Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Schedule of changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment			Harsco Infrastructure Segment			Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	423,943		$	266,119		$	8,979	$	699,041
Goodwill acquired during year(a)		—			11,419			—		11,419
Changes to goodwill(b)		—			(5,608	)		320		(5,288	)
Foreign currency translation		(5,667	)		(8,718	)		—		(14,385	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		418,276			263,212			9,299		690,787
Goodwill acquired during year		—			—			—		—
Changes to goodwill		—			(115	)		11		(104	)
Foreign currency translation		(6,400	)		(3,382	)		—		(9,782	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	411,876		$	259,715		$	9,310	$	680,901

(a)

Relates principally to the acquisition of Bell, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

(b)

Relates principally to opening balance sheet adjustments and allocation of goodwill to two lines of business in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that were transferred to assets held-for-sale, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Schedule of intangible assets by category

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	183,576	$	119,708	$	184,864	$	98,104
Non-compete agreements		1,353		1,301		1,386		1,317
Patents		6,884		5,145		6,976		4,868
Technology related		29,497		14,614		29,821		11,863
Trade names		18,538		8,379		18,635		5,188
Other		10,749		7,949		8,095		7,478
Total	$	250,597	$	157,096	$	249,777	$	128,818

Schedule of estimated amortization expense

(In thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016
Estimated amortization expense(a)	$	17,500	$	15,750	$	13,500	$	8,750	$	7,500

(a)

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