Enviri (NVRI) 10-Q 2 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HARSCO CORP
Entity Central Index Key	45,876
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		80,574,856

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 64,780	$ 62,098
Restricted cash	2,747	4,111
Trade accounts receivable, net	292,966	288,034
Other receivables	24,813	20,224
Inventories	132,352	178,293
Current portion of contract assets	23,871	0
Other current assets	41,227	39,332
Total current assets	582,756	592,092
Property, plant and equipment, net	482,837	479,747
Goodwill	406,706	401,758
Intangible assets, net	37,756	38,251
Contract assets	3,566	0
Deferred income tax assets	49,900	51,574
Other assets	19,100	15,263
Total assets	1,582,621	1,578,685
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	5,160	8,621
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,065	11,208
Accounts payable	137,254	126,249
Accrued compensation	35,014	60,451
Income taxes payable	7,455	5,106
Insurance liabilities	11,061	11,167
Current portion of advances on contracts	38,147	117,958
Other current liabilities	145,501	133,368
Total current liabilities	389,657	474,128
Long-term debt	611,695	566,794
Insurance liabilities	23,017	22,385
Retirement plan liabilities	248,894	259,367
Advances on contracts	21,837	0
Other liabilities	41,176	40,846
Total liabilities	1,336,276	1,363,520
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	141,286	141,110
Additional paid-in capital	183,310	180,201
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(543,217)	(546,582)
Retained earnings	1,179,516	1,157,801
Treasury stock	(762,788)	(762,079)
Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity	198,107	170,451
Noncontrolling interests	48,238	44,714
Total equity	246,345	215,165
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,582,621	$ 1,578,685

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 254,962	$ 240,609
Product revenues	153,076	131,932
Total revenues	408,038	372,541
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Costs of services sold	199,373	189,482
Costs of products sold	111,980	98,790
Selling, general and administrative costs	57,083	53,937
Research and development expenses	1,239	831
Other expenses, net	1,822	894
Total costs and expenses	371,497	343,934
Operating income from continuing operations	36,541	28,607
Interest income	498	512
Interest expense	(9,583)	(11,653)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	839	(699)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,295	16,767
Income tax expense	(8,266)	(6,253)
Income from continuing operations	20,029	10,514
Discontinued operations:
Loss on disposal of discontinued business	(580)	(588)
Income tax benefit related to discontinued business	128	211
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(452)	(377)
Net income	19,577	10,137
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,769)	(1,247)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	17,808	8,890
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	18,260	9,267
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(452)	(377)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 17,808	$ 8,890
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	80,650	80,385
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	0
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.11	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	83,544	82,263
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.11
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	0
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.11
[1]	Does not total due to rounding

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 19,577	$ 10,137
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $1,627 and $393 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively	12,501	16,561
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $(839) and $256 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively	2,677	(387)
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(325) and $(522) for the three months March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively	(9,001)	1,205
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $4 and $(3) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively	(14)	6
Total other comprehensive income	6,163	17,385
Total comprehensive income	25,740	27,522
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,047)	(1,633)
Comprehensive income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 22,693	$ 25,889

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, deferred income taxes	$ 1,627	$ 393
Net loss on cash flow hedging instruments, deferred income taxes	(839)	256
Pension liability adjustments, deferred income taxes	(325)	(522)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, deferred income taxes	$ 4	$ (3)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 19,577	$ 10,137
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation	31,418	30,207
Amortization	1,934	2,021
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	4,635	(221)
Dividends from unconsolidated entities	0	19
Other, net	1,944	5,131
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,848)	(27,882)
Inventories	(11,490)	(755)
Contract assets	(5,698)	0
Accounts payable	7,340	(541)
Accrued interest payable	51	286
Accrued compensation	(26,131)	(12,352)
Advances on contracts	(7,348)	(4,998)
Retirement plan liabilities, net	(12,252)	(8,381)
Other assets and liabilities	(7,375)	1,205
Net cash used by operating activities	(8,243)	(6,124)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(26,897)	(16,989)
Proceeds from sales of assets	377	1,006
Net proceeds (payments) from settlement of foreign currency forward exchange contracts	3,822	(33)
Net cash used by investing activities	(30,342)	(15,950)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	(3,659)	3,655
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	46,000	24,000
Reductions	(2,944)	(14,345)
Sale of noncontrolling interests	477	0
Stock-based compensation - Employee taxes paid	(709)	(53)
Deferred financing costs	0	(36)
Net cash provided by financing activities	39,165	13,221
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	738	1,403
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	1,318	(7,450)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of period	66,209	71,879
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of period	$ 67,527	$ 64,429

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock Issued	Common Stock Treasury	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 137,563	$ 140,625	$ (760,391)	$ 172,101	$ 1,150,688	$ (606,722)	$ 41,262
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	10,137				8,890		1,247
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $467 and $124 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	17,385					16,999	386
Vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants, net 102,695 shares and 7,254 shares in 2018 and 2017, respectively	(53)	14	(53)	(14)
Amortization of unearned portion of stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,104			3,104
Balances at Mar. 31, 2017	168,533	140,639	(760,444)	176,297	1,158,869	(589,723)	42,895
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Adoption of new accounting standards (See Note 2)	397			1,106	(709)
Adoption of new accounting standards (See Note 2)	2,387				3,907	(1,520)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2017	215,165	141,110	(762,079)	180,201	1,157,801	(546,582)	44,714
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	19,577				17,808		1,769
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest	477						477
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $467 and $124 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	6,163					4,885	1,278
Stock Appreciation Rights exercised, net 2,560 shares	(26)	5	(26)	(5)
Vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants, net 102,695 shares and 7,254 shares in 2018 and 2017, respectively	(683)	171	(683)	(171)
Amortization of unearned portion of stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,285			3,285
Balances at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 246,345	$ 141,286	$ (762,788)	$ 183,310	$ 1,179,516	$ (543,217)	$ 48,238

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	$ 467	$ 124
Vesting of restricted stock units and other (in shares)	102,695	7,254
Stock Appreciation Rights exercise (in shares)	2,560

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Harsco Corporation (the "Company") has prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The December 31, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for an annual report. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Operating results and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018 . Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications.

Recently Adopted and Recently I

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards The following accounting standards have been adopted in 2018: On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes, with subsequent amendments, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The changes clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and develop a common revenue standard. The core principle of the changes is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The adoption of these changes resulted in the following modifications to the Company's revenue recognition process: • Harsco Industrial Segment - Air-X-Changers - The timing of revenue recognition for air-cooled heat exchanger sales, which the Company historically recognized upon the completion of the efforts associated with these arrangements, is now recognized over time with the impact of increasing revenue in earlier periods. This change also impacted the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by decreasing both Inventories and Advances on contracts; and creating a new caption and establishing a balance related to Contract assets. • Harsco Rail Segment - The timing of revenue recognition for certain railway track maintenance equipment sales, which the Company historically recognized upon the completion of the efforts associated with these arrangements, is now recognized over time with the impact of increasing revenue in earlier periods. This change also impacted the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by decreasing both Inventories and Advances on contracts; and creating a new caption and establishing a balance related to Contract assets. In addition, certain advance payments received from customers, which provide a significant benefit of financing and are expected to be outstanding longer than twelve months, are treated as significant financing components to the related transactions and the Company will increase the overall transaction price with a corresponding increase in interest expense. Additionally, the Company's disclosure related to revenue recognition has been expanded in accordance with the FASB changes. Please refer to Note 12, Revenue Recognition for additional information. The Company chose to implement the impact of the FASB changes utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, using the following practical expedients: • The Company has elected to apply the changes only to revenue arrangements that were not completed as of January 1, 2018; and • The Company has elected to reflect the aggregate effect of all contract modifications that occurred prior to the beginning of the earliest reported period when (i) identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations; (ii) determining the transaction price; and (iii) allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under U.S. GAAP in effect for those periods. The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 1, 2018 was as follows: (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 Impact of Adoption Balance at January 1, 2018 ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 288,034 $ 532 $ 288,566 Inventories 178,293 (59,793 ) 118,500 Current portion of contract assets — 18,248 18,248 Other current assets 39,332 179 39,511 Total current assets 592,092 (40,834 ) 551,258 Contract assets — 3,566 3,566 Other assets 15,263 1,337 16,600 Total assets 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 117,958 (78,507 ) 39,451 Other current liabilities 133,368 13,995 147,363 Total current liabilities 474,128 (64,512 ) 409,616 Advances on contracts — 24,564 24,564 Other liabilities 40,846 1,580 42,426 Total liabilities 1,363,520 (38,368 ) 1,325,152 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (546,582 ) (1,520 ) (548,102 ) Retained earnings 1,157,801 3,957 1,161,758 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 170,451 2,437 172,888 Total equity 215,165 2,437 217,602 Total liabilities and equity 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 The impact of modifying the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows: March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 292,966 $ (668 ) $ 292,298 Inventories 132,352 71,195 203,547 Current portion of contract assets 23,871 (23,871 ) — Other current assets 41,227 (177 ) 41,050 Total current assets 582,756 46,479 629,235 Contract assets 3,566 (3,566 ) — Deferred income tax assets 49,900 947 50,847 Other assets 19,100 (1,285 ) 17,815 Total assets 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 38,147 78,809 116,956 Other current liabilities 145,501 (11,801 ) 133,700 Total current liabilities 389,657 67,008 456,665 Advances on contracts 21,837 (21,837 ) — Other liabilities 41,176 (381 ) 40,795 Total liabilities 1,336,276 44,790 1,381,066 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (543,217 ) 1,827 (541,390 ) Retained earnings 1,179,516 (4,042 ) 1,175,474 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 198,107 (2,215 ) 195,892 Total equity 246,345 (2,215 ) 244,130 Total liabilities and equity 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands, except per share amounts) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Revenues from continuing operations: Services revenues $ 254,962 $ 1,350 $ 256,312 Product revenues 153,076 (10,452 ) 142,624 Total revenues 408,038 (9,102 ) 398,936 Costs and expenses from continuing operations: Costs of services sold 199,373 1,358 200,731 Costs of products sold 111,980 (9,930 ) 102,050 Selling, general and administrative costs 57,083 16 57,099 Total costs and expenses 371,497 (8,556 ) 362,941 Operating income from continuing operations 36,541 (546 ) 35,995 Interest expense (9,583 ) 452 (9,131 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 28,295 (94 ) 28,201 Income tax expense (8,266 ) (8 ) (8,274 ) Income from continuing operations 20,029 (102 ) 19,927 Net income 19,577 (102 ) 19,475 Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Income from continuing operations, net of tax 18,260 (102 ) 18,158 Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 17,808 (102 ) 17,706 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.23 — 0.23 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.21 — 0.21 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 19,577 $ (102 ) $ 19,475 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 4,635 8 4,643 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (4,848 ) 136 (4,712 ) Inventories (11,490 ) (11,402 ) (22,892 ) Contract assets (5,698 ) 5,698 — Advances on contracts (7,348 ) 3,028 (4,320 ) Other assets and liabilities (7,375 ) 2,634 (4,741 ) Net cash used by operating activities (8,243 ) — (8,243 ) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB related to how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans present the net periodic pension cost ("NPPC") in the statement of operations. Employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of NPPC are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of the subtotal of income from operations. The changes also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization. The adoption of these changes resulted in the Company reclassifying $0.7 million of NPPC expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from the captions Cost of services sold; Cost of products sold; and Selling, general and administrative expenses to the new caption, Defined benefit pension income (expense) on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB clarifying when revisions to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The changes require modification accounting only in circumstances when the terms or conditions result in changes to the fair value, vesting conditions or classification of the award as an equity instrument or a liability. The adoption of these changes did not have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by FASB which eliminate the requirement to defer the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The changes resulted in an adjustment to opening retained earnings of less than $0.1 million . The following accounting standards have been issued and become effective for the Company at a future date: In February 2016, the FASB issued changes in accounting for leases. The changes introduce a lessee model that brings most leases onto the balance sheet. The changes also align many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard. Furthermore, the changes address other concerns related to the current leases model such as eliminating the requirement in current guidance for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification. The changes also require lessors to increase the transparency of their exposure to changes in value of their residual assets and how they manage that exposure. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued changes that remove the second step of the annual goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The changes provide that the amount of goodwill impairment will be equal to the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance remains largely unchanged. The same one-step impairment test will be applied to goodwill at all reporting units, even those with zero or negative carrying amounts. Entities will be required to disclose the amount of goodwill at reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. Management has determined that these changes will not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. However, should the Company be required to record a goodwill impairment charge in future periods, the amount recorded may differ compared to any amounts that might be recorded under current practice. In August 2017, the FASB issued changes which expand and refine hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedged items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The amendments in this update should be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption, which includes a cumulative-effect adjustment to eliminate any ineffectiveness recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income or loss with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which adoption occurred. Presentation and disclosure amendments are required to be applied prospectively. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued changes which allow entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at historical tax rates. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company had approximately $21 million of stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 resulting from the Act.

