Enviri (NVRI) 10-Q 8 May 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-03970
Entity Registrant Name	HARSCO CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-1483991
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 Poplar Church Road,
Entity Address, City or Town	Camp Hill,
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	17011
City Area Code	717
Local Phone Number	763-7064
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $1.25 per share
Trading Symbol	HSC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,884,749
Entity Central Index Key	0000045876
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,488	$ 57,259
Restricted cash	2,300	2,473
Trade accounts receivable, net	320,710	309,990
Other receivables	18,685	21,265
Inventories	167,890	156,991
Current portion of contract assets	50,499	31,166
Current portion of assets held-for-sale	540	22,093
Other current assets	53,668	51,575
Total current assets	680,780	652,812
Property, plant and equipment, net	533,349	561,786
Right-of-use assets, net	50,491	52,065
Goodwill	727,882	738,369
Intangible assets, net	294,720	299,082
Deferred income tax assets	9,476	14,288
Assets held-for-sale	0	32,029
Other assets	50,472	17,036
Total assets	2,347,170	2,367,467
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	4,820	3,647
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,758	2,666
Accounts payable	181,760	176,755
Accrued compensation	33,492	37,992
Income taxes payable	15,956	18,692
Insurance liabilities	9,844	10,140
Current portion of advances on contracts	47,822	53,906
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	12,421	12,544
Current portion of liabilities of assets held-for-sale	0	11,344
Other current liabilities	141,877	137,208
Total current liabilities	450,750	464,894
Long-term debt	789,619	775,498
Insurance liabilities	17,019	18,515
Retirement plan liabilities	164,499	189,954
Advances on contracts	53,775	6,408
Operating lease liabilities	35,561	36,974
Liabilities of assets held-for-sale	0	12,152
Other liabilities	77,077	73,413
Total liabilities	1,588,300	1,577,808
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	144,219	143,400
Additional paid-in capital	201,856	200,595
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(616,476)	(587,622)
Retained earnings	1,824,241	1,824,100
Treasury stock	(842,987)	(838,893)
Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity	710,853	741,580
Noncontrolling interests	48,017	48,079
Total equity	758,870	789,659
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,347,170	$ 2,367,467

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative costs	72,499	56,406
Research and development expenses	1,260	749
Other expenses, net	5,733	1,743
Total costs and expenses	395,960	310,078
Operating income from continuing operations	2,881	19,824
Interest income	193	533
Interest expense	(12,649)	(5,507)
Unused debt commitment and amendment fees	(488)	0
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(1,589)	1,338
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(8,474)	13,512
Income tax benefit (expense)	682	(1,219)
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	96	21
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(7,696)	12,314
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	18,462	0
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued businesses	(225)	13,750
Income tax expense related to discontinued businesses	(9,314)	(3,527)
Income from discontinued operations	8,923	10,223
Net income	1,227	22,537
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,086)	(1,840)
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	141	20,697
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(8,782)	10,474
Income from discontinued operations	8,923	10,223
Net income attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ 141	$ 20,697
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	78,761	79,907
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.11	0.13
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.26	[1]
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	78,761	81,653
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.11	0.13
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.25	[1]
Products And Services, Service Revenue [Member]
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 291,339	$ 229,520
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	236,319	181,871
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	107,502	100,382
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 80,149	$ 69,309
[1]	Does not total due to rounding

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,227	$ 22,537
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(4,082) and $1,131 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	(58,566)	9,454
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $517 and $945 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	(1,687)	(3,147)
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(1,710) and $(342) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	30,269	(1,791)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $8 and $(5) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	(18)	15
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(30,002)	4,531
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(28,775)	27,068
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	61	(2,260)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (28,714)	$ 24,808

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, deferred income taxes	$ (4,082)	$ 1,131
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, deferred income taxes	517	945
Pension liability adjustments, deferred income taxes	(1,710)	(342)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, deferred income taxes	$ 8	$ (5)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,227	$ 22,537
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation	29,933	30,204
Amortization	6,557	3,045
Deferred income tax expense	4,412	595
Equity income of unconsolidated entities, net	(96)	(21)
Gain on sale from discontinued business	(18,462)	0
Other, net	(2,007)	(279)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(22,050)	(3,270)
Inventories	(16,412)	(14,448)
Contract assets	(20,311)	6,770
Increase (Decrease) In Right-Of_Use Assets	3,429	3,895
Accounts payable	12,308	3,099
Accrued interest payable	(9,891)	89
Accrued compensation	(2,752)	(19,924)
Advances on contracts	40,464	(3,406)
Operating lease liabilities	(3,358)	(3,913)
Retirement plan liabilities, net	(15,534)	(9,403)
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable	3,843	0
Other assets and liabilities	(2,836)	(732)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	(11,536)	14,838
Gain (loss) on Extinguishment of debt, Cash Flow		0
Gain on disposition of business	(18,462)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(27,894)	(36,407)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,157)	680
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	37,219	0
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets	2,185	1,177
Expenditures for intangible assets	(58)	0
Net proceeds (payments) from settlement of foreign currency forward exchange contracts	11,327	(4,091)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	18,622	(38,641)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	3,697	(3,578)
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	52,875	56,998
Reductions	(38,709)	(1,700)
Sale of noncontrolling interests	0	876
Stock-based compensation - Employee taxes paid	(3,437)	(8,237)
Deferred financing costs	1,632	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	12,794	44,359
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	(10,824)	(17)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash	9,056	20,539
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of period	59,732	67,146
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of period	68,788	87,685
Change in accrual for purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	$ (281)	$ 6,473

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - 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, 2018	$ 313,376	$ 141,842	$ (795,821)	$ 190,597	$ 1,298,752	$ (567,107)	$ 45,113
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	22,537				20,697		1,840
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest	876						876
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $(5,267) and $1,729 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	4,531					4,111	420
Stock appreciation rights exercised, net	(8)	2	(8)	(2)
Vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants, net	(1,456)	198	(1,456)	(198)
Vesting of performance share units, net	(8,248)	1,136	(8,235)	(1,149)
Amortization of unearned portion of stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,664			3,664
Balances at Mar. 31, 2019	335,272	143,178	(805,520)	192,912	1,340,878	(584,425)	48,249
Balances at Dec. 31, 2019	789,659	143,400	(838,893)	200,595	1,824,100	(587,622)	48,079
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	1,227				141		1,086
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $(5,267) and $1,729 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	(30,002)					(28,854)	(1,148)
Vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants, net	(889)	230	(889)	(230)
Vesting of performance share units, net	(3,205)	589	(3,205)	(589)
Amortization of unearned portion of stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	2,080			2,080
Balances at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 758,870	$ 144,219	$ (842,987)	$ 201,856	$ 1,824,241	$ (616,476)	$ 48,017

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Total other comprehensive income, deferred income taxes	$ (5,267)	$ 1,729
Vesting of restricted stock units and other stock grants (in shares)	104,840	94,229
Stock appreciation rights exercised (in shares)	0	927
Vesting of performance share units (in shares)	265,151	529,213
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all information and disclosure required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. The December 31, 2019 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2019 audited consolidated financial statements. 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, 2019 . 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. Discontinued Operations In January 2020 the Company sold Harsco Industrial IKG ("IKG") and together with the 2019 sales of Harsco Industrial Air-X-Changers ("AXC") and Harsco Industrial Patterson-Kelly ("PK"), this completes the divestiture of the former Harsco Industrial Segment originally announced in May 2019. These disposals represent a strategic shift and accelerated the transformation of the Company's portfolio of businesses into a leading provider of environmental solutions and services. As a result of these disposals (i) the carrying value of the remaining assets and liabilities of the Harsco Industrial Segment have been classified as Assets held-for-sale and Liabilities of assets held-for-sale on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the operating results of the Harsco Industrial Segment, costs directly related to the disposals, an allocation of interest expense associated with mandatory debt repayments required as a result of the disposals and the write-off of deferred financing costs resulting from the mandatory repayment have been reflected in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented; and (iii) all disclosures have been updated to reflect these changes. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional information. 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, 2020
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 2020: On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Boards ("FASB") which updated the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. Provisions for receivables will be recorded as Allowance for expected credit losses, replacing the previously utilized Allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, these changes required certain expanded disclosures. Other than changes in disclosure, these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as the calculation of expected credit losses did not yield results that were materially different from the methodology previously utilized by the Company. See Note 4, Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable for additional information. On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by FASB that removed 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. These changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by FASB which modified the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments in this update remove the requirement to disclose the amount of, and reasons for, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The changes require disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. Other than required expanded disclosures, the adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The following accounting standards have been issued and become effective for the Company at a future date: In December 2019 the FASB issued changes which are intended to reduce complexity and simplify the accounting for income taxes in accordance with U.S. GAAP by removing certain exceptions related to investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations and clarifying existing guidance to improve consistent application. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2020 the FASB issued changes that provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. In response to the concerns about risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs) and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The changes provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The changes can be adopted no later than December 31, 2022 with early adoption permitted. Management does not believe these changes will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Acquisitions and Dispositions Clean Earth On June 28, 2019 the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of CEHI Acquisition Corporation and Subsidiaries ("Clean Earth"), one of the largest U.S. providers of specialty waste processing and beneficial reuse solutions for hazardous wastes, contaminated materials and dredged volumes, for an enterprise valuation of approximately $625 million on a cash free, debt free basis, subject to normal working capital adjustments. The Company transferred approximately $628 million of cash consideration and agreed to reimburse the sellers for any usage of assumed net operating losses in a post-closing period for up to five years, the present value of which is estimated at approximately $8 million . The fair value recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Clean Earth is as follows: Preliminary Valuation (In millions) June 28, 2019 Measurement Period Adjustments (a) March 31 Cash and cash equivalents (b) $ 42.8 $ (39.2 ) $ 3.6 Trade accounts receivable, net 63.7 (1.2 ) 62.5 Other receivables 0.8 1.3 2.1 Other current assets 8.7 (1.4 ) 7.3 Property, plant and equipment 75.6 1.6 77.2 Right-of-use assets 14.4 11.4 25.8 Goodwill 313.8 16.3 330.1 Intangible assets 261.1 (18.9 ) 242.2 Other assets 4.0 (2.8 ) 1.2 Accounts payable (23.0 ) (0.1 ) (23.1 ) Acquisition consideration payable (b) (39.2 ) 39.2 — Other current liabilities (18.0 ) (1.7 ) (19.7 ) Net deferred taxes liabilities (51.2 ) 5.8 (45.4 ) Operating lease liabilities (11.1 ) (8.4 ) (19.5 ) Other liabilities (6.5 ) (2.1 ) (8.6 ) Total identifiable net assets of Clean Earth $ 635.9 $ (0.2 ) $ 635.7 (a) The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company's previously reported operating results. (b) Acquisition consideration payable represents a portion of the cash consideration not paid out until July 2019. The goodwill is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced operational and financial scale, as well as product and market diversification that the Company expects to realize. The Company expects $16.3 million of goodwill to be deductible for income tax purposes through 2033. The following table details the preliminary valuation of identifiable intangible assets and amortization periods for Clean Earth: Preliminary Valuation (Dollars in millions) Weighted-Average Amortization Period Preliminary Valuation June 28, 2019 Measurement Period Adjustments (c) March 31 Permits 18 years $ 176.1 $ (6.0 ) $ 170.1 Customer relationships 8 years 33.4 (12.9 ) 20.5 Air rights Usage based (d) 25.6 — 25.6 Trade names 12 years 26.0 — 26.0 Total identifiable intangible assets of Clean Earth $ 261.1 $ (18.9 ) $ 242.2 (c) The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company's previously reported operating results. (d) The Company estimates that based on current usage that the expected useful life would be 27 years. The Company valued the identifiable intangible assets using an income-based approach that utilized either the multi-period excess earnings method or the relief from royalty method. The purchase price allocation for Clean Earth is not final and the fair value of intangible assets and goodwill may vary from those reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2020 . The three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 include Clean Earth direct acquisition costs of $0.1 million and $0.6 million , respectively, which are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The pro forma information below gives effect to the Clean Earth acquisition as if it had been completed on January 1, 2018. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s results of operations had the acquisition been completed on the above date, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results. The pro forma information does not reflect any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that could result from the acquisition and does not reflect the additional revenue opportunities following the acquisition. The pro forma information below includes adjustments to reflect additional depreciation and amortization expense based on the estimated fair value and useful lives of intangible assets and fixed assets acquired; includes additional interest expense of approximately $9.0 million three months ended March 31, 2019 on the acquisition related borrowings used to finance the Clean Earth acquisition and excludes certain directly attributable transaction costs and historic Clean Earth interest expense. These pro forma adjustments are subject to change as additional analysis is performed. The values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to change as the Company obtains additional information during the measurement period. Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2019 Pro forma revenues $ 393.5 Pro forma net income (including discontinued operations) 15.6 Harsco Industrial Segment In January 2020 the Company sold IKG for $85 million , including a note receivable with a face value of $40.0 million (initial fair value $34.3 million ), subject to post-closing adjustments, and recognized a gain on the sale of $18.5 million pre-tax (or approximately $9 million after-tax). Together with the 2019 sales of AXC and PK, this completes the divestiture of the former Harsco Industrial Segment originally announced in May 2019. These disposals represent a strategic shift and accelerated the transformation of the Company's portfolio of businesses into a leading provider of environmental solutions and services. See Note 4, Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable, for additional information related to the note receivable. The Harsco Industrial Segment has historically been a separate reportable segment with primary operations in North America and Latin America. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the results of the former Harsco Industrial Segment are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . Certain key selected financial information included in net income from discontinued operations for the former Harsco Industrial Segment is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Total revenues $ 10,203 $ 117,386 Cost of products sold 8,082 87,695 Income from discontinued business 218 14,192 Additional amounts allocated to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Selling, general and administrative expenses (e) $ 1,266 $ — Interest expense (f) — 4,232 (e) The Company has allocated directly attributable transaction costs to discontinued operations. (f) The Company has allocated interest expense, including a portion of the amount reclassified into income for the Company's interest rate swaps and amortization of deferred financing costs resulting from the AXC disposal, as part of discontinued operations. The Company has retained corporate overhead expenses previously allocated to the Harsco Industrial Segment of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 , as part of Selling, general and administrative expenses, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following is selected financial information included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Non-cash operating items Depreciation and amortization $ — $ 2,025 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment 106 2,175

