CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 350,898		$ 339,907	$ 680,800	$ 664,347
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative costs	67,501		49,609	123,907	98,208
Research and development expenses	1,120		1,006	1,869	1,827
Other (income) expenses, net	(1,717)		(1,014)	26	650
Total costs and expenses	333,099		301,843	643,177	603,555
Operating income from continuing operations	17,799		38,064	37,623	60,792
Interest income	591		577	1,124	1,070
Interest expense	(6,103)		(5,681)	(11,610)	(11,271)
Unused debt commitment and amendment fees	(7,435)		0	(7,435)	0
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	0		(1,034)	0	(1,034)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(1,472)		904	(2,810)	1,743
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	3,380		32,830	16,892	51,300
Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,994)		502	(5,213)	(5,696)
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	49		0	70	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(565)		33,332	11,749	45,604
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued businesses	9,936		11,988	23,686	21,233
Income tax (expense) benefit related to discontinued businesses	1,558		(2,609)	(1,969)	(4,549)
Income from discontinued operations	11,494		9,379	21,717	16,684
Net income	10,929		42,711	33,466	62,288
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,287)		(2,222)	(4,127)	(3,991)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	8,642		40,489	29,339	58,297
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(2,852)		31,110	7,622	41,613
Income from discontinued operations	11,494		9,379	21,717	16,684
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 8,642		$ 40,489	$ 29,339	$ 58,297
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,328		80,861	80,119	80,756
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)		$ 0.38	$ 0.10	$ 0.52
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.14		0.12	0.27	0.21
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11		$ 0.50	$ 0.37	$ 0.72
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,328		83,643	82,074	83,594
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)		$ 0.37	$ 0.09	$ 0.50
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.14		0.11	0.26	0.20
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.11	[1]	$ 0.48	$ 0.36	$ 0.70
Products And Services, Service Revenue [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 238,003		$ 245,708	$ 467,523	$ 489,918
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	186,840		187,393	368,711	379,068
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	112,895		94,199	213,277	174,429
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 79,355		$ 64,849	$ 148,664	$ 123,802

[1] Does not total due to rounding