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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	HARSCO CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000045876
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 2,630,582,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		80,531,999
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 121,184	$ 124,238
Trade accounts receivable, net	618,475	585,301
Other receivables	44,431	29,299
Inventories	241,934	271,617
Other current assets	133,407	144,491
Total current assets	1,159,431	1,154,946
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,274,484	1,366,973
Goodwill	680,901	690,787
Intangible assets, net	93,501	120,959
Other assets	130,560	135,555
Total assets	3,338,877	3,469,220
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	51,414	31,197
Current maturities of long-term debt	3,558	4,011
Accounts payable	252,329	261,509
Accrued compensation	92,603	83,928
Income taxes payable	8,409	9,718
Dividends payable	16,498	16,505
Insurance liabilities	25,075	25,844
Advances on contracts	111,429	128,794
Other current liabilities	220,953	206,358
Total current liabilities	782,268	767,864
Long-term debt	853,800	849,724
Deferred income taxes	27,430	35,642
Insurance liabilities	60,864	62,202
Retirement plan liabilities	343,842	223,777
Other liabilities	50,755	61,866
Total liabilities	2,118,959	2,001,075
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
HARSCO CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, Series A junior participating cumulative preferred stock
Common stock, par value $1.25 (issued 111,931,267 and 111,611,102 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	139,914	139,514
Additional paid-in capital	149,066	141,298
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(364,191)	(185,932)
Retained earnings	1,996,234	2,073,920
Treasury stock, at cost (31,454,097 and 31,097,043 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	(744,644)	(737,106)
Total Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity	1,176,379	1,431,694
Noncontrolling interests	43,539	36,451
Total equity	1,219,918	1,468,145
Harsco Corporation stockholders' equity:
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,338,877	$ 3,469,220

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 1.25
Common stock, issued shares	111,931,267	111,611,102
Treasury stock, shares	31,454,097	31,097,043

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Revenues from continuing operations:

Service revenues

$ 2,700,664

$ 2,511,505

$ 2,442,198

Product revenues

602,076

527,173

548,379

Total revenues

3,302,740

3,038,678

2,990,577

Costs and expenses from continuing operations:

Cost of services sold

2,162,948

1,994,637

1,897,408

Cost of products sold

407,680

342,242

354,730

Selling, general and administrative expenses

535,679

532,624

509,071

Research and development expenses

6,044

4,271

3,151

Other expenses

102,740

86,473

7,561

Total costs and expenses

3,215,091

2,960,247

2,771,921

Operating income from continuing operations

87,649

78,431

218,656

Interest income

2,751

2,668

2,928

Interest expense

(48,735)

(60,623)

(62,746)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income

41,665

20,476

158,838

Income tax expense

(49,848)

(4,276)

(18,509)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net

690

390

504

Income (loss) from continuing operations

(7,493)

16,590

140,833

Discontinued operations:

Loss on disposal of discontinued business

(3,306)

(7,249)

(21,907)

Income tax benefit related to discontinued business

1,243

3,118

6,846

Loss from discontinued operations

(2,063)

(4,131)

(15,061)

Net income (loss)

(9,556)

12,459

125,772

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(1,954)

(5,705)

(6,995)

Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation

(11,510)

6,754

118,777

Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax

(9,447)

10,885

133,838

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(2,063)

(4,131)

(15,061)

Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders

$ (11,510)

$ 6,754

$ 118,777

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)

80,736

80,569

80,295

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:

Continuing operations (in dollars per share)

$ (0.12)

$ 0.14

$ 1.67

Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)

(0.03)

(0.05)

(0.19)

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)

$ (0.14)

^[1]

$ 0.08

^[1]

$ 1.48

Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)

80,736

80,761

80,586

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:

Continuing operations (in dollars per share)

$ (0.12)

$ 0.13

$ 1.66

Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)

(0.03)

(0.05)

(0.19)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)

$ (0.14)

^[1]

$ 0.08

$ 1.47

[1]	Does not total due to rounding.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,556)	$ 12,459	$ 125,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation	276,021	279,234	282,976
Amortization	34,420	36,005	28,555
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net	(690)	(390)	(504)
Dividends or distributions from unconsolidated entities	226	176	410
Harsco Infrastructure Segment 2010 Restructuring Program non-cash adjustment		43,158
Harsco 2011/2012 Restructuring Program non-cash adjustment	67,320
Other, net	(7,432)	(20,629)	6,145
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions of businesses:
Accounts receivable	(58,011)	4,395	111,207
Inventories	7,976	12,599	35,798
Accounts payable	(2,713)	36,529	(54,701)
Accrued interest payable	(375)	(2,615)	(1,305)
Accrued compensation	12,554	16,305	(23,402)
Harsco Infrastructure Segment 2010 Restructuring Program accrual	(19,629)	29,817
Harsco 2011/2012 Restructuring Program accrual	30,471
Other assets and liabilities	(31,806)	(45,616)	(76,493)
Net cash provided by operating activities	298,776	401,427	434,458
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(313,101)	(192,348)	(165,320)
Proceeds from sales of assets	42,653	22,663	2,115
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired*	(1,938)	(27,643)	(103,241)
Other investing activities, net	16,564	(4,695)	(2,914)
Net cash used by investing activities	(255,822)	(202,023)	(269,360)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term borrowings, net	21,637	(25,706)	(79,670)
Current maturities and long-term debt:
Additions	301,515	747,213	482,493
Reductions	(297,854)	(821,038)	(487,171)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(66,146)	(65,976)	(63,813)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(4,171)	(5,850)	(3,487)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(1,159)	(13,057)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	8,851	698	5,332
Common stock issued - options	2,403	997	995
Common stock acquired for treasury	(5,788)
Other financing activities, net	(1)	(700)	(5,705)
Net cash used by financing activities	(39,554)	(171,521)	(164,083)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(6,454)	2,171	1,833
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(3,054)	30,054	2,848
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,238	94,184	91,336
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 121,184	$ 124,238	$ 94,184

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
*Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Working capital, other than cash		$ (1,918)	$ (2,399)
Property, plant and equipment	$ (1,394)	(15,600)	(68,906)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(544)	(10,125)	(31,936)
Net cash used to acquire businesses	$ (1,938)	$ (27,643)	$ (103,241)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock Issued	Common Stock Treasury	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests
Balances at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 1,449,972	$ 138,925	$ (733,203)	$ 137,083	$ 2,079,170	$ (208,299)	$ 36,296
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	125,772				118,777		6,995
Cash dividends declared:
Common @ $0.82, $0.82 and $0.805 per share in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(64,650)				(64,650)
Noncontrolling interests	(3,487)						(3,487)
Translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $2,504, $7,612 and $(21,866) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	97,064					96,802	262
Cash flow hedging instrument adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(2,101), $347 and $10,849 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(30,041)					(30,041)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(13,046)			(3,905)			(9,141)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	5,332						5,332
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $19,143, $(9,727) and $26,012 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(60,150)					(60,150)
Marketable securities unrealized gains (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $7, $(7) and $(2) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	4					4
Stock options exercised, net 157,058, 91,485 and 76,605 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	1,058	115	(423)	1,366
Vesting of restricted stock units, net 92,630, 69,515 and 101,918 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(1,880)	194	(1,390)	(684)
Amortization of unearned stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,886			3,886
Balances at Dec. 31, 2009	1,509,834	139,234	(735,016)	137,746	2,133,297	(201,684)	36,257
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	12,459				6,754		5,705
Cash dividends declared:
Common @ $0.82, $0.82 and $0.805 per share in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(66,131)				(66,131)
Noncontrolling interests	(5,850)						(5,850)
Translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $2,504, $7,612 and $(21,866) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(6,633)					(6,430)	(203)
Cash flow hedging instrument adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(2,101), $347 and $10,849 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(700)					(700)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	(1,159)			(1,003)			(156)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	698						698
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $19,143, $(9,727) and $26,012 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	22,872					22,872
Marketable securities unrealized gains (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $7, $(7) and $(2) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	10					10
Stock options exercised, net 157,058, 91,485 and 76,605 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	754	144	(836)	1,446
Vesting of restricted stock units, net 92,630, 69,515 and 101,918 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(1,306)	136	(1,254)	(188)
Amortization of unearned stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,297			3,297
Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	1,468,145	139,514	(737,106)	141,298	2,073,920	(185,932)	36,451
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(9,556)				(11,510)		1,954
Cash dividends declared:
Common @ $0.82, $0.82 and $0.805 per share in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(66,176)				(66,176)
Noncontrolling interests	(4,171)						(4,171)
Translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $2,504, $7,612 and $(21,866) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(60,575)					(60,354)	(221)
Cash flow hedging instrument adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $(2,101), $347 and $10,849 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	5,933					5,933
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	9,526						9,526
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $19,143, $(9,727) and $26,012 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(123,827)					(123,827)
Marketable securities unrealized gains (loss), net of deferred income taxes of $7, $(7) and $(2) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(11)					(11)
Stock options exercised, net 157,058, 91,485 and 76,605 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	2,319	249	(840)	2,910
Vesting of restricted stock units, net 92,630, 69,515 and 101,918 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	226	151	(910)	985
Treasury shares repurchased, 286,577 shares	(5,788)		(5,788)
Amortization of unearned stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures	3,873			3,873
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,219,918	$ 139,914	$ (744,644)	$ 149,066	$ 1,996,234	$ (364,191)	$ 43,539

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Cash dividends declared, Common, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.82	$ 0.805
Translation adjustments, deferred income taxes	$ 2,504	$ 7,612	$ (21,866)
Cash flow hedging instrument adjustments, deferred income taxes	(2,101)	347	10,849
Pension liability adjustments, deferred income taxes	19,143	(9,727)	26,012
Marketable securities unrealized gains (loss), deferred income taxes	$ 7	$ (7)	$ (2)
Stock options exercised (in shares)	157,058	91,485	76,605
Vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	92,630	69,515	101,918
Treasury shares repurchased (in shares)	286,577

- Definition

Tax effect on the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into reporting currency of the reporting entity for the period being reported.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 23, 24, 25, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 25
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 31
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32211-110900

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph c(3)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period related to Restricted Stock Awards, net of any shares forfeited.

+ References + Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net income (loss)	$ (9,556)	$ 12,459	$ 125,772
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income taxes	(60,575)	(6,633)	97,064
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $(2,126), $355 and $10,490 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	5,991	(712)	(29,375)
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on cash flow hedging instruments, net of deferred income taxes of $25, $(8) and $359 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(58)	12	(666)
Pension liability adjustments, net of deferred income taxes of $19,143, $(9,727) and $26,012 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(123,827)	22,872	(60,150)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $7, $(8) and $(2) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(11)	12	4
Reclassification adjustment for gain on marketable securities, net of deferred income taxes of $1 in 2010		(2)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(178,480)	15,549	6,877
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(188,036)	28,008	132,649
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,733)	(5,502)	(7,257)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (189,769)	$ 22,506	$ 125,392

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments, deferred income taxes	$ (2,126)	$ 355	$ 10,490
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss on cash flow hedging instruments, deferred income taxes	25	(8)	359
Pension liability adjustments, deferred income taxes	19,143	(9,727)	26,012
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, deferred income taxes	$ 7	(8)	$ (2)
Reclassification adjustment for gain on marketable securities, deferred income taxes		$ 1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all accounts of Harsco Corporation ("the Company"), all entities in which the Company has a controlling voting interest, and variable interest entities required to be consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated among consolidated entities.

The Company's management has evaluated all activity of the Company and concluded that subsequent events are properly reflected in the Company's financial statements and notes as required by standards for accounting and disclosure of subsequent events.

Reclassifications and Out-of-Period Adjustments

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' amounts to conform with current year classifications.

During 2009, the Company recorded non-cash, out-of-period adjustments that had the net effect of reducing after-tax income by $4 million or $0.05 per diluted share. The adjustments correct errors generated principally by the improper recognition of certain revenues and delaying the recognition of certain expenses ($9 million or $0.11 per diluted share) by one subsidiary, in one country, from 2007 through 2009. These errors primarily related to the failure to receive advance customer agreement and to invoice on a timely basis for additional work performed for two customers. The Company assessed the individual and aggregate impact of these adjustments on the year 2009 and all prior periods and determined that the cumulative effect of the adjustments was not material to the full-year 2009 results and did not result in a material misstatement to any previously issued annual or quarterly financial statements. Consequently, the Company recorded the $4 million net adjustment in 2009 and did not revise any previously issued annual financial statements or interim financial data. The Company also concluded that a 2010 tax adjustment (see Note 10, "Income Taxes") did not materially affect any previously issued annual financial statements or interim financial data.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments that are highly liquid in nature and have an original maturity of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventories in the United States are principally accounted for using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Other inventories are accounted for using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") or average cost methods.

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using principally the straight-line method. When property is retired from service, the cost of the retirement is charged to the allowance for depreciation to the extent of the accumulated depreciation and the balance is charged to income. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are not depreciated while they are held for sale.

Leases

The Company leases certain property and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements. All lease agreements are evaluated and classified as either an operating lease or capital lease. A lease is classified as a capital lease if any of the following criteria are met: transfer of ownership to the Company by the end of the lease term; the lease contains a bargain purchase option; the lease term is equal to or greater than 75% of the asset's economic life; or the present value of future minimum lease payments is equal to or greater than 90% of the asset's fair market value. Operating lease expense is recognized ratably over the entire lease term, including rent abatement periods and rent holidays.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is not amortized; instead, it is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to sell a business. The valuation date for annual impairment testing is October 1. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include a decline in expected cash flows, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, unanticipated competition or slower growth rates, among others. It is important to note that fair values that could be realized in an actual transaction may differ from those used to evaluate the impairment of goodwill.

Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. The Company has seven reporting units (only four of which have goodwill associated with them), of which two are included in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment. The remaining two reporting units with associated goodwill are the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and the Harsco Rail Segment. Approximately 83% of the total goodwill is allocated to two reporting units as follows: the Harsco Infrastructure Segment ($259.7 million) and the Harsco Metals business ($303.7 million) which is included in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment.

The evaluation of impairment involves comparing the current fair value of each reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill. The Company uses a discounted cash flow model ("DCF model") to estimate the current fair value of its reporting units when testing for impairment, as management believes forecasted operating cash flows are the best indicator of such fair value. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF model to forecast operating cash flows, including future sales growth, operating margin growth, benefits from restructuring initiatives, tax rates, capital spending, pension funding, business initiatives, and working capital changes. These assumptions may vary significantly among the reporting units. Operating cash flow forecasts are based on approved business-unit operating plans for the early years and historical relationships and projections in later years. The weighted-average cost of capital ("WACC") rate is estimated for each reporting unit. The basis for the WACC rate is derived from several internal and external factors including but not limited to the average market price of the Company's stock, the number of shares outstanding, the book value of the Company's debt, a long-term risk-free interest rate, and both market and size-specific risk premiums. The Company has not materially changed its methodology for goodwill impairment testing for the years presented. Due to the many variables inherent in the estimation of a reporting unit's fair value and the relative size of the company's recorded goodwill, differences in assumptions may have a material effect on the results of the Company's impairment analysis.

The performance of the Company's 2011 annual impairment tests did not result in any impairment of the Company's goodwill. For the Harsco Metals business, the fair value exceeded the net book value by approximately 7.4%. This is a decline from prior year due to a higher WACC. For the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, the fair value exceeded the net book value by approximately 9.1%. This is an increase from prior year due to a lower net book value partially offset by a higher WACC. The WACCs utilized in the 2011 analysis ranged from 10.0% to 12.0%. Had the fair value of each of the Company's reporting units been hypothetically lower by 5% at October 1, 2011 the fair value of all reporting units would still exceed their net book value. Had the fair value of each of the Company's reporting units been hypothetically lower by 10% at October 1, 2011 the Harsco Metals business and Harsco Infrastructure Segment net book values would have exceeded fair value by approximately $32.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Additionally, had the WACC of each of the Company's reporting units been hypothetically increased by 50 basis points at October 1, 2011, the fair value of all reporting units would still exceed their net book value.

If the net book value of a reporting unit were to exceed the fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test would be required to be performed to determine if an impairment existed and the ultimate amount of impairment loss to record. The additional analysis would compare the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill with the implied fair value of that goodwill, which would involve the use of valuation experts. The implied fair value of goodwill is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the fair value amounts assigned to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit was acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit represented the purchase price.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Other than Goodwill)

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company's policy is to record an impairment loss when it is determined that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from use of the asset, and its eventual disposition. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, normally as determined in either open market transactions or through the use of a discounted cash flow model. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

Revenue Recognition

Service revenues and product revenues are recognized when they are realized or realizable and when earned. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the Company's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Service revenues include the Harsco Infrastructure Segment as well as service revenues of the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment and Harsco Rail Segment. Product revenues include the Harsco Industrial Segment and the product revenues of the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment and the Harsco Rail Segment.

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment—This Segment provides services predominantly on a long-term, volume-of-production contract basis. Contracts may include both fixed monthly fees as well as variable fees based upon specific services provided to the customer. The fixed-fee portion is recognized periodically as earned (normally monthly) over the contractual period. The variable-fee portion is recognized as services are performed and differs from period to period based upon the actual provision of services. This Segment also sells industrial abrasives and roofing granules products. Product revenues are recognized generally when title and risk of loss transfer, and when all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met. Title and risk of loss for domestic shipments generally transfer to the customer at the point of shipment. For export sales, title and risk of loss transfer in accordance with the international commercial terms included in the specific customer contract.

Harsco Infrastructure Segment—This Segment provides services under both fixed-fee and time-and-materials short-term contracts, rents equipment under month-to-month rental contracts and, to a lesser extent, sells products to customers. Equipment rentals are recognized as earned over the contractual rental period. Services provided on a fixed-fee basis are recognized over the contractual period based upon the completion of specific units of accounting (i.e., erection and dismantling of equipment). Services provided on a time-and-materials basis are recognized when earned as services are performed. Product sales revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss transfer, and when all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Harsco Rail Segment—This Segment sells railway track maintenance equipment, parts and provides railway track maintenance services. Product sales revenue is recognized generally when title and risk of loss transfer, and when all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met. Title and risk of loss for domestic shipments generally transfer to the customer at the point of shipment. For export sales, title and risk of loss transfer in accordance with the international commercial terms included in the specific customer contract. Revenue may be recognized subsequent to the transfer of title and risk of loss for certain product sales, if the specific sales contract includes a customer acceptance clause that provides for different timing. In those situations revenue is recognized after transfer of title and risk of loss and after customer acceptance. Services are predominantly on a long-term, time-and-materials contract basis. Revenue is recognized when earned as services are performed within the long-term contracts.

Harsco Industrial Segment—This Segment sells industrial grating products, heat exchangers, and heat transfer products. Product revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss transfer, and when all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met. Title and risk of loss for domestic shipments generally transfer to the customer at the point of shipment. For export sales, title and risk of loss transfer in accordance with the international commercial terms included in the specific customer contract.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of the events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes that these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determinations, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial results. In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be made that would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company prepares and files its tax returns based on its interpretation of tax laws and regulations and records its provision for income taxes based on these interpretations. Uncertainties may exist in estimating the Company's tax provisions and in filing its tax returns in the many jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and as a result these interpretations may give rise to an uncertain tax position. The tax benefit from an uncertain tax position is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on its technical merits. Each subsequent period the Company determines if existing or new uncertain tax positions meet a more likely than not recognition threshold and adjust accordingly.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within Income tax expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Accrued interest and penalties are included in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In general, it is the practice and the intention of the Company to reinvest the undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Should the Company repatriate future earnings, such amounts would become subject to U.S. taxation upon remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances, thereby giving recognition to current tax expense and to international tax credits.

The significant assumptions and estimates described in the preceding paragraphs are important contributors to the effective tax rate each year.

Accrued Insurance and Loss Reserves

The Company retains a significant portion of the risk for U.S. workers' compensation, U.K. employers' liability, automobile, general and product liability losses. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded insurance expense from continuing operations related to these lines of coverage of approximately $37.0 million, $38.5 million and $38.7 million, respectively. Reserves have been recorded that reflect the undiscounted estimated liabilities including claims incurred but not reported. When a recognized liability is covered by third-party insurance, the Company records an insurance claim receivable to reflect the covered liability. Changes in the estimates of the reserves are included in net income in the period determined. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded retrospective insurance reserve adjustments that decreased pre-tax insurance expense from continuing operations for self-insured programs by $2.7 million, $2.5 million and $3.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company has recorded liabilities of $85.9 million and $88.0 million, respectively, related to both asserted as well as unasserted insurance claims. Included in the balance at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $2.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of recognized liabilities covered by insurance carriers. Amounts estimated to be paid within one year have been classified as current Insurance liabilities, with the remainder included in non-current Insurance liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Warranties

The Company has recorded product warranty reserves of $5.6 million, $5.0 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company provides for warranties of certain products as they are sold. The following table summarizes the warranty activity for 2011, 2010 and 2009:

Warranty Activity

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009

Warranty reserves, beginning of the year	$	5,037		$	4,078		$	2,863
Accruals for warranties issued during the year		4,003			4,399			4,623
Reductions related to pre-existing warranties		(1,769	)		(1,447	)		(1,388	)
Warranties paid		(1,677	)		(2,054	)		(2,059	)
Other (principally foreign currency translation)		2			61			39

Warranty reserves, end of the year	$	5,596		$	5,037		$	4,078

Warranty expense and payments are incurred principally in the Harsco Rail and Harsco Industrial Segments. Warranty activity may vary from year to year depending upon the mix of revenues and contractual terms related to product warranties.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries outside the United States, except for those subsidiaries located in highly inflationary economies and those entities for which the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account, a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income. For subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies, and those entities for which the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and balance sheet translation adjustments are included in net income. In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies.

Financial Instruments and Hedging

The Company has operations throughout the world that are exposed to fluctuations in related foreign currencies in the normal course of business. The Company seeks to reduce exposure to foreign currency fluctuations through the use of forward exchange contracts. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes, and it is the Company's policy to prohibit the use of derivatives for speculative purposes. The Company has a Foreign Currency Risk Management Committee that meets periodically to monitor foreign currency risks.

The Company executes foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge transactions for firm purchase commitments, to hedge variable cash flows of forecasted transactions and for export sales denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts are generally for 90 days or less; however, where appropriate, longer-term contracts may be utilized. For those contracts that are designated as qualified cash flow hedges, gains or losses are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company uses cross-currency interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to lock in fixed local currency interest rates. Under these cross-currency interest rate swaps, the Company receives interest based on a fixed or variable U.S. dollar rate and pays interest based on a fixed local currency rate based on the contractual amounts in dollars and the local currency, respectively.

Amounts recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects income. The cash flows from these contracts are classified consistent with the cash flows from the transaction being hedged (e.g., the cash flows related to contracts to hedge the purchase of fixed assets are included in cash flows from investing activities, etc.). The Company also enters into certain forward exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges. Gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in income based on changes in fair market value. For fair value hedges of a firm commitment, the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged firm commitment are recognized currently in income.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, while diluted earnings per share reflect the dilutive effects of stock-based compensation. All share and per share amounts are restated for any stock splits and stock dividends that occur prior to the issuance of the financial statements. See Note 12, "Capital Stock," for additional information on earnings per share.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

2. Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The following accounting standards have been adopted in 2011:

On January 1, 2011, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued changes related to the accounting for revenue recognition when multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements are present. The changes eliminated the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. This method requires a vendor to use its best estimate of selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence of selling price exists when evaluating multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2011, the Company adopted FASB issued changes related to disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The changes required a reporting entity to disclose, in the reconciliation of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), separate information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). The adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Effective with its December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted FASB issued changes related to the disclosure requirements for multiemployer plans. The changes require increased disclosure by companies participating in multiemployer plans that offer pension or other postretirement benefits. The objective of the changes is to enhance the transparency of disclosures about (1) the significant multiemployer pension plans in which an employer participates; (2) the level of the employer's participation in those plans; (3) the financial health of the plans; and (4) the nature of the employer's commitments to the plans. Other than additional disclosure requirements, the adoption of these changes had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The disclosures required by these changes are included in Note 9, "Employee Benefit Plans."

The following accounting standards have been issued and become effective for the Company at various future dates:

In May 2011, the FASB issued changes related to fair value measurement and disclosure. The changes are the result of convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards and relate to how to measure fair value and expand on existing disclosure requirements. These changes become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2012. Management has determined these changes will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued changes related to the presentation of comprehensive income. The changes remove certain presentation options and require entities to report components of comprehensive income in either a continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements. There is no change to the items that are reported in other comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB indefinitely deferred a requirement dealing with the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The non-deferred changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2012. Other than the sequencing of financial statements, management has determined these changes will not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued changes related to testing for goodwill impairment. The changes allow for an assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. The changes become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of these changes will not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but it may impact the manner in which the Company performs testing.

In December 2011, the FASB issued changes related to offsetting assets and liabilities. The changes require additional disclosure information regarding offsetting assets and liabilities to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect on financial position. Management is currently evaluating these changes and believes that it may require additional disclosure, but will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. These changes become effective for the Company on January 1, 2013 with retrospective application required.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions

3. Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions

In September 2010, the Company acquired an increased ownership share of its United Arab Emirates consolidated subsidiary in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment for $0.2 million. The acquisition was accounted for as an equity transaction since the Company retained its controlling interest in the subsidiary.

