10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

_________________________

FORM 10-Q

_________________________

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2018

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 1-12658

_________________________

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_________________________

VIRGINIA	54-1692118
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4350 CONGRESS STREET, SUITE 700 CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA	28209
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code - (980) 299-5700

_________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  xNo  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  xNo  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨
		Emerging growth company	¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of April 30, 2018: 110,763,247

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

INDEX – FORM 10-Q

		Page Number(s)
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	7
	Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8-23
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23-36
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	36
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	36
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	36
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	36
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	37
Item 6.	Exhibits	37
SIGNATURES		38
EXHIBITS

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Net sales	$	821,629		$	722,063
Cost of goods sold	516,650			467,107
Gross profit	304,979			254,956
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,370			108,928
Research and development expenses	20,986			24,323
Operating profit	182,623			121,705
Interest and financing expenses	(13,538		)	(68,513		)
Other (expenses) income, net	(30,476		)	265
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	138,609			53,457
Income tax expense	20,361			11,971
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	118,248			41,486
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	20,677			21,171
Net income	138,925			62,657
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,165		)	(11,444		)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760		$	51,213
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19		$	0.46
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.18		$	0.45
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic	110,681			111,986
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted	111,867			113,289
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.335		$	0.32

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Net income	$	138,925		$	62,657
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	64,891			79,055
Pension and postretirement benefits	3			(7		)
Net investment hedge	(14,421		)	(13,685		)
Interest rate swap	642			529
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	51,115			65,892
Comprehensive income	190,040			128,549
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,351		)	(11,905		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	182,689		$	116,644

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	692,188		$	1,137,303
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2018 – $10,098; 2017 – $10,425)	606,968			534,326
Other accounts receivable	43,410			37,937
Inventories	666,567			592,781
Other current assets	113,763			136,064
Assets held for sale	35,829			39,152
Total current assets	2,158,725			2,477,563
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,247,345			4,124,335
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,678,139			1,631,025
Net property, plant and equipment	2,569,206			2,493,310
Investments	524,687			534,064
Noncurrent assets held for sale	151,743			139,813
Other assets	78,619			74,164
Goodwill	1,643,746			1,610,355
Other intangibles, net of amortization	429,614			421,503
Total assets	$	7,556,340		$	7,750,772
Liabilities And Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	481,726		$	418,537
Accrued expenses	262,883			268,336
Current portion of long-term debt	39,216			422,012
Dividends payable	36,885			35,165
Liabilities held for sale	2,173			1,938
Income taxes payable	45,977			54,937
Total current liabilities	868,860			1,200,925
Long-term debt	1,436,852			1,415,360
Postretirement benefits	52,090			52,003
Pension benefits	296,671			294,611
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale	682			614
Other noncurrent liabilities	588,640			599,174
Deferred income taxes	369,115			370,389
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding – 110,756 in 2018 and 110,547 in 2017	1,107			1,105
Additional paid-in capital	1,855,321			1,863,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(174,739		)	(225,668		)
Retained earnings	2,118,621			2,035,163
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,800,310			3,674,549
Noncontrolling interests	143,120			143,147
Total equity	3,943,430			3,817,696
Total liabilities and equity	$	7,556,340		$	7,750,772

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)						Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income			Retained Earnings			Total Albemarle Shareholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	Common Stock
	Shares		Amounts
Balance at January 1, 2018	110,546,674		$	1,105		$	1,863,949		$	(225,668	)	$	2,035,163		$	3,674,549		$	143,147		$	3,817,696
Net income												131,760			131,760			7,165			138,925
Other comprehensive income									50,929						50,929			186			51,115
Cash dividends declared												(37,103		)	(37,103		)	(7,378		)	(44,481		)
Cumulative adjustment from adoption of income tax standard update (Note 18)												(11,199		)	(11,199		)				(11,199		)
Stock-based compensation and other						5,737									5,737						5,737
Exercise of stock options	12,740		—			646									646						646
Issuance of common stock, net	319,440		3			(3		)							—						—
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(122,740	)	(1		)	(15,008		)							(15,009		)				(15,009		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	110,756,114		$	1,107		$	1,855,321		$	(174,739	)	$	2,118,621		$	3,800,310		$	143,120		$	3,943,430
Balance at January 1, 2017	112,523,790		$	1,125		$	2,084,418		$	(412,412	)	$	2,121,931		$	3,795,062		$	147,542		$	3,942,604
Net income												51,213			51,213			11,444			62,657
Other comprehensive income									65,431						65,431			461			65,892
Cash dividends declared												(35,441		)	(35,441		)	—			(35,441		)
Stock-based compensation and other						3,945									3,945						3,945
Exercise of stock options	37,146		—			2,170									2,170						2,170
Shares repurchased	(1,948,178	)	(19		)	(249,981		)				—			(250,000		)				(250,000		)
Issuance of common stock, net	225,559		2			(2		)							—						—
Termination of Tianqi Lithium Corporation option agreement						13,144									13,144			(13,144		)	—
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(86,117	)	—			(7,855		)							(7,855		)				(7,855		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	110,752,200		$	1,108		$	1,845,839		$	(346,981	)	$	2,137,703		$	3,637,669		$	146,303		$	3,783,972

