Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(In thousands)	Harsco Environmental Segment			Harsco Clean Earth Segment		Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	381,893		$	—	$	13,026	$	394,919
Changes to goodwill (a)	22,518			—		—		22,518
Foreign currency translation	(12,724		)	—		—		(12,724		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	391,687			—		13,026		404,713
Changes to goodwill (b)	—			330,230		—		330,230
Foreign currency translation	3,426			—		—		3,426
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	395,113		$	330,230	$	13,026	$	738,369

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

The following table reflects these intangible assets by major category:

	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	143,996	$	99,327	$	122,378	$	93,577
Permits	170,322		4,694		—		—
Technology related	36,467		5,635		35,831		2,681
Trade names	31,719		2,182		5,565		682
Air rights	26,139		411		—		—
Patents	249		168		2,598		2,503
Other	3,765		1,158		4,214		1,936
Total	$	412,657	$	113,575	$	170,586	$	101,379

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets.

(In thousands)	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024
Estimated amortization expense (a)	$	23,500	$	22,400	$	22,000	$	22,000	$	22,000

(a)

These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.