In January 2010, the Company acquired Bell Scaffolding Group ("Bell"), an Australia-based infrastructure solutions provider serving the industrial, infrastructure and commercial construction sectors. Bell's capabilities range from technical design and support through supply and erect contracts. Historically, Bell generated annual revenues of approximately $40 million and has been included in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment.

Inclusion of the pro-forma financial information for the above transactions is not necessary due to the immaterial size of the acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate.

Certain of the Company's acquisitions in prior years included contingent consideration features for which defined goals needed to be met by the acquired business in order for payment of the consideration. Each quarter until settlement of these contingencies, the Company assessed the likelihood that an acquired business would achieve the goals and the resulting fair value of the contingency. In accordance with accounting standards for business combinations, these adjustments were recognized in operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the Other expenses line item. The Company's assessment of these performance goals resulted in the following reductions to previously recognized contingent consideration liabilities:

	For the Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Reduction of contingent consideration liabilities	$	3,966	$	10,620	$	—

All contingent consideration liabilities have been settled and there was no recorded contingent consideration liability as of December 31, 2011. The recorded contingent consideration liability was $3.9 million at December 31, 2010.

Net Income Attributable to the Company and Transfers to Noncontrolling Interest

The purpose of the following schedule is to disclose the effects of changes in the Company's ownership interest in its subsidiaries on the Company's equity.

	For the Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$	(11,510	)	$	6,754		$	118,777
Decrease in the Company's paid-in capital for purchase of partnership interests		—			(1,003	)		(3,905	)

Change from net income (loss) attributable to the Company and transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	(11,510	)	$	5,751		$	114,872

Dispositions

Consistent with the Company's strategic focus to grow and allocate financial resources principally to its industrial services businesses, the Company sold its Gas Technologies Segment to Taylor Wharton International in 2007. The Company recorded after-tax losses from discontinued operations of $2.1 million, $4.1 million and $15.1 million, in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The losses incurred in 2011 and 2010 included charges related to potential and contingent claims. The charge in 2009 related to the settlement of working capital adjustment claims and other costs associated with arbitration proceedings. The Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended 2011, 2010 and 2009 reflect the Gas Technologies Segment's results in discontinued operations.

Dispositions—Assets Held-for-Sale

Throughout the past several years and in conjunction with the Fourth Quarter 2010 restructuring of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, management approved the sale of certain long-lived assets throughout the Company's operations. At December 31, 2010, assets held-for-sale of $24.8 million were recorded as Other current assets and primarily represented the fair market value less the estimated costs to sell the assets related to two lines of business in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment. In June 2011, the Company sold these two lines of business and realized a gain of $0.9 million in operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the Other expenses line item. At December 31, 2011, the Company had $7.2 million of assets held-for-sale recorded in Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Accounts Receivable and Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounts Receivable and Inventories

Accounts Receivable and Inventories

4. Accounts Receivable and Inventories

Accounts receivable consist of the following:

	Accounts Receivable

(In thousands)	December 31 2011			December 31 2010
Trade accounts receivable	$	636,304		$	605,584
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(17,829	)		(20,283	)

Trade accounts receivable, net	$	618,475		$	585,301

Other receivables(a)	$	44,431		$	29,299

(a): Other receivables include insurance claim receivables, employee receivables, tax claim receivables and other miscellaneous receivables not included in Trade accounts receivable, net.

The provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	For Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	$	7,880	$	9,962	$	9,318

Inventories consist of the following:

	Inventories

(In thousands)	2011		2010
Finished goods	$	78,445	$	124,771
Work-in-process		34,041		28,266
Raw materials and purchased parts		92,995		79,420
Stores and supplies		36,453		39,160

Total inventories	$	241,934	$	271,617

Valued at lower of cost or market:
LIFO basis	$	115,523	$	117,519
FIFO basis		13,087		14,148
Average cost basis		113,324		139,950

Total inventories	$	241,934	$	271,617

Inventories valued on the LIFO basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $28.6 million and $26.3 million, respectively, less than the amounts of such inventories valued at current costs.

As a result of reducing certain inventory quantities valued on the LIFO basis, net income increased from that which would have been recorded under the FIFO basis of valuation by $0.1 million, $0.4 million and $1.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

(In thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	2011			2010

Land	—	$	26,729		$	29,456
Land improvements	5-20 years		17,960			18,141
Buildings and improvements	5-40 years		186,799			196,777
Machinery and equipment	3-20 years		2,977,521			3,045,335
Uncompleted construction	—		66,719			74,873

Gross property, plant and equipment			3,275,728			3,364,582
Less accumulated depreciation			(2,001,244	)		(1,997,609	)

Net property, plant and equipment		$	1,274,484		$	1,366,973

Buildings and improvements include leasehold improvements which are amortized over the shorter of their useful lives or the initial lease term of the lease.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References + Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment (there is no goodwill associated with the Harsco Industrial Segment) for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

Goodwill by Segment

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment			Harsco Infrastructure Segment			Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	423,943		$	266,119		$	8,979	$	699,041

Goodwill acquired during year(a)		—			11,419			—		11,419
Changes to goodwill(b)		—			(5,608	)		320		(5,288	)
Foreign currency translation		(5,667	)		(8,718	)		—		(14,385	)

Balance at December 31, 2010		418,276			263,212			9,299		690,787

Goodwill acquired during year		—			—			—		—
Changes to goodwill		—			(115	)		11		(104	)
Foreign currency translation		(6,400	)		(3,382	)		—		(9,782	)

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	411,876		$	259,715		$	9,310	$	680,901

(a): Relates principally to the acquisition of Bell, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
(b): Relates principally to opening balance sheet adjustments and allocation of goodwill to two lines of business in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that were transferred to assets held-for-sale, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Intangible assets totaled $93.5 million, net of accumulated amortization of $157.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $121.0 million, net of accumulated amortization of $128.8 million at December 31, 2010. The following table reflects these intangible assets by major category:

Intangible Assets

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010

(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	183,576	$	119,708	$	184,864	$	98,104
Non-compete agreements		1,353		1,301		1,386		1,317
Patents		6,884		5,145		6,976		4,868
Technology related		29,497		14,614		29,821		11,863
Trade names		18,538		8,379		18,635		5,188
Other		10,749		7,949		8,095		7,478

Total	$	250,597	$	157,096	$	249,777	$	128,818

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $31.5 million, $33.0 million and $26.4 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The following table shows the estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on current intangible assets.

(In thousands)		2012			2013			2014			2015			2016

Estimated amortization expense(a)		$	17,500		$	15,750		$	13,500		$	8,750		$	7,500

(a): These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Debt and Credit Agreements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt and Credit Agreements

Debt and Credit Agreements

7. Debt and Credit Agreements

The Company has credit facilities and commercial paper programs available for use throughout the world. The following table illustrates the amounts outstanding on credit facilities and commercial paper programs, and available credit at December 31, 2011. These credit facilities and programs are described in more detail below the table.

Credit Facilities at December 31, 2011

(In thousands)	Facility Limit		Outstanding Balance		Available Credit

U.S. commercial paper program	$	550,000	$	39,986	$	510,014
Euro commercial paper program		259,200		—		259,200
Multi-year revolving credit facility(a)		570,000		—		570,000
Bilateral credit facility(b)		25,000		—		25,000

Totals at December 31, 2011	$	1,404,200	$	39,986	$	1,364,214	(c)

(a): U.S.-based program.
(b): International-based program.
(c): Although the Company has significant available credit, in practice, the Company limits aggregate commercial paper and credit facility borrowings at any one-time to a maximum of $595.0 million (the aggregate amount of the back-up facilities).

The Company has a U.S. commercial paper borrowing program under which it can issue up to $550 million of short-term notes in the U.S. commercial paper market. In addition, the Company has a 200 million euro commercial paper program, equivalent to approximately $259.2 million at December 31, 2011, which is used to fund the Company's international operations. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $40.0 million and no borrowings outstanding, respectively, under the U.S. commercial paper program and no borrowings and $26.7 million outstanding, respectively, under the euro commercial paper program. These borrowings are classified as long-term debt when the Company has the ability and intent to refinance them on a long-term basis through existing long-term credit facilities. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company classified $40.0 million and $26.7 million, respectively, of commercial paper and advances as short-term debt. There were no remaining commercial paper or advances to be reclassified as long-term debt at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

The Company has a multi-year revolving credit facility in the amount of $570 million through a syndicate of 21 banks, which matures in December 2012. This $570 million facility serves as back-up to the Company's commercial paper programs. Interest rates on the facility are based upon either the announced Citibank Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus a margin or LIBOR plus a margin. The Company pays a facility fee (currently 0.375% per annum) that varies based upon its credit ratings. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding on the $570 million credit facility. The Company is working with its lenders to renew this facility, which is currently anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2012.

The Company's bilateral credit facility has been amended to extend the maturity date to December 2012 and to change the facility limit to $25 million. The facility serves as back-up to the Company's commercial paper programs and also provides available financing for the Company's European operations. Borrowings under this facility are available in most major currencies with active markets at interest rates based upon LIBOR plus a margin. Borrowings outstanding at expiration may be repaid over the succeeding 12 months. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding on this facility.

Short-term borrowings amounted to $51.4 million and $31.2 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. This includes commercial paper of $40.0 million and $26.7 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Other than the commercial paper borrowings, short-term debt was principally bank overdrafts. The weighted-average interest rate for short-term borrowings at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was 1.3% and 1.9%, respectively.

	Long-Term Debt

(In thousands)	2011			2010
5.75% notes due May 15, 2018	$	447,613		$	447,312
5.125% notes due September 15, 2013		149,705			149,544
2.7% notes due October 15, 2015		248,681			248,350
Other financing payable in varying amounts due principally through 2016 with a weighted-average interest rate of 9.4% and 7.9% at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		11,359			8,529

		857,358			853,735
Less: current maturities		(3,558	)		(4,011	)

Total Long-term Debt	$	853,800		$	849,724

In September 2010, the Company completed a $250 million bond offering that bears interest at 2.7% and matures in October 2015. The net proceeds of this issuance were used to repay, in part, the 200 million British pound sterling-denominated notes that matured October 27, 2010. At that time, the Company issued additional commercial paper debt to repay the remainder of the British pound sterling-denominated notes in excess of the proceeds from the 2010 bond issuance.

The maturities of long-term debt for the four years following December 31, 2012 are as follows:

(In thousands)

2013			153,369
2014			2,170
2015			250,238
2016			159

Cash payments for interest on all debt were $46.4 million, $59.9 million and $61.5 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company's credit facilities contain a covenant stipulating a maximum debt to capital ratio of 60%. One credit facility also contains a covenant requiring a minimum net worth of $475 million, and another limits the proportion of subsidiary consolidated indebtedness to a maximum of 10% of consolidated tangible assets. The Company's 5.75% notes and 2.7% notes include covenants that permit the note holders to redeem their notes at 101% of par in the event of a change of control of the Company or disposition of a significant portion of the Company's assets in combination with the Company's credit rating being downgraded to non-investment grade. At December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases

Leases

8. Leases

The Company leases certain property and equipment under noncancelable operating leases. Rental expense under such operating leases was $66.1 million, $62.9 million and $64.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Future minimum payments under operating leases with noncancelable terms are as follows:

(in thousands)

2012	$	47,771
2013		39,887
2014		28,835
2015		20,822
2016		14,586
After 2016		19,704

Total minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases at December 31, 2011 are $9.4 million.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

9. Employee Benefit Plans

Pension Benefits

The Company has defined benefit pension retirement plans covering a substantial number of its employees. The defined benefits for salaried employees generally are based on years of service and the employee's level of compensation during specified periods of employment. Defined benefit plans covering hourly employees generally provide benefits of stated amounts for each year of service. The multiemployer plans in which the Company participates provide benefits to certain unionized employees. The Company's funding policy for qualified plans is consistent with statutory regulations and customarily equals the amount deducted for income tax purposes. The Company also makes periodic voluntary contributions as recommended by its pension committee. The Company's policy is to amortize prior service costs of defined benefit pension plans over the average future service period of active plan participants.

For most U.S. defined benefit pension plans and a majority of international defined benefit pension plans, accrued service is no longer granted. In place of these plans, the Company has established defined contribution pension plans providing for the Company to contribute a specified matching amount for participating employees' contributions to the plan. For U.S. employees, this match is made on employee contributions up to 4% of their eligible compensation. Additionally, the Company may provide a discretionary contribution of up to 2% of compensation for eligible employees. This discretionary amount has not been provided for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009. For non-U.S. employees, this match is up to 6% of eligible compensation with an additional 2% going towards insurance and administrative costs.

Net periodic pension cost for U.S. and international pension plans for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

Net Periodic Pension Cost (Income)

	U.S. Plans									International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$	1,557		$	2,086		$	1,790		$	4,350		$	4,052		$	3,977
Interest cost		13,468			14,049			14,104			48,768			47,558			42,854
Expected return on plan assets		(16,480	)		(16,632	)		(14,598	)		(52,735	)		(46,079	)		(41,453	)
Recognized prior service costs		245			339			351			424			327			353
Recognized losses		2,982			2,537			3,466			11,332			12,077			9,353
Amortization of transition liability		—			—			—			43			45			33
Settlement/curtailment loss (gain)		—			179			4			183			(210	)		(341	)

Defined benefit plans pension cost		1,772			2,558			5,117			12,365			17,770			14,776
Multiemployer plans		13,264			10,924			12,533			13,326			12,065			9,201
Defined contribution plans		5,434			5,918			7,104			7,378			7,629			8,235

Net periodic pension cost	$	20,470		$	19,400		$	24,754		$	33,069		$	37,464		$	32,212

The change in the financial status of the pension plans and amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

Defined Benefit Pension Benefits

	U.S. Plans						International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	264,969		$	247,263		$	883,342		$	887,882
Service cost		1,557			2,086			4,350			4,052
Interest cost		13,468			14,049			48,768			47,558
Plan participants' contributions		—			—			986			1,862
Amendments		—			6			598			653
Actuarial loss		40,730			22,397			79,474			11,464
Settlements/curtailments		—			—			(1,886	)		(1,410	)
Benefits paid		(21,955	)		(20,832	)		(37,653	)		(39,258	)
Effect of foreign currency		—			—			(10,332	)		(29,461	)
Other		—			—			571			—

Benefit Obligation at end of year	$	298,769		$	264,969		$	968,218		$	883,342

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	221,673		$	216,919		$	708,025		$	679,018
Actual return on plan assets		6,464			23,279			19,488			71,783
Employer contributions		3,055			2,307			29,300			16,868
Plan participants' contributions		—			—			986			1,862
Settlements/curtailments		—			—			(1,127	)		(929	)
Benefits paid		(21,955	)		(20,832	)		(36,631	)		(38,764	)
Effect of foreign currency		—			—			(6,449	)		(21,813	)
Other		—			—			571			—

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	209,237		$	221,673		$	714,163		$	708,025

Funded status at end of year	$	(89,532	)	$	(43,296	)	$	(254,055	)	$	(175,317	)

Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Defined Benefit Pension Benefits

	U.S. Plans						International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Noncurrent assets	$	397		$	1,315		$	4,372		$	4,937
Current liabilities		(2,076	)		(2,293	)		(1,011	)		(1,064	)
Noncurrent liabilities		(87,853	)		(42,318	)		(257,416	)		(179,190	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss before tax		149,429			101,909			417,406			319,879

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax, consist of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010;

	U.S. Plans				International Plans

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Net actuarial loss	$	148,690	$	100,924	$	414,203	$	316,561
Prior service cost		739		985		3,105		3,151
Transition obligation		—		—		98		167

Total	$	149,429	$	101,909	$	417,406	$	319,879

The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into defined benefit net periodic pension cost in 2012 are as follows:

(In thousands)	U.S. Plans		International Plans

Net actuarial loss	$	4,627	$	14,825
Prior service cost		189		379
Transition obligation		—		50

Total	$	4,816	$	15,254

The Company's estimate of expected contributions to be paid in year 2012 for the U.S. defined benefit plans is $6.9 million and for the international defined benefit plans is $30.2 million.

Future Benefit Payments

The expected benefit payments for defined benefit plans over the next 10 years are as follows:

(In millions)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017-2021

U.S. Plans	$	16.8	$	18.2	$	18.4	$	17.2	$	18.6	$	90.1
International Plans		38.2		39.5		40.8		42.7		44.7		250.6

Net Periodic Pension Cost Assumptions

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic pension cost for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

	U.S. Plans December 31									International Plans December 31									Global Weighted- Average December 31

	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Discount rates		5.3	%		5.9	%		6.1	%		5.5	%		5.7	%		6.0	%		5.4	%		5.8	%		6.1	%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets		7.8	%		8.0	%		8.0	%		7.4	%		7.4	%		7.1	%		7.5	%		7.5	%		7.4	%
Rates of compensation increase		3.0	%		3.0	%		4.0	%		3.3	%		3.6	%		3.4	%		3.3	%		3.6	%		3.4	%

The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets for the 2012 net periodic pension cost are 7.8% for the U.S. plans and 6.7% for the international plans. The expected global long-term rate of return on assets for 2012 is 6.9%.

Defined Benefit Pension Obligation Assumptions

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plan obligations at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

	U.S. Plans December 31						International Plans December 31						Global Weighted- Average December 31

	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Discount rates		4.4	%		5.3	%		4.8	%		5.5	%		4.7	%		5.4	%
Rates of compensation increase		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.4	%		3.3	%		3.4	%		3.3	%

The U.S. discount rate was determined using a yield curve that was produced from a universe containing approximately 500 U.S. dollar-denominated, AA-graded corporate bonds, all of which were noncallable (or callable with make-whole provisions), and excluding the 10% of the bonds with the highest yields and the 10% with the lowest yields. The discount rate was then developed as the level-equivalent rate that would produce the same present value as that using spot rates to discount the projected benefit payments. For international plans, the discount rate is aligned to corporate bond yields in the local markets, normally AA-rated corporations. The process and selection seeks to approximate the cash inflows with the timing and amounts of the expected benefit payments.

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

	U.S. Plans December 31				International Plans December 31

(In millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	298.6	$	264.8	$	952.8	$	869.3

Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31 were as follows:

	U.S. Plans				International Plans

(In millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	288.7	$	255.5	$	929.1	$	845.0
Accumulated benefit obligation		288.7		255.5		921.0		837.8
Fair value of plan assets		198.8		210.9		673.9		665.8

The asset allocations attributable to the Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the long-term target allocation of plan assets, by asset category, are as follows:

		Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31

	Target Long-Term Allocation	Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31
U.S. Plans Asset Category	Target Long-Term Allocation	2011			2010
Domestic equity securities	34%-44%		38.0	%		50.5	%
International equity securities	14%-24%		18.0	%		11.9	%
Fixed income securities	27%-37%		32.8	%		30.5	%
Cash and cash equivalents	Less than 5%		1.9	%		1.5	%
Other	5%-15%		9.3	%		5.6	%

Plan assets are allocated among various categories of equities, fixed income securities and cash and cash equivalents with professional investment managers whose performance is actively monitored. The primary investment objective is long-term growth of assets in order to meet present and future benefit obligations. The Company periodically conducts an asset/liability modeling study and accordingly adjusts investments among and within asset categories to ensure the long-term investment strategy is aligned with the profile of benefit obligations.

The Company reviews the long-term expected return on asset assumption on a periodic basis taking into account a variety of factors including the historical investment returns achieved over a long-term period, the targeted allocation of plan assets and future expectations based on a model of asset returns for an actively managed portfolio, inflation and administrative/other expenses. The model simulates 600 different capital market results over 15 years. For both 2012 and 2011, the expected return-on-asset assumption for U.S. plans is 7.8%.

The U.S. defined benefit pension plans assets include 432,203 shares of the Company's stock valued at $9.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 432,549 shares of the Company's common stock valued at $12.2 million at December 31, 2010. These shares represented 4.3% and 5.5% of total plan assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Dividends paid to the pension plans on the Company stock amounted to $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The asset allocations attributable to the Company's international defined benefit pension plans at December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the long-term target allocation of plan assets, by asset category, are as follows:

				Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31

	Target Long-Term Allocation			Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31
International Plans Asset Category	Target Long-Term Allocation			2011			2010
Equity securities		40.0	%		34.7	%		48.7	%
Fixed income securities		42.5	%		50.0	%		42.6	%
Cash and cash equivalents		—	%		0.4	%		0.5	%
Other		17.5	%		14.9	%		8.2	%

Plan assets at December 31, 2011 in the U.K. defined benefit pension plan amounted to 84% of the international pension assets. These assets are allocated among various categories of equities, fixed income securities and cash and cash equivalents with professional investment managers whose performance is actively monitored. The primary investment objective is long-term growth of assets in order to meet present and future benefit obligations. The Company periodically conducts asset/liability modeling studies and accordingly adjusts investment amounts within asset categories to ensure the long-term investment strategy is aligned with the profile of benefit obligations.

For the international long-term rate of return assumption, the Company considered the current level of expected returns in risk-free investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of the risk premium associated with other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns of each asset class and plan expenses. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets. For 2012, the expected return-on-asset assumption for the U.K. plan is 6.8%, compared with 7.5% for 2011. The remaining international pension plans, with assets representing 16.0% of the international pension assets, are under the guidance of professional investment managers and have similar investment objectives.

The fair values of the Company's U.S. pension plans' assets at December 31, 2011 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Domestic equities:
Common stocks	$	39,295	$	39,295	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds—equities		40,107		19		40,088		—
International equities—mutual funds		37,740		33,198		4,542		—
Fixed income investments:
U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities		23,054		—		23,054		—
Corporate bonds and notes		5,507		5,507		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		40,110		40,110		—		—
Other—mutual funds		19,392		19,392		—		—
Cash and money market accounts		4,032		4,032		—		—

Total	$	209,237	$	141,553	$	67,684	$	—

The fair values of the Company's international pension plans' assets at December 31, 2011 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities:
Mutual funds—equities	$	247,629	$	—	$	247,629	$	—
Fixed income investments:
Corporate bonds and notes		—		—		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		294,010		—		294,010		—
Insurance contracts		63,169		—		63,169		—
Other:
Real estate funds/limited partnerships		43,122		—		31,097		12,025
Other mutual funds(a)		63,568		—		63,568		—
Cash and money market accounts		2,665		2,665		—		—

Total	$	714,163	$	2,665	$	699,473	$	12,025

(a): Includes $43.9 million of balance funds that include a mix of mostly equities and bonds.

The fair values of the Company's U.S. pension plans' assets at December 31, 2010 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Domestic equities:
Common stocks	$	52,930	$	52,930	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds—equities		59,049		15,167		43,882		—
International equities—mutual funds		26,354		14,666		11,688		—
Fixed income investments:
U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities		22,039		—		22,039		—
Corporate bonds and notes		9,920		9,920		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		35,588		35,588		—		—
Other—mutual funds		12,375		12,375		—		—
Cash and money market accounts		3,418		3,418		—		—

Total	$	221,673	$	144,064	$	77,609	$	—

The fair values of the Company's international pension plans' assets at December 31, 2010 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities:
Mutual funds—equities	$	344,445	$	119,864	$	224,581	$	—
Fixed income investments:
Corporate bonds and notes		3,382		1,038		2,344		—
Mutual funds—bonds		240,683		25,419		215,264		—
Insurance contracts		57,324		—		57,324		—
Other:
Real estate funds / limited partnerships		40,173		—		29,989		10,184
Other mutual funds		18,832		—		18,832		—
Cash and money market accounts		3,186		3,186		—		—

Total	$	708,025	$	149,507	$	548,334	$	10,184

The following table summarizes changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets for 2010 and 2011:

(In thousands)	Real Estate Limited Partnerships

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	10,994
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at year-end		(810	)

Balance at December 31, 2010		10,184
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at year-end		1,841

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	12,025

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the plans' investments measured at fair value:

•

Level 1 Fair Value Measurements—Investments in interest-bearing cash are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The fair values of money market accounts and certain mutual funds are based on quoted net asset values of the shares held by the Plan at year-end. The fair values of domestic and international stocks and corporate bonds, notes and convertible debentures are valued at the closing price reported in the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

•

Level 2 Fair Value Measurements—The fair values of investments in mutual funds for which quoted net asset values in an active market are not available are valued by the investment advisor based on the current market values of the underlying assets of the mutual fund based on information reported by the investment consistent with audited financial statements of the mutual fund. Further information concerning these mutual funds may be obtained from their separate audited financial statements. Investments in U.S. Treasury notes and collateralized securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.

•

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements—Real estate limited partnership interests are valued by the general partners based on the underlying assets. The limited partnership interests are valued using unobservable inputs and have been classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Multiemployer Plans

The Company contributes to numerous multiemployer pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees, many of whom are temporary in nature. The risks of participating in multiemployer pension plans differ from traditional company sponsored defined benefit plans as follows:

•

Assets contributed to a multiemployer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to the employees of other participating employers;

•

When a participating employer stops contributing to a multiemployer pension plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan become the responsibility of the remaining participating employers, subject to any exemptions that may apply; and

•

If the Company elects to stop participation in a multiemployer pension plan, the Company may be required to pay a withdraw liability which is based upon the underfunded status of the plan.

The company's participation in multiemployer pension plans for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is outlined below. The Company considers significant plans to be those plans to which the Company contributed more than 5% of total contributions to the plan in a given plan year or for which the Company believes its share of the unfunded liability for the plan may be material to the Company. The most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2011 and 2010 is for plan years ended in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The zone status is based on information that the Company received from the plan and is certified by the plan's actuary: Green represents a plan that is more than 80% funded; Yellow represents a plan that is between 65% and 80% funded; and Red represents a plan that is less than 65% funded.