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	1,137,303		$	2,269,756
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	138,925			62,657
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,330			45,070
Gain on acquisition	—			(7,433		)
Stock-based compensation	2,869			5,046
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	(20,677		)	(21,171		)
Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable securities	25,462			2,551
Pension and postretirement benefit	(890		)	(26		)
Pension and postretirement contributions	(3,548		)	(2,891		)
Unrealized gain on investments in marketable securities	(393		)	(873		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			52,801
Deferred income taxes	29,067			1,363
Working capital changes	(95,050		)	(63,325		)
Other, net	(4,541		)	8,816
Net cash provided by operating activities	121,554			82,585
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(27,742		)
Capital expenditures	(131,815		)	(54,143		)
Sales of marketable securities, net	10			492
Repayments from joint ventures	—			1,250
Investments in equity and other corporate investments	(735		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(132,540		)	(80,143		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	—			(751,209		)
Other (repayments) borrowings, net	(381,159		)	66,384
Fees related to early extinguishment of debt	—			(46,959		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(35,382		)	(34,330		)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(7,378		)	—
Repurchases of common stock	—			(250,000		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	646			2,170
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(15,009		)	(7,855		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(438,282		)	(1,021,799		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	4,153			4,137
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(445,115		)	(1,015,220		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	692,188		$	1,254,536

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Basis of Presentation:

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Albemarle Corporation and our wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, “Albemarle,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company”) contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement, in all material respects, of our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2018. The December 31, 2017 condensed consolidated balance sheet data herein was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”). The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto to conform to the current presentation.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact to our results of operations or financial position upon adoption, and no adjustment was made to Retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheets because such adjustment was determined to be immaterial. In addition, new presentation requirements, including separate disclosure of net sales from sources other than customers on our consolidated statements of income and separate disclosures of contract assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, generally did not have a material impact. However, business circumstances, including the nature of customer contracts, can change and as such, we are expanding processes and controls to recognize such changes, and as necessary, consider whether any of these currently immaterial items might differ in the future. See Note 18, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” for additional information.

Included in Trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2018 is approximately $591.8 million arising from contracts with customers. The remaining balance of Trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2018 includes primarily value-added taxes collected from customers on behalf of various taxing authorities. In addition, see below for a description of our updated revenue recognition accounting policy.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services, and is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied under the terms of contracts with our customers. A performance obligation is deemed to be satisfied when control of the product or service is transferred to our customer. The transaction price of a contract, or the amount we expect to receive upon satisfaction of all performance obligations, is determined by reference to the contract’s terms and includes adjustments, if applicable, for any variable consideration, such as customer rebates, noncash consideration or consideration payable to the customer, although these adjustments are generally not material. Where a contract contains more than one distinct performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of each performance obligation, although these situations do not occur frequently and are generally not built into our contracts. Any unsatisfied performance obligations are not material. Standalone selling prices are based on prices we charge to our customers, which in some cases is based on established market prices. Sales and other similar taxes collected from customers on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue. Our payment terms are generally between 30 to 90 days, however, they vary by market factors, such as customer size, geography and competitive environment.

All of our revenue is derived from contracts with customers, and almost all of our contracts with customers contain one performance obligation for the transfer of goods where such performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time. Control of a product is deemed to be transferred to the customer upon shipment or delivery. Significant portions of our sales are sold free on board shipping point or on an equivalent basis, while delivery terms of other transactions are based upon specific contractual arrangements. Our standard terms of delivery are generally included in our contracts of sale, order confirmation documents and invoices, while the timing between shipment and delivery generally ranges between 1 and 45 days. Costs for shipping and handling activities, whether performed before or after the customer obtains control of the goods, are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

8

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The Company currently utilizes the following practical expedients, as permitted by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers:

• All sales and other pass-through taxes are excluded from contract value;

• In utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, no adjustment would be necessary for contracts that do not cross over a reporting year;

• We will not consider the possibility of a contract having a significant financing component (which would effectively attribute a portion of the sales price to interest income) unless, if at contract inception, the expected payment terms (from time of delivery or other relevant criterion) are more than one year;

• If our right to customer payment is directly related to the value of our completed performance, we recognize revenue consistent with the invoicing right; and

• We expense as incurred all costs of obtaining a contract incremental to any costs/compensation attributable to individual product sales/shipments for contracts where the amortization period for such costs would otherwise be one year or less.

Certain products we produce are made to our customer’s specifications where such products have no alternative use or would need significant rework costs in order to be sold to another customer. In management’s judgment, control of these arrangements is transferred to the customer at a point in time (upon shipment or delivery) and not over the time they are produced. Therefore revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of these products.

Costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers are not significant and are expensed immediately as the amortization period would be one year or less. When the Company incurs pre-production or other fulfillment costs in connection with an existing or specific anticipated contract and such costs are recoverable through margin or explicitly reimbursable, such costs are capitalized and amortized to Cost of goods sold on a systematic basis that is consistent with the pattern of transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates, which is less than one year. We record bad debt expense in specific situations when we determine the customer is unable to meet its financial obligation.

NOTE 2—Divestitures:

Assets Held for Sale

On December 14, 2017, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell the polyolefin catalysts and components portion of its Performance Catalyst Solutions (“PCS”) business to W.R. Grace & Co., with the sale closing on April 3, 2018. We received net cash proceeds of approximately $416 million. The transaction includes Albemarle’s Product Development Center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and operations at its Yeosu, South Korea site. The sale does not include the Company’s organometallics or curatives portion of its PCS business. The sale of the polyolefin catalysts business and components reflects the Company’s commitment to investing in the future growth of its high priority businesses and returning capital to shareholders. We currently expect to record a gain in the second quarter of 2018 related to this business.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we determined that the assets held for sale criteria in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, were met for this business. As such, the assets and liabilities of this business are included in Assets held for sale and Liabilities held for sale, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

9

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities that were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Assets
Current assets	$	35,829	$	39,152
Net, property, plant and equipment	133,506		121,759
Goodwill	14,422		14,422
Other intangibles, net of amortization	3,815		3,632
Assets held for sale	$	187,572	$	178,965
Liabilities
Current liabilities	$	2,173	$	1,938
Noncurrent liabilities	682		614
Liabilities held for sale	$	2,855	$	2,552

The results of operations of the business classified as held for sale is included in the consolidated statements of income.This business did not qualify for discontinued operations treatment because the Company’s management does not consider the sale as representing a strategic shift that had or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results.

