Other Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Charges		$ 0	$ 276	$ 0	$ 8,815
Net gains	[1]	(1,747)	(1,219)	(8,479)	(4,227)
Foreign currency gains related to Harsco Rail Segment advances on contracts		0	0	(10,940)	0
Other nonrecurring expense		7,000	0	7,000	0
Litigation Settlement, Amount		4,220	0	4,220	0
Impaired asset write-downs		731	590	731	14,670
Other	[2]	7,188	866	11,297	8,115
Other expenses		$ 17,392	$ 513	$ 3,829	$ 27,373
Strategic venture partner ownership interest in Bahrain operations		35.00%		35.00%
Parent
Other nonrecurring expense		$ 4,600
Minimum
Service agreement payment period		5 years
Maximum
Service agreement payment period		7 years

[1] Net gains result from the sales of redundant properties (primarily land, buildings and related equipment) and non-core assets.

[2] Other includes employee termination benefit costs and costs to exit activities that are not directly related to the restructuring programs detailed in Note 18, Restructuring Programs.