(In thousands)

			Pension Protection Act Zone Status For Plan Years Ended
					Contributions By The Company For Plan Years Ended								Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement
											Subject to Financial Improvement Plan
	Identification Number											Surcharge Imposed
Pension Fund	Identification Number		2010	2009	2011		2010		2009			Surcharge Imposed
Significant multiemployer plans for which plan financial information is publicly available outside the Company's financial statements:
Cumberland MD Vicinity Building Construction Employees Trust Fund		52-6061646	Green	Green	$	620	$	430	$	466	No	No		2012
Greater Pennsylvania Carpenters' Pension Fund		25-6135570	Yellow	Yellow		2,415		1,996		2,756	Yes	No		2012
Ohio Carpenters' Pension Plan		34-6574360	Green	Green		953		1,145		1,637	Yes	No		2012
Significant multiemployer plans for which plan financial information is not publicly available outside the Company's financial statements:
New Zealand Steel Pension Fund		018-054-531	N/A	N/A		891		810		761	Yes	No		2013
Summary aggregate information for multiemployer plans which are not individually significant:
All other multiemployer plans						22,034		18,608		16,892

Total Contributions (a)					$	26,913	$	22,989	$	22,512

(a): Contributions to multiemployer pension plans in 2010 do not include $8.3 million of plan withdrawal costs triggered as the Company has ceased, or expects to cease, contributing to ten multiemployer plans for certain locations as part of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment's restructuring initiatives. These restructuring initiatives are described in Note 18, "Restructuring Programs." The $8.3 million of costs is included in the Other expenses line of the Consolidated Income Statement, as described in Note 16, "Other expenses."

For plan years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008 the Company contributed more than 5% of the total contributions to the Cumberland MD Vicinity Building Construction Employees Trust Fund. For the plan year ended 2009, the Company contributed more than 5% of the total contributions to the Greater Pennsylvania Carpenters' Pension Fund. For plan years ended 2010 and 2009 the Company contributed more than 5% of the total contributions to the New Zealand Steel Pension Fund. At the date these financial statements were issued, financial information was unavailable for plan years ended 2011.

The New Zealand Steel Pension Fund is a defined benefit superannuation scheme registered in New Zealand under the Superannuation Schemes Act of 1989 to provide retirement benefits to the salaried employees of the New Zealand Steel United Group of companies. The New Zealand Steel Pension Fund financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 indicated total assets of $253.9 million and $225.1 million, respectively; total actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits of $278.4 million and $251.1 million, respectively; and total contributions for all participating employers of $11.3 million and $11.3 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

+ Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income consists of the following:

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009

United States	$	47,680		$	23,037		$	51,529
International		(6,015	)		(2,561	)		107,309

Total income before income taxes and equity income	$	41,665		$	20,476		$	158,838

Income tax expense as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income consists of the following:

(In thousands)	2011		2010			2009

Income tax expense (benefit):
Currently payable:
U.S. federal	$	4,249	$	(325	)	$	23,886
U.S. state		913		453			1,591
International		23,860		30,765			26,938

Total income taxes currently payable		29,022		30,893			52,415
Deferred U.S. federal and U.S. state		1,173		6,172			(28,018	)
Deferred international		19,653		(32,789	)		(5,888	)

Total income tax expense	$	49,848	$	4,276		$	18,509

Cash payments for income taxes, including taxes on the gain or loss from discontinued business, were $42.3 million, $27.4 million and $57.1 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The following is a reconciliation of the normal expected statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate as a percentage of Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interest as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income:



U.S. federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
U.S. state income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2.9		5.1		1.0
U.S. domestic manufacturing deductions and credits	(9.6	)	(5.9	)	(2.7	)
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion	—		9.3		(5.0	)
Difference in effective tax rates on international earnings and remittances	(11.7	)	(34.4	)	(26.1	)
Uncertain tax position contingencies and settlements	(18.0	)	1.2		4.0
Changes in realization on beginning of the year deferred tax assets	89.1		8.4		1.7
Restructuring charges with no realizable tax benefits	23.0		11.2		—
U.S. nondeductible items	6.0		8.7		1.2
Deferred charges	—		(19.0	)	—
Cumulative effect of change in statutory tax rates/laws	3.5		3.4		2.8
Other, net	(0.6	)	(2.1	)	(0.3	)

Effective income tax rate	119.6	%	20.9	%	11.6	%

The increase in the effective income tax rate for 2011 compared with 2010 is the result of certain discrete items, including a change in the realizability of beginning of the year deferred tax assets of $37.3 million primarily related to the Company's U.K. deferred tax assets on its U.K. pension obligations; the tax benefit of $3.5 million for deferred charges from historical intercompany sales of inventory recorded in 2010 and not repeated in 2011; and a change in the earnings mix of the Company for year 2011 compared with prior years primarily due to the jurisdictional impact of the Company's restructuring charges. These increases in the effective income tax rate for 2011 compared with 2010 were offset by the tax costs associated with the 2010 change in permanent reinvestment assertion of $1.9 million; and the lapse of several statutes of limitations for uncertain tax positions in 2011 that produced a tax benefit of $10.8 million.

The tax effects of the temporary differences giving rise to the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	2011					2010

(In thousands)	Asset			Liability		Asset			Liability
Depreciation and amortization	$	—		$	119,701	$	—		$	144,361
Expense accruals		42,529			—		46,116			—
Inventories		2,588			—		3,582			—
Provision for receivables		2,205			—		2,871			—
Deferred revenue		—			2,065		—			1,979
Operating loss carryforwards		79,408			—		57,318			—
Deferred foreign tax credits		29,540			—		31,718			—
Pensions		95,657			—		60,626			—
Currency adjustments		30,813			—		28,721			—
Post-retirement benefits		1,079			—		1,117			—
Other		19,299			—		17,245			—

Subtotal		303,118			121,766		249,314			146,340
Valuation allowance		(99,617	)		—		(29,469	)		—

Total deferred income taxes	$	203,501		$	121,766	$	219,845		$	146,340

The deferred tax asset and liability balances recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

(In thousands)	2011			2010

Other current assets	$	50,694		$	47,279
Other assets		59,200			64,672
Other current liabilities		(729	)		(2,804	)
Deferred income taxes		(27,430	)		(35,642	)

At December 31, 2011, the tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") totaled $79.4 million. Tax-effected NOLs from international operations are $70.1 million. Of that amount, $56.8 million can be carried forward indefinitely, and $13.3 million will expire at various times between 2012 and 2030. Tax-effected U.S. federal NOLs are $0.1 million that relate to preacquisition NOLs that expire in 2022. Tax-effected U.S. state NOLs are $9.2 million. Of that amount, $0.2 million expire at various times between 2012 and 2016, $2.4 million expire at various times between 2017 and 2021, $3.5 million expire at various times between 2022 and 2026, and $3.1 million expire at various times between 2027 and 2031.

The valuation allowances of $99.6 million and $29.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related principally to deferred tax assets for U.K. pension liabilities, NOLs, currency translation and foreign investment tax credits that are uncertain as to realizability. Due to the recent negative financial performance of the Company's U.K. operations and restructuring charges, the Company recorded a non-cash tax expense of approximately $35.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 to recognize a valuation allowance to fully offset the U.K. operations' net deferred tax assets primarily related to U.K. pension liabilities, as the Company determined it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized. Additionally during the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an increase to the valuation allowance of approximately $22.9 million through Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to current year U.K. pension liability adjustments that were recorded through Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Excluding the valuation allowance activity related to the Company's U.K. operations, the remaining increase in valuation allowances resulted primarily from losses incurred in certain jurisdictions, as the Company determined it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized.

The Company has not provided U.S. income taxes on certain of its non-U.S. subsidiaries' undistributed earnings as such amounts are indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, such earnings were approximately $834 million and $857 million, respectively. If these earnings were repatriated at December 31, 2011, the one-time tax cost associated with the repatriation would be approximately $154 million. The Company has a tax holiday in Asia that expires in 2012. The Company no longer has tax holidays in Europe and the Middle East as they have all expired. During 2011, the tax holiday resulted in a reduction of $0.1 million in income tax expense, while during 2010 and 2009 these tax holidays resulted in no change to income tax expense.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized income tax benefits ("UTB") in income tax expense. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $1.0 million, $0.3 million and income tax expense of $3.3 million, respectively, for interest and penalties. The Company has accrued $9.7 million and $10.7 million for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

A reconciliation of the change in the UTB balance from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 is as follows:

(In thousands)	Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits			Deferred Income Tax Benefits			Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits, Net of Deferred Income Tax Benefits

Balance at January 1, 2009	$	24,299		$	(1,179	)	$	23,120
Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		7,868			(11	)		7,857
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		10,625			(49	)		10,576
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(4,007	)		117			(3,890	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(1,934	)		152			(1,782	)
Settlements		(60	)		21			(39	)

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	36,791		$	(949	)	$	35,842

Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		1,846			—			1,846
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		313			(44	)		269
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(429	)		—			(429	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(2,348	)		156			(2,192	)
Settlements		(284	)		99			(185	)

Balance at December 31, 2010	$	35,889		$	(738	)	$	35,151

Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		2,534			(10	)		2,524
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		4,014			(11	)		4,003
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(147	)		—			(147	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(8,521	)		224			(8,297	)
Settlements		(361	)		18			(343	)

Total unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate at December 31, 2011	$	33,408		$	(517	)	$	32,891

Included in the additions for tax positions related to the current year for 2011 is approximately $0.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits that created additional operating losses in a foreign jurisdiction. To the extent the unrecognized tax benefit is recognized, a full valuation allowance would be recorded against these operating losses.

Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that up to $5.2 million of unrecognized income tax benefits will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.

The Company files its income tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. and international examinations by tax authorities for the years through 2005.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental

The Company is involved in a number of environmental remediation investigations and cleanups and, along with other companies, has been identified as a "potentially responsible party" for certain waste disposal sites. While each of these matters is subject to various uncertainties, it is probable that the Company will agree to make payments toward funding certain of these activities and it is possible that some of these matters will be decided unfavorably to the Company. The Company has evaluated its potential liability, and its financial exposure is dependent upon such factors as the continuing evolution of environmental laws and regulatory requirements, the availability and application of technology, the allocation of cost among potentially responsible parties, the years of remedial activity required and the remediation methods selected. The Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 include accruals in Other current liabilities of $2.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for environmental matters. The amounts charged against pre-tax income related to environmental matters totaled $2.0 million, $2.6 million and $1.5 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company evaluates its liability for future environmental remediation costs on a quarterly basis. 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 sum it may have to pay in connection with environmental matters in excess of the amounts recorded or disclosed above would have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Brazilian Tax Disputes

The Company is involved in a number of tax disputes with federal, state and municipal tax authorities in Brazil. These disputes are at various stages of the legal process, including the administrative review phase and the collection action phase, and include assessments of fixed amounts of principal and penalties, plus interest charges that increase at statutorily determined amounts per month and are assessed on the aggregate amount of the principal and penalties. In addition, the losing party at the collection action or court appeals phase could be subject to a charge to cover statutorily mandated legal fees, which are generally calculated as a percentage of the total assessed amounts due, inclusive of penalty and interest. A large number of the claims relate to value-added ("ICMS"), services and social security ("INSS") 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 December 31, 2011, the principal amount of the tax assessment from the SPRA with regard to this case is approximately $3 million, with penalty, interest and fees assessed to date increasing such amount by an additional $29 million. Any increase in the aggregate amount since the Company's last Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is due to an increase in assessed interest and statutorily mandated legal fees for the quarter. All such amounts include the effect of foreign currency translation.

Another ICMS tax case involving the SPRA refers to the tax period from January 2002 to December 2003, and is still pending at the administrative phase, where the aggregate amount assessed by the tax authorities in August 2005 was $13 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 approximately $3 million, with penalty and interest assessed through that date increasing such amount by an additional $10 million. All such amounts include the effect of foreign currency translation.

The Company continues to believe that it is not probable it will incur a loss for these assessments by the SPRA and continues to believe that sufficient coverage for these claims exists as a result of the Company's customer's indemnification obligations and such customer's pledge of assets in connection with the October 2009 notice, as required by Brazilian procedure.

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.

Customer Disputes

The Company, through its Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment, provides services to various subsidiaries and affiliates of ArcelorMittal ("ArcelorMittal") on a number of sites worldwide through long-term service contracts. Currently, ArcelorMittal and the Company are involved in several commercial disputes, a few of which have resulted in legal action. Both the Company and ArcelorMittal are working to resolve these matters. 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 and proceedings, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other

In the United States, the Company has been named as one of many defendants (approximately 90 or more in most cases) in legal actions 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 component within a Company product that may have contained asbestos would have been purchased from a supplier. Based on scientific and medical evidence, the Company believes that any asbestos exposure arising from normal use of any Company product never presented any harmful levels of airborne asbestos exposure, and, moreover, the type of asbestos contained in any component that was used in those products was protectively encapsulated in other materials and is not associated with the types of injuries alleged in the pending suits. Finally, in most of the depositions taken of plaintiffs to date in the litigation against the Company, plaintiffs have failed to specifically identify any Company products as the source of their asbestos exposure.

The majority of the asbestos complaints pending against the Company have been filed in New York. Almost all of the New York complaints contain a standard claim for damages of $20 million or $25 million against the approximately 90 defendants, regardless of the individual plaintiff's alleged medical condition, and without specifically identifying any Company product as the source of plaintiff's asbestos exposure.

At December 31, 2011, there are 18,966 pending asbestos personal injury claims filed against the Company. Of these cases, 18,477 are pending in the New York Supreme Court for New York County in New York State. The other claims, totaling 489, are filed in various counties in a number of state courts, and in certain Federal District Courts (including New York), and those complaints generally assert lesser amounts of damages than the New York State court cases or do not state any amount claimed.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has obtained dismissal by stipulation, or summary judgment prior to trial, in 25,739 cases.

In view of the persistence of asbestos litigation nationwide, the Company expects to continue to receive additional claims. However, there have been developments during the past several years, both by certain state legislatures and by certain state courts, which could favorably affect the Company's ability to defend these asbestos claims in those jurisdictions. These developments include procedural changes, docketing changes, proof of damage requirements and other changes that require plaintiffs to follow specific procedures in bringing their claims and to show proof of damages before they can proceed with their claim. An example is the action taken by the New York Supreme Court (a trial court), which is responsible for managing all asbestos cases pending within New York County in the State of New York. This Court issued an order in December 2002 that created a Deferred or Inactive Docket for all pending and future asbestos claims filed by plaintiffs who cannot demonstrate that they have a malignant condition or discernable physical impairment, and an Active or In Extremis Docket for plaintiffs who are able to show such medical condition. As a result of this order, the majority of the asbestos cases filed against the Company in New York County have been moved to the Inactive Docket until such time as the plaintiffs can show that they have incurred a physical impairment. At December 31, 2011, the Company has been listed as a defendant in 1,008 Active or In Extremis asbestos cases in New York County. The Court's Order has been challenged by some plaintiffs.

Except with regard to the legal costs in a few limited, exceptional cases, the Company's insurance carrier has paid all legal and settlement costs and expenses to date related to the Company's U.S. asbestos cases. 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 on these claims.

The Company intends to continue its practice of vigorously defending these claims and cases. It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings due to the unpredictable nature of personal injury litigation. Despite this uncertainty, and although results of operations and cash flows for a given period could be adversely affected by asbestos-related lawsuits, claims and proceedings, management believes that the ultimate outcome of these cases will not 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for additional information on Accrued Insurance and Loss Reserves.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
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+ Details

Capital Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Capital Stock

Capital Stock

12. Capital Stock

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock and 4,000,000 shares of preferred stock, both having a par value of $1.25 per share. The preferred stock is issuable in series with terms as fixed by the Board of Directors (the "Board"). No preferred stock has been issued. Under the Company's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Agreement (the "Agreement"), the Board authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right for each share of common stock outstanding on the record date. The rights may only be exercised if, among other things and with certain exceptions, a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the Company's common stock without the prior approval of the Board. Each right entitles the holder to purchase 1/100th share of Harsco Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $230. Once the rights become exercisable, the holder of a right will be entitled, upon payment of the exercise price, to purchase a number of shares of common stock calculated to have a value of two times the exercise price of the right. The rights expire on October 9, 2017, do not have voting power, and may be redeemed by the Company at a price of $0.001 per right at any time until the 10th business day following public announcement that a person or group has accumulated 15% or more of the Company's common stock. The Agreement also includes an exchange feature. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, 804,772 and 805,141 shares, respectively, of $1.25 par value preferred stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of the rights.

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of common stock as follows:



2009	1,536,647	463,353	—	2,000,000
2010	2,000,000	—	—	2,000,000
2011	2,000,000	—	286,577	1,713,423

The Company's share repurchase program was extended by the Board of Directors in November 2011. The repurchase program expires January 31, 2013. At December 31, 2011, there are 1,713,423 authorized shares remaining in the program. When and if appropriate, repurchases are made in open market transactions, depending on market conditions. Share repurchases may not occur and may be discontinued at any time.

In addition to the above purchases, 28,503, 38,909 and 53,029 shares were repurchased in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in connection with the issuance of shares as a result of vested restricted stock units. In 2011, 2010 and 2009 the Company repurchased 41,974, 24,008 and 15,465 shares, respectively, in connection with the issuance of shares as a result of stock option exercises. The following table summarizes the Company's common stock:

	Common Stock

	Shares Issued		Treasury Shares		Outstanding Shares
Outstanding, January 1, 2009		111,139,988		30,965,452		80,174,536
Stock Options Exercised		92,250		15,645		76,605
Vested Restricted Stock Units		154,947		53,029		101,918

Outstanding, December 31, 2009		111,387,185		31,034,126		80,353,059
Stock Options Exercised		115,493		24,008		91,485
Vested Restricted Stock Units		108,424		38,909		69,515

Outstanding, December 31, 2010		111,611,102		31,097,043		80,514,059
Stock Options Exercised		199,032		41,974		157,058
Vested Restricted Stock Units		121,133		28,503		92,630
Treasury Shares Purchased		—		286,577		(286,577	)

Outstanding, December 31, 2011		111,931,267		31,454,097		80,477,170

The following is a reconciliation of the average shares of common stock used to compute basic earnings per common share to the shares used to compute diluted earnings per common share as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2011			2010		2009

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$	(9,447	)	$	10,885	$	133,838

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic		80,736			80,569		80,295
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation		—			192		291

Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted		80,736			80,761		80,586

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.12	)	$	0.14	$	1.67

Diluted	$	(0.12	)	$	0.13	$	1.66

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, average restricted stock units outstanding of 33,747 and 9,206, respectively, were not included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because the effect was antidilutive. At December 31, 2009, all restricted stock units were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. At December 31, 2011, 360,632 average outstanding stock options were not included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because the effect was antidilutive. All outstanding stock options at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. At December 31, 2011, average other stock-based compensation units of 155,383 were not included in diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because the effect was antidilutive. All other stock-based compensation units at December 31, 2010 were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were no other stock-based compensation units at December 31, 2009.

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

13. Stock-Based Compensation

The 1995 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended, authorizes the issuance of up to 8,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for use in paying incentive compensation awards in the form of stock options or other equity awards such as restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights. The 1995 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 600,000 shares of the Company's common stock for equity awards. Both plans have been approved by the Company's stockholders. At December 31, 2011, there were 1,564,039 and 212,808 shares available for granting equity awards under the 1995 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan and the 1995 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan, respectively.

The Board approves the granting of performance-based restricted stock units as the long-term equity component of director, officer and certain key employee compensation. The restricted stock units require no payment from the recipient and compensation cost is measured based on the market price on the grant date and is generally recorded over the vesting period. The vesting period for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors is one year, and each restricted stock unit is exchanged for a like number of shares of Company stock following the termination of the participant's service as a director. Restricted stock units granted to officers and certain key employees generally vest on a pro rata basis over a three-year period, and the specified retirement age is 62. Upon vesting, each restricted stock unit is exchanged for a like number of new shares of the Company's stock. Restricted stock units do not have an option for cash payment.

The following table summarizes restricted stock units issued and the compensation expense recorded for 2011, 2010 and 2009:

Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Income)

					Expense (Income)

	Restricted Stock Units		Fair Value per Unit		Expense (Income)
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit)	Restricted Stock Units		Fair Value per Unit		2011		2010		2009
Directors:
May 1, 2008		16,000	$	58.36	$	—	$	—	$	311
May 1, 2009		16,000		27.28		—		145		291
May 3, 2010		16,000		30.99		165		331		—
May 2, 2011		20,192		34.79		468		—		—
Employees:
January 24, 2006		93,100		33.85		—		—		(191	)(a)
January 23, 2007		101,700		38.25		—		41		761
January 22, 2008		130,950		45.95		68		1,601		1,371
January 27, 2009		106,625		25.15		614		667		1,174
November 19, 2009		15,000		31.90		12		298		169
January 25, 2010		1,000		31.49		10		20		—
September 22, 2010		25,000		23.47		373		194		—
April 26, 2011		3,750		32.10		29		—		—
September 20, 2011		13,500		21.18		111		—		—

Total					$	1,850	$	3,297	$	3,886

(a): Due primarily to forfeitures of restricted stock units.

Restricted stock unit activity for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2009	257,730		$	41.40
Granted	137,625			26.13
Vested	(153,283	)		38.46
Forfeited	(12,581	)		36.97

Nonvested at December 31, 2009	229,491		$	34.45
Granted	42,000			26.53
Vested	(124,424	)		35.81
Forfeited	(6,532	)		35.23

Nonvested at December 31, 2010	140,535		$	30.83
Granted	37,442			29.61
Vested	(113,136	)		33.55
Forfeited	(2,200	)		25.15

Nonvested at December 31, 2011	62,641		$	25.39

At December 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units was $0.6 million, the majority of which is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately one year.

From time to time, the Company may grant incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to officers, certain key employees and non-employee directors under the two plans noted above. The stock options would generally vest three years from the date of grant, which is the date the Board of Directors approved the grants, and expire no later than ten years after the date of grant. The exercise price of the stock would be fair value on the grant date. Upon exercise, a new share of Company stock is issued for each option.

Stock option activity for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)(a)

Outstanding, January 1, 2009	483,820		$	15.39	$	5.7
Exercised	(92,250	)		14.25		—
Expired	(1,600	)		14.57		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2009	389,970		$	15.66	$	6.7
Exercised	(115,493	)		13.77		—
Expired	(805	)		16.33		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2010	273,672		$	16.46	$	3.3
Granted	617,500			31.75		—
Exercised	(199,032	)		15.95		—
Forfeited/Expired	(30,300	)		30.92		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2011	661,840		$	30.22	$	0.2

(a): Intrinsic value is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price, for those options where the market price exceeds the exercise price.

In January 2011, 617,500 stock options were granted. The Company used a binomial lattice model to estimate the fair value of $10.90 for this stock-based award. The fair value was estimated with the following assumptions: Dividend yield—2.5%; Volatility—40.6%; Risk-free interest rate—0.6%; and Expected life—7 years. These assumptions are based on multiple factors, including the historical volatility of the Company's stock price. The options vest three years from the grant date and expire seven years after the grant date. Compensation expense recognized in 2011 for stock options totaled $2.0 million. There was no compensation expense for stock options in 2010 or 2009.

At December 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options was $4.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately two years.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options totaled $2.4 million, $1.0 million and $1.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $2.2 million, $1.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2011.

	Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable

Range of Exercisable Prices	Vested		Unvested		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Number Exercisable		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
16.32-16.33		28,840		—	$	16.33		0.05		28,840	$	16.33
16.96-16.96		24,000		—	$	16.96		1.33		24,000	$	16.96
20.96-20.96		20,000		—	$	20.96		0.33		20,000	$	20.96
31.75-31.75		—		589,000	$	31.75		6.07		—		—

		72,840		589,000	$	30.22		5.46		72,840	$	17.81

At December 31, 2011, outstanding options, substantially all of which are expected to vest, have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 5.46 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million. Vested and currently exercisable options have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 0.55 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.2 million.

Weighted-average grant-date fair value of unvested options during the year ended December 31, 2011, were as follows:

			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Outstanding, January 1, 2011	—		$	—
Granted	617,500			10.90
Forfeited	(28,500	)		10.90

Outstanding, December 31, 2011	589,000		$	10.90

There was a $1.1 million increase and a $0.1 million and $0.3 million decrease of excess tax benefits principally from restricted stock units and the exercise of nonqualified stock options recognized in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

14. Financial Instruments

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

As collateral for the Company's performance and to insurers, the Company is contingently liable under standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees in the amounts of $273.6 million and $286.1 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees are generally in force for up to three years. Certain issues have no scheduled expiration date. The Company pays fees to various banks and insurance companies that range from 0.25 percent to 2.30 percent per annum of the instruments' face value. If the Company were required to obtain replacement standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees at December 31, 2011 for those currently outstanding, it is the Company's opinion that the replacement costs would be within the present fee structure.

The Company has currency exposures in more than 50 countries. The Company's primary foreign currency exposures during 2011 were in the European Economic and Monetary Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil.

Off-Balance Sheet Risk—Third Party Guarantees

In connection with the licensing of one of the Company's trade names and providing certain management services (the furnishing of selected employees), the Company guarantees the debt of certain third parties related to its international operations. These guarantees are provided to enable the third parties to obtain financing of their operations. The Company receives fees from these operations, which are included as Service revenues in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recorded revenue from these entities of $1.2 million, $1.9 million and $9.6 million during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The guarantees are renewed on an annual basis and the Company would only be required to perform under the guarantees if the third parties default on their debt. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) related to these guarantees was $1.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. There is no recognition of this potential future payment in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes the potential for making these payments is remote. These guarantees were renewed in June 2011 and November 2011.