NOTE 3—Goodwill and Other Intangibles:

The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Lithium		Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2017(a)(b)	$	1,389,089	$	20,319	$	194,361	$	6,586	$	1,610,355
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	26,110		—		7,281		—		33,391
Balance at March 31, 2018(b)	$	1,415,199	$	20,319	$	201,642	$	6,586	$	1,643,746

(a) The December 31, 2017 balances have been recast to reflect a change in segments. See Note 11, “Segment Information,” for additional information.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $14.4 million of Goodwill was classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

10

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the changes in other intangibles and related accumulated amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Customer Lists and Relationships			Trade Names and Trademarks(a)			Patents and Technology			Other			Total
Gross Asset Value
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	439,312		$	18,981		$	61,618		$	37,256		$	557,167
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	13,054			324			1,668			3,862			18,908
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	452,366		$	19,305		$	63,286		$	41,118		$	576,075
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(74,704	)	$	(8,295	)	$	(35,203	)	$	(17,462	)	$	(135,664	)
Amortization	(5,962		)	—			(368		)	(1,088		)	(7,418		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,005		)	(102		)	(727		)	(545		)	(3,379		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(82,671	)	$	(8,397	)	$	(36,298	)	$	(19,095	)	$	(146,461	)
Net Book Value at December 31, 2017(b)	$	364,608		$	10,686		$	26,415		$	19,794		$	421,503
Net Book Value at March 31, 2018(b)	$	369,695		$	10,908		$	26,988		$	22,023		$	429,614

(a) Balances as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include only indefinite-lived intangible assets.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of Other intangibles, net of amortization were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

NOTE 4—Foreign Exchange:

Foreign exchange transaction and revaluation losses were $3.2 million and $4.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and were included in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income, with the unrealized portion included in Other, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

NOTE 5—Income Taxes:

The effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 was 14.7%, compared to 22.4% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. The Company’s effective income tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, its level and location of income. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 was impacted by a variety of factors, primarily stemming from discrete tax benefits related to adjustments recorded for the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) as noted below and excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to the impact of earnings from outside the U.S., and is mainly attributable to our share of the income of our Jordan Bromine Company Limited (“JBC”) joint venture, a Free Zones company under the laws of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In connection with the TCJA, we recorded a provisional amount of income tax expense of $429.2 million related to the one-time transition tax and income tax benefit of $62.3 million related to the remeasurement of deferred tax balances for the year ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118, the effects of the TCJA may be adjusted within a one-year measurement period from the enactment date for the items that were previously reported as provisional, or where a provisional estimate could not be made. The income tax provision for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 reflected a discrete tax benefit of $2.8 million related to an adjustment of our estimate of the one-time transition tax and a discrete tax benefit of $3.7 million related to other provisions of the TCJA. The effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2018, included a $3.0 million tax expense on global intangible low-taxed income enacted by the TCJA. For the global intangible low-taxed income provisions of the TCJA, we have not yet elected an accounting policy with respect to either recognizing deferred taxes for basis differences expected to impact global intangible low-taxed income, or to record such as period costs if and when incurred. We also continue to evaluate our indefinite reinvestment assertion as a result of the TCJA. We will continue to assess forthcoming guidance and accounting interpretations on the effects of the TCJA and expect to finalize our analysis within the measurement period in accordance with the SEC guidance.

11

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 6—Earnings Per Share:

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Basic earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.46
Diluted earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	1,186		1,303
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share	111,867		113,289
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.18	$	0.45

On February 23, 2018, the Company increased the regular quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.335 per share and declared a cash dividend of said amount for the first quarter of 2018, which was paid on April 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2018. On May 8, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.335 per share, which is payable on July 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of June 15, 2018.

NOTE 7—Inventories:

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Finished goods(a)	$	453,662	$	404,239
Raw materials and work in process(b)	154,679		132,891
Stores, supplies and other	58,226		55,651
Total(c)	$	666,567	$	592,781

(a) Increase primarily due to the build up of inventory in our Catalysts segment due to the timing of net sales expected in the second quarter, and an increased net sales in the near term for our Lithium segment.

(b) Increase primarily due to higher forecasted production levels in the second quarter from our Catalysts segment. Included $66.2 million and $59.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of work in process related to the Lithium product category.

(c) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $23.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively, of Inventories were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

NOTE 8—Investments:

The Company holds a 49% equity interest in Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd. (“Windfield”), where the ownership parties share risks and benefits disproportionate to their voting interests. As a result, the Company considers Windfield to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”), however this investment is not consolidated as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying amount of our 49% equity interest in Windfield, which is our most significant VIE, was $338.7 million and $355.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company’s aggregate net investment in all other entities which it considers to be VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary was $8.5 million and $8.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Our unconsolidated VIEs are reported in Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not guarantee debt for, or have other financial support obligations to, these

12

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

entities, and its maximum exposure to loss in connection with its continuing involvement with these entities is limited to the carrying value of its investments.

As part of the original Windfield joint venture agreement, Tianqi Lithium Corporation ("Tianqi") was granted an option to purchase from 20% to 30% of the equity interests in Rockwood Lithium GmbH, a wholly-owned German subsidiary of Albemarle, and its subsidiaries. In February 2017, Albemarle and Tianqi terminated the option agreement, and as a result, we retained 100% of the ownership interest in Rockwood Lithium GmbH and its subsidiaries. Following the termination of the option agreement, the $13.1 million fair value of the option agreement originally recorded in Noncontrolling interests was reversed and recorded as an adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.