Accounts Receivable and Invento

Accounts Receivable and Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounts Receivable And Inventories
Accounts Receivable and Inventories	Accounts Receivable and Inventories Accounts receivable consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Trade accounts receivable $ 297,515 $ 292,765 Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts (4,549 ) (4,731 ) Trade accounts receivable, net $ 292,966 $ 288,034 Other receivables (a) $ 24,813 $ 20,224 (a) Other receivables include insurance claim receivables, employee receivables, tax claim receivables and other miscellaneous receivables not included in Trade accounts receivable, net. The provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable $ (46 ) $ (22 ) Inventories consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Finished goods $ 18,747 $ 26,415 Work-in-process 20,967 24,367 Contracts-in-process (b) — 45,599 Raw materials and purchased parts 68,531 58,943 Stores and supplies 24,107 22,969 Total inventories $ 132,352 $ 178,293 Contracts-in-process consist of the following: (In thousands) December 31 Contract costs accumulated to date $ 73,740 Estimated forward loss provisions for contracts-in-process (c) (28,141 ) Contracts-in-process (b) (d) $ 45,599 (b) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. Amounts previously reported as Contracts-in-progress have been recognized through the related cumulative catch-up adjustment. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. (c) For periods prior to January 1, 2018, to the extent that the estimated forward loss provision exceeds accumulated contract costs it is included in the caption Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $3.0 million at December 31, 2017 . At March 31, 2018 , due to the implementation of the new revenue standard, the entire remaining estimated forward loss provision is included in the caption Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $10.4 million . (d) At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company has $49.9 million and $97.9 million , respectively, of net customer advances related to SBB contracts. These amounts are included in the caption Current portion of advances on contracts and Advances on contracts, representing the non-current portion, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognized an initial estimated forward loss provision related to the contracts with the federal railway system of Switzerland ("SBB") of $45.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 . The Company recorded an additional forward loss provision of $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The estimated forward loss provision represents the Company's best estimate based on currently available information. It is possible that the Company's overall estimate of costs to complete these contracts may increase, which would result in an additional estimated forward loss provision at such time, but the Company is unable to estimate any further possible loss or range of loss at this time. The Company recognized $7.9 million of revenues for the contracts with SBB, on an over time basis, utilizing an input method based on costs incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . The Company did not recognize any revenue for the contracts with SBB for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . For three months ended March 31, 2018 , product revenue gross margins were not significantly impacted by the revenue recognized under the SBB contracts. The Company is approximately 98% complete on the first contract and 15% completed on the second contract with SBB as of March 31, 2018 .

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consists of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Land $ 10,828 $ 10,840 Land improvements 14,866 14,996 Buildings and improvements 202,273 198,582 Machinery and equipment 1,643,743 1,599,713 Uncompleted construction 23,095 24,387 Gross property, plant and equipment 1,894,805 1,848,518 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,411,968 ) (1,368,771 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 482,837 $ 479,747

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Consolidated Totals Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 381,893 $ 6,839 $ 13,026 $ 401,758 Foreign currency translation 4,948 — — 4,948 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 386,841 $ 6,839 $ 13,026 $ 406,706 The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, or if a decision is made to dispose of a business. The Company performs the annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitors for triggering events on an ongoing basis. The Company determined that, as of March 31, 2018 , no interim goodwill impairment testing was necessary. Intangible assets included in the caption, Intangible assets, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Customer related $ 154,949 $ 123,676 $ 153,014 $ 121,385 Patents 5,874 5,752 5,825 5,700 Technology related 26,035 26,035 26,131 26,131 Trade names 8,316 4,921 8,317 4,845 Other 8,966 6,000 8,875 5,850 Total $ 204,140 $ 166,384 $ 202,162 $ 163,911 Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Amortization expense for intangible assets $ 1,282 $ 1,318 The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Estimated amortization expense (a) $ 5,000 $ 4,750 $ 4,500 $ 4,250 $ 4,000 (a) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange fluctuations.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Three Months Ended March 31 Defined Benefit Pension Plans Net Periodic Pension Cost U.S. Plans International Plans (In thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service costs $ 10 $ 11 $ 386 $ 411 Interest costs 2,391 2,469 5,672 5,734 Expected return on plan assets (3,017 ) (2,621 ) (11,145 ) (10,424 ) Recognized prior service costs — 8 (39 ) 45 Recognized loss 1,302 1,425 3,840 4,042 Settlement/curtailment losses 166 — — — Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ 852 $ 1,292 $ (1,286 ) $ (192 ) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB related to how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans present NPPC in the statement of operations. Employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of NPPC are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of the subtotal of income from operations. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards, for additional details. Three Months Ended Company Contributions March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Defined benefit pension plans (U.S.) $ 1,284 $ 471 Defined benefit pension plans (International) 9,734 8,337 Multiemployer pension plans 501 485 Defined contribution pension plans 2,835 2,560 The Company's estimate of expected contributions to be paid during the remainder of 2018 for the U.S. and international defined benefit pension plans are $8.6 million and $10.2 million , respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income tax expense related to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was $8.3 million and $6.3 million , respectively. An income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on technical merits, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes. The reserve for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2018 was $4.9 million , including interest and penalties. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that $1.2 million of unrecognized income tax benefits will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Environmental The Company is involved in a number of environmental remediation investigations and cleanups and, along with other companies, has been identified as a “potentially responsible party” for certain waste disposal sites. While each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, it is probable that the Company will agree to make payments toward funding certain of these activities, and it is possible that some of these matters will be decided unfavorably to the Company. The Company has evaluated its potential liability, and its financial exposure is dependent upon such factors as the continuing evolution of environmental laws and regulatory requirements, the availability and application of technology, the allocation of cost among potentially responsible parties, the years of remedial activity required and the remediation methods selected. The Company did not have any material accruals or record any material expenses related to environmental matters during the periods presented. The Company evaluates its liability for future environmental remediation costs on a quarterly basis. Although actual costs to be incurred at identified sites in future periods may vary from the estimates (given inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental exposures), the Company does not expect that any costs that are reasonably possible to be incurred by the Company in connection with environmental matters in excess of the amounts accrued would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Brazilian Tax Disputes The Company is involved in a number of tax disputes with federal, state and municipal tax authorities in Brazil. These disputes are at various stages of the legal process, including the administrative review phase and the collection action phase, and include assessments of fixed amounts of principal and penalties, plus interest charges that increase at statutorily determined amounts per month and are assessed on the aggregate amount of the principal and penalties. In addition, the losing party at the collection action or court of appeals phase could be subject to a charge to cover statutorily mandated legal fees, which are generally calculated as a percentage of the total assessed amounts due, inclusive of penalty and interest. A large number of the claims relate to value-added ("ICMS"), services and social security tax disputes. The largest proportion of the assessed amounts relate to ICMS claims filed by the State Revenue Authorities from the State of São Paulo, Brazil (the "SPRA"), encompassing the period from January 2002 to May 2005. In October 2009, the Company received notification of the SPRA’s final administrative decision regarding the levying of ICMS in the State of São Paulo in relation to services provided to a customer in the State between January 2004 and May 2005. As of March 31, 2018 , the principal amount of the tax assessment from the SPRA with regard to this case is approximately $2 million , with penalty, interest and fees assessed to date increasing such amount by an additional $24 million . Any change in the aggregate amount since the Company’s last Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 is due to an increase in assessed interest and statutorily mandated legal fees for the period, as well as foreign currency translation. Another ICMS tax case involving the SPRA refers to the tax period from January 2002 to December 2003, and has not yet reached the judicial phase. The aggregate amount assessed by the tax authorities in August 2005 was $7.6 million (the amounts with regard to this claim are valued as of the date of the assessment since it has not yet reached the collection phase), composed of a principal amount of $1.8 million , with penalty and interest assessed through that date increasing such amount by an additional $5.8 million . All such amounts include the effect of foreign currency translation. The Company continues to believe that it is not probable it will incur a loss for these assessments by the SPRA. The Company also continues to believe that sufficient coverage for these claims exists as a result of the indemnification obligations of the Company's customer and such customer’s pledge of assets in connection with the October 2009 notice, as required by Brazilian law. The Company intends to continue its practice of vigorously defending itself against these tax claims under various alternatives, including judicial appeal. The Company will continue to evaluate its potential liability with regard to these claims on a quarterly basis; however, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these tax-related disputes in Brazil. No loss provision has been recorded in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the disputes described above because the loss contingency is not deemed probable, and the Company does not expect that any costs that are reasonably possible to be incurred by the Company in connection with Brazilian tax disputes would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Brazilian Labor Disputes The Company is subject to ongoing collective bargaining and individual labor claims in Brazil through the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment which allege, among other things, the Company's failure to pay required amounts for overtime and vacation at certain sites. The Company is vigorously defending itself against these claims; however, litigation is inherently unpredictable, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. While the Company does not currently expect that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these labor-related disputes. The Company is continuing to review all known labor claims and as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company has established reserves of $9.9 million and $9.6 million , respectively, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for amounts considered to be probable and estimable. As the Company continues to evaluate these claims and takes actions to address them, the amount of established reserves may be impacted. Customer Disputes The Company may, in the normal course of business, become involved in commercial disputes with subcontractors or customers. Although results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by a negative outcome in these or other lawsuits, claims or proceedings, management believes that the ultimate outcome of any on going matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Lima Refinery Litigation On April 8, 2016, Lima Refining Company filed a lawsuit against the Company in the District Court of Harris County, Texas related to a January 2015 explosion at an oil refinery operated by Lima Refining Company. The action seeks approximately $106 million in property damages and approximately $289 million in lost profits and business interruption damages. The action alleges the explosion occurred because of a defect in a heat exchange cooler manufactured by Hammco Corporation ("Hammco") in 2009, prior to the Company’s acquisition of Hammco in 2014. The Company is vigorously contesting the allegations against it, both as to liability for the accident and the amount of the claimed damages. As a result, the Company believes the situation will not result in a probable loss. The Company has both an indemnity right from the sellers of Hammco and liability insurance coverage under various primary and excess policies that the Company believes will be available, if necessary, to cover substantially all of any such liability that might ultimately be incurred in the above action. Compliance Matter As previously disclosed, in 2017, the Company undertook an internal investigation, with the assistance of outside counsel, after it became aware of allegations involving an employee and an agent of the Harsco Rail subsidiary in China (“Harsco Rail China”). During this investigation the Company learned about certain payments that potentially violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Revenues attributed to Harsco Rail China were approximately 2% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for each of the prior three years. The Company has voluntarily self-reported its initial findings to the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and intends to fully cooperate with these agencies in their review. Based on information known to date, the Company believes the amount of the potential improper payments are not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Any determination that the Company's operations or activities were not in compliance with existing laws or regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties. No provision with respect to this matter has been made in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. At this time, the Company cannot predict the outcome or impact of the investigation or the reviews by the SEC and the DOJ. However, based on information available at this time, the Company does not believe any potential liability would be material to the Company's condensed consolidated financial position, although an amount recorded, if any, could be material to the results of operations for the period in which it may be recorded. Other The Company is named as one of many defendants (approximately 90 or more in most cases) in legal actions in the U.S. alleging personal injury from exposure to airborne asbestos over the past several decades. In their suits, the plaintiffs have named as defendants, among others, many manufacturers, distributors and installers of numerous types of equipment or products that allegedly contained asbestos. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit. The Company has never been a producer, manufacturer or processor of asbestos fibers. Any asbestos-containing part of a Company product used in the past was purchased from a supplier and the asbestos encapsulated in other materials such that airborne exposure, if it occurred, was not harmful and is not associated with the types of injuries alleged in the pending actions. At March 31, 2018 , there were 17,251 pending asbestos personal injury actions filed against the Company. Of those actions, 16,737 were filed in the New York Supreme Court (New York County), 111 were filed in other New York State Supreme Court Counties and 403 were filed in courts located in other states. The complaints in most of those actions generally follow a form that contains a standard damages demand of $20 million or $25 million , regardless of the individual plaintiff’s alleged medical condition, and without identifying any specific Company product. At March 31, 2018 , 16,712 of the actions filed in New York Supreme Court (New York County) were on the Deferred/Inactive Docket created by the court in December 2002 for all pending and future asbestos actions filed by persons who cannot demonstrate that they have a malignant condition or discernible physical impairment. The remaining 25 cases in New York County are pending on the Active or In Extremis Docket created for plaintiffs who can demonstrate a malignant condition or physical impairment. The Company has liability insurance coverage under various primary and excess policies that the Company believes will be available, if necessary, to substantially cover any liability that might ultimately be incurred in the asbestos actions referred to above. The costs and expenses of the asbestos actions are being paid by the Company's insurers. In view of the persistence of asbestos litigation in the U.S., the Company expects to continue to receive additional claims in the future. The Company intends to continue its practice of vigorously defending these claims and cases. At March 31, 2018 , the Company has obtained dismissal in 27,971 cases by stipulation or summary judgment prior to trial. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related actions in the U.S. due to the unpredictable nature of this litigation, and no loss provision has been recorded in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements because a loss contingency is not deemed probable or estimable. Despite this uncertainty, and although results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related actions, the Company does not expect that any costs that are reasonably possible to be incurred by the Company in connection with asbestos litigation would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As previously disclosed, the Company has had ongoing meetings with the Supreme Council for Environment in Bahrain (“SCE”) over processing a byproduct (“salt cakes”) stored at the Al Hafeerah site. The Company’s Bahrain operations that produced the salt cakes has ceased operations and are owned under a strategic venture for which its strategic venture partner owns a 35% minority interest. An Environmental Impact Assessment and Technical Feasibility Study was approved by the SCE during the first quarter of 2018. The Company has previously established a reserve of $7.0 million, payable over several years, related to the estimated cost of processing and disposal of the salt cakes. This reserve represents the Company’s best estimate of ultimate costs to be incurred. The Company continues to evaluate this reserve and any future change in estimated costs could be material to the Company’s results of operations in any one period. The Company is subject to various other claims and legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters that arose in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, all such matters are adequately covered by insurance or by established reserves, and, if not so covered, are without merit or are of such kind, or involve such amounts, as would not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. Insurance liabilities are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred for a particular event and the amount of loss associated with the event can be reasonably estimated. Insurance reserves have been estimated based primarily upon actuarial calculations and reflect the undiscounted estimated liabilities for ultimate losses, including claims incurred but not reported. Inherent in these estimates are assumptions that are based on the Company's history of claims and losses, a detailed analysis of existing claims with respect to potential value, and current legal and legislative trends. If actual claims differ from those projected by management, changes (either increases or decreases) to insurance reserves may be required and would be recorded through income in the period the change was determined. When a recognized liability is covered by third-party insurance, the Company records an insurance claim receivable to reflect the covered liability. Insurance claim receivables are included in Other receivables on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for additional information on Accrued insurance and loss reserves.

