Acquisitions and Dispositions - Balance Sheet Positions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total liabilities	$ 15,203	$ 39,410
Harsco Industrial | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable, net	18,508	44,786
Other receivables	101	412
Inventories	21,994	16,926
Current portion of contract assets	0	12,124
Other current assets	1,225	984
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,093	37,107
Right-of-use assets, net	6,389
Goodwill	0	6,839
Intangible assets, net	0	10,618
Deferred income tax assets	0	563
Other assets	178	204
Total assets	70,488	130,563
Accounts payable	8,401	24,426
Accrued compensation	2,073	7,385
Current portion of advances on contracts	718	1,910
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	1,513
Other current liabilities	2,499	5,689
Operating lease liabilities	4,959
Other liabilities	315	555
Total liabilities	$ 20,478	$ 39,965