Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011 entity	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 690,787	$ 699,041
Goodwill acquired during year			11,419
Changes to goodwill		(104)	(5,288)
Foreign currency translation		(9,782)	(14,385)
Balance at the end of the period		680,901	690,787
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		418,276	423,943
Foreign currency translation		(6,400)	(5,667)
Balance at the end of the period		411,876	418,276
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		263,212	266,119
Goodwill acquired during year			11,419
Changes to goodwill		(115)	(5,608)
Foreign currency translation		(3,382)	(8,718)
Balance at the end of the period		259,715	263,212
Assets held-for-sale, number of lines of business sold (in entities)	2
Harsco Rail Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		9,299	8,979
Changes to goodwill		11	320
Balance at the end of the period		$ 9,310	$ 9,299

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details