NOTE 9—Long-Term Debt:

Long-term debt at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
1.875% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,859 at March 31, 2018 and $3,971 at December 31, 2017	$	482,567	$	463,575
4.15% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,250 at March 31, 2018 and $3,372 at December 31, 2017	421,750		421,628
4.50% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $815 at March 31, 2018 and $891 at December 31, 2017	174,401		174,325
5.45% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $4,120 at March 31, 2018 and $4,159 at December 31, 2017	345,880		345,841
Commercial paper notes	38,500		421,321
Variable-rate foreign bank loans	7,560		5,298
Other	5,410		5,384
Total long-term debt	1,476,068		1,837,372
Less amounts due within one year	39,216		422,012
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	1,436,852	$	1,415,360

Current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2018 consisted primarily of commercial paper notes with a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 2.37% and a weighted-average maturity of 31 days. During the first quarter of 2018, we repaid a net amount of $382.8 million of commercial paper notes using cash on hand.

The carrying value of our 1.875% Euro-denominated senior notes has been designated as an effective hedge of our net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries where the Euro serves as the functional currency, and gains or losses on the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, losses of $14.4 million and $13.7 million (net of income taxes), respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency.

13

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 10—Commitments and Contingencies:

Environmental

We had the following activity in our recorded environmental liabilities for the three months endedMarch 31, 2018, as follows (in thousands):

Beginning balance at December 31, 2017	$	39,808
Expenditures	(2,612		)
Accretion of discount	225
Additions and revisions of estimates	16,236
Foreign currency translation adjustments	786
Ending balance at March 31, 2018	54,443
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,060
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	49,383

Environmental remediation liabilities included discounted liabilities of $44.1 million and $28.1 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, discounted at rates with a weighted-average of 3.7% and 3.6%, respectively, with the undiscounted amount totaling $85.5 million and $68.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For certain locations where the Company is operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems, prior owners or insurers have assumed all or most of the responsibility.

The amounts recorded represent our future remediation and other anticipated environmental liabilities. These liabilities typically arise during the normal course of our operational and environmental management activities or at the time of acquisition of the site, and are based on internal analysis as well as input from outside consultants. As evaluations proceed at each relevant site, changes in risk assessment practices, remediation techniques and regulatory requirements can occur, therefore such liability estimates may be adjusted accordingly. The timing and duration of remediation activities at these sites will be determined when evaluations are completed. Although it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of these remediation liabilities, management estimates (based on the latest available information) that there is a reasonable possibility that future environmental remediation costs associated with our past operations, could be an additional $10 million to $20 million before income taxes, in excess of amounts already recorded.

We believe that any sum we may be required to pay in connection with environmental remediation matters in excess of the amounts recorded would likely occur over a period of time and would likely not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows on a consolidated annual basis although any such sum could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a particular quarterly reporting period.

Litigation

We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings of types regarded as common in our business, including administrative or judicial proceedings seeking remediation under environmental laws, such as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA or Superfund, products liability, breach of contract liability and premises liability litigation. Where appropriate, we may establish financial reserves for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Costs for legal services are generally expensed as incurred.

Following receipt of information regarding potential improper payments being made by third party sales representatives of our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, we promptly retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to investigate potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and other potentially applicable laws. Based on this internal investigation, we have voluntarily self-reported potential issues relating to the use of third party sales representatives in our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, to the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and SEC, and are cooperating with the DOJ and SEC in their review of these matters. In connection with our internal investigation, we have implemented, and are continuing to implement, appropriate remedial measures.

At this time, we are unable to predict the duration, scope, result or related costs associated with any investigations by the DOJ or SEC. We also are unable to predict what, if any, action may be taken by the DOJ or SEC or what penalties or remedial actions they may seek. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations, however, could result in the imposition of fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses. We do not

14

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

believe, however, that any fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity.

In the first quarter of 2018, a jury rendered a verdict against Albemarle in a legal matter related to certain business concluded under a 2014 sales agreement for products that Albemarle no longer manufactures. Although Albemarle has filed post trial motions to set aside the verdict, we have recorded an estimated accrual of $17.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, and in Accrued liabilities as of the balance sheet date, to reflect this matter.

Indemnities

We are indemnified by third parties in connection with certain matters related to acquired and divested businesses. Although we believe that the financial condition of those parties who may have indemnification obligations to the Company is generally sound, in the event the Company seeks indemnity under any of these agreements or through other means, there can be no assurance that any party who may have obligations to indemnify us will adhere to their obligations and we may have to resort to legal action to enforce our rights under the indemnities.

The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it divested, including properties or businesses of acquired businesses that were divested prior to the completion of the acquisition. In the opinion of management, and based upon information currently available, the ultimate resolution of any indemnification obligations owed to the Company or by the Company is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company had approximately $32.4 million and $42.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities related to the indemnification of certain income and non-income tax liabilities associated with the Chemetall Surface Treatment entities sold.

Other

We have contracts with certain of our customers, which serve as guarantees on product delivery and performance according to customer specifications that can cover both shipments on an individual basis as well as blanket coverage of multiple shipments under certain customer supply contracts. The financial coverage provided by these guarantees is typically based on a percentage of net sales value.

NOTE 11—Segment Information:

In the first quarter of 2018, the PCS product category merged with our former Refining Solutions reportable segment to form a global business focused on catalysts. As a result, our three reportable segments include: (1) Lithium; (2) Bromine Specialties; and (3) Catalysts. Each segment has a dedicated team of sales, research and development, process engineering, manufacturing and sourcing, and business strategy personnel and has full accountability for improving execution through greater asset and market focus, agility and responsiveness. This business structure aligns with the markets and customers we serve through each of the segments. The structure also facilitates the continued standardization of business processes across the organization, and is consistent with the manner in which information is presently used internally by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions.

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables. Results for 2017 have been recast to reflect the change in segments noted above.

The “All Other” category includes only the fine chemistry services business that does not fit into any of our core businesses.

