Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,451,223	$ 1,723,092	$ 2,066,288
Operating income from continuing operations	63,469	88,536	69,287
Total assets	1,581,386	2,061,197	2,266,946
Depreciation and Amortization	141,486	156,475	176,326
Capital Expenditures	69,340	123,552	208,859
Interest income	2,475	1,574	1,702
Interest expense	(51,584)	(46,804)	(47,111)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(35,337)	0	0
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(58,494)
Change in Fair Value of the Unit Adjustment Liability, exclusive of not making quarterly payments	(4,700)	(8,491)	(9,740)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(58,494)	(8,491)	(9,740)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	(79,471)	34,815	14,138
Segment operating income
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income from continuing operations	87,289	134,205	115,022
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	965,540	1,106,162	1,378,142
Operating income from continuing operations	81,634	26,289	13,771
Total assets	1,181,755	1,294,673	1,476,538
Depreciation and Amortization	120,611	136,579	159,844
Capital Expenditures	62,322	99,563	187,665
Harsco Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	247,542	357,256	412,532
Operating income from continuing operations	23,182	57,020	64,114
Total assets	107,987	119,830	127,591
Depreciation and Amortization	7,223	6,266	4,928
Capital Expenditures	5,118	17,382	9,298
Harsco Rail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	238,107	259,674	275,614
Operating income from continuing operations	(17,527)	50,896	37,137
Total assets	204,477	219,753	169,035
Depreciation and Amortization	5,383	6,093	5,591
Capital Expenditures	1,696	1,957	3,120
General Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	34	0	0
Operating income from continuing operations	(23,820)	(45,669)	(45,735)
Total assets	87,167	426,941	493,782
Depreciation and Amortization	8,269	7,537	5,963
Capital Expenditures	$ 204	$ 4,650	$ 8,776