The Company provided an environmental indemnification for properties that were sold to a third party in 2007. The maximum term of this guarantee is 20 years, and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee only if an environmental matter is discovered on the properties. The Company is not aware of environmental issues related to these properties. There is no recognition of this potential future payment in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes the potential for making this payment is remote.

The Company provided an environmental indemnification for property from a lease that terminated in 2006. The term of this guarantee is indefinite, and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee only if an environmental matter were discovered on the property relating to the time the Company leased the property. The Company is not aware of any environmental issues related to this property. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) related to this guarantee is estimated to be $3.0 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. There is no recognition of this potential future payment in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes the potential for making this payment is remote.

The Company provides guarantees related to arrangements with certain customers that include joint and several liability for actions for which the Company may be partially at fault. The terms of these guarantees generally do not exceed four years, and the maximum amount of future payments (undiscounted) related to these guarantees is $3.0 million per occurrence. This amount represents the Company's self-insured maximum limitation. There is no specific recognition of potential future payments in the consolidated financial statements as the Company is not aware of any claims.

Any liabilities related to the Company's obligation to stand ready to act on third party guarantees are included in Other current liabilities or Other liabilities (as appropriate) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any recognition of these liabilities did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations for 2011, 2010 or 2009.

In the normal course of business, the Company provides legal indemnifications related primarily to the performance of its products and services and patent and trademark infringement of its products and services sold. These indemnifications generally relate to the performance (regarding function, not price) of the respective products or services and therefore no liability is recognized related to the fair value of such guarantees.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments, including foreign currency forward exchange contracts, commodity contracts and cross-currency interest rate swaps, to manage certain foreign currency, commodity price 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 balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives used to hedge foreign-currency-denominated balance sheet items are reported directly in earnings along with offsetting transaction gains and losses on the items being hedged. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with foreign currency commitments or forecasted commodity purchases may be accounted for as cash flow hedges, as deemed appropriate and if the criteria for hedge accounting are met. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are deferred as a separate component of equity and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. Generally, at December 31, 2011, these deferred gains and losses will be reclassified to earnings over 10 to 15 years from the balance sheet date. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in earnings.

The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives

(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
December 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	274	Other current liabilities	$	—
Cross currency interest rate swaps	Other assets		44,636	Noncurrent liabilities		1,792

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	44,910		$	1,792

Derivates not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	2,912	Other current liabilities	$	1,207

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives

(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
December 31, 2010
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	29
Cross currency interest rate swaps	Other assets		31,803	Noncurrent liabilities		3,831

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	31,803		$	3,860

Derivates not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	2,787	Other current liabilities	$	1,042

The effect of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

(In thousands)	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative—Effective Portion			Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income—Effective Portion	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income—Effective Portion		Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative—Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative—Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	887		Cost of services and products sold	$	83		$	—
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		7,230				—	Cost of services and products sold		7,642	(a)

	$	8,117			$	83		$	7,642

For the twelve months ended December 31 2010:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	32			$	—		$	—
Commodity contracts		20		Cost of services and products sold		20	Cost of services and products sold		10
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		(1,119	)			—	Cost of services and products sold		21,734	(a)

	$	(1,067	)		$	20		$	21,744

For the twelve months ended December 31 2009:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	(23	)		$	—		$	—
Commodity contracts		(3,352	)	Service revenues		1,025	Service revenues		(318	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap		(36,490	)			—	Cost of services and products sold		(5,586	)(a)

	$	(39,865	)		$	1,025		$	(5,904	)

(a): These gains (losses) offset foreign currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative for the Twelve Months Ended December 31(a)

	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
(In thousands)		2011		2010		2009
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Cost of services and products sold	$	7,238	$	1,483	$	(6,308	)

(a): These gains (losses) offset amounts recognized in cost of service and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures.

Commodity Derivatives

The Company periodically uses derivative instruments to hedge cash flows associated with purchase or selling price exposure to certain commodities. The Company's commodity derivative activities are subject to the management, direction and control of the Company's Risk Management Committee, which approves the use of all commodity derivative instruments. There were no commodity derivative contracts outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts

The Company conducts business in multiple currencies and, accordingly, is subject to the inherent risks associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The financial position and results of operations of substantially all of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates, and income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. The aggregate effects of translating the balance sheets of these subsidiaries are deferred and recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of equity.

The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge cash flows related to foreign currency fluctuations. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $324.5 million and $214.2 million of contracted amounts, respectively, of foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding. These contracts 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 its various subsidiaries, vendors or customers. The unsecured contracts outstanding at December 31, 2011 mature at various times within ten months and 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 forward exchange contracts are used to hedge commitments, such as foreign currency debt, firm purchase commitments and foreign currency cash flows for certain export sales transactions.

The following tables summarize, by major currency, the contractual amounts of the Company's foreign currency forward exchange contracts in U.S. dollars at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The "Buy" amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the "Sell" amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to sell foreign currencies. The recognized gains and losses offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures.

December 31, 2011

(In thousands)	Type	U.S. Dollar Equivalent		Maturity	Recognized Gain (Loss)

British pounds sterling	Sell	$	18,350	January 2012	$	(20	)
British pounds sterling	Buy		4,364	January 2012		(12	)
Euros	Sell		178,889	January 2012 through October 2012		2,345
Euros	Buy		105,247	January 2012 through April 2012		(878	)
Other currencies	Sell		2,957	January 2012 through March 2012		62
Other currencies	Buy		14,656	January 2012		235

Total		$	324,463		$	1,732

December 31, 2010

(In thousands)	Type	U.S. Dollar Equivalent		Maturity	Recognized Gain (Loss)

British pounds sterling	Sell	$	54,479	January 2011 through May 2011	$	1,806
British pounds sterling	Buy		208	January 2011 through May 2011		(2	)
Euros	Sell		93,831	January 2011 through February 2011		(104	)
Euros	Buy		44,571	January 2011 through February 2011		(338	)
Other currencies	Sell		5,314	January 2011 through November 2011		(86	)
Other currencies	Buy		15,748	January 2011		441

Total		$	214,151		$	1,717

In addition to foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the Company designates certain loans as hedges of net investments in international subsidiaries. The Company recorded pre-tax net losses of $1.2 million and pre-tax net gains of $19.0 million related to hedges of net investments during 2011 and 2010, respectively, into Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of stockholders' equity.

Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps

The Company uses cross-currency interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to secure a fixed local currency interest rate. Under these cross-currency interest rate swaps, 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. The cross-currency interest rate swaps are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in value attributed to the effect of the swaps' interest spread recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of equity. Changes in value attributed to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations are recorded in the income statement and offset currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal.

Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swap

			Interest Rates

	Contractual Amount		Interest Rates
(In millions)	Contractual Amount		Receive	Pay
Maturing 2018	$	250.0	Fixed U.S. dollar rate	Fixed euro rate
Maturing 2020		220.0	Fixed U.S. dollar rate	Fixed British pound sterling rate
Maturing 2013		1.8	Floating U.S. dollar rate	Fixed rupee rate

Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities and Other Financial Instruments

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that the Company believes market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique.

The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

•

Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In instances in which multiple levels of inputs are used to measure fair value, hierarchy classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, all derivative assets and liabilities were valued at Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The following table indicates the different financial instruments of the Company.

Level 2 Fair Value Measurements at December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010

Assets
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	3,186	$	2,787
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		44,636		31,803
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts		1,207		1,071
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		1,792		3,831

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements at December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010

Liabilities
Contingent consideration for acquisitions	$	—	$	3,872

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances for liabilities measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) for 2011 and 2010.

Level 3 Liabilities—Contingent Consideration for the Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010

Balance at beginning of year	$	3,872		$	9,735
Acquisitions during the year		—			4,618
Fair value adjustments included in earnings		(3,966	)		(10,620	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		94			139

Balance at end of year	$	—		$	3,872

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 minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company is able to classify fair value balances based on the ability to observe those inputs. Commodity derivatives, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and cross-currency interest rate swaps are classified as Level 2 fair value based upon pricing models using market-based inputs. Model inputs can be verified, and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the total fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $935.1 million and $905.0 million, respectively, compared to carrying value of $857.4 million and $853.7 million, respectively. Fair values for debt are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high-quality financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one institution.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are generally limited in the Harsco Infrastructure, Harsco Rail and Harsco Industrial Segments due to the Company's large number of customers and their dispersion across different industries and geographies. However, the Company's Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment has several large customers throughout the world with significant accounts receivable balances. Additionally, consolidation in the global steel industry has increased the Company's exposure to specific customers. Should further consolidation occur involving some of the steel industry's larger companies, which are customers of the Company; it would result in an increase in concentration of credit risk for the Company.

The Company generally does not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables. If a receivable from one or more of the Company's larger customers becomes uncollectible, it could have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows.

Information by Segment and Geographic Area

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Information by Segment and Geographic Area

Information by Segment and Geographic Area

15. Information by Segment and Geographic Area

The Company reports information about its operating segments using the "management approach," which is based on the way management organizes and reports the segments within the enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company's reportable segments are identified based upon differences in products, services and markets served.

The Company has four reportable segments. These segments and the types of products and services offered include the following:

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment

These businesses provide on-site, outsourced services to steel mills and other metal producers such as aluminum and copper. Services include slag processing; semi-finished inventory management; material handling; scrap management; in-plant transportation; and a variety of other services. Other major products and services include minerals and recycling technologies; environmental solutions for metals and mining customers' waste streams; and granules for asphalt roofing shingles as well as abrasives for industrial surface preparation derived from coal slag. Major customers include steel mills and asphalt roofing manufacturers.

Harsco Infrastructure Segment

Major services include project engineering and equipment installation, as well as the sale and rental of scaffolding, shoring and concrete forming systems for industrial maintenance and capital improvement projects, civil infrastructure projects, non-residential construction, and international multi-dwelling residential construction projects. Services are provided to industrial and petrochemical plants; the infrastructure construction, repair and maintenance markets; commercial and industrial construction contractors; and public utilities.

Harsco Rail Segment

This segment manufactures railway track maintenance equipment and provides track maintenance services. The major customers include private and government-owned railroads and urban mass transit systems worldwide.

Harsco Industrial Segment

Major products include industrial grating; air-cooled heat exchangers; and boilers and water heaters. Major customers include industrial plants and the non-residential, commercial and public construction and retrofit markets; and the natural gas exploration and processing industry.

Other Information

The measurement basis of segment profit or loss is operating income. There are no significant inter-segment sales. Corporate assets include principally cash, prepaid taxes, fair value of derivative instruments and U.S. deferred income taxes. Countries with revenues from unaffiliated customers and Net Property, Plant and Equipment of ten percent or more of the consolidated totals are as follows:

Information by Geographic Area(a)

	Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers						Net Property, Plant and Equipment

	Twelve Months Ended December 31						At December 31
(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009		2011		2010		2009
United States	$	1,087,454	$	1,010,290	$	1,010,076	$	276,966	$	291,470	$	326,952
United Kingdom		398,222		420,458		436,039		114,521		141,014		205,681
All Other		1,817,064		1,607,930		1,544,462		882,997		934,489		978,168

Totals including Corporate	$	3,302,740	$	3,038,678	$	2,990,577	$	1,274,484	$	1,366,973	$	1,510,801

(a): Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue.

In 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales to one customer, ArcelorMittal, principally in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment, were $361.9 million, $359.0 million and $305.6 million, respectively, which represented more than 10% of the Company's consolidated sales for those years. These sales were provided under multiple long-term contracts at several mill sites. In addition, the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment is dependent largely on the global steel industry, and in 2011, 2010 and 2009 there were two customers, including ArcelorMittal, that each provided in excess of 10% of this Segment's revenues under multiple long-term contracts at several mill sites. The loss of any one of these contracts would not have a material adverse impact upon the Company's financial position or cash flows; however, it could have a material effect on quarterly or annual results of operations. Additionally, consolidation in the global steel industry has increased the Company's exposure to these customers. Should additional consolidations occur involving some of the steel industry's larger companies which are customers of the Company, it would result in an increase in concentration of credit risk for the Company.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company implemented the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program to further optimize rental assets and sales inventories in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment; reduce the number of administrative locations in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment; and reduce the global workforce in the Harsco Infrastructure and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segments. The Harsco Infrastructure Segment and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment recorded pre-tax charges of $87.6 million and $12.8 million respectively, for this Program in 2011. Additional charges of $85 million for the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and $12 million for the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment are expected to be incurred in 2012 under this Program. Overall cost savings under this program are expected to be over $36 million in 2012 and more than $65 million when fully annualized in 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Harsco Infrastructure Segment implemented a comprehensive restructuring initiative as a countermeasure to global economic and financial conditions that adversely affected the Company's end markets. This Segment recorded net pre-tax charges of $84.4 million related to this restructuring initiative. See Note 18, "Restructuring Programs," to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional disclosure regarding these restructuring programs.

Operating Information by Segment

	Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Revenues
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	1,588,302		$	1,461,531		$	1,257,098
Harsco Infrastructure		1,108,293			1,031,807			1,159,200
Harsco Rail		300,029			313,262			306,016
Harsco Industrial		306,116			231,898			268,023
Corporate		—			180			240

Total Revenues	$	3,302,740		$	3,038,678		$	2,990,577

Operating Income (Loss)
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	109,593		$	117,915		$	43,303
Harsco Infrastructure		(125,555	)		(145,346	)		68,437
Harsco Rail		58,746			66,124			56,542
Harsco Industrial		50,656			42,871			55,084
Corporate		(5,791	)		(3,133	)		(4,710	)

Total Operating Income	$	87,649		$	78,431		$	218,656

Total Assets
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	1,537,538		$	1,541,117		$	1,648,878
Harsco Infrastructure		1,371,143			1,534,379			1,669,401
Harsco Rail		213,410			208,338			208,877
Harsco Industrial		80,784			58,918			58,587
Corporate		136,002			126,468			53,497

Total Assets	$	3,338,877		$	3,469,220		$	3,639,240

Depreciation and Amortization
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	183,784		$	180,306		$	191,647
Harsco Infrastructure		107,621			114,861			101,465
Harsco Rail		10,133			11,110			11,106
Harsco Industrial		2,805			2,832			2,923
Corporate		6,098			6,130			4,390

Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	310,441		$	315,239		$	311,531

Capital Expenditures
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	212,009		$	123,153		$	102,762
Harsco Infrastructure		88,456			54,858			41,530
Harsco Rail		4,497			9,498			7,699
Harsco Industrial		4,938			1,722			2,674
Corporate		3,201			3,117			10,655

Total Capital Expenditures	$	313,101		$	192,348		$	165,320

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Income

	Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Segment operating income	$	93,440		$	81,564		$	223,366
General Corporate expense		(5,791	)		(3,133	)		(4,710	)

Operating income from continuing operations		87,649			78,431			218,656
Interest income		2,751			2,668			2,928
Interest expense		(48,735	)		(60,623	)		(62,746	)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	$	41,665		$	20,476		$	158,838

Information about Products and Services

	Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers

	Twelve Months Ended December 31
(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Product Group
Outsourced, on-site services to steel mills and other metals producers	$	1,367,919	$	1,245,045	$	1,084,826
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales		1,108,293		1,031,807		1,159,200
Railway track maintenance services and equipment		300,029		313,262		306,016
Resource recovery technologies for the re-use of industrial waste stream by-products		150,983		148,749		104,028
Air-cooled heat exchangers		142,960		112,170		129,365
Industrial grating products		113,388		76,975		92,903
Industrial abrasives and roofing granules		69,399		67,737		68,244
Heat transfer products		49,769		42,753		45,755
General Corporate		—		180		240

Consolidated Revenues	$	3,302,740	$	3,038,678	$	2,990,577

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

Other (Income) Expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other (Income) Expenses

Other (Income) Expenses

16. Other (Income) Expenses

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded pre-tax Other expenses from continuing operations of $102.7 million, $86.5 million and $7.6 million, respectively. The major components of this income statement category are as follows:

	Other (Income) Expenses

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Net gains	$	(6,162	)	$	(7,792	)	$	(8,047	)
Contingent consideration adjustments		(3,966	)		(10,620	)		—
Employee termination benefits costs		36,174			24,816			10,931
Costs to exit activities		10,007			34,384			4,297
Product line rationalization		66,063			34,302			—
Impaired asset write-downs		—			9,966			1,494
Other (income) expense		624			1,417			(1,114	)

Total	$	102,740		$	86,473		$	7,561

Substantially all Other expenses in 2011 and 2010 were incurred in conjunction with restructuring programs initiated within the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and Harsco Metals & Minerals in 2011 and the Harsco Infrastructure Segment in 2010. See Note 18, "Restructuring Programs," for additional information on these programs.

Net Gains

Net gains result from the sales of redundant properties (primarily land, buildings and related equipment) and non-core assets. In 2011, gains related to assets sold principally in the United Kingdom and in the United States. In 2010, gains related to assets sold principally in the United States and Western Europe. In 2009, gains related to assets sold principally in the United States, the United Kingdom and Western Europe.

	Net Gains

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	(1,666	)	$	(3,942	)	$	(3,406	)
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		(3,607	)		(3,253	)		(4,641	)
Harsco Industrial Segment		(889	)		(597	)		—

Total	$	(6,162	)	$	(7,792	)	$	(8,047	)

Cash proceeds associated with these gains are included in Proceeds from the sale of assets in the cash flows from investing activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Contingent Consideration Adjustments

	Contingent Consideration Adjustments

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Infrastructure Segment	$	3,966	$	10,620	$	—

All contingent consideration liabilities have been settled and there was no recorded contingent consideration liability as of December 31, 2011.

Employee Termination Benefit Costs

Costs and the related liabilities associated with involuntary termination costs associated with one-time benefit arrangements provided as part of an exit or disposal activity are recognized by the Company when a formal plan for reorganization is approved at the appropriate level of management and communicated to the affected employees. Additionally, costs associated with ongoing benefit arrangements, or in certain countries where statutory requirements dictate a minimum required benefit, are recognized when they are probable and estimable.

The total amount of employee termination benefit costs incurred during 2011, 2010 and 2009 is presented in the table below. The employee termination benefits costs in 2011 related primarily to the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program and were primarily in Western Europe and the United Kingdom. The employee termination benefit costs in 2010 related primarily to the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Segment Program in addition to initiatives in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment and were primarily in the United Kingdom, Western Europe and North America. The employee termination benefit costs in 2009 related primarily to actions implemented in Western Europe, North America and South America.

	Employee Termination Benefit Costs

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	18,533	$	4,684	$	7,998
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		16,546		19,068		2,352
Harsco Rail Segment		296		578		246
Harsco Industrial Segment		423		486		303
Corporate		376		—		32

Total	$	36,174	$	24,816	$	10,931

Costs to Exit Activities

Costs associated with exit or disposal activities are recognized as follows:

•

Costs to terminate a contract that is not a capital lease are recognized when an entity terminates the contract or when an entity ceases using the right conveyed by the contract. This includes the costs to terminate the contract before the end of its term or the costs that will continue to be incurred under the contract for its remaining term without economic benefit to the entity (e.g., lease run-out costs).

•

Other costs associated with exit or disposal activities (e.g., costs to consolidate or close facilities and relocate equipment or employees) are recognized and measured at their fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.

In 2011, $10.0 million of exit costs were incurred, principally related to the United States, the United Kingdom and Western Europe. This consists primarily of branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs in the Harsco Infrastructure and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segments.

In 2010, $34.4 million of exit costs were incurred, principally related to relocation and lease run-out costs in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment in the United States, Western Europe and the United Kingdom. Costs to exit activities in 2010 included $8.3 million of withdrawal liabilities to exit certain multiemployer pension plans, based on the latest available information received from the plan administrators and trustees. These withdrawal liabilities were triggered as the Company has ceased, or expected to cease, contributing to multiemployer plans for certain locations as part of the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program. A significant number of union employees in the United States are covered by multiemployer pension plans based on obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements. These plans provide retirement benefits to all plan participants based on their service to contributing employers, including union employees of the Company. These retirement benefits are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose. The Company is only one of several employers participating in each of these plans. A withdrawal liability is recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and the amount can be reasonably estimated from the financial information that is provided by the third-party trustees of the plans pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. At times, this financial information may be dated or insufficient to reasonably estimate an accrual at the balance sheet date when the Company has determined it is probable that a liability exists. Consequently, while the Company believes it has sufficient information to have reasonably estimated the $8.3 million withdrawal liability, the liability changed when more current information was provided by the plans' trustees

In 2009, $4.3 million of exit costs were incurred, principally related to relocation costs for Western Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

	Costs to Exit Activities

(In thousands)	2011		2010			2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	1,313	$	930		$	2,577
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		8,694		33,458			1,720
Harsco Industrial Segment		—		(4	)		—

Total	$	10,007	$	34,384		$	4,297

Product Line Rationalization

The product line rationalization charges of $66.1 million and $34.3 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, represent a write-down of certain rental assets and sale inventories in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that were discontinued as part of the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program and the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program, respectively to streamline and optimize product offerings. These charges are net of estimated salvage value. Salvage values were based on estimates of proceeds to be realized through the sale of this inventory outside the normal course of business.

The 2011/2012 Restructuring Program and the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program should result in a reduction in the number of product lines offered and is an extension of the Harsco Infrastructure initiative to optimize the operating footprint and reduce the number of operating locations. By streamlining the product offerings, the Company anticipates it should improve customer service to allow for more efficient operations, thereby reducing selling, engineering, logistics, warehousing and maintenance costs; minimizing future capital expenditures due to reduced product line offerings; improving capacity utilization; and eliminating unnecessary redundancy in its product offering. Customers will be serviced using available alternative systems that should ensure no reduction in the rental capacity of the Company.

Impaired Asset Write-downs

Impaired asset write-downs are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of assets exceeds their fair value. Fair value is estimated based upon the expected future realizable cash flows including anticipated selling prices. Non-cash impaired asset write-downs are included in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities.

There were no impaired asset write-downs recorded in 2011. In 2010, impaired asset write-downs of $10.0 million were recorded principally in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment in the United Kingdom and in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment in the United States. The Harsco Infrastructure Segment write-downs in 2010 related primarily to adjustments to realizable value for two lines of business upon transfer to assets held for sale in Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in conjunction with the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program. In 2009, impaired asset write-downs of $1.5 million were recorded principally in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment in the United Kingdom.

	Impaired Asset Write-downs

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	—	$	1,028	$	1,464
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		—		8,938		30

Total	$	—	$	9,966	$	1,494

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

17. Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included on the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity. The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of the effect of income taxes, are as follows:

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss—Net of Tax

	December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010
Cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustments	$	51,313		$	111,667
Effective portion of cash flow hedges		(3,807	)		(9,740	)
Cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses on pension obligations		(411,641	)		(287,814	)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities		(56	)		(45	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(364,191	)	$	(185,932	)

Restructuring Programs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring Programs

Restructuring Programs

18. Restructuring Programs

The Company instituted restructuring programs in 2010 and 2011 as detailed below. The overall objective of the programs is to balance short-term profitability goals with long-term strategies to establish platforms upon which the affected businesses can grow with limited fixed investment and generate annual operating expense savings. The programs have been instituted in response to the continuing impact of uncertainty in global financial and economic markets on the Company's end markets, particularly in the Company's Harsco Infrastructure Segment. These end market conditions have included such factors as the following:

•

a continued lack of meaningful commercial and multi-family construction activity in various regions of the world served by the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, particularly in Europe;

•

pricing pressures as customers worldwide continued to seek lower cost solutions;

•

postponements, deferrals and cancellation of jobs and projects; and

•

concern over possible sovereign debt crises arising in certain countries.

Within the Harsco Infrastructure Segment, these restructuring programs are part of an ongoing transformation strategy to improve organizational efficiency and enhance profitability and stockholder value. The strategy includes optimizing the Segment as a more streamlined, efficient, cost-effective, disciplined and market-focused global platform.

Restructuring costs incurred in these programs were recorded in the Other expenses line of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

2011/2012 Restructuring Program

Under the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program, the Company is optimizing rental assets and sale inventories by removing redundant and/or non-core assets under an expanded product rationalization and branch structure reduction program undertaken in its Harsco Infrastructure Segment; optimizing office structures in the Harsco Infrastructure and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segments; and reducing the global workforce principally in the Harsco Infrastructure and Harsco Metals & Minerals Segments. Overall cost savings under this program are expected to be over $36 million in 2012 and more than $65 million when fully annualized in 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $100.8 million, including non-cash product rationalization charges of $66.1 million for disposal of rental assets and sales inventories; severance of $28.6 million related to headcount reductions; and exit costs of $6.1 million related to branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs. Additional pre-tax charges totaling approximately $97 million are expected to be incurred in 2012, with approximately $85 million in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and approximately $12 million in the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment. Approximately $42 million of the expected charges in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment in 2012 are estimated to be non-cash.

The restructuring accrual for the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program at December 31, 2011 and the activity for the year then ended are as follows:

(In thousands)	Expense Incurred in 2011		Non-Cash Charges			Cash Expenditures			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	15,410	$	—		$	(910	)	$	14,500
Cost to exit activities		6,131		(1,257	)		(2,041	)		2,833
Product rationalization		66,063		(66,063	)		—			—

Total Harsco Infrastructure Segment		87,604		(67,320	)		(2,951	)		17,333

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		12,775		—			(38	)		12,737
Harsco Rail Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		50		—			—			50
Harsco Corporate
Employee termination benefit costs		351		—			—			351

Total	$	100,780	$	(67,320	)	$	(2,989	)	$	30,471

Cash expenditures related to the remaining accrual at December 31, 2011 are expected to be paid principally throughout 2012 with certain exit activity costs for lease terminations expected to be paid over the remaining life of the leases.

