CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (65,437)	$ 14,108
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	98,284	110,343
Amortization	10,003	9,003
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability and loss on dilution and sale of equity method investment	58,494	6,492
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(2,015)	9,998
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated entities, net	(5,686)	396
Dividends from unconsolidated entities	16	0
Contract estimated forward loss provision for Harsco Rail Segment	40,050
Other, net	(3,676)	(12,345)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,055	9,161
Inventories	(24,295)	(36,472)
Accounts payable	(10,831)	(3,346)
Accrued interest payable	6,245	7,658
Accrued compensation	4,481	(3,640)
Advances on contracts and other customer advances	15,352	7,548
Harsco 2011/2012 Restructuring Program accrual	0	(305)
Other assets and liabilities	(20,285)	(29,497)
Net cash provided by operating activities	104,755	89,102
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(49,946)	(91,583)
Proceeds from sales of assets	7,178	20,777
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(26)	(7,705)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	165,640	0
Payment of unit adjustment liability	0	(16,740)
Other investing activities, net	7,058	(7,975)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	129,904	(103,226)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	(1,527)	1,211
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	50,835	92,993
Reductions	(275,768)	(101,679)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(4,105)	(49,311)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(1,702)	(1,559)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(4,731)	(395)
Common stock acquired for treasury	0	(12,143)
Proceeds from cross-currency interest rate swap termination	16,625	75,057
Deferred pension underfunding payment to unconsolidated affiliate	(20,640)	0
Other financing activities, net	(946)	(2,607)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(241,959)	1,567
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	7,455	7,708
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	155	(4,849)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	79,756	62,843
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 79,911	$ 57,994