The Corporate category is not considered to be a segment and includes corporate-related items not allocated to the operating segments. Pension and OPEB service cost (which represents the benefits earned by active employees during the period) and amortization of prior service cost or benefit are allocated to the reportable segments, All Other, and Corporate, whereas the remaining components of pension and OPEB benefits cost or credit (“Non-operating pension and OPEB items”) are included in Corporate. Segment data includes intersegment transfers of raw materials at cost and allocations for certain corporate costs.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) to assess the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments and to allocate resources. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted on a consistent basis for certain non-recurring or unusual items in a balanced manner and on a segment basis. These non-recurring or unusual items may include acquisition and integration related costs, utilization of inventory markup, gains or losses on sales of businesses, restructuring charges, facility

15

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

divestiture charges, non-operating pension and OPEB items and other significant non-recurring items. In addition, management uses adjusted EBITDA for business planning purposes and as a significant component in the calculation of performance-based compensation for management and other employees. The Company has reported adjusted EBITDA because management believes it provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or any other financial measure reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Net sales:
Lithium	$	298,032		$	216,229
Bromine Specialties	225,639			219,191
Catalysts	260,717			253,558
All Other	37,165			32,419
Corporate	76			666
Total net sales	$	821,629		$	722,063
Adjusted EBITDA:
Lithium	$	131,014		$	99,852
Bromine Specialties	69,969			68,488
Catalysts	67,830			69,749
All Other	3,862			5,156
Corporate	(23,957		)	(31,869		)
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	248,718		$	211,376

16

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP (in thousands):

	Lithium			Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		Reportable Segments Total			All Other		Corporate			Consolidated Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	108,334		$	59,536	$	55,660	$	223,530		$	1,760	$	(93,530	)	$	131,760
Depreciation and amortization	24,065			10,433		12,170		46,668			2,102		1,560			50,330
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		2,201			2,201
Interest and financing expenses	—			—		—		—			—		13,538			13,538
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		20,361			20,361
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(2,197		)	(2,197		)
Legal accrual(b)	—			—		—		—			—		17,628			17,628
Other(c)	(1,385		)	—		—		(1,385		)	—		16,482			15,097
Adjusted EBITDA	$	131,014		$	69,969	$	67,830	$	268,813		$	3,862	$	(23,957	)	$	248,718
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	77,614		$	58,694	$	56,966	$	193,274		$	3,246	$	(145,307	)	$	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	19,065			9,794		12,783		41,642			1,910		1,518			45,070
Utilization of inventory markup(d)	10,606			—		—		10,606			—		—			10,606
Restructuring and other, net(e)	—			—		—		—			—		12,905			12,905
Gain on acquisition(f)	(7,433		)	—		—		(7,433		)	—		—			(7,433		)
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		14,281			14,281
Interest and financing expenses(g)	—			—		—		—			—		68,513			68,513
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		11,971			11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(1,063		)	(1,063		)
Other(h)	—			—		—		—			—		5,313			5,313
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,852		$	68,488	$	69,749	$	238,089		$	5,156	$	(31,869	)	$	211,376

(a) Included amounts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 recorded in (1) Cost of goods sold of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively; and (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, relating to various significant projects, including the Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (“Jiangli New Materials”) acquisition, which contains unusual compensation related costs negotiated specifically as a result of this acquisition that are outside of the Company’s normal compensation arrangements.

(b) Included in Other (expenses) income, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.

(c) Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 recorded in:

▪ Cost of goods sold - $1.1 million related to the write-off of fixed assets in our JBC joint venture.

▪ Selling, general and administrative expenses - $1.4 million gain related to a refund from Chilean authorities due to an overpayment made in a prior year.

▪ Other (expenses) income, net - $15.6 million of environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle, partially offset by a net gain of $0.2 million related to the the reversal of previously recorded expenses of disposed businesses.

(d) In connection with the acquisition of Jiangli New Materials, the Company valued inventory purchased from Jiangli New Materials at fair value, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $23.1 million. The inventory markup was expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, $10.6 million was included in Cost of goods sold related to the utilization of the inventory markup.

(e) During the first quarter of 2017, we initiated actions to reduce costs at several locations, primarily at our Lithium site in Germany. Based on the restructuring plans, we have recorded expenses of $2.9 million in Cost of goods sold, $4.2 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses and $5.8 million in Research and development expenses, primarily related to severance, expected to be incurred. The unpaid balance is recorded in Accrued expenses at March 31, 2018, with the expectation that the majority of these plans will be completed by the end of 2018.

(f) Gain recorded in Other (expenses) income, net related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Sales de Magnesio Ltda. joint venture in Chile. The calculation of the initial gain recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions available at that time.

(g) During the first quarter of 2017, we repaid the 3.00% Senior notes in full, €307.0 million of the 1.875% Senior notes and $174.7 million of the 4.50% Senior notes, as well as related tender premiums of $45.2 million. As a result, included in Interest and financing expenses is

17

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $52.8 million, representing the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the redemption of these senior notes.

(h) Included in Other (expenses) income, net are $3.2 million of asset retirement obligation charges related to the revision of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle and a loss of $2.1 million associated with the previous disposal of a business.

NOTE 12—Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits:

The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,268		$	1,003
Interest cost	8,027			8,288
Expected return on assets	(10,764		)	(9,908		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	22			27
Total net pension benefits credit	$	(1,447	)	$	(590	)
Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	29		$	31
Interest cost	542			585
Expected return on assets	(2		)	(28		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(12		)	(24		)
Total net postretirement benefits cost	$	557		$	564
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	$	(890	)	$	(26	)

As a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis, all components of net benefit cost (credit), other than service cost, are to be shown outside of operations on the consolidated statements of income. We recast these components of net benefit cost (credit), which resulted in a reduction of $0.2 million in Cost of goods sold and $0.9 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses, with an offsetting increase of $1.1 million in Other (expenses) income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2017. There was no impact to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we made contributions of $3.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, to our qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

We paid $0.5 million in premiums to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during both the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

NOTE 13—Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

In assessing the fair value of financial instruments, we use methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and other risk factors existing at the time of assessment. Fair value information for our financial instruments is as follows:

Long-Term Debt—the fair values of our senior notes are estimated using Level 1 inputs and account for the difference between the recorded amount and fair value of our long-term debt. The carrying value of our remaining long-term debt reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value as substantially all of such debt bears interest based on prevailing variable market rates currently available in the countries in which we have borrowings.