At December 31, 2011 the Company had completed workforce reductions of 43 employees of a total expected reduction of 1,100 employees affected under the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program. The remaining workforce reductions are targeted for completion during 2012.

Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program

Under the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program, the Harsco Infrastructure Segment reduced its branch structure; consolidated and/or closed administrative office locations; reduced its global workforce; and rationalized its product lines.

The restructuring accrual for the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program at December 31, 2011 and the activity for the year then ended are as follows:

(In thousands)	Accrual December 31 2010		Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges(a)			Cash Expenditures			Foreign Currency Translation			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	9,254	$	(1,040	)	$	(8,346	)	$	343		$	211
Cost to exit activities		21,449		1,779			(11,218	)		(81	)		11,929
Other		97		—			(90	)		—			7

Total	$	30,800	$	739		$	(19,654	)	$	262		$	12,147

(a): Adjustments to previously recorded restructuring charges resulted from changes in facts and circumstances in the implementation of these activities as well as the timing of additional expenses recognized under U.S. GAAP.

Approximately one-half of the remaining accrual at December 31, 2011 related to this program is expected to be paid throughout 2012. Approximately $6.3 million related to payment of multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liabilities is expected to be paid through 2023 under contractual payment terms with the related plan administrators. Certain exit activity costs for lease terminations are expected to be paid over the remaining life of the leases.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had completed substantially all workforce reductions related to 494 employees affected under this program.

Prior Restructuring Programs

Other restructuring actions were undertaken in 2010, in addition to the Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program described above, to reduce the Company's cost structure.

The restructuring accrual for those prior restructuring programs at December 31, 2011 and the activity for the year then ended are as follows:

(In thousands)	Accrual December 31 2010		Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges(a)			Cash Expenditures			Foreign Currency Translation			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	905	$	(361	)	$	(571	)	$	27		$	—
Cost to exit activities		413		(61	)		(367	)		15			—

Total Harsco Infrastructure Segment		1,318		(422	)		(938	)		42			—

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		2,109		(88	)		(623	)		(118	)		1,280
Cost to exit activities		864		—			(162	)		25			727

Total Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment		2,973		(88	)		(785	)		(93	)		2,007

Total	$	4,291	$	(510	)	$	(1,723	)	$	(51	)	$	2,007

(a): Adjustments to previously recorded restructuring charges resulted from changes in facts and circumstances in the implementation of these activities as well as the timing of additional expenses recognized under U.S. GAAP.

The majority of the remaining cash expenditures of $2.0 million related to these actions are expected to be paid throughout 2012.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had completed all workforce reductions related to 249 employees for the Harsco Infrastructure Segment; and reductions of 188 employees of a total expected workforce reduction of 242 employees for the Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment. Remaining workforce reductions and costs to exit activities are targeted for substantial completion in 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

+ References + Details

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Continuing Operations
(In thousands)

COLUMN A	COLUMN B		COLUMN C			COLUMN D						COLUMN E

			Additions			Additions (Deductions)
Description	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Cost and Expenses			Due to Currency Translation Adjustments			Other			Balance at End of Period
For the year 2011:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	20,283	$	7,880		$	(677	)	$	(9,657	)(a)	$	17,829
Deferred Tax Assets—Valuation Allowance	$	29,469	$	47,575	(b)	$	(312	)	$	22,885	(c)	$	99,617
For the year 2010:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	24,495	$	9,962		$	(336	)	$	(13,838	)(a)	$	20,283
Deferred Tax Assets—Valuation Allowance	$	22,744	$	4,754		$	(347	)	$	2,318		$	29,469
For the year 2009:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	27,853	$	9,318		$	694		$	(13,370	)(a)	$	24,495
Deferred Tax Assets—Valuation Allowance	$	21,459	$	(980	)	$	(75	)	$	2,340		$	22,744

(a): Includes principally the utilization of previously reserved amounts.
(b): Includes principally a valuation allowance recorded to fully offset the U.K. operations' net deferred tax assets primarily related to U.K. pension liabilities.
(c): Includes principally a valuation allowance recorded on current year other comprehensive income (loss) activity related to U.K. pension.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

Reclassifications and Out-of-Period Adjustments

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' amounts to conform with current year classifications.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments that are highly liquid in nature and have an original maturity of three months or less.

Inventories

Depreciation

Leases

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets (Other than Goodwill)

Revenue Recognition

Income Taxes

The significant assumptions and estimates described in the preceding paragraphs are important contributors to the effective tax rate each year.

Accrued Insurance and Loss Reserves

Warranties

Warranty Activity

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009

Warranty reserves, beginning of the year	$	5,037		$	4,078		$	2,863
Accruals for warranties issued during the year		4,003			4,399			4,623
Reductions related to pre-existing warranties		(1,769	)		(1,447	)		(1,388	)
Warranties paid		(1,677	)		(2,054	)		(2,059	)
Other (principally foreign currency translation)		2			61			39

Warranty reserves, end of the year	$	5,596		$	5,037		$	4,078

Foreign Currency Translation

Financial Instruments and Hedging

Earnings Per Share

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of warranty activity

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009

Warranty reserves, beginning of the year	$	5,037		$	4,078		$	2,863
Accruals for warranties issued during the year		4,003			4,399			4,623
Reductions related to pre-existing warranties		(1,769	)		(1,447	)		(1,388	)
Warranties paid		(1,677	)		(2,054	)		(2,059	)
Other (principally foreign currency translation)		2			61			39

Warranty reserves, end of the year	$	5,596		$	5,037		$	4,078

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Schedule of reductions to previously recognized contingent consideration liabilities

	For the Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Reduction of contingent consideration liabilities	$	3,966	$	10,620	$	—

Schedule of net income attributable to Company and transfers to noncontrolling interest

	For the Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	$	(11,510	)	$	6,754		$	118,777
Decrease in the Company's paid-in capital for purchase of partnership interests		—			(1,003	)		(3,905	)

Change from net income (loss) attributable to the Company and transfers to noncontrolling interest	$	(11,510	)	$	5,751		$	114,872

Accounts Receivable and Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounts Receivable and Inventories

Schedule of accounts receivable

	Accounts Receivable

(In thousands)	December 31 2011			December 31 2010
Trade accounts receivable	$	636,304		$	605,584
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(17,829	)		(20,283	)

Trade accounts receivable, net	$	618,475		$	585,301

Other receivables(a)	$	44,431		$	29,299

(a): Other receivables include insurance claim receivables, employee receivables, tax claim receivables and other miscellaneous receivables not included in Trade accounts receivable, net.

Schedule of provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable

	For Years Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	$	7,880	$	9,962	$	9,318

Schedule of inventories

	Inventories

(In thousands)	2011		2010
Finished goods	$	78,445	$	124,771
Work-in-process		34,041		28,266
Raw materials and purchased parts		92,995		79,420
Stores and supplies		36,453		39,160

Total inventories	$	241,934	$	271,617

Valued at lower of cost or market:
LIFO basis	$	115,523	$	117,519
FIFO basis		13,087		14,148
Average cost basis		113,324		139,950

Total inventories	$	241,934	$	271,617

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

(In thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	2011			2010

Land	—	$	26,729		$	29,456
Land improvements	5-20 years		17,960			18,141
Buildings and improvements	5-40 years		186,799			196,777
Machinery and equipment	3-20 years		2,977,521			3,045,335
Uncompleted construction	—		66,719			74,873

Gross property, plant and equipment			3,275,728			3,364,582
Less accumulated depreciation			(2,001,244	)		(1,997,609	)

Net property, plant and equipment		$	1,274,484		$	1,366,973

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Schedule of changes in carrying amounts of goodwill by segment

(In thousands)	Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment			Harsco Infrastructure Segment			Harsco Rail Segment		Consolidated Totals

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	423,943		$	266,119		$	8,979	$	699,041

Goodwill acquired during year(a)		—			11,419			—		11,419
Changes to goodwill(b)		—			(5,608	)		320		(5,288	)
Foreign currency translation		(5,667	)		(8,718	)		—		(14,385	)

Balance at December 31, 2010		418,276			263,212			9,299		690,787

Goodwill acquired during year		—			—			—		—
Changes to goodwill		—			(115	)		11		(104	)
Foreign currency translation		(6,400	)		(3,382	)		—		(9,782	)

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	411,876		$	259,715		$	9,310	$	680,901

(a): Relates principally to the acquisition of Bell, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.
(b): Relates principally to opening balance sheet adjustments and allocation of goodwill to two lines of business in the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that were transferred to assets held-for-sale, see Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Schedule of intangible assets by category

	December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010

(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer related	$	183,576	$	119,708	$	184,864	$	98,104
Non-compete agreements		1,353		1,301		1,386		1,317
Patents		6,884		5,145		6,976		4,868
Technology related		29,497		14,614		29,821		11,863
Trade names		18,538		8,379		18,635		5,188
Other		10,749		7,949		8,095		7,478

Total	$	250,597	$	157,096	$	249,777	$	128,818

Schedule of estimated amortization expense

(In thousands)		2012			2013			2014			2015			2016

Estimated amortization expense(a)		$	17,500		$	15,750		$	13,500		$	8,750		$	7,500

(a): These estimated amortization expense amounts do not reflect the potential effect of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill.

+ References + Details

Debt and Credit Agreements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt and Credit Agreements

Schedule of credit facilities and programs

(In thousands)	Facility Limit		Outstanding Balance		Available Credit

U.S. commercial paper program	$	550,000	$	39,986	$	510,014
Euro commercial paper program		259,200		—		259,200
Multi-year revolving credit facility(a)		570,000		—		570,000
Bilateral credit facility(b)		25,000		—		25,000

Totals at December 31, 2011	$	1,404,200	$	39,986	$	1,364,214	(c)

(a): U.S.-based program.
(b): International-based program.
(c): Although the Company has significant available credit, in practice, the Company limits aggregate commercial paper and credit facility borrowings at any one-time to a maximum of $595.0 million (the aggregate amount of the back-up facilities).

Schedule of long-term debt

	Long-Term Debt

(In thousands)	2011			2010
5.75% notes due May 15, 2018	$	447,613		$	447,312
5.125% notes due September 15, 2013		149,705			149,544
2.7% notes due October 15, 2015		248,681			248,350
Other financing payable in varying amounts due principally through 2016 with a weighted-average interest rate of 9.4% and 7.9% at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		11,359			8,529

		857,358			853,735
Less: current maturities		(3,558	)		(4,011	)

Total Long-term Debt	$	853,800		$	849,724

Schedule of maturities of long-term debt

(In thousands)

2013			153,369
2014			2,170
2015			250,238
2016			159

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Leases

Schedule of future minimum payments under operating leases

(in thousands)

2012	$	47,771
2013		39,887
2014		28,835
2015		20,822
2016		14,586
After 2016		19,704

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule of net periodic pension cost for U.S. and international pension plans

	U.S. Plans									International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$	1,557		$	2,086		$	1,790		$	4,350		$	4,052		$	3,977
Interest cost		13,468			14,049			14,104			48,768			47,558			42,854
Expected return on plan assets		(16,480	)		(16,632	)		(14,598	)		(52,735	)		(46,079	)		(41,453	)
Recognized prior service costs		245			339			351			424			327			353
Recognized losses		2,982			2,537			3,466			11,332			12,077			9,353
Amortization of transition liability		—			—			—			43			45			33
Settlement/curtailment loss (gain)		—			179			4			183			(210	)		(341	)

Defined benefit plans pension cost		1,772			2,558			5,117			12,365			17,770			14,776
Multiemployer plans		13,264			10,924			12,533			13,326			12,065			9,201
Defined contribution plans		5,434			5,918			7,104			7,378			7,629			8,235

Net periodic pension cost	$	20,470		$	19,400		$	24,754		$	33,069		$	37,464		$	32,212

Schedule of change in the financial status of pension plans

	U.S. Plans						International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	264,969		$	247,263		$	883,342		$	887,882
Service cost		1,557			2,086			4,350			4,052
Interest cost		13,468			14,049			48,768			47,558
Plan participants' contributions		—			—			986			1,862
Amendments		—			6			598			653
Actuarial loss		40,730			22,397			79,474			11,464
Settlements/curtailments		—			—			(1,886	)		(1,410	)
Benefits paid		(21,955	)		(20,832	)		(37,653	)		(39,258	)
Effect of foreign currency		—			—			(10,332	)		(29,461	)
Other		—			—			571			—

Benefit Obligation at end of year	$	298,769		$	264,969		$	968,218		$	883,342

Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	221,673		$	216,919		$	708,025		$	679,018
Actual return on plan assets		6,464			23,279			19,488			71,783
Employer contributions		3,055			2,307			29,300			16,868
Plan participants' contributions		—			—			986			1,862
Settlements/curtailments		—			—			(1,127	)		(929	)
Benefits paid		(21,955	)		(20,832	)		(36,631	)		(38,764	)
Effect of foreign currency		—			—			(6,449	)		(21,813	)
Other		—			—			571			—

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	209,237		$	221,673		$	714,163		$	708,025

Funded status at end of year	$	(89,532	)	$	(43,296	)	$	(254,055	)	$	(175,317	)

Schedule of amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets

	U.S. Plans						International Plans

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Noncurrent assets	$	397		$	1,315		$	4,372		$	4,937
Current liabilities		(2,076	)		(2,293	)		(1,011	)		(1,064	)
Noncurrent liabilities		(87,853	)		(42,318	)		(257,416	)		(179,190	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss before tax		149,429			101,909			417,406			319,879

Schedule of amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss before tax

	U.S. Plans				International Plans

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Net actuarial loss	$	148,690	$	100,924	$	414,203	$	316,561
Prior service cost		739		985		3,105		3,151
Transition obligation		—		—		98		167

Total	$	149,429	$	101,909	$	417,406	$	319,879

Schedule of estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into defined benefit net periodic pension cost in 2012

(In thousands)	U.S. Plans		International Plans

Net actuarial loss	$	4,627	$	14,825
Prior service cost		189		379
Transition obligation		—		50

Total	$	4,816	$	15,254

Schedule of expected benefit payments for defined benefit plans over next 10 years

(In millions)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		2017-2021

U.S. Plans	$	16.8	$	18.2	$	18.4	$	17.2	$	18.6	$	90.1
International Plans		38.2		39.5		40.8		42.7		44.7		250.6

Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost

	U.S. Plans December 31									International Plans December 31									Global Weighted- Average December 31

	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Discount rates		5.3	%		5.9	%		6.1	%		5.5	%		5.7	%		6.0	%		5.4	%		5.8	%		6.1	%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets		7.8	%		8.0	%		8.0	%		7.4	%		7.4	%		7.1	%		7.5	%		7.5	%		7.4	%
Rates of compensation increase		3.0	%		3.0	%		4.0	%		3.3	%		3.6	%		3.4	%		3.3	%		3.6	%		3.4	%

Schedule of weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension plan obligations

	U.S. Plans December 31						International Plans December 31						Global Weighted- Average December 31

	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Discount rates		4.4	%		5.3	%		4.8	%		5.5	%		4.7	%		5.4	%
Rates of compensation increase		3.0	%		3.0	%		3.4	%		3.3	%		3.4	%		3.3	%

Schedule of accumulated benefit obligations

	U.S. Plans December 31				International Plans December 31

(In millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	298.6	$	264.8	$	952.8	$	869.3

Schedule of accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets

	U.S. Plans				International Plans

(In millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	288.7	$	255.5	$	929.1	$	845.0
Accumulated benefit obligation		288.7		255.5		921.0		837.8
Fair value of plan assets		198.8		210.9		673.9		665.8

Schedule of changes in fair values of level 3 assets

(In thousands)	Real Estate Limited Partnerships

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	10,994
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at year-end		(810	)

Balance at December 31, 2010		10,184
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at year-end		1,841

Balance at December 31, 2011	$	12,025

Schedule of company's participation in multiemployer pension plans

(In thousands)

			Pension Protection Act Zone Status For Plan Years Ended
					Contributions By The Company For Plan Years Ended								Expiration Date of Collective- Bargaining Agreement
											Subject to Financial Improvement Plan
	Identification Number											Surcharge Imposed
Pension Fund	Identification Number		2010	2009	2011		2010		2009			Surcharge Imposed
Significant multiemployer plans for which plan financial information is publicly available outside the Company's financial statements:
Cumberland MD Vicinity Building Construction Employees Trust Fund		52-6061646	Green	Green	$	620	$	430	$	466	No	No		2012
Greater Pennsylvania Carpenters' Pension Fund		25-6135570	Yellow	Yellow		2,415		1,996		2,756	Yes	No		2012
Ohio Carpenters' Pension Plan		34-6574360	Green	Green		953		1,145		1,637	Yes	No		2012
Significant multiemployer plans for which plan financial information is not publicly available outside the Company's financial statements:
New Zealand Steel Pension Fund		018-054-531	N/A	N/A		891		810		761	Yes	No		2013
Summary aggregate information for multiemployer plans which are not individually significant:
All other multiemployer plans						22,034		18,608		16,892

Total Contributions (a)					$	26,913	$	22,989	$	22,512

(a): Contributions to multiemployer pension plans in 2010 do not include $8.3 million of plan withdrawal costs triggered as the Company has ceased, or expects to cease, contributing to ten multiemployer plans for certain locations as part of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment's restructuring initiatives. These restructuring initiatives are described in Note 18, "Restructuring Programs." The $8.3 million of costs is included in the Other expenses line of the Consolidated Income Statement, as described in Note 16, "Other expenses."

U. S. Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule of allocation of plan assets

		Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31

	Target Long-Term Allocation	Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31
U.S. Plans Asset Category	Target Long-Term Allocation	2011			2010
Domestic equity securities	34%-44%		38.0	%		50.5	%
International equity securities	14%-24%		18.0	%		11.9	%
Fixed income securities	27%-37%		32.8	%		30.5	%
Cash and cash equivalents	Less than 5%		1.9	%		1.5	%
Other	5%-15%		9.3	%		5.6	%

Schedule of fair values of defined benefit pension plans

The fair values of the Company's U.S. pension plans' assets at December 31, 2011 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Domestic equities:
Common stocks	$	39,295	$	39,295	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds—equities		40,107		19		40,088		—
International equities—mutual funds		37,740		33,198		4,542		—
Fixed income investments:
U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities		23,054		—		23,054		—
Corporate bonds and notes		5,507		5,507		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		40,110		40,110		—		—
Other—mutual funds		19,392		19,392		—		—
Cash and money market accounts		4,032		4,032		—		—

Total	$	209,237	$	141,553	$	67,684	$	—

The fair values of the Company's U.S. pension plans' assets at December 31, 2010 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Domestic equities:
Common stocks	$	52,930	$	52,930	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds—equities		59,049		15,167		43,882		—
International equities—mutual funds		26,354		14,666		11,688		—
Fixed income investments:
U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities		22,039		—		22,039		—
Corporate bonds and notes		9,920		9,920		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		35,588		35,588		—		—
Other—mutual funds		12,375		12,375		—		—
Cash and money market accounts		3,418		3,418		—		—

Total	$	221,673	$	144,064	$	77,609	$	—

International Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule of allocation of plan assets

				Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31

	Target Long-Term Allocation			Percentage of Plan Assets at December 31
International Plans Asset Category	Target Long-Term Allocation			2011			2010
Equity securities		40.0	%		34.7	%		48.7	%
Fixed income securities		42.5	%		50.0	%		42.6	%
Cash and cash equivalents		—	%		0.4	%		0.5	%
Other		17.5	%		14.9	%		8.2	%

Schedule of fair values of defined benefit pension plans

The fair values of the Company's international pension plans' assets at December 31, 2011 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities:
Mutual funds—equities	$	247,629	$	—	$	247,629	$	—
Fixed income investments:
Corporate bonds and notes		—		—		—		—
Mutual funds—bonds		294,010		—		294,010		—
Insurance contracts		63,169		—		63,169		—
Other:
Real estate funds/limited partnerships		43,122		—		31,097		12,025
Other mutual funds(a)		63,568		—		63,568		—
Cash and money market accounts		2,665		2,665		—		—

Total	$	714,163	$	2,665	$	699,473	$	12,025

(a): Includes $43.9 million of balance funds that include a mix of mostly equities and bonds.

The fair values of the Company's international pension plans' assets at December 31, 2010 by asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Equity securities:
Mutual funds—equities	$	344,445	$	119,864	$	224,581	$	—
Fixed income investments:
Corporate bonds and notes		3,382		1,038		2,344		—
Mutual funds—bonds		240,683		25,419		215,264		—
Insurance contracts		57,324		—		57,324		—
Other:
Real estate funds / limited partnerships		40,173		—		29,989		10,184
Other mutual funds		18,832		—		18,832		—
Cash and money market accounts		3,186		3,186		—		—

Total	$	708,025	$	149,507	$	548,334	$	10,184

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes

Schedule of income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009

United States	$	47,680		$	23,037		$	51,529
International		(6,015	)		(2,561	)		107,309

Total income before income taxes and equity income	$	41,665		$	20,476		$	158,838

Schedule of income tax expense

(In thousands)	2011		2010			2009

Income tax expense (benefit):
Currently payable:
U.S. federal	$	4,249	$	(325	)	$	23,886
U.S. state		913		453			1,591
International		23,860		30,765			26,938

Total income taxes currently payable		29,022		30,893			52,415
Deferred U.S. federal and U.S. state		1,173		6,172			(28,018	)
Deferred international		19,653		(32,789	)		(5,888	)

Total income tax expense	$	49,848	$	4,276		$	18,509

Schedule of reconciliation of U.S. federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate



U.S. federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
U.S. state income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2.9		5.1		1.0
U.S. domestic manufacturing deductions and credits	(9.6	)	(5.9	)	(2.7	)
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion	—		9.3		(5.0	)
Difference in effective tax rates on international earnings and remittances	(11.7	)	(34.4	)	(26.1	)
Uncertain tax position contingencies and settlements	(18.0	)	1.2		4.0
Changes in realization on beginning of the year deferred tax assets	89.1		8.4		1.7
Restructuring charges with no realizable tax benefits	23.0		11.2		—
U.S. nondeductible items	6.0		8.7		1.2
Deferred charges	—		(19.0	)	—
Cumulative effect of change in statutory tax rates/laws	3.5		3.4		2.8
Other, net	(0.6	)	(2.1	)	(0.3	)

Effective income tax rate	119.6	%	20.9	%	11.6	%

Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities

	2011					2010

(In thousands)	Asset			Liability		Asset			Liability
Depreciation and amortization	$	—		$	119,701	$	—		$	144,361
Expense accruals		42,529			—		46,116			—
Inventories		2,588			—		3,582			—
Provision for receivables		2,205			—		2,871			—
Deferred revenue		—			2,065		—			1,979
Operating loss carryforwards		79,408			—		57,318			—
Deferred foreign tax credits		29,540			—		31,718			—
Pensions		95,657			—		60,626			—
Currency adjustments		30,813			—		28,721			—
Post-retirement benefits		1,079			—		1,117			—
Other		19,299			—		17,245			—

Subtotal		303,118			121,766		249,314			146,340
Valuation allowance		(99,617	)		—		(29,469	)		—

Total deferred income taxes	$	203,501		$	121,766	$	219,845		$	146,340

Schedule of recognition of deferred tax asset and liability in consolidated balance sheets

(In thousands)	2011			2010

Other current assets	$	50,694		$	47,279
Other assets		59,200			64,672
Other current liabilities		(729	)		(2,804	)
Deferred income taxes		(27,430	)		(35,642	)

Schedule of change in unrecognized tax benefits

(In thousands)	Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits			Deferred Income Tax Benefits			Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits, Net of Deferred Income Tax Benefits

Balance at January 1, 2009	$	24,299		$	(1,179	)	$	23,120
Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		7,868			(11	)		7,857
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		10,625			(49	)		10,576
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(4,007	)		117			(3,890	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(1,934	)		152			(1,782	)
Settlements		(60	)		21			(39	)

Balance at December 31, 2009	$	36,791		$	(949	)	$	35,842

Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		1,846			—			1,846
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		313			(44	)		269
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(429	)		—			(429	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(2,348	)		156			(2,192	)
Settlements		(284	)		99			(185	)

Balance at December 31, 2010	$	35,889		$	(738	)	$	35,151

Additions for tax positions related to the current year (includes currency translation adjustment)		2,534			(10	)		2,524
Additions for tax positions related to prior years (includes currency translation adjustment)		4,014			(11	)		4,003
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(147	)		—			(147	)
Statutes of limitation expirations		(8,521	)		224			(8,297	)
Settlements		(361	)		18			(343	)

Total unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate at December 31, 2011	$	33,408		$	(517	)	$	32,891

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of tax positions taken in the tax returns filed or to be filed for which it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities (i.e., uncertain tax positions) and other types of income tax contingencies, including: (1) the policy on classification of interest and penalties; (2) a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of the period; the total amount(s) of: (3) unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, and (4) interest and penalties recognized in each of the income statement and balance sheet; (5) for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts unrecognized will significantly change within 12 months of the reporting date the: (i) nature of the uncertainty, (ii) nature of the event that could occur that would cause the change, and (iii) an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change or a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made; and (6) a description of tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions.

