Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative [Line Items]
Product revenues	$ 1,863,864,000	$ 1,503,742,000	$ 1,347,672,000
Harsco Rail | Transferred over Time
Derivative [Line Items]
Product revenues	$ 142,000,000
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum typical term of foreign currency forward exchange contracts (in days)	90 days