Accounts Receivable (Notes)

Accounts Receivable (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts and Nontrade Receivable [Text Block]	Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable Accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value which represents the face value of the receivable less an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance for expected credit losses is maintained for expected lifetime losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade accounts receivables. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic conditions for a period which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. Prior to the adoption of the new methodology, the Company established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a specific-identification method as well as historical collection experience, as appropriate. Accounts receivable consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Trade accounts receivable $ 333,725 $ 323,502 Less: Allowance for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts (13,015 ) (13,512 ) Trade accounts receivable, net $ 320,710 $ 309,990 Other receivables (a) $ 18,685 $ 21,265 (a) Other receivables include employee receivables, insurance receivable, tax claims and other miscellaneous items not included in Trade accounts receivable, net. The change in the provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Increase (decrease) in provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable $ 219 $ (10 ) At March 31, 2020 approximately $3.7 million of the Company's accounts receivable balance was past due by twelve months or more, primarily in the Clean Earth Segment, of which the majority of the balance was represented by a single customer from whom payment is expected within the next twelve months, while the rest were either fully or nearly fully reserved, although collection is still ultimately expected. In January 2020 the Company sold IKG for $85 million including cash and a note receivable, subject to post-closing adjustments. The note receivable from the buyer has a face value of $40 million bearing interest at 2.50% , that is paid in kind and matures on January 31, 2027. Any unpaid principal, along with any accrued but unpaid interest is payable at maturity. Prepayment is required in case of a change in control or a percentage of excess cash flow, as defined in the note receivable agreement. Because there are no scheduled payments under the terms of the note receivable, the balance is not classified as current as of March 31, 2020 and is included in the caption Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The initial fair value of the note receivable was $34.3 million which was calculated using an average of various discounted cash flow scenarios based on anticipated timing of repayments (Level 3) and was a non-cash transaction. The note receivable is subsequently measured as amortized costs. Key inputs into the valuation model include: projected timing and amount of cash flows, pro forma debt rating, option-adjusted spread and U.S. Treasury spot rate. At March 31, 2020 the amortized cost of the note receivable was $34.6 million , compared with a fair value of $31.0 million . (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Note receivable $ 34,569 $ —

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories Inventories consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Finished goods $ 13,138 $ 14,550 Work-in-process 10,795 13,088 Raw materials and purchased parts 118,637 104,488 Stores and supplies 25,320 24,865 Total inventories $ 167,890 $ 156,991 During 2016 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 . The Company recorded an additional forward loss provision of $1.8 million during 2018. At March 31, 2020 the entire remaining estimated forward loss provision of $6.4 million is included as Other current liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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. The Company recognized $10.1 million and $4.7 million of revenues for the contracts with SBB at zero margin, on an over time basis, utilizing a cost-to-cost method for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 consolidated product revenue gross margins were not significantly impacted by the revenue recognized under the SBB contracts. The Company has substantially completed the first contract and is approximately 50% complete on the second contract with SBB as of March 31, 2020 .

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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 $ 29,811 $ 30,409 Land improvements 17,822 19,155 Buildings and improvements 180,907 182,795 Machinery and equipment 1,418,493 1,518,652 Uncompleted construction 57,327 55,592 Gross property, plant and equipment 1,704,360 1,806,603 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,171,011 ) (1,244,817 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 533,349 $ 561,786

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The components of lease expense were as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Finance leases: Amortization expense $ 371 $ 310 Interest on lease liabilities 52 4 Operating leases 4,284 3,693 Short-term leases 6,703 4,571 Variable lease expense 408 219 Sublease income (50 ) (49 ) Total lease expense from continuing operations $ 11,768 $ 8,748 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - Operating leases $ 3,789 $ 3,552 Cash flows from financing activities - Finance leases 324 363 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases (a) $ 2,217 $ 34,750 Finance leases 1,234 373 (a) Cash flows for Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 include ROU assets of approximately $34 million that were recorded upon adoption at January 1, 2019. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: (In thousands) March 31 December 31, 2019 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 50,491 $ 52,065 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 12,421 $ 12,544 Operating lease liabilities 35,561 36,974 Finance Leases: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 4,291 $ 3,519 Current maturities of long-term debt 1,346 $ 1,237 Long-term debt 2,984 2,218 Supplemental additional information related to leases is as follows: March 31 December 31 Other information: Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases (in years) 11.81 11.57 Weighted average remaining lease term - Finance leases (in years) 3.89 4.01 Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases 6.3 % 6.3 % Weighted average discount rate - Finance leases 4.3 % 4.2 % Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (In thousand) Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ending December 31 st : 2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 11,458 $ 1,069 2021 11,527 1,198 2022 7,615 941 2023 5,369 748 2024 3,210 587 After 2024 32,018 43 Total lease payments 71,197 4,586 Less: Imputed interest (23,215 ) (256 ) Total $ 47,982 $ 4,330 The Company's leases, excluding short-term leases, have remaining terms of less than one year to 30.6 years , some of which include options to extend for up to 10 years , and some of which include options to terminate within one year. As of March 31, 2020
Leases	Leases The components of lease expense were as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Finance leases: Amortization expense $ 371 $ 310 Interest on lease liabilities 52 4 Operating leases 4,284 3,693 Short-term leases 6,703 4,571 Variable lease expense 408 219 Sublease income (50 ) (49 ) Total lease expense from continuing operations $ 11,768 $ 8,748 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - Operating leases $ 3,789 $ 3,552 Cash flows from financing activities - Finance leases 324 363 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases (a) $ 2,217 $ 34,750 Finance leases 1,234 373 (a) Cash flows for Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 include ROU assets of approximately $34 million that were recorded upon adoption at January 1, 2019. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: (In thousands) March 31 December 31, 2019 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 50,491 $ 52,065 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 12,421 $ 12,544 Operating lease liabilities 35,561 36,974 Finance Leases: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 4,291 $ 3,519 Current maturities of long-term debt 1,346 $ 1,237 Long-term debt 2,984 2,218 Supplemental additional information related to leases is as follows: March 31 December 31 Other information: Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases (in years) 11.81 11.57 Weighted average remaining lease term - Finance leases (in years) 3.89 4.01 Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases 6.3 % 6.3 % Weighted average discount rate - Finance leases 4.3 % 4.2 % Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (In thousand) Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ending December 31 st : 2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 11,458 $ 1,069 2021 11,527 1,198 2022 7,615 941 2023 5,369 748 2024 3,210 587 After 2024 32,018 43 Total lease payments 71,197 4,586 Less: Imputed interest (23,215 ) (256 ) Total $ 47,982 $ 4,330 The Company's leases, excluding short-term leases, have remaining terms of less than one year to 30.6 years , some of which include options to extend for up to 10 years , and some of which include options to terminate within one year. As of March 31, 2020

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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, 2020 : (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Consolidated Totals Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 395,113 $ 330,230 $ 13,026 $ 738,369 Changes to goodwill (a) 1,785 (129 ) — 1,656 Foreign currency translation (12,143 ) — — (12,143 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 384,755 $ 330,101 $ 13,026 $ 727,882 (a) The changes to goodwill relate to immaterial acquisitions in the Harsco Environmental Segment. 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, 2020 , no interim goodwill impairment testing was necessary. The Company has concluded that no triggering event occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020. However, a prolonged economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could impact the Company's future projected cash flows used to estimate fair value, and/or result in a sustained decrease in the Company’s share price, which could indicate an impairment. Intangible assets, net on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Customer related $ 143,092 $ 99,280 $ 143,996 $ 99,327 Permits 170,448 7,045 170,322 4,694 Technology related 36,739 6,142 36,467 5,635 Trade names 31,558 2,801 31,719 2,182 Air rights 26,139 549 26,139 411 Patents 192 132 249 168 Other 3,677 1,176 3,765 1,158 Total $ 411,845 $ 117,125 $ 412,657 $ 113,575 Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Amortization expense for intangible assets $ 5,918 $ 1,939 The estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets is as follows: (In thousands) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Estimated amortization expense (b) $ 24,300 $ 23,100 $ 22,400 $ 22,400 $ 22,400 (b) These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange fluctuations.

