Acquisitions and Dispositions - Financial Information Included in Net Income from Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	$ 527,980		$ 527,980	$ 0
Discontinued Operation, Gain From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation, Before Income Tax		$ 0		0
Additional amounts allocated to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			5,314
Harsco Industrial \| Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Total revenues	39,855	93,912	274,037	269,575
Cost of products sold	28,174	69,750	201,188	197,115
Income from discontinued business	803	11,291	24,877	32,366
Additional amounts allocated to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,994	0	5,521	0
Interest expense	0	$ 4,084	11,237	$ 12,341
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$ (5,314)		$ (5,314)

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Amount before tax of gain (loss) not previously recognized resulting from the disposal of a discontinued operation.

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Amount before tax of income (loss) from a discontinued operation. Includes, but is not limited to, the income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and adjustments to a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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Amount of interest expense attributable to disposal group, including, but not limited to, discontinued operation.

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Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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