Acquisitions and Dispositions - Balance Sheet Positions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total liabilities	$ 38,077	$ 39,410
Harsco Industrial | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable, net	53,789	44,786
Other receivables	333	412
Inventories	20,407	16,926
Current portion of contract assets	15,352	12,124
Other current assets	1,558	984
Property, plant and equipment, net	39,337	37,107
Right-of-use assets, net	17,822
Goodwill	6,839	6,839
Intangible assets, net	10,058	10,618
Deferred income tax assets	498	563
Other assets	189	204
Total assets	166,182	130,563
Accounts payable	21,415	24,426
Accrued compensation	4,988	7,385
Current portion of advances on contracts	2,792	1,910
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	2,872
Other current liabilities	6,010	5,689
Operating lease liabilities	15,180
Other liabilities	369	555
Total liabilities	$ 53,626	$ 39,965