CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020		Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 509,398	$ 423,155	$ 1,355,520		$ 1,103,955
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	87,954	63,197	241,224		187,104
Research and development expenses	568	1,341	2,620		3,210
Other expenses, net	3,633	383	9,074		409
Total costs and expenses	504,334	376,410	1,345,707		1,019,587
Operating income from continuing operations	5,064	46,745	9,813		84,368
Interest income	604	445	1,613		1,569
Interest expense	(15,794)	(12,819)	(43,396)		(24,429)
Unused debt commitment and amendment fees	0	(158)	(1,920)		(7,593)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	1,859	(1,356)	5,171		(4,166)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(8,267)	32,857	(28,719)		49,749
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,654	(12,601)	4,640		(17,814)
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	9	81	176		151
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,604)	20,337	(23,903)		32,086
Discontinued operations:
Gain on sale of discontinued business	0	527,980	18,371		527,980
Income (loss) from discontinued businesses	(1,531)	272	(1,232)		23,958
Income tax expense related to discontinued businesses	(204)	(110,732)	(9,803)		(112,701)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(1,735)	417,520	7,336		439,237
Net income (loss)	(8,339)	437,857	(16,567)		471,323
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,239)	(2,506)	(3,472)		(6,633)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(9,578)	435,351	(20,039)		464,690
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(7,843)	17,831	(27,375)		25,453
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(1,735)	417,520	7,336		439,237
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (9,578)	$ 435,351	$ (20,039)		$ 464,690
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	79,000	79,666	78,916		79,966
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.22	$ (0.35)		$ 0.32
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	5.24	0.09		5.49
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 5.46	$ (0.25)	[1]	$ 5.81
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	79,000	81,110	78,916		81,749
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.22	$ (0.35)		$ 0.31
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.02)	5.15	0.09		5.37
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 5.37	$ (0.25)	[1]	$ 5.68
Products And Services, Service Revenue
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 384,279	$ 316,667	$ 1,021,196		$ 784,190
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	313,136	239,519	835,277		608,230
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	125,119	106,488	334,324		319,765
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 99,043	$ 71,970	$ 257,512		$ 220,634

[1]     Does not total due to rounding