CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 481,052	$ 468,674	$ 933,849	$ 915,939
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	67,935	70,805	137,088	142,419
Research and development expenses	296	323	352	480
Goodwill impairment	104,580	0	104,580	0
Other (income) expenses, net	2,045	(4,167)	866	(5,158)
Total costs and expenses	578,055	442,409	1,023,104	870,556
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(97,003)	26,265	(89,255)	45,383
Interest income	693	577	1,337	1,124
Interest expense	(16,692)	(15,643)	(31,784)	(31,899)
Facility fees and debt-related income (expense)	2,149	(50)	1,617	(5,308)
Defined benefit pension income	2,247	3,956	4,657	7,890
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(108,606)	15,105	(113,428)	17,190
Income tax benefit (expense) from continuing operations	3,115	(4,797)	1,894	(6,898)
Equity income (loss) of unconsolidated entities, net	(114)	(76)	(245)	(195)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(105,605)	10,232	(111,779)	10,097
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued businesses	1,879	8,239	(37,218)	11,603
Income tax benefit (expense) from discontinued businesses	(770)	(3,391)	5,821	(5,055)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,109	4,848	(31,397)	6,548
Net income (loss)	(104,496)	15,080	(143,176)	16,645
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,095)	(1,692)	(2,254)	(3,122)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(105,591)	13,388	(145,430)	13,523
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(106,700)	8,540	(114,033)	6,975
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,109	4,848	(31,397)	6,548
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (105,591)	$ 13,388	$ (145,430)	$ 13,523
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	79,509	79,265	79,437	79,177
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.34)	$ 0.11	$ (1.44)	$ 0.09
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.06	(0.40)	0.08
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.33)	$ 0.17	$ (1.83)	$ 0.17
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	79,509	80,774	79,437	80,397
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.34)	$ 0.11	$ (1.44)	$ 0.09
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.06	(0.40)	0.08
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.33)	$ 0.17	$ (1.83)	$ 0.17
Products And Services, Service Revenue
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 439,618	$ 429,651	$ 858,053	$ 843,990
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	368,994	344,982	715,351	674,835
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	41,434	39,023	75,796	71,949
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 34,205	$ 30,466	$ 64,867	$ 57,980