Debt and Credit Agreements

Debt and Credit Agreements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Credit Agreements	Debt and Credit Agreements In March 2020 the Company raised a new term loan facility of $280 million ("New Term Loan") as a new tranche under the existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities. There were no borrowings outstanding under the New Term Loan at March 31, 2020. The New Term Loan was fully drawn on April 6, 2020 to partially fund the acquisition of the Stericycle Environmental Solutions business ("ESOL"). Borrowings under the New Term Loan bear interest at a rate per annum ranging from 150 to 225 basis points over adjusted LIBOR (as defined in the Credit Agreement governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities). The New Term Loan will mature on June 28, 2024. The Company capitalized $1.7 million of fees related to the issuance of the New Term Loan, of which $1.6 million has been paid as of March 31, 2020. Additionally, the Company amended the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to increase the net debt to consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ratio covenant to 5.0 through December 2020, which decreases to 4.5 through December 2021 and 4.0 for periods thereafter. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, $0.5 million of fees and expenses were recognized related to the amended Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Three Months Ended March 31 Defined Benefit Pension Plans Net Periodic Pension Cost (Benefit) U.S. Plans International Plans (In thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service costs $ — $ 10 $ 429 $ 356 Interest costs 1,845 2,651 4,395 5,664 Expected return on plan assets (2,842 ) (2,593 ) (10,190 ) (9,517 ) Recognized prior service costs — — 107 66 Recognized loss 1,425 1,405 3,655 3,653 Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ 428 $ 1,473 $ (1,604 ) $ 222 Three Months Ended Company Contributions March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Defined benefit pension plans (U.S.) $ 2,027 $ 1,479 Defined benefit pension plans (International) 10,060 9,270 Multiemployer pension plans 409 521 Defined contribution pension plans 3,169 3,390 The Company's estimate of expected contributions to be paid during the remainder of 2020 for the U.S. and international defined benefit pension plans are $6.2 million and $11.0 million

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income tax benefit related to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $0.7 million compared with an income tax expense related to continuing operations of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 . The change in the income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared with the income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is the result of lower taxable income, primarily resulting from a net increase in strategic costs related to the ESOL acquisition, partially offset by a decreased income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation vesting during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 . 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, 2020 was $4.5 million , including interest and penalties. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that $0.3 million

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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 byproduct 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. Other than set forth herein 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. 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 were approved by the SCE during the first quarter of 2018. The Company is constructing facilities to process the salt cakes, and the Company currently expects those facilities to come online in 2020. The Company has previously established a reserve of $7.0 million , which represents the Company's best estimate of the ultimate costs to be incurred to resolve this matter. 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. On July 27, 2018 Brazil’s Federal and Rio de Janeiro State Public Prosecution Offices (MPF and MPE) filed a Civil Public Action against one of the Company's customers (CSN), the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary, the Municipality of Volta Redonda, Brazil, and the Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (local environmental protection agency) seeking the implementation of various measures to limit and reduce the accumulation of customer-owned slag at the site in Brazil. On August 6, 2018 the 3rd Federal Court in Volta Redonda granted the MPF and MPE an injunction against the same parties requiring, among other things, CSN and the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary to limit the volume of slag sent to the site. Because the customer owns the site and the slag located on the site, the Company believes that complying with this injunction is the steel producer’s responsibility. On March 18, 2019 the Court issued an order fining the Company 5,000 Brazilian reais per day (or approximately $1,000 per day) and CSN 20,000 Brazilian reais per day (or approximately $4,000 per day) until the requirements of the injunction are met. On November 1, 2019 the Court issued an additional order increasing the fines assessed to the Company to 25,000 Brazilian reais per day (or approximately $5,000 per day) and raising the fines assessed to CSN to 100,000 Brazilian reais per day (or approximately $19,000 per day). The Court also assessed an additional fine of 10,000,000 Brazilian reais (or approximately $1.9 million ) against CSN and the Company jointly. The Company is appealing the fines and the underlying injunction. Both the Company and CSN continue to have discussions with the governmental authorities on the injunction and the possible resolution of the underlying case. The Company does not believe that a loss relating to this matter is probable or estimable at this point. On October 19, 2018 local environmental authorities issued an enforcement action against the Company concerning the Company’s operations at a customer site in Ijmuiden, Netherlands. The enforcement action alleges violations of the Company’s environmental permit at the site, which restricts the release of any visible dust emissions. The enforcement action ordered the Company to cease all violations of the permit by October 31, 2018. The authorities have issued three additional enforcement actions since that time and have asserted fines of approximately $0.5 million which the Company has recorded, with the possibility of additional fines for any future violations. The Company is vigorously contesting the enforcement action and fines and is also working with its customer to ensure the control of emissions. The Company has contractual indemnity rights from its customer, should it be required to pay the assessed fines. On June 13, 2019 the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ("PA DEP") indicated to the Company and a landowner who received processed slag from the Company that it plans to require action to bring the landowner’s site into compliance and to assess a civil penalty against the Company and the landowner. The Company is working with the landowner and PA DEP to determine the most effective way to address PA DEP’s concerns about the site and has established a $0.4 million reserve, which represents the Company’s best estimate of the costs to bring the landowner's site into compliance. On March 24, 2017 the Allegheny County Health Department issued a notice of violation against the Company concerning the Company’s operations at a customer site in Natrona, Pennsylvania. On January 21, 2020 the Company paid $0.1 million to settle the civil penalties accrued up to that date. In April 2020, the Company received a penalty assessment of $4,500 for three alleged additional events. It is possible the Company could incur additional penalties for future violations. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company and its customer have also agreed to construct at its customer's costs and bring certain slag processing operations into a building. 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. Many 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, 2020 the principal amount of the tax assessment from the SPRA with regard to this case is approximately $1.2 million , with penalty, interest and fees assessed to date increasing such amount by an additional $16.2 million . On June 4, 2018 the Appellate Court of the State of Sao Paulo ruled in favor of the SPRA but ruled that the assessed penalty should be reduced to approximately $1 million . After calculating the interest accrued on the penalty, the Company estimates that this ruling reduces the current overall potential liability for this case to approximately $7 million . The Company has appealed the ruling in favor of the SPRA to the Superior Court of Justice. Due to multiple court precedents in the Company’s favor, as well as the Company’s ability to appeal, the Company does not believe a loss is probable. Another ICMS tax case involving the SPRA refers to the tax period from January 2002 to December 2003. In December 2018 the administrative tribunal hearing the case upheld the Company's liability. The Company has appealed to the judicial phase. The aggregate amount assessed by the tax authorities in August 2005 was $4.9 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 $1.2 million , with penalty and interest assessed through that date increasing such amount by an additional $3.7 million . On December 6, 2018 the administrative tribunal reduced the applicable penalties to $1.2 million . After calculating the interest accrued on the current penalty, the Company estimates that the current overall liability for this case to be approximately $10 million . All such amounts include the effect of foreign currency translation. Due to multiple court precedents in the Company's favor the Company does not believe a loss is probable. The Company 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 Environmental 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. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the Company has established reserves of $5.0 million and $6.5 million , respectively, on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for amounts considered to be probable and estimable. 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 ongoing matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 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, 2020 there were approximately 17,138 pending asbestos personal injury actions filed against the Company. Of those actions, approximately 16,585 were filed in the New York Supreme Court (New York County), approximately 118 were filed in other New York State Supreme Court Counties and approximately 435 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, 2020 approximately 16,550 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 approximately 35 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, 2020 the Company has obtained dismissal in approximately 28,245 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. 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, 2019 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, 2020
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) 2020 2019 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders $ (8,782 ) $ 10,474 Weighted-average shares outstanding: Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic 78,761 79,907 Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation — 1,746 Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 78,761 81,653 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Basic $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13 Diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13 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) 2020 2019 Restricted stock units 749 — Stock appreciation rights 2,643 608 Performance share units 940 233

Derivative Instruments, Hedging

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities 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 Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. 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 fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Total Fair Value March 31, 2020 Asset derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 4,113 $ 4,898 $ 9,011 Total $ 4,113 $ 4,898 $ 9,011 Liability derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities $ 27 $ 13,471 $ 13,498 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities 3,543 — 3,543 Interest rate swaps Other liabilities 6,035 — 6,035 Total $ 9,605 $ 13,471 $ 23,076 December 31, 2019 Asset derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,039 $ 946 $ 2,985 Total $ 2,039 $ 946 $ 2,985 Liability derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities $ 140 $ 3,733 $ 3,873 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities 2,098 — 2,098 Interest rate swaps Other liabilities 4,281 — 4,281 Total $ 6,519 $ 3,733 $ 10,252 All of the Company's derivatives are recorded on the Company's 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 did not result in a net asset or liability at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019 . The effect of derivative instruments on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss): Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives Location of Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31 March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 2,037 $ (712 ) Product revenues $ (1,404 ) $ (32 ) Interest rate swaps (3,578 ) (3,309 ) Interest expense 378 (301 ) Cross-currency interest rate swaps (a) 58 (52 ) Interest expense 305 314 $ (1,483 ) $ (4,073 ) $ (721 ) $ (19 ) (a) Amounts represent changes in foreign currency translation related to balances in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The location and amount of gain (loss) recognized on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended March 31 2020 2019 (in thousands) Product Revenues Interest Expense Product Revenues Interest Expense Total amounts of line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded $ 107,502 $ (12,649 ) $ 100,382 $ (5,507 ) Interest rate swaps: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income — (378 ) — 301 Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income 1,404 — 32 — Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value 183 — 78 — Cross-currency interest rate swaps: Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income — (305 ) — (314 ) Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives (b) Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Cost of services and products sold $ 5,542 $ 2,323 (b) These gains 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. 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 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. 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. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the notional amounts of foreign currency exchange forward contracts were $432.0 million and $496.3 million , respectively. These contracts are primarily denominated in British pounds sterling and Euros and mature through October 2021 . 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 losses of $9.7 million and pre-tax net gains of $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, in Accumulated other comprehensive loss . Interest Rate Swaps The Company uses interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain variable rate debt issuances in order to secure a fixed interest rate. Changes in the fair value attributed to the effect of the swaps’ interest spread and changes in the credit worthiness of the counter-parties are 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. The fixed rates provided by the swaps replace the adjusted LIBOR rate in the interest calculation, ranging from 2.45% for 2020 to 3.12% for 2022. During June 2019 the Company effected the early termination of interest rate swaps that covered the period from 2019 through 2022 and had the effect of converting $100.0 million of the Term Loan Facility from floating-rate to fixed-rate. This termination was conducted as a result of the Company's new Notes offering and required repayment of a portion of the Term Loan Facility with proceeds from the AXC disposal. The total notional of the Company's interest rate swaps is $200.0 million as of March 31, 2020 . 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. Changes in the fair value attributed to the effect of the swaps' interest spread and changes in the credit worthiness of the counter-parties are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Changes in value attributed to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations are recorded on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and offset currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal. The Company had no outstanding CCIRs at March 31, 2020 . Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments 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, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the total fair value of long-term debt (excluding deferred financing costs), including current maturities, was $739.2 million and $827.2 million , respectively, compared with a carrying value of $810.3 million and $795.0 million