Reconciliation of Basic and Dil

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares	Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Income from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders $ 18,260 $ 9,267 Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic 80,650 80,385 Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation 2,894 1,878 Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 83,544 82,263 Earnings from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.12 Diluted $ 0.22 $ 0.11 The following average outstanding stock-based compensation units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was antidilutive: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Restricted stock units — — Stock options — 55 Stock appreciation rights 696 1,263 Performance share units — 467

Derivative Instruments, Hedging

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities And Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value	Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company uses derivative instruments, including foreign currency exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps ("CCIRs"), to manage certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. Derivative instruments are viewed as risk management tools by the Company and are not used for trading or speculative purposes. All derivative instruments are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives used to hedge foreign currency denominated balance sheet items are reported directly in earnings, along with offsetting transaction gains and losses on the items being hedged. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with foreign currency commitments may be accounted for as cash flow hedges, as deemed appropriate if the criteria for hedge accounting are met. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of equity, and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in earnings. The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value March 31, 2018 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 1,755 Interest rate swaps Other current assets 1,198 Interest rate swaps Other assets 1,991 Other liabilities $ 612 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 4,944 $ 612 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments : Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 3,528 Other current liabilities $ 9,227 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value December 31, 2017 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,329 Other current liabilities $ 153 Interest rate swaps Other current assets 464 Interest rate swaps Other assets 170 Other liabilities 1,368 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 2,963 $ 1,521 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments : Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,915 Other current liabilities $ 6,970 All of the Company's derivatives are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at gross amounts and not offset. All of the Company's interest rate swaps, CCIRs and certain foreign currency exchange forward contracts are transacted under International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") documentation. Each ISDA master agreement permits the net settlement of amounts owed in the event of default. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements resulted in a net asset of $0.6 million and a net liability of $0.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, was as follows: Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (In thousands) Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivative - Effective Portion Location of Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity Location of Amount Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing Amount Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing Three Months Ended March 31, 2018: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 240 Product revenues $ (212 ) $ — Foreign currency exchange forward contracts — Retained earnings (b) (1,520 ) — Interest rate swaps 3,310 — — Cross-currency interest rate swaps (93 ) (c) Interest expense 271 — $ 3,457 $ (1,461 ) $ — Three Months Ended March 31, 2017: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (236 ) Cost of services and products sold $ 1 $ — Interest rate swaps (522 ) — — Cross-currency interest rate swaps (128 ) Interest Expense 242 Cost of services and products sold (210 ) (a) $ (886 ) $ 243 $ (210 ) (a) These gains (losses) offset foreign currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal. (b) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. (c) Amounts represent changes in foreign currency translation related to balances in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative for the Three Months Ended March 31 (d) (In thousands) 2018 2017 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Cost of services and products sold $ (5,466 ) $ 1,550 (d) These gains (losses) offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures. Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts The Company conducts business in multiple currencies and, accordingly, is subject to the inherent risks associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The financial position and results of operations of substantially all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates, and income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. The aggregate effects of translating the balance sheets of these subsidiaries are deferred and recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of equity. The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge cash flows related to foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts outstanding are part of a worldwide program to minimize foreign currency exchange operating income and balance sheet exposure by offsetting foreign currency exposures of certain future payments between the Company and various subsidiaries, suppliers or customers. The unsecured contracts are with major financial institutions. The Company may be exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the contract counterparties. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of the counterparties and does not expect default by them. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts are used to hedge commitments, such as foreign currency debt, firm purchase commitments and foreign currency cash flows for certain export sales transactions. The following tables summarize, by major currency, the contractual amounts of the Company’s foreign currency exchange forward contracts in U.S. dollars. The “Buy” amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the “Sell” amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to sell foreign currencies. The recognized gains and losses offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures. Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Type U.S. Dollar Equivalent Maturity Recognized Gain (Loss) British pounds sterling Sell $ 77,579 April 2018 $ (202 ) British pounds sterling Buy 10,789 April 2018 through May 2018 134 Euros Sell 311,405 April 2018 through December 2018 (6,322 ) Euros Buy 203,648 April 2018 through November 2018 3,613 Other currencies Sell 41,660 April 2018 through August 2018 (1,148 ) Other currencies Buy 2,901 April 2018 (19 ) Total $ 647,982 $ (3,944 ) Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at December 31, 2017 : (In thousands) Type U.S. Dollar Equivalent Maturity Recognized Gain (Loss) British pounds sterling Sell $ 76,761 January 2018 $ (769 ) British pounds sterling Buy 5,960 January 2018 72 Euros Sell 314,649 January 2018 through December 2018 (4,916 ) Euros Buy 223,111 January 2018 through November 2018 4,564 Other currencies Sell 39,889 January 2018 through June 2018 (1,049 ) Other currencies Buy 11,487 January 2018 219 Total $ 671,857 $ (1,879 ) In addition to foreign currency exchange forward contracts, the Company designates certain loans as hedges of net investments in international subsidiaries. The Company recorded pre-tax net gains of $9.5 million and $1.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 , respectively, in Accumulated other comprehensive loss . Interest Rate Swaps The Company uses interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to secure a fixed interest rate. The interest rate swaps are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in value attributed to the effect of the swaps’ interest spread and changes in the credit worthiness of the counter-parties recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. In January 2017 and February 2018, the Company entered into a series of interest rate swaps that cover the period from 2018 through 2022, and had the effect of converting $300.0 million of the Term Loan Facility from floating-rate to fixed-rate beginning in 2018. The fixed rates provided by the swaps replace the adjusted LIBOR rate in the interest calculation, ranging from 1.65% for 2018 to 3.124% for 2022. The following table indicates the notional amounts of the Company's interest rate swaps at March 31, 2018 : Annual Notional Amount Interest Rates (In millions) Receive Pay Maturing 2018 through 2022 $ 300.0 Floating U.S. dollar rate Fixed U.S. dollar rate Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps The Company may use CCIRs in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to secure a fixed local currency interest rate. Under these CCIRs, the Company receives interest based on a fixed or floating U.S. dollar rate and pays interest on a fixed local currency rate based on the contractual amounts in dollars and the local currency, respectively. At maturity, there is also the payment of principal amounts between currencies. The CCIRs are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in value attributed to the effect of the swaps' interest spread and changes in the credit worthiness of the counter-parties recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Changes in value attributed to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and offset currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal. The Company had no outstanding CCIRs at March 31, 2018 . Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities and Other Financial Instruments Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that the Company believes market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs), and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which give the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below: • Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. • Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. • Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. In instances in which multiple levels of inputs are used to measure fair value, hierarchy classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The following table indicates the fair value hierarchy of the financial instruments of the Company: Level 2 Fair Value Measurements (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Assets Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 5,283 $ 5,244 Interest rate swaps 3,189 634 Liabilities Foreign currency exchange forward contracts 9,227 7,123 Interest rate swaps 612 1,368 The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavors to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs, such as forward rates, interest rates, the Company’s credit risk and counterparties’ credit risks, and which minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company is able to classify fair value balances based on the ability to observe those inputs. Foreign currency exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and CCIRs are based upon pricing models using market-based inputs (Level 2). Model inputs can be verified, and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the total fair value of long-term debt (excluding deferred financing costs), including current maturities, was $643.5 million and $599.1 million , respectively, compared with a carrying value of $636.8 million and $593.7 million , respectively. Fair values for debt are based on pricing models using market based inputs (Level 2) for similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Review of Operations by Segment

