CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative costs	72,499	56,406
Research and development expenses	1,260	749
Other expenses, net	5,733	1,743
Total costs and expenses	395,960	310,078
Operating income from continuing operations	2,881	19,824
Interest income	193	533
Interest expense	(12,649)	(5,507)
Unused debt commitment and amendment fees	(488)	0
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(1,589)	1,338
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(8,474)	13,512
Income tax benefit (expense)	682	(1,219)
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	96	21
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,696)	12,314
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	18,462	0
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued businesses	(225)	13,750
Income tax expense related to discontinued businesses	(9,314)	(3,527)
Income from discontinued operations	8,923	10,223
Net income	1,227	22,537
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,086)	(1,840)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	141	20,697
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(8,782)	10,474
Income from discontinued operations	8,923	10,223
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 141	$ 20,697
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	78,761	79,907
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.11	0.13
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.26	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	78,761	81,653
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.11	0.13
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.25	[1]
Products And Services, Service Revenue [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 291,339	$ 229,520
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	236,319	181,871
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	107,502	100,382
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 80,149	$ 69,309

[1] Does not total due to rounding