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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include all accounts of Harsco Corporation (the "Company"), all entities in which the Company has a controlling voting interest and variable interest entities required to be consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated among consolidated entities. The Company's management has evaluated all activity of the Company and concluded that subsequent events are properly reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes as required by U.S. GAAP.

Liquidity
The Company's cash flow forecasts, combined with existing cash and cash equivalents and borrowings available under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, indicate sufficient liquidity to fund the Company's operations for at least the next twelve months. As such, the Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that it will continue as a going concern for a period extending beyond twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. This assessment includes the expected ability to meet required financial covenants and the continued ability to draw down on the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (see Note 8).

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $2.6 million in revenues as an out-of-period adjustment in the CE Segment. Such adjustment was not considered material to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 or any of the financial statements for the previously filed annual periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments that are highly liquid in nature and have an original maturity of three months or less.

Restricted Cash
The Company had restricted cash of $3.8 million and $4.2 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and the restrictions are primarily related to collateral provided for certain guarantees of the Company’s performance.

Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value, which represents the face value of the receivable, less an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance for expected credit losses is maintained for expected lifetime losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments.

The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade accounts receivables. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic conditions for a period which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivable. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
Under the AR Facility, the Company and its subsidiaries continuously sell their trade receivables as they are originated to the Company’s SPE. The Company controls and, therefore, consolidates the SPE in its consolidated financial statements. The SPE transfers ownership and control of qualifying receivables to the banking counterparty to the AR Facility up to the maximum purchase commitment. The Company and its related subsidiaries have no continuing involvement in the transferred accounts receivable, other than collection and administrative responsibilities, and, once sold, the receivables are no longer available to satisfy creditors of the Company or the related subsidiaries. The Company accounts for receivables sold to the banking counterparty as a sale of financial assets and derecognizes the trade receivables from the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fees incurred for the AR Facility are deferred and are expensed over the term of the agreement. Unamortized costs are included in Other assets in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related recognized expense is recorded in Facility fees and debt-related income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Inventories
Inventories are accounted for using the average cost, first-in, first-out ("FIFO") or last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Inventory accounted for under the average cost and FIFO methods are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory accounted for under the LIFO method is stated at the lower of cost or market. See Note 5, Inventories for additional information.

Depreciation
Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using, principally, the straight-line method. When PP&E is retired from service, the cost of the retirement is charged to the allowance for depreciation to the extent of the accumulated depreciation and the balance is charged to income. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are not depreciated while they are classified as held-for-sale.

Leases
The Company leases certain property and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. The Company determines if a contract or arrangement contains a lease at inception. All leases are evaluated and classified as either an operating or finance lease. A lease is classified as a finance lease if any of the following criteria are met: (i) ownership of the underlying asset transfers to the Company by the end of the lease term; (ii) the lease contains an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably expected to exercise; (iii) the lease term is for a major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset; (iv) the present value of the sum of lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the Company equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset; or (v) the underlying asset is of a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term. A lease that does not meet any of the finance lease classification criteria is classified as an operating lease.
Operating leases are included as Right-of-use assets, net, Current portion of operating lease liabilities, and Operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate for use in determining the present value of future payments, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate. This incremental borrowing rate reflects the creditworthiness of the Company for a lending period commensurate to the term of the lease, the standard lending practices related to such loans in the respective jurisdiction where the underlying assets are located and the local currency in which the lease is denominated. ROU assets also include any lease payments made prior to or at the lease commencement date and initial direct costs incurred, and may be reduced by any lease incentives received by the lessor. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including rent abatement periods and rent holidays. Certain of the Company's leases are subject to annual changes in an index or are subject to adjustments for which the amounts are not readily determinable at lease inception. While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to these costs, changes are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments were incurred.
Finance leases are included as PP&E, net; Current maturities of long-term debt and Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance lease costs are split between depreciation expense related to the asset and interest expense on the lease liability, using the effective rate charged by the lessor.