Review of Operations by Segment

Review of Operations by Segment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Review of Operations by Segment	Review of Operations by Segment Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Revenues From Continuing Operations (a) Harsco Environmental $ 241,559 $ 261,312 Harsco Clean Earth 78,812 — Harsco Rail 78,470 68,590 Total Revenues From Continuing Operations $ 398,841 $ 329,902 Operating Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations (a) Harsco Environmental $ 10,520 $ 24,497 Harsco Clean Earth 4,245 — Harsco Rail 6,472 5,389 Corporate (18,356 ) (10,062 ) Total Operating Income From Continuing Operations $ 2,881 $ 19,824 Depreciation and Amortization (a) Harsco Environmental $ 27,311 $ 28,705 Harsco Clean Earth 6,519 — Harsco Rail 1,299 1,167 Corporate 1,152 1,352 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 36,281 $ 31,224 Capital Expenditures (a) Harsco Environmental $ 24,748 $ 29,163 Harsco Clean Earth 1,442 — Harsco Rail 1,539 3,916 Corporate 58 1,153 Total Capital Expenditures $ 27,787 $ 34,232 (a) The Company's acquisition of Clean Earth closed on June 28, 2019. The operating results of the former Harsco Industrial Segment has been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional details. Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Income Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Segment operating income $ 21,237 $ 29,886 General Corporate expense (18,356 ) (10,062 ) Operating income from continuing operations 2,881 19,824 Interest income 193 533 Interest expense (12,649 ) (5,507 ) Unused debt commitment and amendment fees (488 ) — Defined benefit pension income (expense) 1,589 (1,338 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income $ (8,474 ) $ 13,512

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenues to depict the transfer of promised services and products to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services or products. Service revenues include the Harsco Clean Earth Segment and the service components of the Harsco Environmental and Harsco Rail Segments. Product revenues include portions of the Harsco Environmental and Harsco Rail Segments. 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, 2020 (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) (b) : North America $ 69,881 $ 78,812 $ 53,773 $ — $ 202,466 Western Europe 96,317 — 18,164 — 114,481 Latin America (c) 33,260 — 665 — 33,925 Asia-Pacific 21,996 — 5,868 — 27,864 Middle East and Africa 15,889 — — — 15,889 Eastern Europe 4,216 — — — 4,216 Total Revenues $ 241,559 $ 78,812 $ 78,470 $ — $ 398,841 Key Product and Service Groups (a) : Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services $ 207,346 $ — $ — $ — $ 207,346 Applied products 30,262 — — — 30,262 Environmental systems for aluminum dross and scrap processing 3,951 — — — 3,951 Railway track maintenance equipment — — 42,615 — 42,615 After-market parts and services; safety and diagnostic technology — — 31,200 — 31,200 Railway contracting services — — 4,655 — 4,655 Waste processing and reuse solutions — 78,812 — — 78,812 Total Revenues $ 241,559 $ 78,812 $ 78,470 $ — $ 398,841 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) (b) : North America $ 73,349 $ — $ 50,365 $ — $ 123,714 Western Europe 98,221 — 10,013 — 108,234 Latin America (c) 36,991 — 591 — 37,582 Asia-Pacific 34,138 — 7,621 — 41,759 Middle East and Africa 13,915 — — — 13,915 Eastern Europe 4,698 — — — 4,698 Total Revenues $ 261,312 $ — $ 68,590 $ — $ 329,902 Key Product and Service Groups (a) : Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services $ 224,061 $ — $ — $ — $ 224,061 Applied products 30,390 — — — 30,390 Environmental systems for aluminum dross and scrap processing 6,861 — — — 6,861 Railway track maintenance equipment — — 33,608 — 33,608 After-market parts and services; safety and diagnostic technology — — 31,301 — 31,301 Railway contracting services — — 3,681 — 3,681 Waste processing and reuse solutions — — — — — Total Revenues $ 261,312 $ — $ 68,590 $ — $ 329,902 (a) The Company's acquisition of Clean Earth closed on June 28, 2019. The operating results of the former Harsco Industrial Segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional details. (b) Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue. (c) Includes Mexico. The Company may receive payments in advance of earning revenue, which are treated as Advances on contracts on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company may recognize revenue in advance of being able to contractually invoice the customer, which is treated as Contract assets on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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. The Company had Contract assets totaling $50.5 million and $31.2 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. The increase is due principally to recognition of additional contract assets in excess of contract assets transferred to accounts receivable during the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily in the Harsco Rail Segment. The Company had Advances on contracts totaling $101.6 million and $60.3 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 , respectively. The increase is due principally to the receipt of new advances on contracts in excess of recognition of revenue for the Deutsche Bahn contract in the Harsco Rail Segment. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 the Company recognized approximately $18 million and approximately $17 million , respectively, of revenue related to amounts previously included in Advances on contracts. At March 31, 2020 the Harsco Environmental Segment had remaining, fixed, unsatisfied performance obligations where the expected contract duration exceeds one year totaling $98.1 million . Of this amount, $36.1 million is expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2021, $17.9 million by March 31, 2022, $15.7 million by March 31, 2023, $11.6 million by March 31, 2024 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. The decrease from December 31, 2019 is primarily due to the renegotiation of a contract with a customer in the U.K. who had entered into administration. At March 31, 2020 the Harsco Rail Segment had remaining, fixed, unsatisfied performance obligations where the expected contract duration exceeds one year totaling $331.6 million . Of this amount, $111.3 million is expected to be fulfilled by March 31, 2021, $94.6 million by March 31, 2022, $65.4 million by March 31, 2023, $49.8 million by March 31, 2024 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. The increase from December 31, 2019 is primarily attributable to new contract signings in U.S. and India.

Other (Income) Expenses, Net

Other (Income) Expenses, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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) 2020 2019 Employee termination benefit costs $ 5,455 $ 2,519 Other costs to exit activities 176 1,155 Impaired asset write-downs 69 214 Contingent consideration adjustments — 369 Net gains (19 ) (2,271 ) Other 52 (243 ) Other expenses, net $ 5,733 $ 1,743

Components of Accumulated Other

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included on the Company's 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, 2019 and 2020 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, 2018 $ (159,810 ) $ 1,389 $ (408,655 ) $ (31 ) $ (567,107 ) Adoption of new accounting standard — — (21,429 ) (a) — (21,429 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 11,725 (b) (3,084 ) (c) (6,573 ) (b) 15 2,083 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (2,271 ) (63 ) 4,782 — 2,448 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 9,454 (3,147 ) (1,791 ) 15 4,531 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (420 ) — — — (420 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 9,034 (3,147 ) (1,791 ) 15 4,111 Balance at March 31, 2019 $ (150,776 ) $ (1,758 ) $ (431,875 ) $ (16 ) $ (584,425 ) 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, 2019 $ (143,340 ) $ (3,717 ) $ (440,562 ) $ (3 ) $ (587,622 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (71,472 ) (b) (1,042 ) (c) 21,429 (b) (18 ) (51,103 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax 12,906 (645 ) 8,840 — 21,101 Total other comprehensive income (loss) (58,566 ) (1,687 ) 30,269 (18 ) (30,002 ) Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,148 — — — 1,148 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation (57,418 ) (1,687 ) 30,269 (18 ) (28,854 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (200,758 ) $ (5,404 ) $ (410,293 ) $ (21 ) $ (616,476 ) (a) Represents the adoption of the new accounting standard on January 1, 2019 related to stranded tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (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 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations March 31 March 31 Recognition of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments: Gain on substantial liquidation of subsidiaries (d) $ — $ (2,271 ) Other expenses, net Loss on substantial liquidation of subsidiaries (d) 12,906 — Gain on sale of discontinued business Amortization of cash flow hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (1,404 ) $ (32 ) Product revenues Cross-currency interest rate swaps 305 314 Interest expense Interest rate swaps 378 (301 ) Interest expense Total before tax (721 ) (19 ) Tax expense 76 (44 ) Total reclassification of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax $ (645 ) $ (63 ) Amortization of defined benefit pension items (e) : Recognized losses $ 5,080 $ 5,058 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Recognized prior-service costs 107 66 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Pension liability transfer - discontinued business 5,363 — Gain on sale of discontinued business Total before tax 10,550 5,124 Tax benefit (1,710 ) (342 ) Total reclassification of defined benefit pension items, net of tax $ 8,840 $ 4,782 (d) No tax impact. (e) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs. See Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional details.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all information and disclosure required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. The December 31, 2019 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was derived from the 2019 audited consolidated financial statements. 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, 2019 . 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. Discontinued Operations
Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards The following accounting standards have been adopted in 2020: On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Boards ("FASB") which updated the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. Provisions for receivables will be recorded as Allowance for expected credit losses, replacing the previously utilized Allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, these changes required certain expanded disclosures. Other than changes in disclosure, these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as the calculation of expected credit losses did not yield results that were materially different from the methodology previously utilized by the Company. See Note 4, Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable for additional information. On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by FASB that removed 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. These changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2020 the Company adopted changes issued by FASB which modified the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments in this update remove the requirement to disclose the amount of, and reasons for, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The changes require disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. Other than required expanded disclosures, the adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The following accounting standards have been issued and become effective for the Company at a future date: In December 2019 the FASB issued changes which are intended to reduce complexity and simplify the accounting for income taxes in accordance with U.S. GAAP by removing certain exceptions related to investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations and clarifying existing guidance to improve consistent application. The changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2020 the FASB issued changes that provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. In response to the concerns about risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs) and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The changes provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The changes can be adopted no later than December 31, 2022 with early adoption permitted. Management does not believe these changes will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions and Dispositions (