Review of Operations by Segment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Review of Operations by Segment	Review of Operations by Segment Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues From Continuing Operations Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 264,723 $ 247,034 Harsco Industrial 83,598 65,885 Harsco Rail 59,678 59,588 Corporate 39 34 Total Revenues From Continuing Operations $ 408,038 $ 372,541 Operating Income (loss) From Continuing Operations Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 27,735 $ 25,757 Harsco Industrial 12,421 2,894 Harsco Rail 1,952 6,217 Corporate (5,567 ) (6,261 ) Total Operating Income From Continuing Operations $ 36,541 $ 28,607 Depreciation and Amortization Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 29,085 $ 27,880 Harsco Industrial 1,855 1,840 Harsco Rail 1,064 1,037 Corporate 1,348 1,471 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 33,352 $ 32,228 Capital Expenditures Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 25,176 $ 15,472 Harsco Industrial 1,087 752 Harsco Rail 430 220 Corporate 204 545 Total Capital Expenditures $ 26,897 $ 16,989 Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Segment operating income $ 42,108 $ 34,868 General Corporate expense (5,567 ) (6,261 ) Operating income from continuing operations 36,541 28,607 Interest income 498 512 Interest expense (9,583 ) (11,653 ) Defined benefit pension income (expense) 839 (699 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 28,295 $ 16,767

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Service revenues and product revenues are recognized to depict the transfer of promised services and products to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those services or products. Service revenues include the service components of the Harsco Metals & Minerals and Harsco Rail Segments. Product revenues include the Harsco Industrial Segment and the product revenues of the Harsco Metals & Minerals and Harsco Rail Segments. Harsco Metals & Minerals - This Segment provides on-site services, under long-term contracts, for material logistics; product quality improvement and resource recovery from iron, steel and metals manufacturing; and also manufactures and sells industrial abrasives and roofing granule products. • Service revenues are recognized over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company's performance. The Company utilizes an appropriate output method based on work performed (liquid steel tons processed, weight of material handled, etc.) to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company at any given point. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which may include both fixed and variable portions. The fixed fee portion is recognized periodically as earned (normally monthly) over the contractual period. The variable fee portion is recognized as services are performed and differs from period to period based upon the actual performance of services. Additionally, given the long-term nature of these arrangements, most contracts permit periodic adjustment of either the variable or both the fixed and variable fee portions based on the changes in macroeconomic indicators, including changes in commodity prices. Transaction prices, when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, are allocated to performance obligations utilizing an expected cost plus a margin approach. Amounts are typically billed and payable on a monthly basis as services are performed. • Product revenues are recognized at the point in time when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers to the customer at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in specific customer contracts for export sales. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each transaction. At March 31, 2018, the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment had remaining, fixed, unsatisfied performance obligations, where the expected contract duration exceeds one year totaling $86.5 million . Of this amount, $32.4 million is expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2019, $24.3 million by March 31, 2020, $16.4 million by March 31, 2021, $7.3 million by March 31, 2022, $5.5 million by March 31, 2023 and the remainder thereafter. These amounts exclude any variable fees, fixed fees subject to indexation and any performance obligations expected to be satisfied within one year. Harsco Industrial - Air-X-Changers - This business unit sells air-cooled heat exchangers with revenue recognized over time as control is transferred to the customer. Control transfers to the customer over time because the air-cooled heat exchangers are customized, have no alternate use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed. The Company utilizes an input method based on costs incurred to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company at any given point. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Depending on product type, the Company may receive periodic payments associated with key milestones with any remaining consideration billed and payable upon successful completion of the transaction. Harsco Industrial - IKG - This business unit sells metal bar grating configurations with revenue recognized at the point in time when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers to the customer at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in specific customer contracts for export sales. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each transaction though advance payments are required in limited circumstances when credit concerns exist. Harsco Industrial - Patterson-Kelley - This business unit sells energy-efficient heat transfer products with revenue recognized at the point in time when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers to the customer at the point of shipment. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each transaction. Harsco Rail - This Segment sells railway track maintenance equipment, after-market parts and provides railway track maintenance services. • For the majority of railway track maintenance equipment sales, revenue is recognized at the point in time when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfers to the customer at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in specific customer contracts for export sales. In certain railway track maintenance equipment sales, revenue is recognized over time as control is transferred to the customer because such equipment is highly customized, has no alternate use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed. In such instances, the Company utilizes an input method based on costs incurred to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company at any given point. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing either the adjusted market assessment or expected cost plus a margin approach. For certain transactions for railway track maintenance equipment with long lead times, the Company receives periodic payments associated with key milestones. In limited instances, the Company may receive payment in advance of related performance with the intent to provide financing with such transactions being treated as including a significant financing component. Any remaining consideration is billed and payable upon successful completion of the transaction. • For after-market parts sales, revenue is recognized at the point in time when control transfers to the customer. Control generally transfer to the customer at the point of shipment for domestic orders and in accordance with the international commercial terms included in specific customer contracts for export sales. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally fixed, and when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach. Amounts are billed and payable upon completion of each contract. • For railway track maintenance services, revenue is recognized over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company's performance. In such instances, the Company utilizes an appropriate output method based on work performed (feet, miles, shifts worked, etc.) to measure progress, which is deemed to best depict the transfer of value to the customer and revenue earned by the Company at any given point. Transaction prices are determined based on the terms of the contract, which are generally variable. The variable fee portion is recognized as services are performed and differs from period to period based upon the actual provision of services. Additionally, given the long-term nature of these arrangements, most contracts permit periodic adjustment based on the changes in macroeconomic indicators. Transaction prices, when the standalone selling price is not directly observable, allocated to performance obligations utilizing an expected cost plus a margin approach. Amounts are typically billed and payable on a monthly basis as services are performed. At March 31, 2018, the Harsco Rail Segment had remaining, fixed, unsatisfied performance obligations, where the expected contract duration exceeds one year totaling $170.2 million . Of this amount, $48.3 million is expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2019, $39.3 million by March 31, 2020, $49.2 million by March 31, 2021, $24.3 million by March 31, 2022, and $9.1 million by March 31, 2023. These amounts exclude any variable fees, fixed fees subject to indexation and any performance obligations expected to be satisfied within one year. A summary of the Company's revenues by primary geographical markets as well as by key product and service groups is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) : Western Europe $ 96,921 $ — $ 14,720 $ — $ 111,641 North America 71,065 78,858 40,405 39 190,367 Latin America (b) 41,458 4,740 833 — 47,031 Asia-Pacific 36,221 — 3,720 — 39,941 Middle East and Africa 11,553 — — — 11,553 Eastern Europe 7,505 — — — 7,505 Total Revenues (c) $ 264,723 $ 83,598 $ 59,678 $ 39 $ 408,038 Key Product and Service Groups: On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products. $ 264,723 $ — $ — $ — $ 264,723 Railway track maintenance services and equipment — — 59,678 — 59,678 Industrial grating and fencing products — 30,097 — — 30,097 Air-cooled heat exchangers — 44,267 — — 44,267 Heat transfer products — 9,234 — — 9,234 General Corporate — — — 39 39 Total Revenues (c) $ 264,723 $ 83,598 $ 59,678 $ 39 $ 408,038 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) : Western Europe $ 91,720 $ — $ 9,539 $ — $ 101,259 North America 67,233 58,351 45,150 34 170,768 Latin America (b) 38,020 6,582 476 — 45,078 Asia-Pacific 32,557 952 4,423 — 37,932 Middle East and Africa 10,556 — — — 10,556 Eastern Europe 6,948 — — — 6,948 Total Revenues (c) $ 247,034 $ 65,885 $ 59,588 $ 34 $ 372,541 Key Product and Service Groups: On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products. $ 247,034 $ — $ — $ — $ 247,034 Railway track maintenance services and equipment — — 59,588 — 59,588 Industrial grating and fencing products — 28,159 — — 28,159 Air-cooled heat exchangers — 30,461 — — 30,461 Heat transfer products — 7,265 — — 7,265 General Corporate — — — 34 34 Total Revenues (c) $ 247,034 $ 65,885 $ 59,588 $ 34 $ 372,541 (a) Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue. (b) Includes Mexico. (c) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under U.S. GAAP in effect for those periods. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. In certain instances, the Company may receive payments in advance of earning revenue, in such instances these amounts are treated as Advances on contracts and other customer advances on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In other instances, the Company may recognize revenue in advance of being able to contractually invoice the customer, in such instances these amounts are treated as Contract assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Contract assets are transferred to Trade accounts receivable, net when right to payment becomes unconditional. Contract assets and Contract liabilities are reported as a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. These instances are primarily related to the Harsco Rail Segment and air-cooled heat exchangers business of the Harsco Industrial Segment. The following table reflects Contract assets and Advances on contracts: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Contract assets: Current portion of contract assets $ 23,871 $ — Contract assets 3,566 — Total contract assets $ 27,437 $ — Advances on contracts: Current portion of advances on contracts $ 38,147 $ 117,958 Advances on contracts 21,837 — Total advances on contracts $ 59,984 $ 117,958 The increase in Contract assets and decrease in Advances on contracts is primarily attributable to initial adoption of the FASB issued changes related to revenue recognition. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. The Company provides assurance type warranties associated primarily with product sales in the Harsco Industrial and Harsco Rail Segments. These assurance type warranties are typically not priced or negotiated separately (there is no option to separately purchase the warranty) or the warranty does not provide customers with a service in addition to the assurance that the product complies with agreed-upon specifications. Accordingly, such assurance type warranties do not represent separate performance obligations. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for additional information on warranties. The Company has elected to utilize the following practical expedients on an ongoing basis as part of the adoption of the new revenue standard: • The Company has not adjusted the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers the promised good or services to the customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less; and • The Company has elected to exclude disclosures related to unsatisfied performance obligations where the related contract has a duration of one year or less; or where the consideration allocated to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation is entirely variable. Accordingly, the Company's disclosure related to unsatisfied performance obligations is limited to the railway track maintenance equipment in the Harsco Rail Segment and the fixed portion of fees related to metals services in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Additionally, in certain contracts, the Company facilitates shipping and handling activities after control has transferred to the customer. The Company has elected to record all shipping and handling activities as costs to fulfill a contract. In situations where the shipping and handling costs have not been incurred at the time revenue is recognized, the respective shipping and handling costs are accrued.

Other (Income) Expenses

Other (Income) Expenses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other (Income) Expenses	Other Expenses, Net The major components of this Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations caption are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Employee termination benefit costs $ 1,443 $ 753 Net gains (a) — (122 ) Other costs to exit activities 364 100 Impaired asset write-downs 9 — Other 6 163 Other expenses, net $ 1,822 $ 894 (a) Net gains result from the sales of redundant properties (primarily land, buildings and related equipment) and non-core assets.