+ References + Details

Capital Stock (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Capital Stock

Schedule of repurchase of shares of common stock



2009	1,536,647	463,353	—	2,000,000
2010	2,000,000	—	—	2,000,000
2011	2,000,000	—	286,577	1,713,423

Schedule of common stock activity

	Common Stock

	Shares Issued		Treasury Shares		Outstanding Shares
Outstanding, January 1, 2009		111,139,988		30,965,452		80,174,536
Stock Options Exercised		92,250		15,645		76,605
Vested Restricted Stock Units		154,947		53,029		101,918

Outstanding, December 31, 2009		111,387,185		31,034,126		80,353,059
Stock Options Exercised		115,493		24,008		91,485
Vested Restricted Stock Units		108,424		38,909		69,515

Outstanding, December 31, 2010		111,611,102		31,097,043		80,514,059
Stock Options Exercised		199,032		41,974		157,058
Vested Restricted Stock Units		121,133		28,503		92,630
Treasury Shares Purchased		—		286,577		(286,577	)

Outstanding, December 31, 2011		111,931,267		31,454,097		80,477,170

Reconciliation of basic and diluted shares

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2011			2010		2009

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$	(9,447	)	$	10,885	$	133,838

Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic		80,736			80,569		80,295
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation		—			192		291

Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted		80,736			80,761		80,586

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.12	)	$	0.14	$	1.67

Diluted	$	(0.12	)	$	0.13	$	1.66

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Compensation

Schedule of restricted stock units issued and compensation expense

					Expense (Income)

	Restricted Stock Units		Fair Value per Unit		Expense (Income)
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit)	Restricted Stock Units		Fair Value per Unit		2011		2010		2009
Directors:
May 1, 2008		16,000	$	58.36	$	—	$	—	$	311
May 1, 2009		16,000		27.28		—		145		291
May 3, 2010		16,000		30.99		165		331		—
May 2, 2011		20,192		34.79		468		—		—
Employees:
January 24, 2006		93,100		33.85		—		—		(191	)(a)
January 23, 2007		101,700		38.25		—		41		761
January 22, 2008		130,950		45.95		68		1,601		1,371
January 27, 2009		106,625		25.15		614		667		1,174
November 19, 2009		15,000		31.90		12		298		169
January 25, 2010		1,000		31.49		10		20		—
September 22, 2010		25,000		23.47		373		194		—
April 26, 2011		3,750		32.10		29		—		—
September 20, 2011		13,500		21.18		111		—		—

Total					$	1,850	$	3,297	$	3,886

(a): Due primarily to forfeitures of restricted stock units.

Schedule of restricted stock unit activity

			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2009	257,730		$	41.40
Granted	137,625			26.13
Vested	(153,283	)		38.46
Forfeited	(12,581	)		36.97

Nonvested at December 31, 2009	229,491		$	34.45
Granted	42,000			26.53
Vested	(124,424	)		35.81
Forfeited	(6,532	)		35.23

Nonvested at December 31, 2010	140,535		$	30.83
Granted	37,442			29.61
Vested	(113,136	)		33.55
Forfeited	(2,200	)		25.15

Nonvested at December 31, 2011	62,641		$	25.39

Schedule of stock option activity

			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)(a)

Outstanding, January 1, 2009	483,820		$	15.39	$	5.7
Exercised	(92,250	)		14.25		—
Expired	(1,600	)		14.57		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2009	389,970		$	15.66	$	6.7
Exercised	(115,493	)		13.77		—
Expired	(805	)		16.33		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2010	273,672		$	16.46	$	3.3
Granted	617,500			31.75		—
Exercised	(199,032	)		15.95		—
Forfeited/Expired	(30,300	)		30.92		—

Outstanding, December 31, 2011	661,840		$	30.22	$	0.2

(a): Intrinsic value is defined as the difference between the current market value and the exercise price, for those options where the market price exceeds the exercise price.

Schedule of outstanding and exercisable options

	Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable

Range of Exercisable Prices	Vested		Unvested		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Number Exercisable		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
16.32-16.33		28,840		—	$	16.33		0.05		28,840	$	16.33
16.96-16.96		24,000		—	$	16.96		1.33		24,000	$	16.96
20.96-20.96		20,000		—	$	20.96		0.33		20,000	$	20.96
31.75-31.75		—		589,000	$	31.75		6.07		—		—

		72,840		589,000	$	30.22		5.46		72,840	$	17.81

Schedule of weighted-average grant-date fair value of unvested options

			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value

Outstanding, January 1, 2011	—		$	—
Granted	617,500			10.90
Forfeited	(28,500	)		10.90

Outstanding, December 31, 2011	589,000		$	10.90

Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Financial Instruments

Schedule of fair value of outstanding derivative contracts

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives

(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
December 31, 2011
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	274	Other current liabilities	$	—
Cross currency interest rate swaps	Other assets		44,636	Noncurrent liabilities		1,792

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	44,910		$	1,792

Derivates not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	2,912	Other current liabilities	$	1,207

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives

(in thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
December 31, 2010
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	29
Cross currency interest rate swaps	Other assets		31,803	Noncurrent liabilities		3,831

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	31,803		$	3,860

Derivates not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	2,787	Other current liabilities	$	1,042

Schedule of effect of derivative instruments

(In thousands)	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative—Effective Portion			Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income—Effective Portion	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income—Effective Portion		Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative—Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative—Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	887		Cost of services and products sold	$	83		$	—
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		7,230				—	Cost of services and products sold		7,642	(a)

	$	8,117			$	83		$	7,642

For the twelve months ended December 31 2010:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	32			$	—		$	—
Commodity contracts		20		Cost of services and products sold		20	Cost of services and products sold		10
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		(1,119	)			—	Cost of services and products sold		21,734	(a)

	$	(1,067	)		$	20		$	21,744

For the twelve months ended December 31 2009:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	(23	)		$	—		$	—
Commodity contracts		(3,352	)	Service revenues		1,025	Service revenues		(318	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap		(36,490	)			—	Cost of services and products sold		(5,586	)(a)

	$	(39,865	)		$	1,025		$	(5,904	)

(a): These gains (losses) offset foreign currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative for the Twelve Months Ended December 31(a)

	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
(In thousands)		2011		2010		2009
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	Cost of services and products sold	$	7,238	$	1,483	$	(6,308	)

(a): These gains (losses) offset amounts recognized in cost of service and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third party foreign currency exposures.

Summary of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, by major currency

December 31, 2011

(In thousands)	Type	U.S. Dollar Equivalent		Maturity	Recognized Gain (Loss)

British pounds sterling	Sell	$	18,350	January 2012	$	(20	)
British pounds sterling	Buy		4,364	January 2012		(12	)
Euros	Sell		178,889	January 2012 through October 2012		2,345
Euros	Buy		105,247	January 2012 through April 2012		(878	)
Other currencies	Sell		2,957	January 2012 through March 2012		62
Other currencies	Buy		14,656	January 2012		235

Total		$	324,463		$	1,732

December 31, 2010

(In thousands)	Type	U.S. Dollar Equivalent		Maturity	Recognized Gain (Loss)

British pounds sterling	Sell	$	54,479	January 2011 through May 2011	$	1,806
British pounds sterling	Buy		208	January 2011 through May 2011		(2	)
Euros	Sell		93,831	January 2011 through February 2011		(104	)
Euros	Buy		44,571	January 2011 through February 2011		(338	)
Other currencies	Sell		5,314	January 2011 through November 2011		(86	)
Other currencies	Buy		15,748	January 2011		441

Total		$	214,151		$	1,717

Summary of notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swaps

			Interest Rates

	Contractual Amount		Interest Rates
(In millions)	Contractual Amount		Receive	Pay
Maturing 2018	$	250.0	Fixed U.S. dollar rate	Fixed euro rate
Maturing 2020		220.0	Fixed U.S. dollar rate	Fixed British pound sterling rate
Maturing 2013		1.8	Floating U.S. dollar rate	Fixed rupee rate

Schedule of fair value of financial instruments

Level 2 Fair Value Measurements at December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010

Assets
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$	3,186	$	2,787
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		44,636		31,803
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts		1,207		1,071
Cross-currency interest rate swaps		1,792		3,831

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements at December 31

(In thousands)	2011		2010

Liabilities
Contingent consideration for acquisitions	$	—	$	3,872

Reconciliation of liabilities measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3)

Level 3 Liabilities—Contingent Consideration for the Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010

Balance at beginning of year	$	3,872		$	9,735
Acquisitions during the year		—			4,618
Fair value adjustments included in earnings		(3,966	)		(10,620	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		94			139

Balance at end of year	$	—		$	3,872

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the fair value measurement of liabilities using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (1) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets), and gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income and a description of where those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) are reported in the statement of income (or activities); (2) purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (each type disclosed separately); and (3) transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 (for example, transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs) by class of liability.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pertinent information about a derivative or group of derivatives on a disaggregated basis, such as for individual instruments, or small groups of similar instruments. May include a combination of the type of instrument, risks being hedged, notional amount, hedge designation, related hedged item, inception date, maturity date, or other relevant item.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41678-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41641-113959

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Information by Segment and Geographic Area

Schedule of countries with revenues from unaffiliated customers and Net Property, Plant and Equipment of ten percent or more of the consolidated totals

	Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers						Net Property, Plant and Equipment

	Twelve Months Ended December 31						At December 31
(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009		2011		2010		2009
United States	$	1,087,454	$	1,010,290	$	1,010,076	$	276,966	$	291,470	$	326,952
United Kingdom		398,222		420,458		436,039		114,521		141,014		205,681
All Other		1,817,064		1,607,930		1,544,462		882,997		934,489		978,168

Totals including Corporate	$	3,302,740	$	3,038,678	$	2,990,577	$	1,274,484	$	1,366,973	$	1,510,801

(a): Revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the location of the facility generating the revenue.

Schedule of operating information by segment

	Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Revenues
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	1,588,302		$	1,461,531		$	1,257,098
Harsco Infrastructure		1,108,293			1,031,807			1,159,200
Harsco Rail		300,029			313,262			306,016
Harsco Industrial		306,116			231,898			268,023
Corporate		—			180			240

Total Revenues	$	3,302,740		$	3,038,678		$	2,990,577

Operating Income (Loss)
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	109,593		$	117,915		$	43,303
Harsco Infrastructure		(125,555	)		(145,346	)		68,437
Harsco Rail		58,746			66,124			56,542
Harsco Industrial		50,656			42,871			55,084
Corporate		(5,791	)		(3,133	)		(4,710	)

Total Operating Income	$	87,649		$	78,431		$	218,656

Total Assets
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	1,537,538		$	1,541,117		$	1,648,878
Harsco Infrastructure		1,371,143			1,534,379			1,669,401
Harsco Rail		213,410			208,338			208,877
Harsco Industrial		80,784			58,918			58,587
Corporate		136,002			126,468			53,497

Total Assets	$	3,338,877		$	3,469,220		$	3,639,240

Depreciation and Amortization
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	183,784		$	180,306		$	191,647
Harsco Infrastructure		107,621			114,861			101,465
Harsco Rail		10,133			11,110			11,106
Harsco Industrial		2,805			2,832			2,923
Corporate		6,098			6,130			4,390

Total Depreciation and Amortization	$	310,441		$	315,239		$	311,531

Capital Expenditures
Harsco Metals & Minerals	$	212,009		$	123,153		$	102,762
Harsco Infrastructure		88,456			54,858			41,530
Harsco Rail		4,497			9,498			7,699
Harsco Industrial		4,938			1,722			2,674
Corporate		3,201			3,117			10,655

Total Capital Expenditures	$	313,101		$	192,348		$	165,320

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Income

	Twelve Months Ended December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Segment operating income	$	93,440		$	81,564		$	223,366
General Corporate expense		(5,791	)		(3,133	)		(4,710	)

Operating income from continuing operations		87,649			78,431			218,656
Interest income		2,751			2,668			2,928
Interest expense		(48,735	)		(60,623	)		(62,746	)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	$	41,665		$	20,476		$	158,838

Schedule of information about product and services

	Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers

	Twelve Months Ended December 31
(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Product Group
Outsourced, on-site services to steel mills and other metals producers	$	1,367,919	$	1,245,045	$	1,084,826
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales		1,108,293		1,031,807		1,159,200
Railway track maintenance services and equipment		300,029		313,262		306,016
Resource recovery technologies for the re-use of industrial waste stream by-products		150,983		148,749		104,028
Air-cooled heat exchangers		142,960		112,170		129,365
Industrial grating products		113,388		76,975		92,903
Industrial abrasives and roofing granules		69,399		67,737		68,244
Heat transfer products		49,769		42,753		45,755
General Corporate		—		180		240

Consolidated Revenues	$	3,302,740	$	3,038,678	$	2,990,577

Other (Income) Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Other (Income) Expenses

Schedule of other expenses (income)

	Other (Income) Expenses

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Net gains	$	(6,162	)	$	(7,792	)	$	(8,047	)
Contingent consideration adjustments		(3,966	)		(10,620	)		—
Employee termination benefits costs		36,174			24,816			10,931
Costs to exit activities		10,007			34,384			4,297
Product line rationalization		66,063			34,302			—
Impaired asset write-downs		—			9,966			1,494
Other (income) expense		624			1,417			(1,114	)

Total	$	102,740		$	86,473		$	7,561

Schedule of net gains from sales of redundant properties and non-core assets

	Net Gains

(In thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	(1,666	)	$	(3,942	)	$	(3,406	)
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		(3,607	)		(3,253	)		(4,641	)
Harsco Industrial Segment		(889	)		(597	)		—

Total	$	(6,162	)	$	(7,792	)	$	(8,047	)

Schedule of reductions to previously recognized contingent consideration liabilities

	Contingent Consideration Adjustments

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Infrastructure Segment	$	3,966	$	10,620	$	—

Schedule of employee termination benefit costs

	Employee Termination Benefit Costs

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	18,533	$	4,684	$	7,998
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		16,546		19,068		2,352
Harsco Rail Segment		296		578		246
Harsco Industrial Segment		423		486		303
Corporate		376		—		32

Total	$	36,174	$	24,816	$	10,931

Schedule of exit costs

	Costs to Exit Activities

(In thousands)	2011		2010			2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	1,313	$	930		$	2,577
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		8,694		33,458			1,720
Harsco Industrial Segment		—		(4	)		—

Total	$	10,007	$	34,384		$	4,297

Schedule of impaired asset write-downs

	Impaired Asset Write-downs

(In thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment	$	—	$	1,028	$	1,464
Harsco Infrastructure Segment		—		8,938		30

Total	$	—	$	9,966	$	1,494

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss

	December 31

(In thousands)	2011			2010
Cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustments	$	51,313		$	111,667
Effective portion of cash flow hedges		(3,807	)		(9,740	)
Cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses on pension obligations		(411,641	)		(287,814	)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities		(56	)		(45	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(364,191	)	$	(185,932	)

Restructuring Programs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program

Restructuring Programs

Schedule of restructuring accrual and related activity

(In thousands)	Accrual December 31 2010		Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges(a)			Cash Expenditures			Foreign Currency Translation			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	9,254	$	(1,040	)	$	(8,346	)	$	343		$	211
Cost to exit activities		21,449		1,779			(11,218	)		(81	)		11,929
Other		97		—			(90	)		—			7

Total	$	30,800	$	739		$	(19,654	)	$	262		$	12,147

(a): Adjustments to previously recorded restructuring charges resulted from changes in facts and circumstances in the implementation of these activities as well as the timing of additional expenses recognized under U.S. GAAP.

Prior Restructuring Programs

Restructuring Programs

Schedule of restructuring accrual and related activity

(In thousands)	Accrual December 31 2010		Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges(a)			Cash Expenditures			Foreign Currency Translation			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	905	$	(361	)	$	(571	)	$	27		$	—
Cost to exit activities		413		(61	)		(367	)		15			—

Total Harsco Infrastructure Segment		1,318		(422	)		(938	)		42			—

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		2,109		(88	)		(623	)		(118	)		1,280
Cost to exit activities		864		—			(162	)		25			727

Total Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment		2,973		(88	)		(785	)		(93	)		2,007

Total	$	4,291	$	(510	)	$	(1,723	)	$	(51	)	$	2,007

(a): Adjustments to previously recorded restructuring charges resulted from changes in facts and circumstances in the implementation of these activities as well as the timing of additional expenses recognized under U.S. GAAP.

2011/2012 Restructuring Program

Restructuring Programs

Schedule of restructuring accrual and related activity

(In thousands)	Expense Incurred in 2011		Non-Cash Charges			Cash Expenditures			Remaining Accrual December 31 2011

Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Employee termination benefit costs	$	15,410	$	—		$	(910	)	$	14,500
Cost to exit activities		6,131		(1,257	)		(2,041	)		2,833
Product rationalization		66,063		(66,063	)		—			—

Total Harsco Infrastructure Segment		87,604		(67,320	)		(2,951	)		17,333

Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		12,775		—			(38	)		12,737
Harsco Rail Segment
Employee termination benefit costs		50		—			—			50
Harsco Corporate
Employee termination benefit costs		351		—			—			351

Total	$	100,780	$	(67,320	)	$	(2,989	)	$	30,471

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 M	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($) customer subsidiary country $ / shares
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Maximum original maturity of cash equivalents (in months) \| M	3
Leases
Minimum lease term as a percentage of asset's economic life to be classified as capital lease	75.00%
Minimum present value of future minimum lease payments as a percentage of assets fair value to be classified as capital lease	90.00%
Out of Period Adjustment - One Country
Reclassifications and Out-of-Period Adjustments
Reduction in after-tax income \| $		$ 4
Reduction in after-tax income per diluted share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.05
Reduction in pre-tax income \| $			$ 9
Reduction in pre-tax income per diluted share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 0.11
Number of subsidiaries identified for correcting errors \| subsidiary			1
Number of countries identified for correcting errors \| country			1
Number of customers identified for correcting errors \| customer			2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) level unit	Oct. 02, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Reporting units, maximum number of levels below operating segments \| level	1
Number of reporting units \| unit	7
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill \| unit	4
Goodwill allocated to two reporting units (as a percent)	83.00%
Number of reporting units allocated with majority of goodwill percentage \| unit	2
Goodwill	$ 680,901		$ 690,787	$ 699,041
Lower percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units		5.00%
Higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units		10.00%
Increase assumed in WACC of reporting units (as a percent)		0.50%
Minimum
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
WACCs used in goodwill impairment analysis (as a percent)	10.00%
Maximum
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
WACCs used in goodwill impairment analysis (as a percent)	12.00%
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill \| unit	2
Goodwill	$ 411,876		418,276	423,943
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Harsco Metals business
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$ 303,700
Excess of fair value of reporting unit over carrying value (as a percent)	7.40%
Excess of book value over fair value if higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units		$ 32,400
Harsco Infrastructure Segment and Harsco Rail Segment
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Number of reportable units associated with goodwill \| unit	2
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$ 259,715		$ 263,212	$ 266,119
Excess of fair value of reporting unit over carrying value (as a percent)	9.10%
Excess of book value over fair value if higher percentage decrease assumed in fair value of reporting units		$ 20,300

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) Y	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Warranty activity
Warranty reserves, beginning of the year	$ 5,037	$ 4,078	$ 2,863
Accruals for warranties issued during the year	4,003	4,399	4,623
Reductions related to pre-existing warranties	(1,769)	(1,447)	(1,388)
Warranties paid	(1,677)	(2,054)	(2,059)
Other (principally foreign currency translation)	2	61	39
Warranty reserves, end of the year	$ 5,596	5,037	4,078
Financial instruments and hedging
Maximum typical term of foreign currency forward exchange contracts (in days)	90 days
Self insurance
Accrued Insurance and Loss Reserves
Insurance expense from continuing operations	$ 37,000	38,500	38,700
Decrease in pre-tax insurance expense due to retrospective insurance reserve adjustments from continuing operations	2,700	2,500	$ 3,700
Liabilities for asserted and unasserted claims	85,900	88,000
Liabilities covered by insurance carriers	$ 2,600	$ 4,300
Maximum settlement period of current insurance liability (in years) \| Y	1

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisition of increased ownership share in United Arab Emirates consolidated subsidiary in Harsco Infrastructure Segment	$ 200
Bell's previous full fiscal year revenue before the business acquisition		$ 40,000
Reduction of contingent consideration liabilities			$ 3,966	$ 10,620
Contingent consideration liability				3,900
Net Income Attributable to the Company and Transfers to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company			(11,510)	6,754	$ 118,777
Decrease in the Company's paid-in-capital for purchase of partnership interests				(1,003)	(3,905)
Change from net income (loss) attributable to the Company and transfers to noncontrolling interest			$ (11,510)	$ 5,751	$ 114,872

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

+ Details

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 2) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details 2) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($) entity	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Dispositions
After-tax loss from discontinued operations		$ 2,063	$ 4,131	$ 15,061
Assets held-for-sale, current		7,200
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Dispositions
Assets held-for-sale, current			24,800
Assets held-for-sale, number of lines of business sold (in entities) \| entity	2
Gain on assets held-for-sale	$ 900
Gas Technologies Divestiture
Dispositions
After-tax loss from discontinued operations		$ 2,100	$ 4,100	$ 15,100

- Definition

This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group apportioned to the parent that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items after deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References + Details

Accounts Receivable and Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivable	$ 636,304	$ 605,584
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(17,829)	(20,283)
Trade accounts receivable, net	618,475	585,301
Other receivables	44,431	29,299
Provision for doubtful accounts related to trade accounts receivable	7,880	9,962	$ 9,318
Inventories
Finished goods	78,445	124,771
Work-in-process	34,041	28,266
Raw materials and purchased parts	92,995	79,420
Stores and supplies	36,453	39,160
Total inventories	241,934	271,617
Valued at lower of cost or market
LIFO basis	115,523	117,519
FIFO basis	13,087	14,148
Average cost basis	113,324	139,950
Total inventories	241,934	271,617
Excess of inventories valued at current costs over LIFO	28,600	26,300
Change in income as a result of LIFO basis inventory valuation over FIFO basis valuation	$ 100	$ 400	$ 1,700

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) Y	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 3,275,728	$ 3,364,582
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,001,244)	(1,997,609)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,274,484	1,366,973	$ 1,510,801
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	26,729	29,456
Land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 17,960	18,141
Estimated Useful Lives, low end of range (in years) \| Y	5
Estimated Useful Lives, high end of range (in years) \| Y	20
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 186,799	196,777
Estimated Useful Lives, low end of range (in years) \| Y	5
Estimated Useful Lives, high end of range (in years) \| Y	40
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 2,977,521	3,045,335
Estimated Useful Lives, low end of range (in years) \| Y	3
Estimated Useful Lives, high end of range (in years) \| Y	20
Uncompleted construction
Property, Plant and Equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 66,719	$ 74,873

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 entity	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 690,787	$ 699,041
Goodwill acquired during year			11,419
Changes to goodwill		(104)	(5,288)
Foreign currency translation		(9,782)	(14,385)
Balance at the end of the period		680,901	690,787
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		418,276	423,943
Foreign currency translation		(6,400)	(5,667)
Balance at the end of the period		411,876	418,276
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		263,212	266,119
Goodwill acquired during year			11,419
Changes to goodwill		(115)	(5,608)
Foreign currency translation		(3,382)	(8,718)
Balance at the end of the period		259,715	263,212
Assets held-for-sale, number of lines of business sold (in entities) \| entity	2
Harsco Rail Segment
Changes in carrying amounts of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period		9,299	8,979
Changes to goodwill		11	320
Balance at the end of the period		$ 9,310	$ 9,299

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph l
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-Clause 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, net	$ 93,501	$ 120,959
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	250,597	249,777
Accumulated Amortization	157,096	128,818
Amortization expense for intangible assets	31,500	33,000	$ 26,400
Estimated amortization expense for next 5 years
2012	17,500
2013	15,750
2014	13,500
2015	8,750
2016	7,500
Customer related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	183,576	184,864
Accumulated Amortization	119,708	98,104
Non-compete agreements
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	1,353	1,386
Accumulated Amortization	1,301	1,317
Patents
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	6,884	6,976
Accumulated Amortization	5,145	4,868
Technology related
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	29,497	29,821
Accumulated Amortization	14,614	11,863
Trade names
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	18,538	18,635
Accumulated Amortization	8,379	5,188
Other
Intangible Assets, by category
Gross Carrying Amount	10,749	8,095
Accumulated Amortization	$ 7,949	$ 7,478

Debt and Credit Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) bank M facility	Dec. 31, 2011 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Credit Facilities
Facility Limit	$ 1,404,200
Outstanding Balance	39,986
Available Credit	1,364,214
Aggregate maximum borrowing internal limit under commercial paper and credit facilities	595,000
Short-term borrowings	$ 51,414		$ 31,197
Weighted-average interest rate for short-term borrowings (as a percent)	1.30%	1.30%	1.90%
Debt to capital ratio, maximum (as a percent)	60.00%
Minimum net worth	$ 475,000
Minimum net worth, number of credit facilities \| facility	1
Subsidiary consolidated indebtedness as a percent of consolidated tangible assets, maximum	10.00%
Commercial paper
Credit Facilities
Short-term borrowings	$ 40,000		$ 26,700
U.S. commercial paper program
Credit Facilities
Facility Limit	550,000
Outstanding Balance	39,986
Available Credit	510,014
Euro commercial paper program
Credit Facilities
Facility Limit	259,200	€ 200
Outstanding Balance			$ 26,700
Available Credit	259,200
Multi-year revolving credit facility
Credit Facilities
Facility Limit	570,000
Available Credit	$ 570,000
Number of lenders providing credit facility (in banks) \| bank	21
Facility fee (as a percent)	0.375%
Multi-year revolving credit facility \| Citibank Prime Rate
Credit Facilities
Variable basis of interest rates	Citibank Prime Rate
Multi-year revolving credit facility \| Federal Funds Effective Rate
Credit Facilities
Variable basis of interest rates	Federal Funds Effective Rate
Multi-year revolving credit facility \| LIBOR
Credit Facilities
Variable basis of interest rates	LIBOR
Bilateral credit facility
Credit Facilities
Facility Limit	$ 25,000
Available Credit	$ 25,000
Variable basis of interest rates	LIBOR
Repayment period after expiration (in months) \| M	12