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	Preliminary Valuation (In millions) June 28, 2019 Measurement Period Adjustments (a) March 31 Cash and cash equivalents (b) $ 42.8 $ (39.2 ) $ 3.6 Trade accounts receivable, net 63.7 (1.2 ) 62.5 Other receivables 0.8 1.3 2.1 Other current assets 8.7 (1.4 ) 7.3 Property, plant and equipment 75.6 1.6 77.2 Right-of-use assets 14.4 11.4 25.8 Goodwill 313.8 16.3 330.1 Intangible assets 261.1 (18.9 ) 242.2 Other assets 4.0 (2.8 ) 1.2 Accounts payable (23.0 ) (0.1 ) (23.1 ) Acquisition consideration payable (b) (39.2 ) 39.2 — Other current liabilities (18.0 ) (1.7 ) (19.7 ) Net deferred taxes liabilities (51.2 ) 5.8 (45.4 ) Operating lease liabilities (11.1 ) (8.4 ) (19.5 ) Other liabilities (6.5 ) (2.1 ) (8.6 ) Total identifiable net assets of Clean Earth $ 635.9 $ (0.2 ) $ 635.7 (a) The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company's previously reported operating results. (b) Acquisition consideration payable represents a portion of the cash consideration not paid out until July 2019.
Preliminary valuation of identifiable intangible assets and amortization periods	The following table details the preliminary valuation of identifiable intangible assets and amortization periods for Clean Earth: Preliminary Valuation (Dollars in millions) Weighted-Average Amortization Period Preliminary Valuation June 28, 2019 Measurement Period Adjustments (c) March 31 Permits 18 years $ 176.1 $ (6.0 ) $ 170.1 Customer relationships 8 years 33.4 (12.9 ) 20.5 Air rights Usage based (d) 25.6 — 25.6 Trade names 12 years 26.0 — 26.0 Total identifiable intangible assets of Clean Earth $ 261.1 $ (18.9 ) $ 242.2 (c) The measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on the Company's previously reported operating results. (d) The Company estimates that based on current usage that the expected useful life would be 27 years.
Pro forma information	The pro forma information below gives effect to the Clean Earth acquisition as if it had been completed on January 1, 2018. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s results of operations had the acquisition been completed on the above date, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results. The pro forma information does not reflect any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that could result from the acquisition and does not reflect the additional revenue opportunities following the acquisition. The pro forma information below includes adjustments to reflect additional depreciation and amortization expense based on the estimated fair value and useful lives of intangible assets and fixed assets acquired; includes additional interest expense of approximately $9.0 million three months ended March 31, 2019 on the acquisition related borrowings used to finance the Clean Earth acquisition and excludes certain directly attributable transaction costs and historic Clean Earth interest expense. These pro forma adjustments are subject to change as additional analysis is performed. The values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to change as the Company obtains additional information during the measurement period. Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2019 Pro forma revenues $ 393.5 Pro forma net income (including discontinued operations) 15.6
Summary of changes in fair value of contingent consideration
Balance sheet positions and financial information included in net income from discontinued operations and statements of cash flows	The following is selected financial information included on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Non-cash operating items Depreciation and amortization $ — $ 2,025 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment 106 2,175 Certain key selected financial information included in net income from discontinued operations for the former Harsco Industrial Segment is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Total revenues $ 10,203 $ 117,386 Cost of products sold 8,082 87,695 Income from discontinued business 218 14,192 Additional amounts allocated to the former Harsco Industrial Segment: Selling, general and administrative expenses (e) $ 1,266 $ — Interest expense (f) — 4,232 (e) The Company has allocated directly attributable transaction costs to discontinued operations. (f) The Company has allocated interest expense, including a portion of the amount reclassified into income for the Company's interest rate swaps and amortization of deferred financing costs resulting from the AXC disposal, as part of discontinued operations.

Accounts Receivable (Tables)

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of accounts receivable	Accounts receivable consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Trade accounts receivable $ 333,725 $ 323,502 Less: Allowance for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts (13,015 ) (13,512 ) Trade accounts receivable, net $ 320,710 $ 309,990 Other receivables (a) $ 18,685 $ 21,265 (a)
Schedule of provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	The change in the provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Increase (decrease) in provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable $ 219 $ (10 )
Accounts Receivable and Inventories	Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable Accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value which represents the face value of the receivable less an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance for expected credit losses is maintained for expected lifetime losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. The Company’s expected credit loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade accounts receivables. When required, the Company adjusts the loss-rate methodology to account for current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectations of future economic and market conditions. The Company generally assesses future economic conditions for a period which corresponds with the contractual life of its accounts receivables. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. Prior to the adoption of the new methodology, the Company established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a specific-identification method as well as historical collection experience, as appropriate. Accounts receivable consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Trade accounts receivable $ 333,725 $ 323,502 Less: Allowance for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts (13,015 ) (13,512 ) Trade accounts receivable, net $ 320,710 $ 309,990 Other receivables (a) $ 18,685 $ 21,265 (a) Other receivables include employee receivables, insurance receivable, tax claims and other miscellaneous items not included in Trade accounts receivable, net. The change in the provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Increase (decrease) in provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable $ 219 $ (10 ) At March 31, 2020 approximately $3.7 million of the Company's accounts receivable balance was past due by twelve months or more, primarily in the Clean Earth Segment, of which the majority of the balance was represented by a single customer from whom payment is expected within the next twelve months, while the rest were either fully or nearly fully reserved, although collection is still ultimately expected. In January 2020 the Company sold IKG for $85 million including cash and a note receivable, subject to post-closing adjustments. The note receivable from the buyer has a face value of $40 million bearing interest at 2.50% , that is paid in kind and matures on January 31, 2027. Any unpaid principal, along with any accrued but unpaid interest is payable at maturity. Prepayment is required in case of a change in control or a percentage of excess cash flow, as defined in the note receivable agreement. Because there are no scheduled payments under the terms of the note receivable, the balance is not classified as current as of March 31, 2020 and is included in the caption Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The initial fair value of the note receivable was $34.3 million which was calculated using an average of various discounted cash flow scenarios based on anticipated timing of repayments (Level 3) and was a non-cash transaction. The note receivable is subsequently measured as amortized costs. Key inputs into the valuation model include: projected timing and amount of cash flows, pro forma debt rating, option-adjusted spread and U.S. Treasury spot rate. At March 31, 2020 the amortized cost of the note receivable was $34.6 million , compared with a fair value of $31.0 million . (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Note receivable $ 34,569 $ —

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Inventories consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31 December 31 Finished goods $ 13,138 $ 14,550 Work-in-process 10,795 13,088 Raw materials and purchased parts 118,637 104,488 Stores and supplies 25,320 24,865 Total inventories $ 167,890 $ 156,991

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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 $ 29,811 $ 30,409 Land improvements 17,822 19,155 Buildings and improvements 180,907 182,795 Machinery and equipment 1,418,493 1,518,652 Uncompleted construction 57,327 55,592 Gross property, plant and equipment 1,704,360 1,806,603 Less: Accumulated depreciation (1,171,011 ) (1,244,817 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 533,349 $ 561,786

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Expense and Supplemental Cash Flow and Additional Information	he components of lease expense were as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Finance leases: Amortization expense $ 371 $ 310 Interest on lease liabilities 52 4 Operating leases 4,284 3,693 Short-term leases 6,703 4,571 Variable lease expense 408 219 Sublease income (50 ) (49 ) Total lease expense from continuing operations $ 11,768 $ 8,748 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31 March 31 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - Operating leases $ 3,789 $ 3,552 Cash flows from financing activities - Finance leases 324 363 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases (a) $ 2,217 $ 34,750 Finance leases 1,234 373 (a) Cash flows for Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 include ROU assets of approximately $34 million that were recorded upon adoption at January 1, 2019. Supplemental additional information related to leases is as follows: March 31 December 31 Other information: Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases (in years) 11.81 11.57 Weighted average remaining lease term - Finance leases (in years) 3.89 4.01 Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases 6.3 % 6.3 % Weighted average discount rate - Finance leases 4.3 % 4.2 %
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: (In thousands) March 31 December 31, 2019 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 50,491 $ 52,065 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 12,421 $ 12,544 Operating lease liabilities 35,561 36,974 Finance Leases: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 4,291 $ 3,519 Current maturities of long-term debt 1,346 $ 1,237 Long-term debt 2,984 2,218
Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities	Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (In thousand) Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ending December 31 st : 2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 11,458 $ 1,069 2021 11,527 1,198 2022 7,615 941 2023 5,369 748 2024 3,210 587 After 2024 32,018 43 Total lease payments 71,197 4,586 Less: Imputed interest (23,215 ) (256 ) Total $ 47,982 $ 4,330
Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities	Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: (In thousand) Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ending December 31 st : 2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 11,458 $ 1,069 2021 11,527 1,198 2022 7,615 941 2023 5,369 748 2024 3,210 587 After 2024 32,018 43 Total lease payments 71,197 4,586 Less: Imputed interest (23,215 ) (256 ) Total $ 47,982 $ 4,330
Future Minimum Payments Under Operating Leases with Noncancelable Terms	(In thousand) Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ending December 31 st : 2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020) $ 11,458 $ 1,069 2021 11,527 1,198 2022 7,615 941 2023 5,369 748 2024 3,210 587 After 2024 32,018 43 Total lease payments 71,197 4,586 Less: Imputed interest (23,215 ) (256 ) Total $ 47,982 $ 4,330