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Recorded Amount		Fair Value		Recorded Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	1,483,794	$	1,553,114	$	1,845,309	$	1,949,638

18

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts—we enter into foreign currency forward contracts in connection with our risk management strategies in an attempt to minimize the financial impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivative financial instruments are used to manage risk and are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. The fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts are estimated based on current settlement values. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with notional values totaling $494.7 million and $357.4 million, respectively. Our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $0.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively, was included in Accrued expenses associated with the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts.

Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recognized in Other (expenses) income, net; further, fluctuations in the value of these contracts are generally expected to be offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged, which are also reported in Other (expenses) income, net. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized gains of $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts. Also, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded gains of $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts, and net cash receipts of $0.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, in Other, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The counterparties to our foreign currency forward contracts are major financial institutions with which we generally have other financial relationships. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, we do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

NOTE 14—Fair Value Measurement:

Fair value is defined as 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 (exit price). The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
Level 3	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred on the date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2018. The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	37	$	37	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,117	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	241	$	—	$	241	$	—

19

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	38	$	38	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,121	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	4,954	$	—	$	4,954	$	—

(a) We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.

(b) Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

(c) Holdings in certain private equity securities are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient and have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.

20

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

NOTE 15—Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

The components and activity in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (net of deferred income taxes) consisted of the following during the periods indicated below (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits(a)			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap(b)			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(257,569	)	$	(21	)	$	46,551		$	(14,629	)	$	(225,668	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	64,891			—			(14,421		)	—			50,470
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			3			—			642			645
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64,891			3			(14,421		)	642			51,115
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(186		)	—			—			—			(186		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(192,864	)	$	(18	)	$	32,130		$	(13,987	)	$	(174,739	)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(484,121	)	$	76		$	88,378		$	(16,745	)	$	(412,412	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	79,055			—			(13,685		)	—			65,370
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(7		)	—			529			522
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	79,055			(7		)	(13,685		)	529			65,892
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(461		)	—			—			—			(461		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	(405,527	)	$	69		$	74,693		$	(16,216	)	$	(346,981	)

(a) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits credit. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

(b) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in interest expense.

The amount of income tax benefit (expense) allocated to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is provided in the following tables (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018										2017
	Foreign Currency Translation		Pension and Postretirement Benefits		Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap			Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(18,734	)	$	834		$	80,141		$	(6	)	$	(21,580	)	$	834
Income tax benefit (expense)	—		—		4,313			(192		)	(1,086		)	(1		)	7,895			(305		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(14,421	)	$	642		$	79,055		$	(7	)	$	(13,685	)	$	529

NOTE 16—Related Party Transactions:

Our consolidated statements of income include sales to and purchases from unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Sales to unconsolidated affiliates	$	4,605	$	7,189
Purchases from unconsolidated affiliates	$	68,916	$	40,570

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ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include accounts receivable due from and payable to unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Receivable from related parties	$	2,184	$	2,406
Payable to related parties	$	67,244	$	55,801

NOTE 17—Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Supplemental information related to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Supplemental non-cash disclosure related to investing activities:
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable	$	74,906	$	18,874

NOTE 18—Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance designed to enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that revenue recognized from a transaction or event that arises from a contract with a customer should reflect the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services provided. To achieve that core principle the new guidance sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model that will need to be applied consistently to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the ASC. Also required are new disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The new disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, and assets recognized related to the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. During 2016, the FASB issued amendments to this new guidance that provides clarification, technical corrections and practical expedients. Topics of potential relevance to the Company include principal versus agent considerations, collectability, presentation of sales tax from customers, contract modifications at transition and accounting transition. These new requirements became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective method. We have implemented appropriate changes to the business processes, controls and control activities to support recognition, presentation and disclosure under the new standard for the first quarter of 2018, however, we have not made any significant changes to our existing systems as a result of this new standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires assets and liabilities arising from leases to be recorded on the balance sheet. Additional disclosures are required regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. We have made significant progress in evaluating our existing lease contracts and accounting policies to determine the impact this standard will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In addition, we are in the process of reviewing the impact of this standard on our current business processes and existing systems.

In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that eliminated the deferral of tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. As a result, the tax expense from the intercompany sale of assets, other than inventory, and associated changes to deferred taxes will be recognized when the sale occurs even though the pre-tax effects of the transaction have not been recognized as they are eliminated in consolidation. This guidance was effective using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018, which resulted in a $11.2 million cumulative adjustment to decrease Retained earnings and is not reflected in periods prior to this date.

In November 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

22

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify the definition of a business for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a reporting unit to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit has been acquired in a business combination. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (“net benefit cost”) in the income statement. This new guidance requires service cost to be presented as part of operating income (expense) and all other components of net benefit cost are to be shown outside of operations. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The prior year consolidated statements of income have been recast to conform to the current presentation required by this guidance. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits,” for additional details.

