Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2021:

(In thousands)	Harsco Environmental Segment		Harsco Clean Earth Segment		Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	406,401	$	482,647	$	13,026	$	902,074
Changes to goodwill (a)	—		1,232		—		1,232
Foreign currency translation	(2,992)		—		—		(2,992)
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	403,409	$	483,879	$	13,026	$	900,314

(a) The changes to goodwill relate to the measurement period adjustments for the ESOL acquisition in the Harsco Clean Earth Segment. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, or if a decision is made to dispose of a business.  The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitors for triggering events on an ongoing basis.  The Company determined that, as of March 31, 2021, no interim goodwill impairment testing was necessary. 

The Company has concluded that no triggering event occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2021. However, an economic downturn resulting from a deterioration of the COVID-19 situation could impact the Company's future projected cash flows used to estimate fair value, and/or result in a sustained decrease in the Company's share price, which could indicate an impairment.

Intangible assets, net, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following:

	March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	109,413	$	50,272	$	109,378	$	48,057
Permits	308,779		22,923		308,705		18,955
Technology related	40,492		10,684		40,274		9,654
Trade names	31,973		5,500		31,949		4,834
Air rights	26,139		1,239		26,139		1,044
Patents	173		127		192		139
Non-compete Agreement	2,500		625		2,500		469
Other	3,849		1,359		3,911		1,331
Total	$	523,318	$	92,729	$	523,048	$	84,483

Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31
(In thousands)	2021		2020
Amortization expense for intangible assets	$	8,216	$	5,918

The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows:

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

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