CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 121,184	$ 124,238
Trade accounts receivable, net	618,475	585,301
Other receivables	44,431	29,299
Inventories	241,934	271,617
Other current assets	133,407	144,491
Total current assets	1,159,431	1,154,946
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,274,484	1,366,973
Goodwill	680,901	690,787
Intangible assets, net	93,501	120,959
Other assets	130,560	135,555
Total assets	3,338,877	3,469,220
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	51,414	31,197
Current maturities of long-term debt	3,558	4,011
Accounts payable	252,329	261,509
Accrued compensation	92,603	83,928
Income taxes payable	8,409	9,718
Dividends payable	16,498	16,505
Insurance liabilities	25,075	25,844
Advances on contracts	111,429	128,794
Other current liabilities	220,953	206,358
Total current liabilities	782,268	767,864
Long-term debt	853,800	849,724
Deferred income taxes	27,430	35,642
Insurance liabilities	60,864	62,202
Retirement plan liabilities	343,842	223,777
Other liabilities	50,755	61,866
Total liabilities	2,118,959	2,001,075
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, Series A junior participating cumulative preferred stock
Common stock, par value $1.25 (issued 111,931,267 and 111,611,102 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	139,914	139,514
Additional paid-in capital	149,066	141,298
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(364,191)	(185,932)
Retained earnings	1,996,234	2,073,920
Treasury stock, at cost (31,454,097 and 31,097,043 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	(744,644)	(737,106)
Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity	1,176,379	1,431,694
Noncontrolling interests	43,539	36,451
Total equity	1,219,918	1,468,145
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,338,877	$ 3,469,220