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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, 2020 : (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Consolidated Totals Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 395,113 $ 330,230 $ 13,026 $ 738,369 Changes to goodwill (a) 1,785 (129 ) — 1,656 Foreign currency translation (12,143 ) — — (12,143 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 384,755 $ 330,101 $ 13,026 $ 727,882 (a) The changes to goodwill relate to immaterial acquisitions in the Harsco Environmental Segment.
Schedule of intangible assets by class	Intangible assets, net on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following: March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Customer related $ 143,092 $ 99,280 $ 143,996 $ 99,327 Permits 170,448 7,045 170,322 4,694 Technology related 36,739 6,142 36,467 5,635 Trade names 31,558 2,801 31,719 2,182 Air rights 26,139 549 26,139 411 Patents 192 132 249 168 Other 3,677 1,176 3,765 1,158 Total $ 411,845 $ 117,125 $ 412,657 $ 113,575
Schedule of amortization expense	Amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows: Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Amortization expense for intangible assets $ 5,918 $ 1,939
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) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Estimated amortization expense (b) $ 24,300 $ 23,100 $ 22,400 $ 22,400 $ 22,400 (b)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of net benefit costs	Three Months Ended March 31 Defined Benefit Pension Plans Net Periodic Pension Cost (Benefit) U.S. Plans International Plans (In thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service costs $ — $ 10 $ 429 $ 356 Interest costs 1,845 2,651 4,395 5,664 Expected return on plan assets (2,842 ) (2,593 ) (10,190 ) (9,517 ) Recognized prior service costs — — 107 66 Recognized loss 1,425 1,405 3,655 3,653 Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ 428 $ 1,473 $ (1,604 ) $ 222
Schedule of contributions to pension plans	Three Months Ended Company Contributions March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Defined benefit pension plans (U.S.) $ 2,027 $ 1,479 Defined benefit pension plans (International) 10,060 9,270 Multiemployer pension plans 409 521 Defined contribution pension plans 3,169 3,390

Reconciliation of Basic and D_2

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of basic and diluted shares	Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders $ (8,782 ) $ 10,474 Weighted-average shares outstanding: Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic 78,761 79,907 Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation — 1,746 Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted 78,761 81,653 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders: Basic $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13 Diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13
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) 2020 2019 Restricted stock units 749 — Stock appreciation rights 2,643 608 Performance share units 940 233

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi_2

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of outstanding derivative contracts	The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows: (In thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Total Fair Value March 31, 2020 Asset derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 4,113 $ 4,898 $ 9,011 Total $ 4,113 $ 4,898 $ 9,011 Liability derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities $ 27 $ 13,471 $ 13,498 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities 3,543 — 3,543 Interest rate swaps Other liabilities 6,035 — 6,035 Total $ 9,605 $ 13,471 $ 23,076 December 31, 2019 Asset derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current assets $ 2,039 $ 946 $ 2,985 Total $ 2,039 $ 946 $ 2,985 Liability derivatives (Level 2): Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities $ 140 $ 3,733 $ 3,873 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities 2,098 — 2,098 Interest rate swaps Other liabilities 4,281 — 4,281 Total $ 6,519 $ 3,733 $ 10,252
Schedule of effect of derivative instruments	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives Location of Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31 March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ 2,037 $ (712 ) Product revenues $ (1,404 ) $ (32 ) Interest rate swaps (3,578 ) (3,309 ) Interest expense 378 (301 ) Cross-currency interest rate swaps (a) 58 (52 ) Interest expense 305 314 $ (1,483 ) $ (4,073 ) $ (721 ) $ (19 ) (a) Amounts represent changes in foreign currency translation related to balances in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The location and amount of gain (loss) recognized on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended March 31 2020 2019 (in thousands) Product Revenues Interest Expense Product Revenues Interest Expense Total amounts of line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded $ 107,502 $ (12,649 ) $ 100,382 $ (5,507 ) Interest rate swaps: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income — (378 ) — 301 Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income 1,404 — 32 — Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value 183 — 78 — Cross-currency interest rate swaps: Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income — (305 ) — (314 ) Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives (b) Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Foreign currency exchange forward contracts Cost of services and products sold $ 5,542 $ 2,323 (b) These gains offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures.

Review of Operations by Segme_2

Review of Operations by Segment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of operations by segment	Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Revenues From Continuing Operations (a) Harsco Environmental $ 241,559 $ 261,312 Harsco Clean Earth 78,812 — Harsco Rail 78,470 68,590 Total Revenues From Continuing Operations $ 398,841 $ 329,902 Operating Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations (a) Harsco Environmental $ 10,520 $ 24,497 Harsco Clean Earth 4,245 — Harsco Rail 6,472 5,389 Corporate (18,356 ) (10,062 ) Total Operating Income From Continuing Operations $ 2,881 $ 19,824 Depreciation and Amortization (a) Harsco Environmental $ 27,311 $ 28,705 Harsco Clean Earth 6,519 — Harsco Rail 1,299 1,167 Corporate 1,152 1,352 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 36,281 $ 31,224 Capital Expenditures (a) Harsco Environmental $ 24,748 $ 29,163 Harsco Clean Earth 1,442 — Harsco Rail 1,539 3,916 Corporate 58 1,153 Total Capital Expenditures $ 27,787 $ 34,232 (a) The Company's acquisition of Clean Earth closed on June 28, 2019. The operating results of the former Harsco Industrial Segment has been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional details.
Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Income Three Months Ended March 31 (In thousands) 2020 2019 Segment operating income $ 21,237 $ 29,886 General Corporate expense (18,356 ) (10,062 ) Operating income from continuing operations 2,881 19,824 Interest income 193 533 Interest expense (12,649 ) (5,507 ) Unused debt commitment and amendment fees (488 ) — Defined benefit pension income (expense) 1,589 (1,338 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income $ (8,474 ) $ 13,512

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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, 2020 (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) (b) : North America $ 69,881 $ 78,812 $ 53,773 $ — $ 202,466 Western Europe 96,317 — 18,164 — 114,481 Latin America (c) 33,260 — 665 — 33,925 Asia-Pacific 21,996 — 5,868 — 27,864 Middle East and Africa 15,889 — — — 15,889 Eastern Europe 4,216 — — — 4,216 Total Revenues $ 241,559 $ 78,812 $ 78,470 $ — $ 398,841 Key Product and Service Groups (a) : Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services $ 207,346 $ — $ — $ — $ 207,346 Applied products 30,262 — — — 30,262 Environmental systems for aluminum dross and scrap processing 3,951 — — — 3,951 Railway track maintenance equipment — — 42,615 — 42,615 After-market parts and services; safety and diagnostic technology — — 31,200 — 31,200 Railway contracting services — — 4,655 — 4,655 Waste processing and reuse solutions — 78,812 — — 78,812 Total Revenues $ 241,559 $ 78,812 $ 78,470 $ — $ 398,841 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 (In thousands) Harsco Environmental Segment Harsco Clean Earth Segment Harsco Rail Segment Corporate Consolidated Totals Primary Geographical Markets (a) (b) : North America $ 73,349 $ — $ 50,365 $ — $ 123,714 Western Europe 98,221 — 10,013 — 108,234 Latin America (c) 36,991 — 591 — 37,582 Asia-Pacific 34,138 — 7,621 — 41,759 Middle East and Africa 13,915 — — — 13,915 Eastern Europe 4,698 — — — 4,698 Total Revenues $ 261,312 $ — $ 68,590 $ — $ 329,902 Key Product and Service Groups (a) : Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services $ 224,061 $ — $ — $ — $ 224,061 Applied products 30,390 — — — 30,390 Environmental systems for aluminum dross and scrap processing 6,861 — — — 6,861 Railway track maintenance equipment — — 33,608 — 33,608 After-market parts and services; safety and diagnostic technology — — 31,301 — 31,301 Railway contracting services — — 3,681 — 3,681 Waste processing and reuse solutions — — — — — Total Revenues $ 261,312 $ — $ 68,590 $ — $ 329,902 (a) The Company's acquisition of Clean Earth closed on June 28, 2019. The operating results of the former Harsco Industrial Segment have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional details. (b) Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue. (c) Includes Mexico.

Other (Income) Expenses, Net (T

Other (Income) Expenses, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
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) 2020 2019 Employee termination benefit costs $ 5,455 $ 2,519 Other costs to exit activities 176 1,155 Impaired asset write-downs 69 214 Contingent consideration adjustments — 369 Net gains (19 ) (2,271 ) Other 52 (243 ) Other expenses, net $ 5,733 $ 1,743

Components of Accumulated Oth_2

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss	The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of the effect of income taxes, and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2020 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, 2018 $ (159,810 ) $ 1,389 $ (408,655 ) $ (31 ) $ (567,107 ) Adoption of new accounting standard — — (21,429 ) (a) — (21,429 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 11,725 (b) (3,084 ) (c) (6,573 ) (b) 15 2,083 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (2,271 ) (63 ) 4,782 — 2,448 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 9,454 (3,147 ) (1,791 ) 15 4,531 Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests (420 ) — — — (420 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation 9,034 (3,147 ) (1,791 ) 15 4,111 Balance at March 31, 2019 $ (150,776 ) $ (1,758 ) $ (431,875 ) $ (16 ) $ (584,425 ) 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, 2019 $ (143,340 ) $ (3,717 ) $ (440,562 ) $ (3 ) $ (587,622 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (71,472 ) (b) (1,042 ) (c) 21,429 (b) (18 ) (51,103 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax 12,906 (645 ) 8,840 — 21,101 Total other comprehensive income (loss) (58,566 ) (1,687 ) 30,269 (18 ) (30,002 ) Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,148 — — — 1,148 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation (57,418 ) (1,687 ) 30,269 (18 ) (28,854 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (200,758 ) $ (5,404 ) $ (410,293 ) $ (21 ) $ (616,476 ) (a) Represents the adoption of the new accounting standard on January 1, 2019 related to stranded tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (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 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations March 31 March 31 Recognition of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments: Gain on substantial liquidation of subsidiaries (d) $ — $ (2,271 ) Other expenses, net Loss on substantial liquidation of subsidiaries (d) 12,906 — Gain on sale of discontinued business Amortization of cash flow hedging instruments: Foreign currency exchange forward contracts $ (1,404 ) $ (32 ) Product revenues Cross-currency interest rate swaps 305 314 Interest expense Interest rate swaps 378 (301 ) Interest expense Total before tax (721 ) (19 ) Tax expense 76 (44 ) Total reclassification of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax $ (645 ) $ (63 ) Amortization of defined benefit pension items (e) : Recognized losses $ 5,080 $ 5,058 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Recognized prior-service costs 107 66 Defined benefit pension income (expense) Pension liability transfer - discontinued business 5,363 — Gain on sale of discontinued business Total before tax 10,550 5,124 Tax benefit (1,710 ) (342 ) Total reclassification of defined benefit pension items, net of tax $ 8,840 $ 4,782 (d) No tax impact. (e) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs. See Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, for additional details.