Components of Accumulated Other

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity. The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of the effect of income taxes, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 was as follows: Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Net of Tax (In thousands) Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (144,534 ) $ (1,089 ) $ (461,094 ) $ (5 ) $ (606,722 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 16,561 (a) (536 ) (b) (3,793 ) (a) 6 12,238 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax — 149 4,998 — 5,147 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 16,561 (387 ) 1,205 6 17,385 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (386 ) — — — (386 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 16,175 (387 ) 1,205 6 16,999 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (128,359 ) $ (1,476 ) $ (459,889 ) $ 1 $ (589,723 ) Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Net of Tax (In thousands) Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (111,567 ) $ 808 $ (435,840 ) $ 17 $ (546,582 ) Adoption of new accounting standard (a) — (1,520 ) — — (1,520 ) Balance at January 1, 2018 (111,567 ) (712 ) (435,840 ) 17 (548,102 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 12,501 (b) 2,768 (c) (13,945 ) (b) (14 ) 1,310 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax — (91 ) 4,944 — 4,853 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 12,501 2,677 (9,001 ) (14 ) 6,163 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1,278 ) — — — (1,278 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 11,223 2,677 (9,001 ) (14 ) 4,885 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (100,344 ) $ 1,965 $ (444,841 ) $ 3 $ (543,217 ) (a) Represents the opening balance sheet adjustment to retained earnings related to the adoption of the revenue recognition standard adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards, for additional details. (b) Principally foreign currency fluctuation. (c) Net change from periodic revaluations. Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended Affected Caption in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations March 31 March 31 Amortization of cash flow hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (212 ) $ — Product revenues Foreign currency exchange forward contracts — 1 Cost of services and products sold Cross-currency interest rate swaps 271 242 Interest expense Total before tax 59 243 Tax expense (150 ) (94 ) Total reclassification of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax $ (91 ) $ 149 Amortization of defined benefit pension items (d) : Recognized losses $ 5,142 $ 5,467 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Recognized prior-service costs (39 ) 53 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Settlement/curtailment losses 166 — Defined benefit pension income (expense) Total before tax 5,269 5,520 Tax benefit (325 ) (522 ) Total reclassification of defined benefit pension items, net of tax $ 4,944 $ 4,998 (d) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs. See Note 7, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional details.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Harsco Corporation (the "Company") has prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (all of which are of a normal recurring nature) that are necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The December 31, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for an annual report. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Operating results and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018 .
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year classifications.
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards The following accounting standards have been adopted in 2018: On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes, with subsequent amendments, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The changes clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and develop a common revenue standard. The core principle of the changes is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The adoption of these changes resulted in the following modifications to the Company's revenue recognition process: • Harsco Industrial Segment - Air-X-Changers - The timing of revenue recognition for air-cooled heat exchanger sales, which the Company historically recognized upon the completion of the efforts associated with these arrangements, is now recognized over time with the impact of increasing revenue in earlier periods. This change also impacted the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by decreasing both Inventories and Advances on contracts; and creating a new caption and establishing a balance related to Contract assets. • Harsco Rail Segment - The timing of revenue recognition for certain railway track maintenance equipment sales, which the Company historically recognized upon the completion of the efforts associated with these arrangements, is now recognized over time with the impact of increasing revenue in earlier periods. This change also impacted the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by decreasing both Inventories and Advances on contracts; and creating a new caption and establishing a balance related to Contract assets. In addition, certain advance payments received from customers, which provide a significant benefit of financing and are expected to be outstanding longer than twelve months, are treated as significant financing components to the related transactions and the Company will increase the overall transaction price with a corresponding increase in interest expense. Additionally, the Company's disclosure related to revenue recognition has been expanded in accordance with the FASB changes. Please refer to Note 12, Revenue Recognition for additional information. The Company chose to implement the impact of the FASB changes utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, using the following practical expedients: • The Company has elected to apply the changes only to revenue arrangements that were not completed as of January 1, 2018; and • The Company has elected to reflect the aggregate effect of all contract modifications that occurred prior to the beginning of the earliest reported period when (i) identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations; (ii) determining the transaction price; and (iii) allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under U.S. GAAP in effect for those periods. The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 1, 2018 was as follows: (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 Impact of Adoption Balance at January 1, 2018 ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 288,034 $ 532 $ 288,566 Inventories 178,293 (59,793 ) 118,500 Current portion of contract assets — 18,248 18,248 Other current assets 39,332 179 39,511 Total current assets 592,092 (40,834 ) 551,258 Contract assets — 3,566 3,566 Other assets 15,263 1,337 16,600 Total assets 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 117,958 (78,507 ) 39,451 Other current liabilities 133,368 13,995 147,363 Total current liabilities 474,128 (64,512 ) 409,616 Advances on contracts — 24,564 24,564 Other liabilities 40,846 1,580 42,426 Total liabilities 1,363,520 (38,368 ) 1,325,152 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (546,582 ) (1,520 ) (548,102 ) Retained earnings 1,157,801 3,957 1,161,758 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 170,451 2,437 172,888 Total equity 215,165 2,437 217,602 Total liabilities and equity 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 The impact of modifying the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows: March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 292,966 $ (668 ) $ 292,298 Inventories 132,352 71,195 203,547 Current portion of contract assets 23,871 (23,871 ) — Other current assets 41,227 (177 ) 41,050 Total current assets 582,756 46,479 629,235 Contract assets 3,566 (3,566 ) — Deferred income tax assets 49,900 947 50,847 Other assets 19,100 (1,285 ) 17,815 Total assets 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 38,147 78,809 116,956 Other current liabilities 145,501 (11,801 ) 133,700 Total current liabilities 389,657 67,008 456,665 Advances on contracts 21,837 (21,837 ) — Other liabilities 41,176 (381 ) 40,795 Total liabilities 1,336,276 44,790 1,381,066 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (543,217 ) 1,827 (541,390 ) Retained earnings 1,179,516 (4,042 ) 1,175,474 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 198,107 (2,215 ) 195,892 Total equity 246,345 (2,215 ) 244,130 Total liabilities and equity 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands, except per share amounts) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Revenues from continuing operations: Services revenues $ 254,962 $ 1,350 $ 256,312 Product revenues 153,076 (10,452 ) 142,624 Total revenues 408,038 (9,102 ) 398,936 Costs and expenses from continuing operations: Costs of services sold 199,373 1,358 200,731 Costs of products sold 111,980 (9,930 ) 102,050 Selling, general and administrative costs 57,083 16 57,099 Total costs and expenses 371,497 (8,556 ) 362,941 Operating income from continuing operations 36,541 (546 ) 35,995 Interest expense (9,583 ) 452 (9,131 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 28,295 (94 ) 28,201 Income tax expense (8,266 ) (8 ) (8,274 ) Income from continuing operations 20,029 (102 ) 19,927 Net income 19,577 (102 ) 19,475 Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Income from continuing operations, net of tax 18,260 (102 ) 18,158 Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 17,808 (102 ) 17,706 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.23 — 0.23 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.21 — 0.21 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 19,577 $ (102 ) $ 19,475 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 4,635 8 4,643 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (4,848 ) 136 (4,712 ) Inventories (11,490 ) (11,402 ) (22,892 ) Contract assets (5,698 ) 5,698 — Advances on contracts (7,348 ) 3,028 (4,320 ) Other assets and liabilities (7,375 ) 2,634 (4,741 ) Net cash used by operating activities (8,243 ) — (8,243 ) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB related to how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans present the net periodic pension cost ("NPPC") in the statement of operations. Employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of NPPC are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of the subtotal of income from operations. The changes also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization. The adoption of these changes resulted in the Company reclassifying $0.7 million of NPPC expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from the captions Cost of services sold; Cost of products sold; and Selling, general and administrative expenses to the new caption, Defined benefit pension income (expense) on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB clarifying when revisions to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The changes require modification accounting only in circumstances when the terms or conditions result in changes to the fair value, vesting conditions or classification of the award as an equity instrument or a liability. The adoption of these changes did not have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by FASB which eliminate the requirement to defer the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The changes resulted in an adjustment to opening retained earnings of less than $0.1 million . The following accounting standards have been issued and become effective for the Company at a future date: In February 2016, the FASB issued changes in accounting for leases. The changes introduce a lessee model that brings most leases onto the balance sheet. The changes also align many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard. Furthermore, the changes address other concerns related to the current leases model such as eliminating the requirement in current guidance for an entity to use bright-line tests in determining lease classification. The changes also require lessors to increase the transparency of their exposure to changes in value of their residual assets and how they manage that exposure. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued changes that remove the second step of the annual goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The changes provide that the amount of goodwill impairment will be equal to the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance remains largely unchanged. The same one-step impairment test will be applied to goodwill at all reporting units, even those with zero or negative carrying amounts. Entities will be required to disclose the amount of goodwill at reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. Management has determined that these changes will not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. However, should the Company be required to record a goodwill impairment charge in future periods, the amount recorded may differ compared to any amounts that might be recorded under current practice. In August 2017, the FASB issued changes which expand and refine hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedged items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The amendments in this update should be applied to hedging relationships existing on the date of adoption, which includes a cumulative-effect adjustment to eliminate any ineffectiveness recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income or loss with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which adoption occurred. Presentation and disclosure amendments are required to be applied prospectively. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued changes which allow entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at historical tax rates. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company had approximately $21 million of stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 resulting from the Act.

Recently Adopted and Recently24

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 1, 2018 was as follows: (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 Impact of Adoption Balance at January 1, 2018 ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 288,034 $ 532 $ 288,566 Inventories 178,293 (59,793 ) 118,500 Current portion of contract assets — 18,248 18,248 Other current assets 39,332 179 39,511 Total current assets 592,092 (40,834 ) 551,258 Contract assets — 3,566 3,566 Other assets 15,263 1,337 16,600 Total assets 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 117,958 (78,507 ) 39,451 Other current liabilities 133,368 13,995 147,363 Total current liabilities 474,128 (64,512 ) 409,616 Advances on contracts — 24,564 24,564 Other liabilities 40,846 1,580 42,426 Total liabilities 1,363,520 (38,368 ) 1,325,152 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (546,582 ) (1,520 ) (548,102 ) Retained earnings 1,157,801 3,957 1,161,758 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 170,451 2,437 172,888 Total equity 215,165 2,437 217,602 Total liabilities and equity 1,578,685 (35,931 ) 1,542,754 The impact of modifying the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2018 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows: March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption ASSETS Current assets: Trade accounts receivable, net $ 292,966 $ (668 ) $ 292,298 Inventories 132,352 71,195 203,547 Current portion of contract assets 23,871 (23,871 ) — Other current assets 41,227 (177 ) 41,050 Total current assets 582,756 46,479 629,235 Contract assets 3,566 (3,566 ) — Deferred income tax assets 49,900 947 50,847 Other assets 19,100 (1,285 ) 17,815 Total assets 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Current portion of advances on contracts 38,147 78,809 116,956 Other current liabilities 145,501 (11,801 ) 133,700 Total current liabilities 389,657 67,008 456,665 Advances on contracts 21,837 (21,837 ) — Other liabilities 41,176 (381 ) 40,795 Total liabilities 1,336,276 44,790 1,381,066 HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accumulated other comprehensive loss (543,217 ) 1,827 (541,390 ) Retained earnings 1,179,516 (4,042 ) 1,175,474 Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity 198,107 (2,215 ) 195,892 Total equity 246,345 (2,215 ) 244,130 Total liabilities and equity 1,582,621 42,575 1,625,196 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands, except per share amounts) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Revenues from continuing operations: Services revenues $ 254,962 $ 1,350 $ 256,312 Product revenues 153,076 (10,452 ) 142,624 Total revenues 408,038 (9,102 ) 398,936 Costs and expenses from continuing operations: Costs of services sold 199,373 1,358 200,731 Costs of products sold 111,980 (9,930 ) 102,050 Selling, general and administrative costs 57,083 16 57,099 Total costs and expenses 371,497 (8,556 ) 362,941 Operating income from continuing operations 36,541 (546 ) 35,995 Interest expense (9,583 ) 452 (9,131 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 28,295 (94 ) 28,201 Income tax expense (8,266 ) (8 ) (8,274 ) Income from continuing operations 20,029 (102 ) 19,927 Net income 19,577 (102 ) 19,475 Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Income from continuing operations, net of tax 18,260 (102 ) 18,158 Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 17,808 (102 ) 17,706 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.23 — 0.23 Basic earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Continuing operations 0.22 — 0.22 Diluted earnings per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders 0.21 — 0.21 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) As Reported Impact of Adoption As Reported - Less Impact of Adoption Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 19,577 $ (102 ) $ 19,475 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 4,635 8 4,643 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (4,848 ) 136 (4,712 ) Inventories (11,490 ) (11,402 ) (22,892 ) Contract assets (5,698 ) 5,698 — Advances on contracts (7,348 ) 3,028 (4,320 ) Other assets and liabilities (7,375 ) 2,634 (4,741 ) Net cash used by operating activities (8,243 ) — (8,243 )