In May 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This new guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to better align an entity’s risk management activities with hedge accounting, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. This guidance will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We currently do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued accounting guidance that will give companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects caused by the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities will have the option to apply this guidance retrospectively or to record the reclassification as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements. In March 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance pursuant to the issuance of SAB 118, that provides clarification for a company’s ability to comply with the accounting requirements for the income tax effects of the TCJA in the period of enactment, effective immediately. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the TCJA are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and if possible to provide a reasonable estimate. We have accounted for the tax effects of the TCJA under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis. Our accounting for certain income tax effects is incomplete, but we have determined reasonable estimates for those effects and have recorded provisional amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward-looking Statements

Some of the information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the documents incorporated by reference, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, which are in turn based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations. We have used words such as

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“anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from the results and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the outlook expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include, without limitation:

• changes in economic and business conditions;

• changes in financial and operating performance of our major customers and industries and markets served by us;

• the timing of orders received from customers;

• the gain or loss of significant customers;

• competition from other manufacturers;

• changes in the demand for our products or the end-user markets in which our products are sold;

• limitations or prohibitions on the manufacture and sale of our products;

• availability of raw materials;

• increases in the cost of raw materials and energy, and our ability to pass through such increases to our customers;

• changes in our markets in general;

• fluctuations in foreign currencies;

• changes in laws and government regulation impacting our operations or our products;

• the occurrence of regulatory proceedings, claims or litigation;

• the occurrence of cyber-security breaches, terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, natural disasters or climate change;

• hazards associated with chemicals manufacturing;

• the inability to maintain current levels of product or premises liability insurance or the denial of such coverage;

• political unrest affecting the global economy, including adverse effects from terrorism or hostilities;

• political instability affecting our manufacturing operations or joint ventures;

• changes in accounting standards;

• the inability to achieve results from our global manufacturing cost reduction initiatives as well as our ongoing continuous improvement and rationalization programs;

• changes in the jurisdictional mix of our earnings and changes in tax laws and rates;

• changes in monetary policies, inflation or interest rates that may impact our ability to raise capital or increase our cost of funds, impact the performance of our pension fund investments and increase our pension expense and funding obligations;

• volatility and uncertainties in the debt and equity markets;

• technology or intellectual property infringement, including cyber-security breaches, and other innovation risks;

• decisions we may make in the future;

• the ability to successfully execute, operate and integrate acquisitions and divestitures; and

• the other factors detailed from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.

We assume no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. The following discussion should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. A discussion of our consolidated financial condition and sources of additional capital is included under a separate heading “Financial Condition and Liquidity” on page 32.

Overview

We are a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals that are designed to meet our customers’ needs across a diverse range of end markets. The end markets we serve include energy storage, petroleum refining, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, crop protection and custom chemistry services. We believe that our commercial and geographic diversity, technical expertise, innovative capability,

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flexible, low-cost global manufacturing base, experienced management team and strategic focus on our core base technologies will enable us to maintain leading market positions in those areas of the specialty chemicals industry in which we operate.

Secular trends favorably impacting demand within the end markets that we serve combined with our diverse product portfolio, broad geographic presence and customer-focused solutions will continue to be key drivers of our future earnings growth. We continue to build upon our existing green solutions portfolio and our ongoing mission to provide innovative, yet commercially viable, clean energy products and services to the marketplace. We believe our disciplined cost reduction efforts and ongoing productivity improvements, among other factors, position us well to take advantage of strengthening economic conditions as they occur, while softening the negative impact of the current challenging global economic environment.

First Quarter2018

During the first quarter of 2018:

• We received approval from Chile’s Economic Development Agency (“CORFO”) for an increase in our lithium quota to sustainably increase lithium production in Chile to as much as 145,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent annually through 2043.

• We repaid a net amount of $382.8 million of commercial paper notes using a portion of the $611.3 million in cash repatriations.

• Our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.335 per share on February 23, 2018, which was paid on April 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2018.

• Our net sales for the quarter were $821.6 million, up 14% from net sales of $722.1 million in the first quarter of 2017.

• Earnings per share were $1.18 (on a diluted basis), an increase from first quarter 2017 results of $0.45 per diluted share.

• Cash provided by operating activities was $121.6 million in the first quarter, an increase from $82.6 million in the first quarter 2017.

Outlook

Effective January 1, 2018, the Performance Catalyst Solutions (“PCS”) product category merged with our former Refining Solutions reportable segment to form a global business focused on catalysts. As a result, our three reportable segments include Lithium, Bromine Specialties and Catalysts. Each segment has a dedicated team of sales, research and development, process engineering, manufacturing and sourcing, and business strategy personnel and has full accountability for improving execution through greater asset and market focus, agility and responsiveness. We expect this change to provide further clarity into the performance of each business.

The current global business environment presents a diverse set of opportunities and challenges in the markets we serve. In particular, the market for lithium battery and energy storage continues to accelerate, providing the opportunity to continue to develop high quality and innovative products while managing the high cost of expanding capacity. The other markets we serve continue to present various opportunities for value and growth as we have positioned ourselves to manage the impact on our business of changing global conditions, such as slow and uneven global growth, currency exchange volatility, crude oil price fluctuation, a dynamic pricing environment, an ever-changing landscape in electronics, the continuous need for cutting edge catalysts and technology by our refinery customers and increasingly stringent environmental standards. Amidst these dynamics, we believe our business fundamentals are sound and that we are strategically well-positioned as we remain focused on increasing sales volumes, optimizing and improving the value of our portfolio primarily through pricing and product development, managing costs and delivering value to our customers and shareholders. We believe that our businesses remain well-positioned to capitalize on new business opportunities and long-term trends driving growth within our end markets and to respond quickly to changes in economic conditions in these markets.

Lithium: We expect continued strong year over year growth for the remainder of 2018 in Lithium, led by continued strong demand in battery-grade applications, price improvement and increased conversion capacity.