The Company has lease agreements with both lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected to account for as a single lease component. Additionally, the Company has elected not to record short-term leases, those with expected terms of twelve months or less, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8, Debt and Credit Agreements and Note 9, Leases for additional information on leases.
Business Combinations and Goodwill
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that. once control is obtained, all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The determination of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires numerous estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amounts of cash flow projections, revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, discount rates and useful lives. Such estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, and, when appropriate, include assistance from independent third-party valuation firms. During the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with corresponding offsets to goodwill.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to dispose of a business. Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include declining cash flows or operating losses at the reporting unit level, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel or a more likely than not expectation that a reporting unit or a significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or otherwise disposed of, among others.
In applying the goodwill impairment test, the Company has the option to perform a qualitative test or a quantitative test. Under the qualitative test, the Company assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units is less than its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance of the reporting unit and other entity and reporting unit specific events. If after assessing these qualitative factors, the Company determines it is “more-likely-than-not” that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the Company would perform a quantitative test.
The quantitative approach of testing for goodwill impairment involves comparing the current fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value, including goodwill. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model (“DCF model”) to estimate the current fair value of reporting units, as the Company's management believes forecasted operating cash flows are the best indicator of current fair value. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the preparation of DCF models including future revenues and operating margin growth, the weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”), tax rates, capital spending, pension funding, the impact of business initiatives and working capital projections. These assumptions and estimates may vary significantly among reporting units. DCF models are based on approved long-range plans for the early years and historical relationships and projections for later years. WACC rates are derived from internal and external factors including, but not limited to, the average market price of the Company's stock, shares outstanding, book value of the Company's debt, the long-term risk-free interest rate, and both market and size-specific risk premiums. Due to the many variables noted above and the relative size of the Company's goodwill, differences in assumptions may have a material impact on the results of the Company's annual goodwill impairment testing. If the net book value of a reporting unit were to exceed the Company's determination of the current fair value, then an impairment charge would be recognized as the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.
Long-Lived Assets Impairments (Other than Goodwill)
Long-lived assets or asset groups are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets or asset groups are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate the book value of an asset or asset group may be impaired. The Company's policy is to determine if an impairment loss exists when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value, normally as determined in either open market transactions or through the use of a DCF model. Long-lived assets or asset groups to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Note 18, Other (Income) Expenses, Net for additional information.
Deferred Financing Costs
The Company has incurred debt issuance costs, which are recognized as a reduction of Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized over the contractual term of the related indebtedness or shorter period, if appropriate, based upon contractual terms in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Whenever indebtedness is modified from its original terms, an evaluation is made whether an accounting modification or extinguishment has occurred in order to determine the accounting treatment for debt issuance costs related to the debt modification. If the evaluation results in a gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, the amount would be included in Facility fees and debt-related income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues to depict the transfer of promised services and products to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services or products. Revenues from continuing operations include service revenues from the Company's HE and CE Segments and product revenues from the Company's HE Segment. Revenue from the Rail business is included in Income (loss) from discontinued businesses.

Harsco Environmental - This Segment provides on-site services, under long-term contracts, for material logistics; product quality improvement and resource recovery from iron, steel and metals manufacturing; manufactures and sells industrial abrasives and roofing granule products; and manufactures aluminum dross and scrap processing systems.

Service revenues are recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives the benefits provided by the Company's performance. The Company utilizes an output method based on work performed (liquid steel tons processed, weight of material handled, etc.) to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company. Transaction prices are based on contractual terms, which may include both fixed and variable portions. The fixed portion is recognized as earned (normally monthly) over the contractual period. The variable portion is recognized as services are performed and differs based on the volume of services performed. Given the long-term nature of these arrangements, most contracts permit periodic adjustment of either the variable or both the fixed and variable portions based on the changes in macroeconomic indicators, including changes in commodity prices. Transaction prices, when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, are allocated to performance obligations utilizing an expected cost plus a margin approach. Amounts are typically billed and payable on a monthly basis as services are performed.
Product revenues are recognized at the point when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in contracts for export sales. Transaction prices are based on contractual terms, which are generally fixed and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each transaction.
Product revenues in the aluminum dross and scrap process systems business are generally recognized over time as control is transferred to the customer. Control transfers over time because aluminum dross and scrap systems are customized, have no alternate use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment. The Company utilizes an input method based on costs incurred ("cost-to-cost method") to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company. Transaction prices are based on contractual terms, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. The Company may receive periodic payments associated with key milestones with any remaining consideration billed and payable upon completion of the transaction.