Accounts Receivable and Inven25

Accounts Receivable and Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounts Receivable And Inventories
Schedule of accounts receivable	Accounts receivable consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Trade accounts receivable $ 297,515 $ 292,765 Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts (4,549 ) (4,731 ) Trade accounts receivable, net $ 292,966 $ 288,034 Other receivables (a) $ 24,813 $ 20,224 (a) Other receivables include insurance claim receivables, employee receivables, tax claim receivables and other miscellaneous receivables not included in Trade accounts receivable, net.
Schedule of provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	The provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable $ (46 ) $ (22 )
Schedule of inventories	Inventories consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Finished goods $ 18,747 $ 26,415 Work-in-process 20,967 24,367 Contracts-in-process (b) — 45,599 Raw materials and purchased parts 68,531 58,943 Stores and supplies 24,107 22,969 Total inventories $ 132,352 $ 178,293
Schedule of contracts-in-process	Contracts-in-process consist of the following: (In thousands) December 31 Contract costs accumulated to date $ 73,740 Estimated forward loss provisions for contracts-in-process (c) (28,141 ) Contracts-in-process (b) (d) $ 45,599 (b) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. Amounts previously reported as Contracts-in-progress have been recognized through the related cumulative catch-up adjustment. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. (c) For periods prior to January 1, 2018, to the extent that the estimated forward loss provision exceeds accumulated contract costs it is included in the caption Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $3.0 million at December 31, 2017 . At March 31, 2018 , due to the implementation of the new revenue standard, the entire remaining estimated forward loss provision is included in the caption Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $10.4 million . (d) At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company has $49.9 million and $97.9 million , respectively, of net customer advances related to SBB contracts. These amounts are included in the caption Current portion of advances on contracts and Advances on contracts, representing the non-current portion, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment consists of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Land $ 10,828 $ 10,840 Land improvements 14,866 14,996 Buildings and improvements 202,273 198,582 Machinery and equipment 1,643,743 1,599,713 Uncompleted construction 23,095 24,387 Gross property, plant and equipment 1,894,805 1,848,518 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,411,968 ) (1,368,771 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 482,837 $ 479,747

Goodwill and Other Intangible27

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment	The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Consolidated Totals Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 381,893 $ 6,839 $ 13,026 $ 401,758 Foreign currency translation 4,948 — — 4,948 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 386,841 $ 6,839 $ 13,026 $ 406,706
Schedule of intangible assets by class	Intangible assets included in the caption, Intangible assets, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Customer related $ 154,949 $ 123,676 $ 153,014 $ 121,385 Patents 5,874 5,752 5,825 5,700 Technology related 26,035 26,035 26,131 26,131 Trade names 8,316 4,921 8,317 4,845 Other 8,966 6,000 8,875 5,850 Total $ 204,140 $ 166,384 $ 202,162 $ 163,911
Schedule of amortization expense	Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Amortization expense for intangible assets $ 1,282 $ 1,318
Schedule of estimated amortization expense	The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows: (In thousands) 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Estimated amortization expense (a) $ 5,000 $ 4,750 $ 4,500 $ 4,250 $ 4,000 (a) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange fluctuations.

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of net benefit costs	Three Months Ended March 31 Defined Benefit Pension Plans Net Periodic Pension Cost U.S. Plans International Plans (In thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service costs $ 10 $ 11 $ 386 $ 411 Interest costs 2,391 2,469 5,672 5,734 Expected return on plan assets (3,017 ) (2,621 ) (11,145 ) (10,424 ) Recognized prior service costs — 8 (39 ) 45 Recognized loss 1,302 1,425 3,840 4,042 Settlement/curtailment losses 166 — — — Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ 852 $ 1,292 $ (1,286 ) $ (192 ) On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted changes issued by the FASB related to how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans present NPPC in the statement of operations. Employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. Other components of NPPC are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of the subtotal of income from operations. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards, for additional details.
Schedule of contributions to pension plans	Three Months Ended Company Contributions March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Defined benefit pension plans (U.S.) $ 1,284 $ 471 Defined benefit pension plans (International) 9,734 8,337 Multiemployer pension plans 501 485 Defined contribution pension plans 2,835 2,560

Reconciliation of Basic and D29

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of basic and diluted shares	Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 Income from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders $ 18,260 $ 9,267 Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic 80,650 80,385 Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation 2,894 1,878 Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 83,544 82,263 Earnings from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.12 Diluted $ 0.22 $ 0.11
Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	The following average outstanding stock-based compensation units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was antidilutive: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Restricted stock units — — Stock options — 55 Stock appreciation rights 696 1,263 Performance share units — 467

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi30

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities And Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of outstanding derivative contracts	The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value March 31, 2018 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 1,755 Interest rate swaps Other current assets 1,198 Interest rate swaps Other assets 1,991 Other liabilities $ 612 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 4,944 $ 612 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments : Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 3,528 Other current liabilities $ 9,227 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value December 31, 2017 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,329 Other current liabilities $ 153 Interest rate swaps Other current assets 464 Interest rate swaps Other assets 170 Other liabilities 1,368 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 2,963 $ 1,521 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments : Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,915 Other current liabilities $ 6,970
Schedule of effect of derivative instruments	The effect of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, was as follows: Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (In thousands) Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivative - Effective Portion Location of Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity Location of Amount Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing Amount Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing Three Months Ended March 31, 2018: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 240 Product revenues $ (212 ) $ — Foreign currency exchange forward contracts — Retained earnings (b) (1,520 ) — Interest rate swaps 3,310 — — Cross-currency interest rate swaps (93 ) (c) Interest expense 271 — $ 3,457 $ (1,461 ) $ — Three Months Ended March 31, 2017: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (236 ) Cost of services and products sold $ 1 $ — Interest rate swaps (522 ) — — Cross-currency interest rate swaps (128 ) Interest Expense 242 Cost of services and products sold (210 ) (a) $ (886 ) $ 243 $ (210 ) (a) These gains (losses) offset foreign currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal. (b) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information. (c) Amounts represent changes in foreign currency translation related to balances in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative for the Three Months Ended March 31 (d) (In thousands) 2018 2017 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Cost of services and products sold $ (5,466 ) $ 1,550 (d) These gains (losses) offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures.
Summary of notional amount of foreign currency exchange contracts and cross-currency interest rate swaps	The following table indicates the notional amounts of the Company's interest rate swaps at March 31, 2018 : Annual Notional Amount Interest Rates (In millions) Receive Pay Maturing 2018 through 2022 $ 300.0 Floating U.S. dollar rate Fixed U.S. dollar rate The following tables summarize, by major currency, the contractual amounts of the Company’s foreign currency exchange forward contracts in U.S. dollars. The “Buy” amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the “Sell” amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to sell foreign currencies. The recognized gains and losses offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures. Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Type U.S. Dollar Equivalent Maturity Recognized Gain (Loss) British pounds sterling Sell $ 77,579 April 2018 $ (202 ) British pounds sterling Buy 10,789 April 2018 through May 2018 134 Euros Sell 311,405 April 2018 through December 2018 (6,322 ) Euros Buy 203,648 April 2018 through November 2018 3,613 Other currencies Sell 41,660 April 2018 through August 2018 (1,148 ) Other currencies Buy 2,901 April 2018 (19 ) Total $ 647,982 $ (3,944 ) Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at December 31, 2017 : (In thousands) Type U.S. Dollar Equivalent Maturity Recognized Gain (Loss) British pounds sterling Sell $ 76,761 January 2018 $ (769 ) British pounds sterling Buy 5,960 January 2018 72 Euros Sell 314,649 January 2018 through December 2018 (4,916 ) Euros Buy 223,111 January 2018 through November 2018 4,564 Other currencies Sell 39,889 January 2018 through June 2018 (1,049 ) Other currencies Buy 11,487 January 2018 219 Total $ 671,857 $ (1,879 )
Schedule of fair value of financial instruments	The following table indicates the fair value hierarchy of the financial instruments of the Company: Level 2 Fair Value Measurements (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Assets Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 5,283 $ 5,244 Interest rate swaps 3,189 634 Liabilities Foreign currency exchange forward contracts 9,227 7,123 Interest rate swaps 612 1,368
Schedule of the reconciliation of liabilities measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs

Review of Operations by Segme31

Review of Operations by Segment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of operations by segment	Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues From Continuing Operations Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 264,723 $ 247,034 Harsco Industrial 83,598 65,885 Harsco Rail 59,678 59,588 Corporate 39 34 Total Revenues From Continuing Operations $ 408,038 $ 372,541 Operating Income (loss) From Continuing Operations Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 27,735 $ 25,757 Harsco Industrial 12,421 2,894 Harsco Rail 1,952 6,217 Corporate (5,567 ) (6,261 ) Total Operating Income From Continuing Operations $ 36,541 $ 28,607 Depreciation and Amortization Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 29,085 $ 27,880 Harsco Industrial 1,855 1,840 Harsco Rail 1,064 1,037 Corporate 1,348 1,471 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 33,352 $ 32,228 Capital Expenditures Harsco Metals & Minerals $ 25,176 $ 15,472 Harsco Industrial 1,087 752 Harsco Rail 430 220 Corporate 204 545 Total Capital Expenditures $ 26,897 $ 16,989
Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Segment operating income $ 42,108 $ 34,868 General Corporate expense (5,567 ) (6,261 ) Operating income from continuing operations 36,541 28,607 Interest income 498 512 Interest expense (9,583 ) (11,653 ) Defined benefit pension income (expense) 839 (699 ) Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 28,295 $ 16,767