Acquisitions and Dispositions -

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Acquisitions Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues		$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Additional interest expense		12,649	5,507
Purchase price		4,157	(680)
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of interests acquired	100.00%
Enterprise valuation	$ 625,000
Cash consideration	628,000
Estimated reimbursements	8,000
Goodwill to be deductible for income tax purposes	$ 16,300
Direct acquisition costs		$ 100	600
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Acquisition-related Borrowings
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Additional interest expense			$ 9,000

Acquisitions and Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 28, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 727,882	$ 738,369
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	3,600
Trade accounts receivable, net	62,500
Other receivables	2,100
Other current assets	7,300
Property, plant and equipment	77,200
Right-of-use assets	25,800
Goodwill	330,100
Intangible assets	242,200		$ 261,100
Other assets	1,200
Accounts payable	(23,100)
Acquisition consideration payable	0
Other current liabilities	(19,700)
Net deferred taxes liabilities	(45,400)
Operating lease liabilities	(19,500)
Other liabilities	(8,600)
Total identifiable net assets of Clean Earth	635,700		635,900
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	330,101	$ 330,230
Measurement Period Adjustments
Intangible assets	(18,900)
Total identifiable intangible assets of Clean Earth	200
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			42,800
Cash	(39,200)
Trade accounts receivable, net			63,700
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment	(1,200)
Other receivables			800
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustmen	1,300
Other current assets			8,700
Other Current Assets	(1,400)
Property, plant and equipment			75,600
Property, Plant, and Equipment	1,600
Right-of-use assets			14,400
Right of Use Asset	11,400
Goodwill			313,800
Intangible assets			261,100
Other assets			4,000
Other Assets	(2,800)
Accounts payable			(23,000)
Business Combination, Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Accounts Payable	(100)
Acquisition consideration payable			(39,200)
Acquisition Consideration Payable	39,200
Other current liabilities			(18,000)
Other Current Liabilities	(1,700)
Net deferred taxes liabilities			(51,200)
Net deferred Taxes Liability	(5,800)
Operating lease liabilities			(11,100)
Operating lease liabilities	8,400
Other liabilities			$ (6,500)
Other Liabilities	2,100
Measurement Period Adjustments
Intangible assets	(18,900)
Goodwill	$ 16,300

Acquisitions and Dispositions_3

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Preliminary Valuation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Amortization Periods (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Preliminary Valuation	$ 261.1	$ 242.2
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Permits
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Amortization Period	18 years
Preliminary Valuation	$ 176.1	170.1
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Customer relationships
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Amortization Period	8 years
Preliminary Valuation	$ 33.4	20.5
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Air rights
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Amortization Period	27 years
Preliminary Valuation	$ 25.6	25.6
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Trade names
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Amortization Period	12 years
Preliminary Valuation	$ 26	26
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets		(18.9)
Customer Relationships		(12.9)
Permits		(6)
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Preliminary Valuation	$ 261.1
Intangible assets		$ (18.9)

Acquisitions and Dispositions_4

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 12,649	$ 5,507
Gain on disposition of business	(18,462)
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenues		393,500
Pro forma net income (including discontinued operations)		15,600
Gain on disposition of business	$ 417,500
Acquisition-related Costs [Member] | Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest expense		$ 9,000

Acquisitions and Dispositions_5

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Dispositions Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2020
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	$ 37,219	$ 0
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Face Amount	40,000
Receivables, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 31,000		$ 34,300
Harsco Industrial IKG [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Selling price			85,000
Disposal Group, Net Gain on Disposal, After Tax			18,500
Disposal Group, Net Gain on Disposal			$ 9,000
Harsco Industrial | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Corporate overhead expenses		$ 1,400

Acquisitions and Dispositions_6

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Financial Information Included in Net Income from Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	$ 18,462	$ 0
Harsco Industrial | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Amounts directly attributable to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Total revenues	10,203	117,386
Cost of products sold	8,082	87,695
Income from discontinued business	218	14,192
Additional amounts allocated to the former Harsco Industrial Segment:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,266	0
Interest expense	$ 0	$ 4,232

Acquisitions and Dispositions_7

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - Harsco Industrial - Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Non-cash operating items
Depreciation and amortization	$ 0	$ 2,025
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	$ 106	$ 2,175

Accounts Receivable (Details)

Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 333,725		$ 323,502
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Face Amount	$ 40,000
Note Receivable; Interest Rate; Stated percentage	2.50%
Greater than 12 months [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 3,700
Harsco Industrial IKG [Member] | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Selling price		$ 85,000

Accounts Receivable - Schedule

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 31,000	$ 34,300
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Net Amount	34,569		$ 0
Trade accounts receivable	333,725		323,502
Less: Allowance for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts	13,015		13,512
Trade accounts receivable, net	320,710		309,990
Other receivables	$ 18,685		$ 21,265

Accounts Receivable - Schedul_2

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Changes in Provisions For Allowance For Credit Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Increase (decrease) in provision for expected credit losses and doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	$ 219	$ (10)

Accounts Receivable - Schedul_3

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Fair Value of Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivable with Imputed Interest, Net Amount	$ 34,569		$ 0
Receivables, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 31,000	$ 34,300

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Contract estimated forward loss provision for Harsco Rail Segment			$ 1,800	$ 45,100
Loss provision that exceeds accumulated contract costs	$ 6,400
Revenues	398,841	$ 329,902
SBB [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 10,100	$ 4,700
Contract 2 [Member] | SBB [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage complete	50.00%

Inventories - Schedule of Inven

Inventories - Schedule of Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 13,138	$ 14,550
Work-in-process	10,795	13,088
Raw materials and purchased parts	118,637	104,488
Stores and supplies	25,320	24,865
Total inventories	$ 167,890	$ 156,991

Property, Plant and Equipment_2

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 1,704,360	$ 1,806,603
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,171,011)	(1,244,817)
Property, plant and equipment, net	533,349	561,786
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	29,811	30,409
Land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	17,822	19,155
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	180,907	182,795
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	1,418,493	1,518,652
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 57,327	$ 55,592

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating And Finance Leases, Excluding Short Term Leases, Weighted-Average Remaining Lease Term	30 years 7 months 6 days
Operating And Finance Leases, Excluding Short Term Leases, Renewal Option	10 years
Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases (in years)	11 years 9 months 21 days	11 years 6 months 25 days

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Finance leases:
Amortization expense	$ 371	$ 310
Interest on lease liabilities	52	4
Operating leases	4,284	3,693
Short-term leases	6,703	4,571
Variable lease expense	408	219
Sublease Income	(50)	(49)
Total lease expense from continuing operations	$ 11,768	$ 8,748

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Cash flows from operating activities - Operating leases		$ 3,789	$ 3,552
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability		324	363
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$ 34,000	2,217	34,750
Finance leases		$ 1,234	$ 373

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Leases:
Right-of-use assets, net	$ 50,491	$ 52,065
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	12,421	12,544
Operating lease liabilities	35,561	36,974
Finance Leases:
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,291	3,519
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,346	1,237
Long-term debt	$ 2,984	$ 2,218

Leases - Supplemental Additiona

Leases - Supplemental Additional Information (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other information:
Weighted average remaining lease term - Operating leases (in years)	11 years 9 months 21 days	11 years 6 months 25 days
Weighted average remaining lease term - Finance leases (in years)	3 years 10 months 20 days	4 years 3 days
Weighted average discount rate - Operating leases	6.30%	6.30%
Weighted average discount rate - Finance leases	4.30%	4.20%

Leases - Maturities of Lease Li

Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	$ 11,458
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	1,069
Operating Leases
2021	11,527
2022	7,615
2023	5,369
2024	3,210
After 2024	32,018
Total lease payments	71,197
Less: Imputed interest	(23,215)
Total	47,982
Finance Leases
2021	1,198
2022	941
2023	748
2024	587
After 2024	43
Total lease payments	4,586
Less: Imputed interest	(256)
Total	$ 4,330

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2019	$ 738,369
Goodwill, Other Increase (Decrease)	1,656
Foreign currency translation	(12,143)
Balance at March 31, 2020	727,882
Harsco Environmental Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2019	395,113
Goodwill, Other Increase (Decrease)	1,785
Foreign currency translation	(12,143)
Balance at March 31, 2020	384,755
Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2019	330,230
Goodwill, Other Increase (Decrease)	(129)
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2020	330,101
Harsco Rail Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at December 31, 2019	13,026
Goodwill, Other Increase (Decrease)	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Balance at March 31, 2020	$ 13,026

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 411,845		$ 412,657
Accumulated Amortization	117,125		113,575
Amortization expense for intangible assets	5,918	$ 1,939
Estimated amortization expense for next 5 years
2020	24,300
2021	23,100
2022	22,400
2023	22,400
2024	22,400
Customer related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	143,092		143,996
Accumulated Amortization	99,280		99,327
Permits
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	170,448		170,322
Accumulated Amortization	7,045		4,694
Patents
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	192		249
Accumulated Amortization	132		168
Technology related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	36,739		36,467
Accumulated Amortization	6,142		5,635
Trade names
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	31,558		31,719
Accumulated Amortization	2,801		2,182
Air rights
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	26,139		26,139
Accumulated Amortization	549		411
Other
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	3,677		3,765
Accumulated Amortization	$ 1,176		$ 1,158

Debt and Credit Agreements - Na

Debt and Credit Agreements - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment of issuance and amendment fees	$ 1,632	$ 0
Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	1,700
Debt Instrument, Fee Amount	1,600
Other Nonoperating Expense	488	$ 0
Term Loan 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 280,000
Forecast [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum net debt to consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ratio			4	4.5	5

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined benefit plans:
Multiemployer pension plans	$ 409	$ 521
Defined contribution pension plans	3,169	3,390
Pension Plan | U.S. Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	0	10
Interest cost	1,845	2,651
Expected return on plan assets	(2,842)	(2,593)
Recognized prior service costs	0	0
Recognized loss	1,425	1,405
Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit)	428	1,473
Defined benefit pension plan	2,027	1,479
Anticipated contributions to defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of the fiscal year	6,200
Pension Plan | International Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	429	356
Interest cost	4,395	5,664
Expected return on plan assets	(10,190)	(9,517)
Recognized prior service costs	107	66
Recognized loss	3,655	3,653
Defined benefit pension plans net periodic pension cost (benefit)	(1,604)	222
Defined benefit pension plan	10,060	$ 9,270
Anticipated contributions to defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of the fiscal year	$ 11,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (682)	$ 1,219
Unrecognized income tax benefits including interest and penalties	4,500
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$ 300