Harsco Clean Earth - This Segment provides specialty waste processing and beneficial reuse solutions for hazardous wastes, and soil and dredged materials.

Revenues are recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives the benefits provided by the Company's performance. The Company utilizes an output method based on the amount of materials received for processing to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company. Transaction prices are based on contractual terms, which are principally variable based on volume and recognized as services are performed. Transaction prices, when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, are allocated to performance obligations utilizing an expected cost plus a margin approach. Amounts are typically billed and payable on a monthly basis.
Harsco Rail - This business sells railway track maintenance equipment, after-market parts, Protran/safety equipment and provides railway track maintenance services.

For standard railway track maintenance equipment sales, revenue is recognized at the point when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in contracts for export sales. In certain railway track maintenance equipment sales, revenue is recognized over time because such equipment is highly customized, has no alternate use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment. Rail uses the cost-to-cost method to measure progress because it is the measure that best depicts the transfer of control to the customer, which occurs as costs are incurred under the contracts. Under the cost-to-cost method, the extent of progress towards completion is based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs at completion, which includes both actual costs already incurred and the estimated costs to complete. Accounting for contracts with customers using the cost-to-cost method requires significant judgment relative to assessing risks; estimating contract revenues (including estimates of variable consideration, if applicable, as well as estimating any liquidating damages or penalties related to performance); estimating contract costs (including estimating engineering costs to design the machine and the material, labor and overhead manufacturing costs to build the machine); making assumptions for schedule and technical items; properly executing the engineering and design phases consistent with customer expectations; the availability and costs of labor and material resources; productivity; and evaluating whether a significant financing component is present. Due to the number of years it may take to complete certain contracts and the scope and nature of the work required to be performed on those contracts, estimating total revenues and costs at completion is inherently complicated and subject to many variables. Transaction prices are based on contracted terms, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing either the adjusted market assessment or expected cost plus a margin approach. For certain transactions, the Company receives periodic payments associated with key milestones. In limited instances, those payments are intended to provide financing, with such transactions being treated as including a significant financing component. Any remaining consideration is billed and payable upon completion of the transaction. Railway track maintenance equipment revenue of approximately $$50 million was recognized using the cost-to-cost method in 2022, the net profit or loss of which is included in Income (loss) from discontinued businesses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For after-market parts sales and Protran/safety equipment, revenue is recognized at the point when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers to the customer at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in contracts for export sales. Transaction prices are based on contracted terms, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each contract.
For railway track maintenance services, revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives the benefits provided by the Company's performance. The Company utilizes an appropriate output method based on work performed (feet, miles, shifts worked, etc.) to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company. Transaction prices are based on contracted terms, which are generally variable. The variable portion is recognized as services are performed and differs based on the value of services. Given the long-term nature of these arrangements, most contracts permit periodic adjustment based on the changes in macroeconomic indicators. Transaction prices, when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, are allocated to performance obligations utilizing an expected cost plus a margin approach. Amounts are typically billed and payable on a monthly basis as services are performed.

The Company has elected to utilize the following practical expedients on an ongoing basis:

The Company has not adjusted the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers the promised good or services to the customer and when the customer pays for that good or service would be one year or less; and
The Company has elected to exclude disclosures related to unsatisfied performance obligations where the related contract has a duration of one year or less; or where the consideration is entirely variable. Accordingly, the Company's disclosure related to unsatisfied performance obligations is limited to the fixed portion of fees related to metals services in HE.
Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Additionally, in certain contracts, the Company facilitates shipping and handling activities after control has transferred to the customer. The Company has elected to record all shipping and handling activities as costs to fulfill a contract. In situations where the shipping and handling costs have not been incurred at the time revenue is recognized, the respective shipping and handling costs are accrued.

Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of the events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company records deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes that these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determinations, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial results. If the Company determines that it will not be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future, a valuation allowance is recorded. If sufficient positive evidence arises in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets meet the more likely than not standard for realization, the valuation allowance would be reduced accordingly in the period that such a conclusion is reached.
The Company prepares and files tax returns based on interpretation of tax laws and regulations and records its provision for income taxes based on these interpretations. Uncertainties may exist in estimating the Company's tax provisions and in filing tax returns in the many jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and as a result these interpretations may give rise to an uncertain tax position. The tax benefit from an uncertain tax position is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on its technical merits. Each subsequent period, the Company determines if existing or new uncertain tax positions meet a more likely than not recognition threshold and adjusts accordingly.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within Income tax expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Liabilities for uncertain tax positions are included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The significant assumptions and estimates described in the preceding paragraphs are important contributors to the effective tax rate each year.
See Note 11, Income Taxes, for additional information.
Accrued Insurance and Loss Reserves
The Company retains a significant portion of the risk for certain U.S. workers' compensation, U.K. employers' liability, automobile, general and product liability losses. Insurance reserves have been recorded that reflect the undiscounted estimated liabilities including claims incurred but not reported. When a recognized liability is covered by third-party insurance, the Company records an insurance claim receivable to reflect the covered liability. Changes in the estimates of the reserves are included in net income (loss) in the period determined. During 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded insurance reserve adjustments that decreased pre-tax insurance expense from continuing operations for self-insured programs by $1.0 million, $0.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company has recorded liabilities of $32.4 million and $28.3 million, respectively, related to both asserted as well as unasserted insurance claims. Included in the balances at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $4.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of recognized liabilities covered by insurance carriers. Amounts estimated to be paid within one year have been included in Other current liabilities, with the remainder included in Other liabilities, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries outside the U.S., except for those subsidiaries located in highly inflationary economies and those entities for which the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account, a separate component of AOCI, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in Operating income from continuing operations. For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies, and those entities for which the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and balance sheet translation adjustments are included in Operating income from continuing operations.

Financial Instruments and Hedging
The Company has operations throughout the world that are exposed to fluctuations in related foreign currencies in the normal course of business. The Company seeks to reduce exposure to foreign currency fluctuations through the use of forward exchange contracts. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes, and it is the Company's policy to prohibit the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. The Company has a Foreign Currency Risk Management Committee that meets periodically to monitor foreign currency risks.
The Company executes foreign currency exchange forward contracts to hedge transactions for firm purchase commitments, to hedge variable cash flows of forecasted transactions and for export sales denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts are generally for 90 days or less; however, where appropriate, longer-term contracts may be utilized. For those contracts that are designated as qualified cash flow hedges, gains or losses are recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company uses interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to secure a fixed interest rate.  The interest rate swaps are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in value attributed to the effect of the swaps’ interest spread and changes in the credit worthiness of the counter-parties recorded in AOCI. 
Amounts recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects income. The cash flows from these contracts are classified consistent with the cash flows from the transaction being hedged (e.g., the cash flows related to contracts to hedge the purchase of fixed assets are included in cash flows from investing activities, etc.). The Company also enters into certain forward exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges. Gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in operations based on changes in fair market value. For fair value hedges of a firm commitment, the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged firm commitment are recognized currently in operations.
See Note 15, Financial Instruments, for additional information.

Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, while diluted earnings per share reflect the dilutive effects of stock-based compensation. Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when the Company reports a net loss from continuing operations, as the impact would be anti-dilutive. All share and per share amounts are restated for any stock splits and stock dividends that occur prior to the issuance of the financial statements. See Note 13, Capital Stock, for additional information.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.