Debt and Credit Agreements (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2010
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt	$ 857,358	$ 853,735
Less: current maturities	(3,558)	(4,011)
Total Long-term Debt	853,800	849,724
Cash payments for interest on all debt	46,400	59,900	$ 61,500
Maturities of long-term debt
2013	153,369
2014	2,170
2015	250,238
2016	159
5.75% notes due May 15, 2018
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt	$ 447,613	447,312
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	5.75%
5.125% notes due September 15, 2013
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt	$ 149,705	149,544
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	5.125%
2.70% notes due October 15, 2015
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt	$ 248,681	248,350
Interest rate on long-term debt (as a percent)	2.70%
Principal amount of debt				$ 250,000
Other financing payable
Long-Term Debt
Long-Term Debt	$ 11,359	$ 8,529
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	9.40%	7.90%
British pound sterling-denominated notes redeemed on October 27, 2010
Long-Term Debt
Principal amount of debt				$ 200,000
5.75% notes due May 15, 2018 and 2.70% notes due October 15, 2015
Maturities of long-term debt
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount of notes	101.00%

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Leases
Rental expense for property, plant and equipment	$ 66,100	$ 62,900	$ 64,300
Operating leases
2012	47,771
2013	39,887
2014	28,835
2015	20,822
2016	14,586
After 2016	19,704
Minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable subleases	$ 9,400

Employee Benefit Plans (Details)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined contribution pension plans
Maximum employer matching contribution, U.S. employees (as a percent)	4.00%
Maximum employer discretionary contribution, U.S. employees (as a percent)	2.00%
Maximum employer matching contribution, non-U.S. employees (as a percent)	6.00%
Additional contribution towards insurance and administrative costs, non-U.S. employees (as a percent)	2.00%

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
U. S. Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$ 1,557	$ 2,086	$ 1,790
Interest cost	13,468	14,049	14,104
Expected return on plan assets	(16,480)	(16,632)	(14,598)
Recognized prior service costs	245	339	351
Recognized losses	2,982	2,537	3,466
Settlement/curtailment loss (gain)		179	4
Defined benefit plans pension cost	1,772	2,558	5,117
Multiemployer plans	13,264	10,924	12,533
Defined contribution plans	5,434	5,918	7,104
Net periodic pension cost	20,470	19,400	24,754
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	264,969	247,263
Service cost	1,557	2,086	1,790
Interest cost	13,468	14,049	14,104
Amendments		6
Actuarial loss	40,730	22,397
Benefit Obligation at end of year	298,769	264,969	247,263
Change in plan assets:
Fair value at the beginning of the period	221,673	216,919
Actual return on plan assets	6,464	23,279
Employer contributions	3,055	2,307
Benefits paid	(21,955)	(20,832)
Fair value at the end of the period	209,237	221,673	216,919
Funded status at end of year	(89,532)	(43,296)
International Plans
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	4,350	4,052	3,977
Interest cost	48,768	47,558	42,854
Expected return on plan assets	(52,735)	(46,079)	(41,453)
Recognized prior service costs	424	327	353
Recognized losses	11,332	12,077	9,353
Amortization of transition liability	43	45	33
Settlement/curtailment loss (gain)	183	(210)	(341)
Defined benefit plans pension cost	12,365	17,770	14,776
Multiemployer plans	13,326	12,065	9,201
Defined contribution plans	7,378	7,629	8,235
Net periodic pension cost	33,069	37,464	32,212
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	883,342	887,882
Service cost	4,350	4,052	3,977
Interest cost	48,768	47,558	42,854
Plan participants' contributions	986	1,862
Amendments	598	653
Actuarial loss	79,474	11,464
Settlements/curtailments	(1,886)	(1,410)
Benefits paid	(37,653)	(39,258)
Effect of foreign currency	(10,332)	(29,461)
Other	571
Benefit Obligation at end of year	968,218	883,342	887,882
Change in plan assets:
Fair value at the beginning of the period	708,025	679,018
Actual return on plan assets	19,488	71,783
Employer contributions	29,300	16,868
Plan participants' contributions	986	1,862
Settlements/curtailments	(1,127)	(929)
Benefits paid	(36,631)	(38,764)
Effect of foreign currency	(6,449)	(21,813)
Other	571
Fair value at the end of the period	714,163	708,025	$ 679,018
Funded status at end of year	$ (254,055)	$ (175,317)

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) bond	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Defined Benefits Pension Benefits
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (343,842)	$ (223,777)
Multiemployer plans
Contributions to multi-employer pension plans	$ 26,913	$ 22,989	$ 22,512
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost
Discount rates (as a percent)	5.40%	5.80%	6.10%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.30%	3.60%	3.40%
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension plan obligations
Discount rates (as a percent)	4.70%	5.40%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.40%	3.30%
U. S. Plans
Defined Benefits Pension Benefits
Noncurrent assets	$ 397	$ 1,315
Current liabilities	(2,076)	(2,293)
Noncurrent liabilities	(87,853)	(42,318)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss before tax	149,429	101,909
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net actuarial loss	148,690	100,924
Prior service cost	739	985
Total	149,429	$ 101,909
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into defined benefit net periodic pension cost in the next fiscal year
Net actuarial loss	4,627
Prior service cost	189
Total	4,816
Estimate of expected contributions in next fiscal year	6,900
Expected benefit payments for defined benefit plans over next 10 years
2012	16,800
2013	18,200
2014	18,400
2015	17,200
2016	18,600
2017-2021	$ 90,100
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost
Discount rates (as a percent)	5.30%	5.90%	6.10%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.00%	3.00%	4.00%
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension plan obligations
Discount rates (as a percent)	4.40%	5.30%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.00%	3.00%
Number of U.S. dollar-denominated, AA-graded corporate bonds in yield curve universe \| bond	500
Highest yield U.S. dollar-denominated, AA-graded corporate bonds excluded from yield curve universe (as a percent)	10.00%
Lowest yield U.S. dollar-denominated, AA-graded corporate bonds excluded from yield curve universe (as a percent)	10.00%
International Plans
Defined Benefits Pension Benefits
Noncurrent assets	$ 4,372	$ 4,937
Current liabilities	(1,011)	(1,064)
Noncurrent liabilities	(257,416)	(179,190)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss before tax	417,406	319,879
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net actuarial loss	414,203	316,561
Prior service cost	3,105	3,151
Transition obligation	98	167
Total	417,406	$ 319,879
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into defined benefit net periodic pension cost in the next fiscal year
Net actuarial loss	14,825
Prior service cost	379
Transition obligation	50
Total	15,254
Estimate of expected contributions in next fiscal year	30,200
Expected benefit payments for defined benefit plans over next 10 years
2012	38,200
2013	39,500
2014	40,800
2015	42,700
2016	44,700
2017-2021	$ 250,600
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost
Discount rates (as a percent)	5.50%	5.70%	6.00%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.30%	3.60%	3.40%
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine defined benefit pension plan obligations
Discount rates (as a percent)	4.80%	5.50%
Rates of compensation increase (as a percent)	3.40%	3.30%

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) Y market shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Percentage of Plan Assets
Expected long-term rates of returns on plan assets for next year (as a percent)		6.90%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets (as a percent)		7.50%	7.50%	7.40%
Dividends paid to pension plans		$ 66,176	$ 66,131	$ 64,650
U. S. Plans
Employee benefit plans
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		298,600	264,800
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets
Projected benefit obligation		288,700	255,500
Accumulated benefit obligation		288,700	255,500
Fair value of plan assets		$ 198,800	$ 210,900
Percentage of Plan Assets
Domestic equity securities (as a percent)		38.00%	50.50%
International equity securities (as a percent)		18.00%	11.90%
Fixed income securities (as a percent)		32.80%	30.50%
Cash and cash equivalents (as a percent)		1.90%	1.50%
Other (as a percent)		9.30%	5.60%
Number of capital market results simulated in the model for expected return on plan assets \| market		600
Period for which results of capital markets are simulated (in years) \| Y		15
Expected long-term rates of returns on plan assets for next year (as a percent)		7.80%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets (as a percent)		7.80%	8.00%	8.00%
Number of shares of Company's common stock included in plan assets \| shares		432,203	432,549
Value of shares of Company's common stock included in plan assets		$ 9,000	$ 12,200
Percentage of Company's common stock to total plan assets		4.30%	5.50%
Dividends paid to pension plans		$ 400	$ 400	$ 300
U. S. Plans \| Maximum
Target Long-Term Allocation
Domestic equity securities (as a percent)		44.00%
International equity securities (as a percent)		24.00%
Fixed income securities, high end of range (as a percent)		37.00%
Cash and cash equivalents (as a percent)		5.00%
Other (as a percent)		15.00%
U. S. Plans \| Minimum
Target Long-Term Allocation
Domestic equity securities (as a percent)		34.00%
International equity securities (as a percent)		14.00%
Fixed income securities, low end of range (as a percent)		27.00%
Other (as a percent)		5.00%
International Plans
Employee benefit plans
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$ 952,800	869,300
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets
Projected benefit obligation		929,100	845,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		921,000	837,800
Fair value of plan assets		$ 673,900	$ 665,800
Target Long-Term Allocation
Equity securities (as a percent)		40.00%
Fixed income securities (as a percent)		42.50%
Cash and cash equivalents (as a percent)		0.00%
Other (as a percent)		17.50%
Percentage of Plan Assets
Equity securities (as a percent)		34.70%	48.70%
Fixed income securities (as a percent)		50.00%	42.60%
Cash and cash equivalents (as a percent)		0.40%	0.50%
Other (as a percent)		14.90%	8.20%
Expected long-term rates of returns on plan assets for next year (as a percent)		6.70%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets (as a percent)		7.40%	7.40%	7.10%
U.K. Plan
Percentage of Plan Assets
Expected long-term rates of returns on plan assets for next year (as a percent)	6.80%
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets (as a percent)		7.50%
Pension plan assets as a percentage of international plan assets		84.00%
Remaining international plans
Percentage of Plan Assets
Pension plan assets as a percentage of international plan assets		16.00%

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Mutual funds- equities and bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	$ 43,900
Level 3 \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	12,025
U. S. Plans
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	209,237	$ 221,673	$ 216,919
U. S. Plans \| Domestic equities - Common Stocks
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	39,295	52,930
U. S. Plans \| Domestic equities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	40,107	59,049
U. S. Plans \| International equities - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	37,740	26,354
U. S. Plans \| U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	23,054	22,039
U. S. Plans \| Corporate bonds and notes
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	5,507	9,920
U. S. Plans \| Mutual funds - bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	40,110	35,588
U. S. Plans \| Other - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	19,392	12,375
U. S. Plans \| Cash and money market accounts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	4,032	3,418
U. S. Plans \| Level 1
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	141,553	144,064
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Domestic equities - Common Stocks
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	39,295	52,930
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Domestic equities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	19	15,167
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| International equities - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	33,198	14,666
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Corporate bonds and notes
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	5,507	9,920
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Mutual funds - bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	40,110	35,588
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Other - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	19,392	12,375
U. S. Plans \| Level 1 \| Cash and money market accounts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	4,032	3,418
U. S. Plans \| Level 2
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	67,684	77,609
U. S. Plans \| Level 2 \| Domestic equities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	40,088	43,882
U. S. Plans \| Level 2 \| International equities - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	4,542	11,688
U. S. Plans \| Level 2 \| U.S. Treasuries and collateralized securities
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	23,054	22,039
International Plans
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	714,163	708,025	679,018
International Plans \| Equity securities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	247,629	344,445
International Plans \| Corporate bonds and notes
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets		3,382
International Plans \| Mutual funds - bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	294,010	240,683
International Plans \| Insurance contracts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	63,169	57,324
International Plans \| Other - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	63,568	18,832
International Plans \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	43,122	40,173
International Plans \| Cash and money market accounts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	2,665	3,186
International Plans \| Level 1
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	2,665	149,507
International Plans \| Level 1 \| Equity securities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets		119,864
International Plans \| Level 1 \| Corporate bonds and notes
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets		1,038
International Plans \| Level 1 \| Mutual funds - bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets		25,419
International Plans \| Level 1 \| Cash and money market accounts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	2,665	3,186
International Plans \| Level 2
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	699,473	548,334
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Equity securities - Mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	247,629	224,581
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Corporate bonds and notes
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets		2,344
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Mutual funds - bonds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	294,010	215,264
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Insurance contracts
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	63,169	57,324
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Other - mutual funds
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	63,568	18,832
International Plans \| Level 2 \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	31,097	29,989
International Plans \| Level 3
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	12,025	10,184
International Plans \| Level 3 \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Fair value of plan assets by category
Fair value of plan assets	$ 12,025	$ 10,184	$ 10,994

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Level 3 \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Fair value at the end of the period	$ 12,025
International Plans
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Fair value at the beginning of the period	708,025	$ 679,018
Fair value at the end of the period	714,163	708,025
International Plans \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Fair value at the beginning of the period	40,173
Fair value at the end of the period	43,122	40,173
International Plans \| Level 3
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Fair value at the beginning of the period	10,184
Fair value at the end of the period	12,025	10,184
International Plans \| Level 3 \| Real estate funds / limited partnerships
Changes in fair value of level 3 assets
Fair value at the beginning of the period	10,184	10,994
Actual return on plan assets: Relating to assets still held at year-end	1,841	(810)
Fair value at the end of the period	$ 12,025	$ 10,184

- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

+ References + Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 7) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 7) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) plan	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	$ 26,913	$ 22,989	$ 22,512
Withdrawal cost related to multi-employer pension plans		$ 8,300
Number of multi-employer plans withdrawn or plans to withdraw \| plan		10
Minimum contribution to the plan in a plan year to classify it as a significant plan as a percent of total contributions (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Minimum
Multiemployer Plans
Percentage for plan in yellow zone	65.00%
Percentage for plan in green zone	80.00%
Maximum
Multiemployer Plans
Percentage for plan in red zone	65.00%
Percentage for plan in yellow zone	80.00%
Cumberland MD Vicinity Building Construction Employees Trust Fund
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	$ 620	$ 430	$ 466
Cumberland MD Vicinity Building Construction Employees Trust Fund \| Minimum
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions to multi-employer pension plans (as a percent)		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Greater Pennsylvania Carpenters' Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	2,415	$ 1,996	$ 2,756
Greater Pennsylvania Carpenters' Pension Fund \| Minimum
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions to multi-employer pension plans (as a percent)			5.00%
Ohio Carpenters' Pension Plan
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	953	1,145	$ 1,637
New Zealand Steel Pension Fund
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	891	810	$ 761
Total assets	253,900	225,100
Total actuarial present value of accumulated plan benefits	278,400	251,100
Total contributions for all participating employers	11,300	$ 11,300
New Zealand Steel Pension Fund \| Minimum
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions to multi-employer pension plans (as a percent)		5.00%	5.00%
All other multiemployer plans
Multiemployer Plans
Contributions By The Company	$ 22,034	$ 18,608	$ 16,892

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income
United States			$ 47,680,000	$ 23,037,000	$ 51,529,000
International			(6,015,000)	(2,561,000)	107,309,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income			41,665,000	20,476,000	158,838,000
Currently payable:
U.S. federal			4,249,000	(325,000)	23,886,000
U.S. state			913,000	453,000	1,591,000
International			23,860,000	30,765,000	26,938,000
Total income taxes currently payable			29,022,000	30,893,000	52,415,000
Deferred U.S. federal and U.S. state			1,173,000	6,172,000	(28,018,000)
Deferred international			19,653,000	(32,789,000)	(5,888,000)
Total income tax expense			49,848,000	4,276,000	18,509,000
Cash payments for income taxes, including taxes on gain or loss from discontinued business			$ 42,300,000	$ 27,400,000	$ 57,100,000
Reconciliation of expected statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to effective income tax rate
U.S. federal income tax rate (as a percent)			35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
U.S. state income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit (as a percent)			2.90%	5.10%	1.00%
U.S. domestic manufacturing deductions and credits (as a percent)			(9.60%)	(5.90%)	(2.70%)
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion (as a percent)				9.30%	(5.00%)
Difference in effective tax rates on international earnings and remittances (as a percent)			(11.70%)	(34.40%)	(26.10%)
Uncertain tax position contingencies and settlements (as a percent)			(18.00%)	1.20%	4.00%
Changes in realization on beginning of the year deferred tax assets (as a percent)			89.10%	8.40%	1.70%
Restructuring charges with no realizable tax benefits (as a percent)			23.00%	11.20%
U.S. nondeductible items (as a percent)			6.00%	8.70%	1.20%
Deferred charges (as a percent)				(19.00%)
Cumulative effect in change in statutory tax rates/laws (as a percent)			3.50%	3.40%	2.80%
Other, net (as a percent)			(0.60%)	(2.10%)	(0.30%)
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)			119.60%	20.90%	11.60%
Changes in realization on beginning of the year deferred tax assets	$ 36.8		$ 37,300,000
Tax benefit for deferred charges from historical intercompany sales of inventory			35,400,000
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Depreciation and amortization	119,701,000	$ 119,701,000	119,701,000	$ 144,361,000
Expense accruals	42,529,000	42,529,000	42,529,000	46,116,000
Inventories	2,588,000	2,588,000	2,588,000	3,582,000
Provision for receivables	2,205,000	2,205,000	2,205,000	2,871,000
Deferred revenue	2,065,000	2,065,000	2,065,000	1,979,000
Operating loss carryforwards	79,408,000	79,408,000	79,408,000	57,318,000
Deferred foreign tax credits	29,540,000	29,540,000	29,540,000	31,718,000
Pensions	95,657,000	95,657,000	95,657,000	60,626,000
Currency adjustments	30,813,000	30,813,000	30,813,000	28,721,000
Post-retirement benefits	1,079,000	1,079,000	1,079,000	1,117,000
Other	19,299,000	19,299,000	19,299,000	17,245,000
Deferred tax asset, subtotal	303,118,000	303,118,000	303,118,000	249,314,000
Valuation allowance	(99,617,000)	(99,617,000)	(99,617,000)	(29,469,000)
Total deferred income tax assets	203,501,000	203,501,000	203,501,000	219,845,000
Total deferred income tax liabilities	121,766,000	121,766,000	121,766,000	146,340,000
Non-cash tax expense		35,400,000
Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Other current assets	50,694,000	50,694,000	50,694,000	47,279,000
Other assets	59,200,000	59,200,000	59,200,000	64,672,000
Other current liabilities	(729,000)	(729,000)	(729,000)	(2,804,000)
Deferred income taxes	$ (27,430,000)	$ (27,430,000)	$ (27,430,000)	$ (35,642,000)

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	$ 79,408,000	$ 79,408,000	$ 79,408,000	$ 57,318,000
Non-cash tax expense	36.8		37,300,000
Increase to the valuation allowance recorded through Accumulated other comprehensive loss		22,900,000
Undistributed earnings indefinitely reinvested outside United States			834,000,000	857,000,000
One-time cost associated with repatriation of undistributed earnings indefinitely reinvested outside United States	154,000,000	154,000,000	154,000,000
Reduction in income tax expense resulting from tax holiday			100,000
Unrecognized income tax benefits
Interest and penalties recognized			(1,000,000)	(300,000)	$ 3,300,000
Interest and penalties accrued	9,700,000	9,700,000	9,700,000	10,700,000
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period			35,889,000	36,791,000	24,299,000
Additions for tax positions related to the current year			2,534,000	1,846,000	7,868,000
Additions for tax positions related to prior years			4,014,000	313,000	10,625,000
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years			(147,000)	(429,000)	(4,007,000)
Statues of limitation expirations			(8,521,000)	(2,348,000)	(1,934,000)
Settlements			(361,000)	(284,000)	(60,000)
Balance at the end of the period	33,408,000	33,408,000	33,408,000	35,889,000	36,791,000
Reconciliation of Deferred Income Tax Benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period			(738,000)	(949,000)	(1,179,000)
Additions for tax positions related to the current year			(10,000)		(11,000)
Additions for tax positions related to prior years			(11,000)	(44,000)	(49,000)
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years					117,000
Statutes of limitation expirations			224,000	156,000	152,000
Settlements			18,000	99,000	21,000
Balance at the end of the period	(517,000)	(517,000)	(517,000)	(738,000)	(949,000)
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits, Net of Deferred Income Tax Benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period			35,151,000	35,842,000	23,120,000
Additions for tax positions related to the current year			2,524,000	1,846,000	7,857,000
Additions for tax positions related to prior years			4,003,000	269,000	10,576,000
Other reductions for tax positions related to prior years			(147,000)	(429,000)	(3,890,000)
Statutes of limitation expirations			(8,297,000)	(2,192,000)	(1,782,000)
Settlements			(343,000)	(185,000)	(39,000)
Balance at the end of the period	32,891,000	32,891,000	32,891,000	$ 35,151,000	$ 35,842,000
Unrecognized tax benefits related to current and prior years that created additional operating losses in a foreign jurisdiction			200,000
Portion of UTB, expected to be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations within next twelve months	5,200,000	5,200,000	5,200,000
International operations
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	70,100,000	70,100,000	70,100,000
Tax-effect amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be carried forward indefinitely	56,800,000	56,800,000	56,800,000
International operations \| Expiring between 2012 and 2030
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	13,300,000	13,300,000	13,300,000
U.S. federal \| Expiring in 2022
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	100,000	100,000	100,000
U.S. state
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	9,200,000	9,200,000	9,200,000
U.S. state \| Expiring between 2012 and 2016
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	200,000	200,000	200,000
U.S. state \| Expiring between 2017 and 2021
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	2,400,000	2,400,000	2,400,000
U.S. state \| Expiring between 2022 and 2026
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	3,500,000	3,500,000	3,500,000
U.S. state \| Expiring between 2027 and 2031
Net operating loss carryforwards
Tax-effected amount of net operating loss carryforwards	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,100,000	$ 3,100,000

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) claim person case	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2005 USD ($)
Environmental
Commitments and Contingencies
Accruals for environmental matters	$ 2.5	$ 4.2
Charges related to environmental matters	2.0	$ 2.6	$ 1.5
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Case 1
Commitments and Contingencies
Estimated claims or assessment, before tax	3.0
Estimated claims or assessment, additional amount	$ 29.0
Brazilian Tax Disputes - Case 2
Commitments and Contingencies
Estimated claims or assessment, before tax				$ 3.0
Estimated claims or assessment, additional amount				10.0
Estimated claims or assessment, aggregate amount				$ 13.0
Other
Commitments and Contingencies
Approximate number of defendants in claims against the company (in persons) \| person	90
Minimum amount of damages	$ 20.0
Maximum amount of damages	$ 25.0
Number of pending claims \| claim	18,966
Number of claims pending in New York Supreme Court \| claim	18,477
Number of claims pending in various counties in a number of state courts, and in certain Federal District Courts \| claim	489
Number of claims dismissed to date by stipulation or summary judgment prior to trial \| claim	25,739
Number of active or in extremis cases in New York County \| case	1,008

Capital Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011 D multiplier $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2009 shares	Dec. 31, 2008 shares
Capital Stock
Common stock authorized (in shares)	150,000,000
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	4,000,000
Common stock authorized, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 1.25	$ 1.25
Preferred stock authorized, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 1.25
Repurchase of shares of common stock
Number of Shares authorized to be Purchased		2,000,000	2,000,000	1,536,647
Additional Shares Authorized for Purchase			463,353
Shares Purchased	286,577
Remaining Shares Authorized for Purchase	1,713,423	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights Agreement
Preferred stock purchase rights
Number of rights distributed for each share of common stock outstanding	1
Minimum percentage of common stock to be acquired to trigger exercise of rights	15.00%
Number of securities called by rights (in shares)	0.01
Exercise price of rights (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	230
Multiplier of exercise price of right to determine common share purchase rights \| multiplier	2
Redemption price per right (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.001
Number of business days following the acquisition of stock after which rights become exercisable \| D	10
Preferred stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of rights (in shares)	804,772	805,141

Capital Stock (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Common Stock
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	111,611,102	111,387,185
Stock Options Exercised (in shares)	157,058	91,485	76,605
Vested Restricted Stock Units (in shares)	92,630	69,515	101,918
Treasury shares purchased	286,577
Shares outstanding at the end of the period	111,931,267	111,611,102	111,387,185
Reconciliation of the average shares of common stock used to compute basic earnings per common share to the shares used to compute diluted earnings per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars)	$ (9,447)	$ 10,885	$ 133,838
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	80,736,000	80,569,000	80,295,000
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)		192,000	291,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	80,736,000	80,761,000	80,586,000
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.14	$ 1.67
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)	$ 0.13	$ 1.66
Shares Issued
Common Stock
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	111,611,102	111,387,185	111,139,988
Stock Options Exercised (in shares)	199,032	115,493	92,250
Vested Restricted Stock Units (in shares)	121,133	108,424	154,947
Shares outstanding at the end of the period	111,931,267	111,611,102	111,387,185
Common Stock Treasury
Common Stock
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	31,097,043	31,034,126	30,965,452
Stock Options Exercised (in shares)	41,974	24,008	15,645
Vested Restricted Stock Units (in shares)	28,503	38,909	53,029
Treasury shares purchased	286,577
Shares outstanding at the end of the period	31,454,097	31,097,043	31,034,126
Outstanding Shares
Common Stock
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	80,514,059	80,353,059	80,174,536
Stock Options Exercised (in shares)	157,058	91,485	76,605
Vested Restricted Stock Units (in shares)	92,630	69,515	101,918
Treasury shares purchased	(286,577)
Shares outstanding at the end of the period	80,477,170	80,514,059	80,353,059

