CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 571,595	$ 571,892		$ 1,707,658	$ 1,769,415
Product revenues	168,450	184,891		507,518	510,278
Total revenues	740,045	756,783		2,215,176	2,279,693
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	450,048	453,304		1,353,749	1,406,727
Cost of products sold	117,844	126,683		355,555	351,707
Selling, general and administrative expenses	124,004	121,856		374,325	376,653
Research and development expenses	3,077	2,162		7,457	6,908
Long-lived asset impairment charge and transaction costs	253,677	0		253,677	0
Other (income) expenses	(228)	2,383		2,158	65,351
Total costs and expenses	948,422	706,388		2,346,921	2,207,346
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(208,377)	50,395		(131,745)	72,347
Interest income	388	1,449		1,624	3,005
Interest expense	(12,815)	(11,609)		(37,413)	(36,041)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(220,804)	40,235		(167,534)	39,311
Income tax expense	(10,795)	(13,545)		(27,268)	(28,489)
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	434	182		1,015	479
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(231,165)	26,872		(193,787)	11,301
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(640)	(52)		(2,145)	(1,217)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	239	248		814	685
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(401)	196		(1,331)	(532)
Net income (loss)	(231,566)	27,068		(195,118)	10,769
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,090)	(664)		(7,495)	(1,023)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	(233,656)	26,404		(202,613)	9,746
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(233,255)	26,208		(201,282)	10,278
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(401)	196		(1,331)	(532)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (233,656)	$ 26,404		$ (202,613)	$ 9,746
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,775	80,659		80,747	80,623
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (2.89)	$ 0.32		$ (2.49)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (2.89)	$ 0.33	[1]	$ (2.51)	$ 0.12
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	80,775	80,910		80,747	80,863
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (2.89)	$ 0.32		$ (2.49)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (2.89)	$ 0.33	[1]	$ (2.51)	$ 0.12
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.205	$ 0.205		$ 0.615	$ 0.615

[1] (a) Does not total due to rounding