,869		20,029
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(440)		(580)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	108		128
Loss from discontinued operations	(332)		(452)
Net income	22,537		19,577
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,840)		(1,769)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	20,697		17,808
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	21,029		18,260
Loss from discontinued operations	(332)		(452)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 20,697		$ 17,808
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	79,907		80,650
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.23
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		(0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.22
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	81,653		83,544
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.22
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		(0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	[1]	$ 0.21
Service Revenues [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 229,520		$ 244,209
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services and products sold	181,871		191,675
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	217,768		163,829
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services and products sold	$ 157,004		$ 119,678

[1] Does not total due to rounding