Capital Stock (Details 3) - shares	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Details 3) - shares	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restricted stock units
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	33,747	9,206
Stock options
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	360,632
Other stock-based compensation units
Antidilutive securities
Number of securities not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	155,383

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 13, 14
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Antidilution
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	May 31, 2011 $ / shares shares	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2010 $ / shares shares	May 31, 2010 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Nov. 30, 2009 $ / shares shares	May 31, 2009 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2009 USD ($) $ / shares shares	May 31, 2008 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2008 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2007 $ / shares shares	Jan. 31, 2006 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) Y plan $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Number of plans \| plan														2
Stock option activity
Exercised (in shares)														(157,058)	(91,485)	(76,605)
Fair value assumptions
Dividend yield (as a percent)														2.50%
Volatility (as a percent)														40.60%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)														0.60%
Expected life (in years) \| Y														7
Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)														37,442	42,000	137,625
Expense (Income) \| $														$ 1,850	$ 3,297	$ 3,886
Restricted stock unit activity
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)						229,491			257,730					140,535	229,491	257,730
Granted (in shares)														37,442	42,000	137,625
Vested restricted Stock Units (in shares)														(113,136)	(124,424)	(153,283)
Forfeited (in shares)														(2,200)	(6,532)	(12,581)
Nonvested at the end of the period (in shares)														62,641	140,535	229,491
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 34.45			$ 41.40					$ 30.83	$ 34.45	$ 41.40
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														29.61	26.53	26.13
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														33.55	35.81	38.46
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														25.15	35.23	36.97
Nonvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														$ 25.39	$ 30.83	$ 34.45
Additional disclosures
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense \| $														$ 600
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, period of recognition (in years) \| Y														1
Stock options
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)														3 years
Expense (Income) \| $														$ 2,000
Additional disclosures
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense \| $														$ 4,400
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, period of recognition (in years) \| Y														2
Expiration period (in years)														P10Y
Stock option activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)						389,970			483,820					273,672	389,970	483,820
Granted (in shares)														617,500
Exercised (in shares)														(199,032)	(115,493)	(92,250)
Expired (in shares)															(805)	(1,600)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)														(30,300)
Outstanding, at the end of the period (in shares)														661,840	273,672	389,970
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 15.66			$ 15.39					$ 16.46	$ 15.66	$ 15.39
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														31.75
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														15.95	13.77	14.25
Expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares															16.33	14.57
Cancelled/Expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														30.92
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														$ 30.22	$ 16.46	$ 15.66
Intrinsic value, Outstanding at the beginning of the period \| $						$ 6,700			$ 5,700					$ 3,300	$ 6,700	$ 5,700
Intrinsic value, Outstanding at the end of the period \| $														200	3,300	6,700
Intrinsic value of options exercised \| $														$ 2,200	1,700	1,400
Fair value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares														$ 10.90
Fair value assumptions
Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options \| $														$ 2,400	1,000	1,000
1995 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance														8,000,000
Number of shares available for grant														1,564,039
1995 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)														3 years
Retirement age of employees (in years) \| Y														62
1995 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance														600,000
Number of shares available for grant														212,808
1995 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period (in years)														1 year
Directors plan, May 1, 2008 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)										16,000
Expense (Income) \| $																311
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)										16,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares										$ 58.36
Directors plan, May 1, 2009 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)								16,000
Expense (Income) \| $															145	291
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)								16,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares								$ 27.28
Directors plan, May 3, 2010 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)					16,000
Expense (Income) \| $														$ 165	331
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)					16,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares					$ 30.99
Employees plan, January 24, 2006 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)													93,100
Expense (Income) \| $																(191)
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)													93,100
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares													$ 33.85
Employees plan, January 23, 2007 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)												101,700
Expense (Income) \| $															41	761
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)												101,700
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares												$ 38.25
Employees plan, January 22, 2008 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)											130,950
Expense (Income) \| $														68	1,601	1,371
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)											130,950
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares											$ 45.95
Employees plan, January 27, 2009 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)									106,625
Expense (Income) \| $														614	667	1,174
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)									106,625
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares									$ 25.15
Employees plan, November 19, 2009 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)							15,000
Expense (Income) \| $														12	298	$ 169
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)							15,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares							$ 31.90
Employees plan, January 25, 2010 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)						1,000
Expense (Income) \| $														10	20
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)						1,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 31.49
Employees plan, September 22, 2010 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)				25,000
Expense (Income) \| $														373	$ 194
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)				25,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares				$ 23.47
Directors plan, May 2, 2011 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)		20,192
Expense (Income) \| $														$ 468
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)		20,192
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 34.79
Employees plan, April 26, 2011 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)			3,750
Expense (Income) \| $			$ 29
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)			3,750
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 32.10
Employees plan, September 20, 2011 \| Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Granted (in shares)	13,500
Expense (Income) \| $	$ 111
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)	13,500
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 21.18

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) - Stock options $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) Y $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008 USD ($)
Range of Exercisable Prices
Options Outstanding, Vested \| shares	72,840
Options Outstanding, Unvested (in shares) \| shares	589,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 30.22
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years \| Y	5.46
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable \| shares	72,840
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 17.81
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options (in dollars) \| $	$ 0.2	$ 3.3	$ 6.7	$ 5.7
Weighted-average remaining contractual life of vested and currently exercisable options (in years) \| Y	0.55
Aggregate intrinsic value of vested and currently exercisable options (in dollars) \| $	$ 0.2
Range of Exercisable Prices $16.32 - $16.33
Range of Exercisable Prices
Range of Exercisable Prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 16.32
Range of Exercisable Prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 16.33
Options Outstanding, Vested \| shares	28,840
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 16.33
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years \| Y	0.05
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable \| shares	28,840
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 16.33
Range of Exercisable Prices $16.96 - $16.96
Range of Exercisable Prices
Range of Exercisable Prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	16.96
Range of Exercisable Prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 16.96
Options Outstanding, Vested \| shares	24,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 16.96
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years \| Y	1.33
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable \| shares	24,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 16.96
Range of Exercisable Prices $20.96 - $20.96
Range of Exercisable Prices
Range of Exercisable Prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	20.96
Range of Exercisable Prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 20.96
Options Outstanding, Vested \| shares	20,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 20.96
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years \| Y	0.33
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable \| shares	20,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 20.96
Range of Exercisable Prices $31.75 - $31.75
Range of Exercisable Prices
Range of Exercisable Prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)	31.75
Range of Exercisable Prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 31.75
Options Outstanding, Unvested (in shares) \| shares	589,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 31.75
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life In Years \| Y	6.07

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Increase or decrease in tax benefits from restricted stock units and exercise of nonqualified stock options	$ 1.1	$ (0.1)	$ (0.3)
Stock options
Shares Under Option
Granted (in shares)	617,500
Forfeited (in shares)	(28,500)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	589,000
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 10.90
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	10.90
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 10.90

Financial Instruments (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) country	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007
Financial Instruments
Number of countries in which entity has currency exposures, minimum \| country	50
Standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees
Third-party guarantees
Contingent liability outstanding	$ 273.6	$ 268.1
Standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees \| Minimum
Third-party guarantees
Fees paid to various banks and insurance companies on face amount of instruments (as a percent)	0.25%
Standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees \| Maximum
Third-party guarantees
Guarantee term (in years)	P3Y
Fees paid to various banks and insurance companies on face amount of instruments (as a percent)	2.30%
Guarantees of debt of certain third parties related to international operations
Third-party guarantees
Service revenues	$ 1.2	1.9	$ 9.6
Potential amount of future payments for guarantees, maximum	1.6	1.6
Environmental indemnification for properties sold to third party in 2007 \| Maximum
Third-party guarantees
Guarantee term (in years)				P20Y
Environmental indemnification for property from a lease terminated in 2006
Third-party guarantees
Potential amount of future payments for guarantees, maximum	3.0	$ 3.0
Guarantees related to arrangements with certain customers
Third-party guarantees
Potential amount of future payments for guarantees per occurrence, maximum	$ 3.0
Guarantees related to arrangements with certain customers \| Maximum
Third-party guarantees
Guarantee term (in years)	P4Y

Financial Instruments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative contracts
Period over which gains and losses are reclassified to earnings, low end of range (in years)	10 years
Period over which gains and losses are reclassified to earnings, high end of range (in years)	15 years
Asset Derivatives	$ 44,910	$ 31,803
Liability Derivatives	1,792	3,860
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	274
Liability Derivatives		29
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Cross-currency interest rate swaps
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	44,636	31,803
Liability Derivatives	1,792	3,831
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments \| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative contracts
Asset Derivatives	2,912	2,787
Liability Derivatives	$ 1,207	$ 1,042

Financial Instruments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	$ 8,117	$ (1,067)	$ (39,865)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion	83	20	1,025
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	7,642	21,744	(5,904)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	887	32	(23)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion	83
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative, included in Cost of services and products sold	7,238	1,483	(6,308)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion	7,230	(1,119)	(36,490)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing	$ 7,642	21,734	(5,586)
Commodity contracts
Effect of derivative instruments
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") on Derivative - Effective Portion		20	(3,352)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income - Effective Portion		20	1,025
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing		$ 10	$ (318)

Financial Instruments (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Pre-tax net gains and losses on certain loans designated as hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries	$ (1,200)	$ 19,000
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Foreign Currency Derivatives
Maximum maturity period of unsecured contracts (in months)	10 months
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	$ 324,463	214,151
Recognized Gain (Loss)	1,732	1,717
British pounds sterling \| Commitments to sell foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	18,350	54,479
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(20)	1,806
British pounds sterling \| Commitments to purchase foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	4,364	208
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(12)	(2)
Euros \| Commitments to sell foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	178,889	93,831
Recognized Gain (Loss)	2,345	(104)
Euros \| Commitments to purchase foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	105,247	44,571
Recognized Gain (Loss)	(878)	(338)
Other currencies \| Commitments to sell foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	2,957	5,314
Recognized Gain (Loss)	62	(86)
Other currencies \| Commitments to purchase foreign currencies
Foreign Currency Derivatives
U.S. Dollar Equivalent	14,656	15,748
Recognized Gain (Loss)	$ 235	$ 441

Financial Instruments (Details 5) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps Maturing 2018
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Contractual Amount	$ 250.0
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps Maturing 2020
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Contractual Amount	220.0
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps Maturing 2013
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Contractual Amount	$ 1.8

Financial Instruments (Details 6) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Liabilities
Contingent consideration for acquisitions		$ 3,900
Fair value measurements recurring \| Level 2
Assets
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$ 3,186	2,787
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	44,636	31,803
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	1,207	1,071
Cross-currency interest rate swaps	$ 1,792	3,831
Fair value measurements recurring \| Level 3
Liabilities
Contingent consideration for acquisitions		$ 3,872

Financial Instruments (Details 7) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Financial Instruments (Details 7) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) customer institution	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)
Long-term debt, including current maturities
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 935,100	$ 905,000
Carrying value of long-term debt	$ 857,358	853,735
Concentrations of credit risk
Credit exposure limited to any such number of institutions \| institution	1
Number of customers for which uncollectible receivables could affect result of operations, minimum \| customer	1
Contingent consideration for acquisition
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for liabilities measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Balance at beginning of year	$ 3,872	9,735
Acquisitions during the year		4,618
Fair value adjustments included in earnings	(3,966)	(10,620)
Effect of exchange rate changes	$ 94	139
Balance at end of year		$ 3,872

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details)	12 Months Ended
Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011
Sales \| Customer concentration risk
Operations by segment
Threshold for disclosure of risk concentrations (as a percent)	10.00%
Property, Plant and Equipment \| Geographic concentration risk
Operations by segment
Threshold for disclosure of risk concentrations (as a percent)	10.00%

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Information by Geographic Area
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678	$ 2,990,577
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	1,274,484	1,366,973	1,510,801
United States
Information by Geographic Area
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	1,087,454	1,010,290	1,010,076
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	276,966	291,470	326,952
United Kingdom
Information by Geographic Area
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	398,222	420,458	436,039
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	114,521	141,014	205,681
All Other
Information by Geographic Area
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	1,817,064	1,607,930	1,544,462
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 882,997	$ 934,489	$ 978,168

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 3) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) customer segment	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) customer	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($) customer
Information by Segment and Geographic Area
Number of reportable segments \| segment			4
Operations by segment
Revenues			$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678	$ 2,990,577
Pre-tax charges for restructuring activities				43,158
Overall cost savings expected in 2012 associated with the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program	$ 36,000		36,000
Overall cost savings expected in 2013 associated with the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program	65,000		65,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Operations by segment
Pre-tax charges for restructuring activities	100,800		100,780
Additional charges expected to be incurred in 2012	97,000		97,000
Overall cost savings expected in 2012 associated with the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program	36,000		36,000
Overall cost savings expected in 2013 associated with the 2011/2012 Restructuring Program	65,000		65,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues			1,588,302	1,461,531	1,257,098
Additional charges expected to be incurred in 2012	12,000		12,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Operations by segment
Pre-tax charges for restructuring activities	12,800
Additional charges expected to be incurred in 2012	12,000		12,000
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues			1,108,293	$ 1,031,807	$ 1,159,200
Pre-tax charges for restructuring activities		$ 84,400
Additional charges expected to be incurred in 2012	85,000		85,000
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Operations by segment
Pre-tax charges for restructuring activities	87,600		87,604
Additional charges expected to be incurred in 2012	$ 85,000		$ 85,000
Sales \| Customer concentration risk \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Number of major customers \| customer			2	2	2
Number of contracts whose loss could have material impact, minimum (in customers) \| customer			1
Sales \| Customer concentration risk \| ArcelorMittal \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Number of major customers \| customer			1
Revenues			$ 361,900	$ 359,000	$ 305,600
Sales \| Customer concentration risk \| ArcelorMittal \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Minimum
Operations by segment
Percentage of benchmark derived from specified source	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678	$ 2,990,577
Total Operating Income (Loss)	87,649	78,431	218,656
Assets	3,338,877	3,469,220	3,639,240
Depreciation and Amortization	310,441	315,239	311,531
Capital Expenditures	313,101	192,348	165,320
Interest income	2,751	2,668	2,928
Interest expense	(48,735)	(60,623)	(62,746)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	41,665	20,476	158,838
Total reportable segments
Operations by segment
Total Operating Income (Loss)	93,440	81,564	223,366
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	1,588,302	1,461,531	1,257,098
Total Operating Income (Loss)	109,593	117,915	43,303
Assets	1,537,538	1,541,117	1,648,878
Depreciation and Amortization	183,784	180,306	191,647
Capital Expenditures	212,009	123,153	102,762
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	1,108,293	1,031,807	1,159,200
Total Operating Income (Loss)	(125,555)	(145,346)	68,437
Assets	1,371,143	1,534,379	1,669,401
Depreciation and Amortization	107,621	114,861	101,465
Capital Expenditures	88,456	54,858	41,530
Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	300,029	313,262	306,016
Total Operating Income (Loss)	58,746	66,124	56,542
Assets	213,410	208,338	208,877
Depreciation and Amortization	10,133	11,110	11,106
Capital Expenditures	4,497	9,498	7,699
Harsco Industrial Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	306,116	231,898	268,023
Total Operating Income (Loss)	50,656	42,871	55,084
Assets	80,784	58,918	58,587
Depreciation and Amortization	2,805	2,832	2,923
Capital Expenditures	4,938	1,722	2,674
Corporate
Operations by segment
Revenues		180	240
Total Operating Income (Loss)	(5,791)	(3,133)	(4,710)
Assets	136,002	126,468	53,497
Depreciation and Amortization	6,098	6,130	4,390
Capital Expenditures	$ 3,201	$ 3,117	$ 10,655

Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	$ 3,302,740	$ 3,038,678	$ 2,990,577
Corporate
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers		180	240
Outsourced, on-site services to steel mills and other metals producers
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	1,367,919	1,245,045	1,084,826
Engineered scaffolding, concrete forming and shoring, and other access-related services, rentals and sales
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	1,108,293	1,031,807	1,159,200
Railway track maintenance services and equipment
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	300,029	313,262	306,016
Resource recovery technologies for the re-use of industrial waste stream by-products
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	150,983	148,749	104,028
Air-cooled heat exchangers
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	142,960	112,170	129,365
Industrial grating products
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	113,388	76,975	92,903
Industrial abrasives and roofing granules
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	69,399	67,737	68,244
Heat transfer products
Information about Product and Services
Revenues from Unaffiliated Customers	$ 49,769	$ 42,753	$ 45,755

Other (Income) Expenses (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Other (Income) Expenses (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011 entity	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Other (income) expenses
Net gains		$ (6,162)	$ (7,792)	$ (8,047)
Contingent consideration adjustments		(3,966)	(10,620)
Employee termination benefit costs		36,174	24,816	10,931
Costs to exit activities		10,007	34,384	4,297
Product line rationalization		66,063	34,302
Impaired asset write-downs			9,966	1,494
Other (income) expense, miscellaneous		624	1,417	(1,114)
Other (income) expenses		102,740	86,473	7,561
Withdrawal liability to exit certain multi-employer pension plans			8,300
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Other (income) expenses
Net gains		(1,666)	(3,942)	(3,406)
Employee termination benefit costs		18,533	4,684	7,998
Costs to exit activities		1,313	930	2,577
Impaired asset write-downs			1,028	1,464
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Other (income) expenses
Net gains		(3,607)	(3,253)	(4,641)
Contingent consideration adjustments		(3,966)	(10,620)
Employee termination benefit costs		16,546	19,068	2,352
Costs to exit activities		8,694	33,458	1,720
Product line rationalization		66,063	34,302
Impaired asset write-downs			8,938	30
Assets held-for-sale, number of lines of business sold (in entities) \| entity	2
Harsco Industrial Segment
Other (income) expenses
Net gains		(889)	(597)
Employee termination benefit costs		423	486	303
Costs to exit activities			(4)
Harsco Rail Segment
Other (income) expenses
Employee termination benefit costs		296	$ 578	246
Corporate
Other (income) expenses
Employee termination benefit costs		$ 376		$ 32

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Net of Tax
Cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustments	$ 51,313	$ 111,667
Effective portion of cash flow hedges	(3,807)	(9,740)
Cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses on pension obligations	(411,641)	(287,814)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	(56)	(45)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (364,191)	$ (185,932)

- Definition

The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph i
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph c
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

- Definition

Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains or losses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 12, 13
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 31
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32022-110900

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450520&loc=d3e32583-110901

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e653-108580

+ Details

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References

+ Details

Restructuring Programs (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Restructuring Programs (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) portion $ / shares person	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) portion $ / shares person	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Restructuring Programs
Overall cost savings expected in 2012	$ 36,000		$ 36,000
Overall cost savings expected in 2013	$ 65,000		65,000
Pre-tax restructuring charges				$ 43,158
Non-cash product rationalization charges			66,063	34,302
Severance costs related to reduced headcount			36,174	24,816	$ 10,931
Exit costs related to branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs			$ 10,007	34,384	4,297
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred				43,158
Remaining amount of accrual expected to be paid related to multiemployer plan withdrawal liabilities through 2023		$ 8,300		8,300
Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program
Restructuring accrual related activity
Portion of the remaining accrual expected to be paid throughout 2012 \| portion	0.5		0.5
Prior Restructuring Programs
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			$ 4,291
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(510)
Cash Expenditures			(1,723)
Foreign Currency Translation			(51)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	$ 2,007	4,291	2,007	4,291
Remaining amount of accrual expected to be paid through cash expenditures throughout 2011 and/or 2012			(2,000)
2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Restructuring Programs
Overall cost savings expected in 2012	36,000		36,000
Overall cost savings expected in 2013	65,000		65,000
Pre-tax restructuring charges	100,800		100,780
Non-cash product rationalization charges	66,100
Severance costs related to reduced headcount	28,600
Exit costs related to branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs	6,100
Additional pre-tax charges expected to be incurred in 2012	$ 97,000		$ 97,000
Number of employees reduced in workforce to date (in persons) \| $ / shares	43		43
Number of employees in total expected workforce reduction (in persons) \| $ / shares			1,100
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred	$ 100,800		$ 100,780
Non-Cash Charges			(67,320)
Cash Expenditures			(2,989)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	30,471		30,471
Harsco Infrastructure Segment
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges		84,400
Non-cash product rationalization charges			66,063	34,302
Severance costs related to reduced headcount			16,546	19,068	2,352
Exit costs related to branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs			8,694	33,458	1,720
Additional pre-tax charges expected to be incurred in 2012	85,000		85,000
Charges expected to be incurred in 2012	42,000		$ 42,000
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred		84,400
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program
Restructuring Programs
Number of employees in total expected workforce reduction (in persons) \| person			494
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			$ 30,800
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			739
Cash Expenditures			(19,654)
Foreign Currency Translation			262
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	12,147	30,800	12,147	30,800
Remaining amount of accrual expected to be paid related to multiemployer plan withdrawal liabilities through 2023	6,300		6,300
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			9,254
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(1,040)
Cash Expenditures			(8,346)
Foreign Currency Translation			343
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	211	9,254	211	9,254
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program \| Cost to exit activities
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			21,449
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			1,779
Cash Expenditures			(11,218)
Foreign Currency Translation			(81)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	11,929	21,449	11,929	21,449
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Fourth Quarter 2010 Harsco Infrastructure Program \| Other
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			97
Cash Expenditures			(90)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	$ 7	97	$ 7	97
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs
Restructuring Programs
Number of employees reduced in workforce to date (in persons) \| person	249		249
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			$ 1,318
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(422)
Cash Expenditures			(938)
Foreign Currency Translation			42
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period		1,318		1,318
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			905
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(361)
Cash Expenditures			(571)
Foreign Currency Translation			27
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period		905		905
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs \| Cost to exit activities
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			413
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(61)
Cash Expenditures			(367)
Foreign Currency Translation			15
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period		413		413
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges	$ 87,600		87,604
Additional pre-tax charges expected to be incurred in 2012	85,000		85,000
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred	87,600		87,604
Non-Cash Charges			(67,320)
Cash Expenditures			(2,951)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	17,333		17,333
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			15,410
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			15,410
Cash Expenditures			(910)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	14,500		14,500
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Cost to exit activities
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			6,131
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			6,131
Non-Cash Charges			(1,257)
Cash Expenditures			(2,041)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	2,833		2,833
Harsco Infrastructure Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Product rationalization
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			66,063
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			66,063
Non-Cash Charges			(66,063)
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Restructuring Programs
Severance costs related to reduced headcount			18,533	4,684	7,998
Exit costs related to branch structure reduction and office rationalization costs			1,313	930	2,577
Additional pre-tax charges expected to be incurred in 2012	$ 12,000		$ 12,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs
Restructuring Programs
Number of employees reduced in workforce to date (in persons) \| person	188		188
Number of employees in total expected workforce reduction (in persons) \| person			242
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			$ 2,973
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(88)
Cash Expenditures			(785)
Foreign Currency Translation			(93)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	$ 2,007	2,973	2,007	2,973
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			2,109
Adjustments to Previously Recorded Restructuring Charges			(88)
Cash Expenditures			(623)
Foreign Currency Translation			(118)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	1,280	2,109	1,280	2,109
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Prior Restructuring Programs \| Cost to exit activities
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual, balance at the beginning of the period			864
Cash Expenditures			(162)
Foreign Currency Translation			25
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	727	$ 864	727	864
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges	12,800
Additional pre-tax charges expected to be incurred in 2012	12,000		12,000
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred	12,800
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			12,775
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			12,775
Cash Expenditures			(38)
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	12,737		12,737
Harsco Rail Segment
Restructuring Programs
Severance costs related to reduced headcount			296	$ 578	246
Harsco Rail Segment \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			50
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			50
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	50		50
Harsco Corporate
Restructuring Programs
Severance costs related to reduced headcount			376		$ 32
Harsco Corporate \| 2011/2012 Restructuring Program \| Employee termination benefit cost
Restructuring Programs
Pre-tax restructuring charges			351
Restructuring accrual related activity
Expense Incurred			351
Remaining Accrual, balance at the end of the period	$ 351		$ 351

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 20,283	$ 24,495	$ 27,853
Charged to Cost and Expenses	7,880	9,962	9,318
Due to Currency Translation Adjustments	(677)	(336)	694
Other	(9,657)	(13,838)	(13,370)
Balance at End of Period	17,829	20,283	24,495
Deferred Tax Assets - Valuation Allowance
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Balance at Beginning of Period	29,469	22,744	21,459
Charged to Cost and Expenses	47,575	4,754	(980)
Due to Currency Translation Adjustments	(312)	(347)	(75)
Other	22,885	2,318	2,340
Balance at End of Period	$ 99,617	$ 29,469	$ 22,744