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Summary of revenues by primary geographical markets	A summary of the Company's revenues by primary geographical markets as well as by key product and service groups is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) : Western Europe $ 96,921 $ — $ 14,720 $ — $ 111,641 North America 71,065 78,858 40,405 39 190,367 Latin America (b) 41,458 4,740 833 — 47,031 Asia-Pacific 36,221 — 3,720 — 39,941 Middle East and Africa 11,553 — — — 11,553 Eastern Europe 7,505 — — — 7,505 Total Revenues (c) $ 264,723 $ 83,598 $ 59,678 $ 39 $ 408,038 Key Product and Service Groups: On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products. $ 264,723 $ — $ — $ — $ 264,723 Railway track maintenance services and equipment — — 59,678 — 59,678 Industrial grating and fencing products — 30,097 — — 30,097 Air-cooled heat exchangers — 44,267 — — 44,267 Heat transfer products — 9,234 — — 9,234 General Corporate — — — 39 39 Total Revenues (c) $ 264,723 $ 83,598 $ 59,678 $ 39 $ 408,038 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 (In thousands) Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment Harsco Industrial Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) : Western Europe $ 91,720 $ — $ 9,539 $ — $ 101,259 North America 67,233 58,351 45,150 34 170,768 Latin America (b) 38,020 6,582 476 — 45,078 Asia-Pacific 32,557 952 4,423 — 37,932 Middle East and Africa 10,556 — — — 10,556 Eastern Europe 6,948 — — — 6,948 Total Revenues (c) $ 247,034 $ 65,885 $ 59,588 $ 34 $ 372,541 Key Product and Service Groups: On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products. $ 247,034 $ — $ — $ — $ 247,034 Railway track maintenance services and equipment — — 59,588 — 59,588 Industrial grating and fencing products — 28,159 — — 28,159 Air-cooled heat exchangers — 30,461 — — 30,461 Heat transfer products — 7,265 — — 7,265 General Corporate — — — 34 34 Total Revenues (c) $ 247,034 $ 65,885 $ 59,588 $ 34 $ 372,541 (a) Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue. (b) Includes Mexico. (c) The Company has adopted the new revenue recognition standard utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, including use of practical expedients. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under U.S. GAAP in effect for those periods. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information.
Summary of contract assets and advances on contracts	The following table reflects Contract assets and Advances on contracts: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Contract assets: Current portion of contract assets $ 23,871 $ — Contract assets 3,566 — Total contract assets $ 27,437 $ — Advances on contracts: Current portion of advances on contracts $ 38,147 $ 117,958 Advances on contracts 21,837 — Total advances on contracts $ 59,984 $ 117,958

Other (Income) Expenses (Tables

Other (Income) Expenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of other (income) expenses	The major components of this Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations caption are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2018 2017 Employee termination benefit costs $ 1,443 $ 753 Net gains (a) — (122 ) Other costs to exit activities 364 100 Impaired asset write-downs 9 — Other 6 163 Other expenses, net $ 1,822 $ 894 (a) Net gains result from the sales of redundant properties (primarily land, buildings and related equipment) and non-core assets.

Components of Accumulated Oth34

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of the effect of income taxes, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 was as follows: Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Net of Tax (In thousands) Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (144,534 ) $ (1,089 ) $ (461,094 ) $ (5 ) $ (606,722 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 16,561 (a) (536 ) (b) (3,793 ) (a) 6 12,238 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax — 149 4,998 — 5,147 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 16,561 (387 ) 1,205 6 17,385 Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (386 ) — — — (386 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 16,175 (387 ) 1,205 6 16,999 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (128,359 ) $ (1,476 ) $ (459,889 ) $ 1 $ (589,723 ) Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Net of Tax (In thousands) Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (111,567 ) $ 808 $ (435,840 ) $ 17 $ (546,582 ) Adoption of new accounting standard (a) — (1,520 ) — — (1,520 ) Balance at January 1, 2018 (111,567 ) (712 ) (435,840 ) 17 (548,102 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 12,501 (b) 2,768 (c) (13,945 ) (b) (14 ) 1,310 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax — (91 ) 4,944 — 4,853 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 12,501 2,677 (9,001 ) (14 ) 6,163 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1,278 ) — — — (1,278 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 11,223 2,677 (9,001 ) (14 ) 4,885 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (100,344 ) $ 1,965 $ (444,841 ) $ 3 $ (543,217 ) (a) Represents the opening balance sheet adjustment to retained earnings related to the adoption of the revenue recognition standard adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018. See Note 2, Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards, for additional details. (b) Principally foreign currency fluctuation. (c) Net change from periodic revaluations.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended Affected Caption in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations March 31 March 31 Amortization of cash flow hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (212 ) $ — Product revenues Foreign currency exchange forward contracts — 1 Cost of services and products sold Cross-currency interest rate swaps 271 242 Interest expense Total before tax 59 243 Tax expense (150 ) (94 ) Total reclassification of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax $ (91 ) $ 149 Amortization of defined benefit pension items (d) : Recognized losses $ 5,142 $ 5,467 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Recognized prior-service costs (39 ) 53 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Settlement/curtailment losses 166 — Defined benefit pension income (expense) Total before tax 5,269 5,520 Tax benefit (325 ) (522 ) Total reclassification of defined benefit pension items, net of tax $ 4,944 $ 4,998 (d) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs. See Note 7, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional details.
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with loss on dilution of equity investment

Recently Adopted and Recently35

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	$ (839)	$ 699
Adoption of new accounting standard (See Note 2)		397	$ 2,387
Income tax expense	$ 8,266	6,253
Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Adoption of new accounting standard (See Note 2)		$ (709)	$ 3,907

Recently Adopted and Recently36

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Trade accounts receivable, net	$ 292,966	$ 288,566	$ 288,034
Inventories	132,352	118,500	178,293
Current portion of contract assets	23,871	18,248	0
Other current assets	41,227	39,511	39,332
Total current assets	582,756	551,258	592,092
Contract assets	3,566	3,566	0
Deferred income tax assets	49,900		51,574
Other assets	19,100	16,600	15,263
Total assets	1,582,621	1,542,754	1,578,685
Current liabilities:
Current portion of advances on contracts	38,147	39,451	117,958
Other current liabilities	145,501	147,363	133,368
Total current liabilities	389,657	409,616	474,128
Advances on contracts	21,837	24,564	0
Other liabilities	41,176	42,426	40,846
Liabilities	1,336,276	1,325,152	1,363,520
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(543,217)	(548,102)	(546,582)
Retained earnings	1,179,516	1,161,758	1,157,801
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	198,107	172,888	170,451
Total equity	246,345	217,602	215,165	$ 168,533	$ 137,563
Total liabilities and equity	1,582,621	1,542,754	1,578,685
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Current assets:
Trade accounts receivable, net	292,298		288,034
Inventories	203,547		178,293
Current portion of contract assets	0		0
Other current assets	41,050		39,332
Total current assets	629,235		592,092
Contract assets	0		0
Deferred income tax assets	50,847
Other assets	17,815		15,263
Total assets	1,625,196		1,578,685
Current liabilities:
Current portion of advances on contracts	116,956		117,958
Other current liabilities	133,700		133,368
Total current liabilities	456,665		474,128
Advances on contracts	0		0
Other liabilities	40,795		40,846
Liabilities	1,381,066		1,363,520
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(541,390)		(546,582)
Retained earnings	1,175,474		1,157,801
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	195,892		170,451
Total equity	244,130		215,165
Total liabilities and equity	1,625,196		$ 1,578,685
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Current assets:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(668)	532
Inventories	71,195	(59,793)
Current portion of contract assets	(23,871)	18,248
Other current assets	(177)	179
Total current assets	46,479	(40,834)
Contract assets	(3,566)	3,566
Deferred income tax assets	947
Other assets	(1,285)	1,337
Total assets	42,575	(35,931)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of advances on contracts	78,809	(78,507)
Other current liabilities	(11,801)	13,995
Total current liabilities	67,008	(64,512)
Advances on contracts	(21,837)	24,564
Other liabilities	(381)	1,580
Liabilities	44,790	(38,368)
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,827	(1,520)
Retained earnings	(4,042)	3,957
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	(2,215)	2,437
Total equity	(2,215)	2,437
Total liabilities and equity	$ 42,575	$ (35,931)

Recently Adopted and Recently37

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 408,038	$ 372,541
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Costs of services sold	199,373	189,482
Costs of products sold	111,980	98,790
Selling, general and administrative costs	57,083	53,937
Total costs and expenses	371,497	343,934
Operating income from continuing operations	36,541	28,607
Interest expense	(9,583)	(11,653)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,295	16,767
Income tax expense	(8,266)	(6,253)
Income from continuing operations	20,029	10,514
Net income	19,577	10,137
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	18,260	9,267
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 17,808	$ 8,890
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	0.22	0.11	[1]
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.22	0.11
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.11
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ (9,102)
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Costs of services sold	1,358
Costs of products sold	(9,930)
Selling, general and administrative costs	16
Total costs and expenses	(8,556)
Operating income from continuing operations	(546)
Interest expense	452
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(94)
Income tax expense	(8)
Income from continuing operations	(102)
Net income	(102)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	(102)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ (102)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	0
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Service Revenues [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 1,350
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Product Revenues [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	(10,452)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	398,936
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Costs of services sold	200,731
Costs of products sold	102,050
Selling, general and administrative costs	57,099
Total costs and expenses	362,941
Operating income from continuing operations	35,995
Interest expense	(9,131)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,201
Income tax expense	(8,274)
Income from continuing operations	19,927
Net income	19,475
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	18,158
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 17,706
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	0.22
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.22
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] | Service Revenues [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 256,312
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] | Product Revenues [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 142,624
[1]	Does not total due to rounding

Recently Adopted and Recently38

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	$ 19,577	$ 10,137
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	4,635	(221)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,848)	(27,882)
Inventories	(11,490)	(755)
Contract assets	(5,698)	0
Advances on contracts	(7,348)	(4,998)
Other assets and liabilities	(7,375)	1,205
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	(8,243)	$ (6,124)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	(102)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	8
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	136
Inventories	(11,402)
Contract assets	5,698
Advances on contracts	3,028
Other assets and liabilities	2,634
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	0
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	19,475
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	4,643
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,712)
Inventories	(22,892)
Contract assets	0
Advances on contracts	(4,320)
Other assets and liabilities	(4,741)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	$ (8,243)

Recently Adopted and Recently39

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Details 4) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	$ (839)	$ 699
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		$ (397)	$ (2,387)
Stranded Income Tax Effects in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			$ 21,000
intra-entity asset transfer [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	$ (100)

Accounts Receivable and Inven40

Accounts Receivable and Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivable	$ 297,515				$ 292,765
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,549)				(4,731)
Trade accounts receivable, net	292,966			$ 288,566	288,034
Other receivables	24,813				20,224
Provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	(46)	$ (22)
Inventories
Finished goods	18,747				26,415
Work-in-process	20,967				24,367
Contracts-in-process	0				45,599
Raw materials and purchased parts	68,531				58,943
Stores and supplies	24,107				22,969
Inventories	132,352			$ 118,500	178,293
Inventory for Contracts
Contract costs accumulated to date					73,740
Estimated loss provisions for contracts-in-process					(28,141)
Contracts-in-process	0				45,599
Loss provision that exceeds accumulated contract costs	10,400				3,000
Customer Advances and Deposits	49,900				$ 97,900
Contract estimated forward loss provision for Harsco Rail Segment	1,800		$ 45,100
SBB [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,900	$ 0
Contract 1 [Member] | SBB [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage Complete	98.00%
Contract 2 [Member] | SBB [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage Complete	15.00%

Property, Plant and Equipment41

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 1,894,805	$ 1,848,518
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,411,968)	(1,368,771)
Property, plant and equipment, net	482,837	479,747
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	10,828	10,840
Land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	14,866	14,996
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	202,273	198,582
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	1,643,743	1,599,713
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 23,095	$ 24,387

Goodwill and Other Intangible42

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	$ 401,758
Foreign currency translation	4,948
Balance at March 31, 2018	406,706
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	381,893
Foreign currency translation	4,948
Balance at March 31, 2018	386,841
Harsco Industrial Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	6,839
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2018	6,839
Harsco Rail Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2017	13,026
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2018	$ 13,026