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Jun. 04, 2018USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2005USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)claimdefendantcase	Apr. 01, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2019USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2019BRL (R$)	Jun. 13, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 19, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 19, 2019BRL (R$)
Commitments and Contingencies
Reserve for loss contingencies			$ 7,000,000
Penalties per day						$ 5,000	R$ 25000		$ 1,000	R$ 5000
Penalties						1,900,000	10,000,000
Pennsylvania Department Of Environmental Protection, Processed Slag | Threatened Litigation
Commitments and Contingencies
Loss contingency reserves								$ 400,000
Netherlands
Commitments and Contingencies
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees			500,000
Allegheny County Health Department [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies
Penalties				$ 4,500
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees			100,000
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Jan 2004 through May 2005 | Sao Paulo State Revenue Authority
Commitments and Contingencies
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees			16,200,000
Damages sought - principal			1,200,000
Loss contingency, reduced penalty	$ 1,000,000
Amount of damages sought	$ 7,000,000
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Jan 2002 through Dec 2003 | Sao Paulo State Revenue Authority
Commitments and Contingencies
Damages sought - interest, penalties and fees		$ 3,700,000
Damages sought - principal		1,200,000
Loss contingency, reduced penalty		1,200,000
Amount of damages sought		4,900,000
Loss contingency, reduced penalty, including interest		$ 10,000,000
Brazilian Labor Claims
Commitments and Contingencies
Loss contingency reserves			$ 5,000,000		$ 6,500,000
Other
Commitments and Contingencies
Approximate number of defendants that includes the company named in legal actions | defendant			90
Number of pending claims | claim			17,138
Number of claims dismissed to date by stipulation or summary judgment prior to trial | case			28,245
Other | Active or In Extremis docket
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | claim			35
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			16,585
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			16,550
Other | New York State Supreme Court, Counties Excluding New York County
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | case			118
Other | Courts Located In States Other Than New York
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of pending claims | case			435
CSN
Commitments and Contingencies
Penalties per day						$ 19,000	R$ 100000		$ 4,000	R$ 20000
Bahrain Operations, Salt Cake Processing Site [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies
Minority interest			35.00%

Reconciliation of Basic and D_3

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ (8,782)	$ 10,474
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	78,761	79,907
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	0	1,746
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	78,761	81,653
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13

Reconciliation of Basic and D_4

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares - Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	749	0
Stock appreciation rights
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	2,643	608
Performance share units
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	940	233

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi_3

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value - Fair Value of Outstanding Derivative Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	$ 9,011	$ 2,985
Liability derivatives	23,076	10,252
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	9,011	2,985
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	13,498	3,873
Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	3,543	2,098
Interest rate swaps | Other liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	6,035	4,281
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	4,113	2,039
Liability derivatives	9,605	6,519
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	4,113	2,039
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	27	140
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	3,543	2,098
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Interest rate swaps | Other liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	6,035	4,281
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	4,898	946
Liability derivatives	13,471	3,733
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current assets
Derivative contracts
Asset derivatives	4,898	946
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	13,471	3,733
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	0	0
Fair Value of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Interest rate swaps | Other liabilities
Derivative contracts
Liability derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi_4

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Liabilities		$ 1,588,300,000			$ 1,577,808,000
Pre-tax net gains (losses) on certain loans designated as hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries		(9,700,000)	$ 4,800,000
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income		(721,000)
Long-term debt		739,200,000			827,200,000
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Derivative, Notional Amount		432,000,000			496,300,000
Term Loan Facility, Fixed-Rate | Term Loan
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Principal amount		$ 200,000,000				$ 300,000,000
LIBOR | Term Loan Facility, Fixed-Rate | Term Loan
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Variable rate basis spread		2.45%
LIBOR | Forecast [Member] | Term Loan Facility, Fixed-Rate | Term Loan
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Variable rate basis spread				3.12%
Floating-Rate To Fixed-Rate
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Converted debt	$ 100,000,000
Reported Value Measurement
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Long-term debt		$ 810,300,000			$ 795,000,000

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi_5

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value - Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives	$ (1,483)
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives		$ (4,073)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity	721
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity		(19)
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives	2,037
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives		(712)
Foreign currency exchange forward contracts | Cost of services and products sold
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity	1,404
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity		(32)
Interest rate swaps | Interest Expense
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity	(378)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity		(301)
Interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives	(3,578)
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives		(3,309)
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives	58
Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives		(52)
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Interest Expense
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity	$ (305)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion or Equity		$ 314

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi_6

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Fair Value - Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Product Revenues	$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Interest Expense	(12,649)	(5,507)
Income From Discontinued Businesses	(225)	13,750
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	721
Product Revenues | Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	0
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		0
Product Revenues | Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	1,404
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		32
Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings	183
Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings		78
Product Revenues | Cross-currency interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	0
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		0
Interest Expense | Interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	(378)
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		301
Interest Expense | Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	0
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		0
Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings	0
Amount excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings		0
Interest Expense | Cross-currency interest rate swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	(305)
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income		(314)
Cost of services and products sold | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of gain or reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income	1,404
Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives	5,542	2,323
Product Revenues
Derivative [Line Items]
Product Revenues	107,502	100,382
Cost of services sold	80,149	69,309
Products And Services, Service Revenue [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Product Revenues	291,339	229,520
Cost of services sold	$ 236,319	$ 181,871

Review of Operations by Segme_3

Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Operating income from continuing operations	2,881	19,824
Interest income	193	533
Interest expense	(12,649)	(5,507)
Unused debt commitment and amendment fees	(488)	0
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	1,589	(1,338)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(8,474)	13,512
Depreciation and Amortization	36,281	31,224
Capital Expenditures	27,787	34,232
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	21,237	29,886
Corporate
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(18,356)	(10,062)
Depreciation and Amortization	1,152	1,352
Capital Expenditures	58	1,153
Harsco Environmental Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Revenues	241,559	261,312
Operating income from continuing operations	10,520	24,497
Depreciation and Amortization	27,311	28,705
Capital Expenditures	24,748	29,163
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Revenues	78,812	0
Operating income from continuing operations	4,245	0
Depreciation and Amortization	6,519	0
Capital Expenditures	1,442	0
Harsco Rail Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Revenues	78,470	68,590
Operating income from continuing operations	6,472	5,389
Depreciation and Amortization	1,299	1,167
Capital Expenditures	$ 1,539	$ 3,916

Revenue Recognition - Revenues

Revenue Recognition - Revenues by Primary Geographical Markets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 398,841	$ 329,902
Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,812	0
Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	207,346	224,061
Applied Products [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	30,262	30,390
Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,951	6,861
Railway Track Maintenance Equipment [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	42,615	33,608
After-market Parts and Services; Safety and Diagnostic Technology [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	31,200	31,301
Railway Contracting Services [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,655	3,681
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	202,466	123,714
Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	114,481	108,234
Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	33,925	37,582
Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	27,864	41,759
Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	15,889	13,915
Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,216	4,698
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	241,559	261,312
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	207,346	224,061
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Applied Products [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	30,262	30,390
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,951	6,861
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Railway Track Maintenance Equipment [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | After-market Parts and Services; Safety and Diagnostic Technology [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Railway Contracting Services [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	69,881	73,349
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	96,317	98,221
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	33,260	36,991
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	21,996	34,138
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	15,889	13,915
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,216	4,698
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,812	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,812	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Applied Products [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Railway Track Maintenance Equipment [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | After-market Parts and Services; Safety and Diagnostic Technology [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Railway Contracting Services [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,812	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	78,470	68,590
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Applied Products [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Railway Track Maintenance Equipment [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	42,615	33,608
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | After-market Parts and Services; Safety and Diagnostic Technology [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	31,200	31,301
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Railway Contracting Services [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,655	3,681
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	53,773	50,365
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	18,164	10,013
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Latin America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	665	591
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Asia-Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	5,868	7,621
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Middle East and Africa
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment | Eastern Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing and related logistical services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Applied Products [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Railway Track Maintenance Equipment [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | After-market Parts and Services; Safety and Diagnostic Technology [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Railway Contracting Services [Domain]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate | Western Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
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 - Narrative

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total contract assets	$ 50.5		$ 31.2
Total advances on contracts	101.6		$ 60.3
Revenue recognized	$ 18	$ 17

Revenue Recognition - Remaining

Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Harsco Metals and Minerals
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 98.1
Harsco Metals and Minerals | 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	36.1
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Metals and Minerals | 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	17.9
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Metals and Minerals | 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	15.7
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Metals and Minerals | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	11.6
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Metals and Minerals | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Rail Segment
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	331.6
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	111.3
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	94.6
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	65.4
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 49.8
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year
Harsco Rail Segment | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Period of expected timing of satisfaction		1 year

Revenue Recognition - Remaini_2

Revenue Recognition - Remaining Performance Obligation (2) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Harsco Metals and Minerals
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 98.1
Harsco Rail Segment
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 331.6

Other (Income) Expenses, Net (D

Other (Income) Expenses, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee termination benefit costs	$ 5,455	$ 2,519
Net gains	(19)	(2,271)
Other costs to exit activities	176	1,155
Impaired asset write-downs	69	214
Contingent consideration adjustments	0	369
Other	52	(243)
Other expenses, net	$ 5,733	$ 1,743

Components of Accumulated Oth_3

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 0
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	$ 789,659	$ 313,376
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(51,103)	2,083
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	21,101	2,448
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(30,002)	4,531
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,148	(420)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(28,854)	4,111
Balances	758,870	335,272
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(143,340)	(159,810)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(71,472)	11,725
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	12,906	(2,271)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(58,566)	9,454
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,148	(420)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(57,418)	9,034
Balances	(200,758)	(150,776)
Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			0
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(3,717)	1,389
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1,042)	(3,084)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(645)	(63)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,687)	(3,147)
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(1,687)	(3,147)
Balances	(5,404)	(1,758)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			(21,429)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(440,562)	(408,655)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	21,429	(6,573)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	8,840	4,782
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	30,269	(1,791)
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	30,269	(1,791)
Balances	(410,293)	(431,875)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(3)	(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(18)	15
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(18)	15
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(18)	15
Balances	(21)	(16)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ (21,429)
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances	(587,622)	(567,107)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(28,854)	4,111
Balances	$ (616,476)	$ (584,425)

Components of Accumulated Oth_4

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net	$ (5,733)	$ (1,743)
Product revenues	398,841	329,902
Interest expense	12,649	5,507
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(8,474)	13,512
Income tax expense (benefit)	(682)	1,219
Net income	1,227	22,537
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net	0
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	10,550	5,124
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,710)	(342)
Net income	8,840	4,782
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	(721)	(19)
Income tax expense (benefit)	76	(44)
Net income	(645)	(63)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign currency exchange forward contracts
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net		(2,271)
Discontinued Operation, Gain From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation, Before Income Tax	12,906	0
Product revenues	(1,404)	(32)
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	305	314
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Effective Portion of Deriviatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Interest rate swaps
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	378	(301)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Actuarial losses
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	5,080	5,058
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Prior service costs (benefits)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	5,363
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	$ 107	$ 66

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2019USD ($)
ESOL [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$ 462.5

Uncategorized Items - hsc-03312

Label	Element	Value
Retained Earnings [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleCumulativeEffectOfChangeOnEquityOrNetAssets1	$ 21,429,000