Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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, 2020 and 2019:

(In thousands)	Harsco Environmental Segment		Harsco Clean Earth Segment		Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	391,687	$	—	$	13,026	$	404,713
Changes to goodwill (a)	—		330,230		—		330,230
Foreign currency translation	3,426		—		—		3,426
Balance at December 31, 2019	395,113		330,230		13,026		738,369
Changes to goodwill (b)	1,480		152,417		—		153,897
Foreign currency translation	9,808		—		—		9,808
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	406,401	$	482,647	$	13,026	$	902,074

(a)     The changes to goodwill related to the acquisition of Clean Earth. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

(b)    The changes to goodwill related to the acquisition of ESOL, and immaterial acquisitions in the Harsco Environmental segment. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

The following table reflects these intangible assets by major category:

	December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	109,378	$	48,057	$	143,996	$	99,327
Permits	308,705		18,955		170,322		4,694
Technology related	40,274		9,654		36,467		5,635
Trade names	31,949		4,834		31,719		2,182
Air rights	26,139		1,044		26,139		411
Patents	192		139		249		168
Non-compete agreement	2,500		469		—		—
Other	3,911		1,331		3,765		1,158
Total	$	523,048	$	84,483	$	412,657	$	113,575

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)	2021		2022		2023		2024		2025
Estimated amortization expense (c)	$	32,900	$	32,400	$	32,300	$	31,800	$	31,600

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