Goodwill and Other Intangible43

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 204,140		$ 202,162
Accumulated Amortization	166,384		163,911
Amortization expense for intangible assets	1,282	$ 1,318
Estimated amortization expense for next 5 years
2,018	5,000
2,019	4,750
2,020	4,500
2,021	4,250
2,022	4,000
Customer related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	154,949		153,014
Accumulated Amortization	123,676		121,385
Patents
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	5,874		5,825
Accumulated Amortization	5,752		5,700
Technology related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	26,035		26,131
Accumulated Amortization	26,035		26,131
Trade names
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	8,316		8,317
Accumulated Amortization	4,921		4,845
Other
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	8,966		8,875
Accumulated Amortization	$ 6,000		$ 5,850

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Defined benefit plans:
Multiemployer pension plans	$ 501	$ 485
Defined contribution pension plans	2,835	2,560
Pension Plan | U.S. Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	10	11
Interest cost	2,391	2,469
Expected return on plan assets	(3,017)	(2,621)
Recognized prior service costs	0	8
Recognized loss	1,302	1,425
Settlement/curtailment losses	166	0
Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (income)	852	1,292
Defined benefit pension plan	1,284	471
Anticipated contributions to defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of the fiscal year	8,600
Pension Plan | International Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	386	411
Interest cost	5,672	5,734
Expected return on plan assets	(11,145)	(10,424)
Recognized prior service costs	(39)	45
Recognized loss	3,840	4,042
Settlement/curtailment losses	0	0
Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (income)	(1,286)	(192)
Defined benefit pension plan	9,734	$ 8,337
Anticipated contributions to defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of the fiscal year	$ 10,200

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 8,266	$ 6,253
Unrecognized income tax benefits including interest and penalties	4,900
Portion of unrecognized income tax benefits, expected to be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations within next twelve months	$ 1,200

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2005USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)claimdefendantcase	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 08, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners		35.00%
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies		$ 7,000,000
Lima Refinery Litigation
Commitments and Contingencies
Loss contingency damages sought				$ 106,000,000
Lima Refinery property damages				$ 289,000,000
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Jan 2004 through May 2005 | Sao Paulo State Revenue Authority
Commitments and Contingencies
Damages sought - principal		2,000,000
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees		24,000,000
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Jan 2002 through Dec 2003 | Sao Paulo State Revenue Authority
Commitments and Contingencies
Damages sought - principal	$ 1,800,000
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees	5,800,000
Amount of damages sought	$ 7,600,000
Brazilian Labor Claims
Commitments and Contingencies
Loss contingency reserves		$ 9,900,000	$ 9,600,000
Other
Commitments and Contingencies
Approximate number of defendants that includes the company named in legal actions | defendant		90
Number of pending claims | claim		17,251
Number of claims dismissed to date by stipulation or summary judgment prior to trial | case		27,971
Other | Active or In Extremis docket
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | claim		25
Other | Minimum
Commitments and Contingencies
Amount of damages sought		$ 20,000,000
Other | Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies
Amount of damages sought		$ 25,000,000
Other | New York County as managed by the New York Supreme Court
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | case		16,737
Other | New York County as managed by the New York Supreme Court | Pending And Future Litigation, Deferred Or Inactive Docket
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | claim		16,712
Other | New York State Supreme Court, Counties Excluding New York County
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | case		111
Other | Courts Located In States Other Than New York
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | case		403
Consolidated Revenues | Subsidiary Concentration Risk
Commitments and Contingencies
Concentration risk, percentage		2.00%

Reconciliation of Basic and D47

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 18,260	$ 9,267
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	80,650	80,385
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	2,894	1,878
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	83,544	82,263
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.11

Reconciliation of Basic and D48

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details 2) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Restricted stock units
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0	0
Stock options
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0	55
Stock appreciation rights
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	696	1,263
Performance share units
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0	467

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi49

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative contracts
Liabilities	$ 1,336,276	$ 1,325,152	$ 1,363,520
Subject to Master Netting Agreements [Member]
Derivative contracts
Net Assets	600
Liabilities			200
Designated as hedging instrument
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	4,944		2,963
Liability Derivatives	612		1,521
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	1,755		2,329
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability Derivatives			153
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	1,198		464
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	1,991		170
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability Derivatives
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate swaps | Other liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability Derivatives	612		1,368
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	3,528		2,915
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability Derivatives	$ 9,227		$ 6,970

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi50

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	$ 3,457	$ (886)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion	(1,461)	243
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	0	(210)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(543,217)		$ (548,102)	$ (546,582)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	240	(236)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	0	0
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cost of services and products sold
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion	(212)	1
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	(5,466)	1,550
Interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	3,310	(522)
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	(93)	(128)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion	271	242
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Cost of services and products sold
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	0	$ (210)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Effect of derivative instruments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 1,827		$ (1,520)

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi51

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Pre-tax net gains (losses) on certain loans designated as hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries	$ 9,500	$ 1,900
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	647,982				$ 671,857
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(3,944)	(1,879)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | British pounds sterling | Sell
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	77,579				76,761
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(202)	(769)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | British pounds sterling | Buy
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	10,789				5,960
Recognized Gain (Loss)	134	72
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Euros | Sell
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	311,405				314,649
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(6,322)	(4,916)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Euros | Buy
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	203,648				223,111
Recognized Gain (Loss)	3,613	4,564
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other currencies | Sell
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	41,660				39,889
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(1,148)	(1,049)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other currencies | Buy
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	2,901				$ 11,487
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(19)	$ 219
Term Loan Facility, Fixed-Rate | Term Loan
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Principal amount	$ 300,000
LIBOR | Scenario, Forecast | Term Loan Facility, Fixed-Rate | Term Loan
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			3.12%	1.65%

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi52

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Details 5) - Fair value measurements recurring - Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$ 5,283	$ 5,244
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	9,227	7,123
Interest rate swaps
Assets
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	3,189	634
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$ 612	$ 1,368

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi53

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Long-term debt, including current maturities
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 643.5	$ 599.1
Carrying value of long-term debt	$ 636.8	$ 593.7

Review of Operations by Segme54

Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Operations by segment
Total revenues	$ 408,038	$ 372,541
Operating income from continuing operations	36,541	28,607
Interest income	498	512
Interest expense	(9,583)	(11,653)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(839)	699
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,295	16,767
Depreciation and Amortization	33,352	32,228
Capital Expenditures	26,897	16,989
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	42,108	34,868
Corporate
Operations by segment
Total revenues	39	34
Operating income from continuing operations	(5,567)	(6,261)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,348	1,471
Capital Expenditures	204	545
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	264,723	247,034
Operating income from continuing operations	27,735	25,757
Depreciation and Amortization	29,085	27,880
Capital Expenditures	25,176	15,472
Harsco Industrial Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	83,598	65,885
Operating income from continuing operations	12,421	2,894
Depreciation and Amortization	1,855	1,840
Capital Expenditures	1,087	752
Harsco Rail Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Total revenues	59,678	59,588
Operating income from continuing operations	1,952	6,217
Depreciation and Amortization	1,064	1,037
Capital Expenditures	$ 430	$ 220

Revenue Recognition (Details)

Revenue Recognition (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 32.4
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 24.3
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 16.4
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 7.3
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 5.5
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: (nil)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 86.5
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 48.3
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 39.3
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 49.2
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 24.3
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 9.1
Period of expected timing of satisfaction	1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: (nil)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 170.2

Revenue Recognition (Details 1)

Revenue Recognition (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 408,038	$ 372,541
On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	264,723	247,034
Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	59,678	59,588
Industrial grating and fencing products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	30,097	28,159
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	44,267	30,461
Heat transfer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	9,234	7,265
General Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	39	34
Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	111,641	101,259
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	190,367	170,768
Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	47,031	45,078
Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	39,941	37,932
Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	11,553	10,556
Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,505	6,948
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	264,723	247,034
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	264,723	247,034
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Industrial grating and fencing products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Air-cooled heat exchangers
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Heat transfer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | General Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	96,921	91,720
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	71,065	67,233
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	41,458	38,020
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	36,221	32,557
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	11,553	10,556
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,505	6,948
Harsco Industrial Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	83,598	65,885
Harsco Industrial Segment | On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Industrial Segment | Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Industrial Segment | Industrial grating and fencing products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	30,097	28,159
Harsco Industrial Segment | Air-cooled heat exchangers
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	44,267	30,461
Harsco Industrial Segment | Heat transfer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	9,234	7,265
Harsco Industrial Segment | General Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Industrial Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Industrial Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,858	58,351
Harsco Industrial Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,740	6,582
Harsco Industrial Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	952
Harsco Industrial Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Industrial Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	59,678	59,588
Harsco Rail Segment | On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	59,678	59,588
Harsco Rail Segment | Industrial grating and fencing products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Air-cooled heat exchangers
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Heat transfer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | General Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	14,720	9,539
Harsco Rail Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	40,405	45,150
Harsco Rail Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	833	476
Harsco Rail Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,720	4,423
Harsco Rail Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	39	34
Corporate | On-site services and material logistics, product quality improvement and resource recovery for iron, steel and metals manufacturing; as well as value- added environmental solutions for industrial co-products.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Industrial grating and fencing products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Air-cooled heat exchangers
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Heat transfer products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | General Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	39	34
Corporate | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	39	34
Corporate | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition (Details 2)

Revenue Recognition (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Contract assets:
Current portion of contract assets	$ 23,871	$ 18,248	$ 0
Contract assets	3,566	3,566	0
Total contract assets	27,437		0
Advances on contracts:
Current portion of advances on contracts	38,147	39,451	117,958
Advances on contracts	21,837	$ 24,564	0
Total advances on contracts	$ 59,984		$ 117,958

Other (Income) Expenses (Detail

Other (Income) Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee termination benefit costs	$ 1,443	$ 753
Net gains	0	(122)
Other costs to exit activities	364	100
Impaired asset write-downs	9	0
Other	6	163
Other expenses	$ 1,822	$ 894

Components of Accumulated Oth59

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	$ 215,165	$ 137,563
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(397)	$ (2,387)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,310	12,238
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,853	5,147
Total other comprehensive income	6,163	17,385
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,278)	(386)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	4,885	16,999
Balances	246,345	168,533
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(111,567)	(144,534)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	12,501	16,561
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	12,501	16,561
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,278)	(386)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	11,223	16,175
Balances	(100,344)	(128,359)
Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	808	(1,089)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,768	(536)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(91)	149
Total other comprehensive income	2,677	(387)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	2,677	(387)
Balances	1,965	(1,476)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(435,840)	(461,094)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(13,945)	(3,793)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,944	4,998
Total other comprehensive income	(9,001)	1,205
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(9,001)	1,205
Balances	(444,841)	(459,889)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	17	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(14)	6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	(14)	6
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(14)	6
Balances	3	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(546,582)	(606,722)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			1,520
Total other comprehensive income	4,885	16,999
Balances	(543,217)	$ (589,723)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(111,567)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(712)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,520)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(435,840)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	17
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	$ (548,102)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			$ (1,520)

Components of Accumulated Oth60

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest Expense	$ 9,583	$ 11,653
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	28,295	16,767
Income tax expense	8,266	6,253
Net income	19,577	10,137
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	5,269	5,520
Income tax expense	(325)	(522)
Net income	4,944	4,998
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	59	243
Income tax expense	(150)	(94)
Net income	(91)	149
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues	(212)	0
Cost of services and products sold	0	1
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cross currency interest rate swaps
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest Expense	271	242
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Actuarial losses
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost)	5,142	5,467
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Prior service costs (benefits)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost)	(39)	53
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Settlement/curtailment losses
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost)	$ 166	$ 0