On a longer term basis, we believe that demand for lithium will continue to grow as new applications for lithium power continue to be developed and the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles escalates, against a favorable backdrop of steadily declining electric battery costs, increasing electric battery performance and constructive global public policy toward acceptance of e-mobility/renewables. Our long-term outlook is also bolstered by our successful negotiation of long-term supply agreements with a number of strategic customers, reflecting our standing as a preferred global lithium partner due to our scale, access to geographically diverse, low cost resources and long-term execution track record.

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Bromine Specialties: We expect to see low to mid single digit growth on net sales and profitability in 2018, due to healthy demand and pricing for our flame retardants and other derivatives. However, with sustained low oil prices, we expect stable, albeit low, drilling completion fluid demand throughout the year. While it is possible oil prices could rebound some in 2018, the short-term impact will be to increase raw material costs. Offshore well completions lag oil pricing, so any benefit in completion fluid volumes would likely extend into 2019.

On a longer term basis, we continue to believe that improving global standards of living, widespread digitization, increasing demand for data management capacity and the potential for increasingly stringent fire safety regulations in developing markets are likely to drive continued demand for fire safety products. Absent an increase in regulatory pressure on offshore drilling, we would expect this business to follow a long-term growth trajectory once oil prices recover from recent levels as we expect that deep water drilling will continue to increase around the world. We are focused on profitably growing our globally competitive bromine and derivatives production network to serve all major bromine consuming products and markets. We believe the global supply/demand gap could tighten as demand for existing and possible new uses of bromine expands over time. The combination of solid, long-term business fundamentals, with our strong cost position, product innovations and effective management of raw material costs will enable us to manage our business through end market challenges and to capitalize on opportunities that are expected with favorable market trends in select end markets.

Catalysts: We expected to see continued headwinds from rising raw material costs in both our Clean Fuels Technologies (“CFT”) and Fluid Catalytic Cracking (“FCC”) businesses, similar to 2017. In our PCS division, we expect our curatives business to be negatively impacted by a temporary supply shortage of a key raw material. We also anticipate that the profitability in our organometallics business will stabilize with productivity gains and increased volumes due to market demand.

On a longer term basis, we believe increased global demand for transportation fuels, new refinery start-ups and ongoing adoption of cleaner fuels will be the primary drivers of growth in our Catalysts business. We believe delivering superior end-use performance continues to be the most effective way to create sustainable value in the refinery catalysts industry. We believe our technologies continue to provide significant performance and financial benefits to refiners challenged to meet tighter regulations around the world, including those managing new contaminants present in North America tight oil, and those in the Middle East and Asia seeking to use heavier feedstock while pushing for higher propylene yields. Longer term, we believe that the global crude supply will get heavier and more sour, a trend that bodes well for our catalysts portfolio. With superior technology and production capacities, and expected growth in end market demand, we believe that Catalysts remains well-positioned for the future. In PCS, we expect growth in our organometallic business due to growing global demand for plastics driven by rising standards of living and infrastructure spending.

On April 3, 2018, we completed the sale of the polyolefin catalysts and components portion of the PCS business to W.R. Grace & Co. for cash proceeds of approximately $416 million.

All Other: The fine chemistry services business will continue to be reported outside the Company’s reportable segments as it does not fit in the Company’s core businesses. We expect the next few years to be a challenge for fine chemistry services due to a challenging agriculture industry environment, as well as customer order timing in pharmaceuticals.

Corporate: In the first quarter of 2018, we increased our quarterly dividend rate to $0.335 per share. We continue to focus on cash generation, working capital management and process efficiencies. We expect our global effective tax rate for 2018 to be approximately 23.1%; however, our rate will vary based on the locales in which income is actually earned and remains subject to potential volatility from changing legislation in the U.S., including the TCJA, and other tax jurisdictions. We also anticipate the potential for increased periodic volatility in future effective tax rates from the continuing impact of excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements.

We remain committed to evaluating the merits of any opportunities that may arise for acquisitions or other business development activities that will complement our business footprint. Additional information regarding our products, markets and financial performance is provided at our website, www.albemarle.com. Our website is not a part of this document nor is it incorporated herein by reference.

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Results of Operations

The following data and discussion provides an analysis of certain significant factors affecting our results of operations during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

First Quarter2018 Compared to First Quarter2017

Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Percentage Change
	2018			2017			2018 vs. 2017
	(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)
NET SALES	$	821,629		$	722,063		14	%
Cost of goods sold	516,650			467,107			11	%
GROSS PROFIT	304,979			254,956			20	%
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN	37.1		%	35.3		%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,370			108,928			(7	)%
Research and development expenses	20,986			24,323			(14	)%
OPERATING PROFIT	182,623			121,705			50	%
OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN	22.2		%	16.9		%
Interest and financing expenses	(13,538		)	(68,513		)	(80	)%
Other (expenses) income, net	(30,476		)	265			*
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF UNCONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS	138,609			53,457			159	%
Income tax expense	20,361			11,971			70	%
Effective tax rate	14.7		%	22.4		%
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF UNCONSOLIDATED INVESTMENTS	118,248			41,486			185	%
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	20,677			21,171			(2	)%
NET INCOME	138,925			62,657			122	%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,165		)	(11,444		)	(37	)%
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALBEMARLE CORPORATION	$	131,760		$	51,213		157	%
PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES	16.0		%	7.1		%
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19		$	0.46		159	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.18		$	0.45		162	%

* Percentage calculation is not meaningful

Net Sales

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, we recorded net sales of $821.6 million, an increase of $99.6 million, or 14%, compared to net sales of $722.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. Net sales increased due to $34.6 million of higher volumes primarily in our Lithium segment, $45.1 million of favorable pricing impacts and $19.8 million of favorable currency exchange impacting all three reportable segments.

Gross Profit

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, our gross profit increased$50.0 million, or 20%, from the corresponding 2017 period. Included in Costs of goods sold for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 is a decrease of $7.9 million in acquisition and integration related costs compared to the corresponding period in 2017, resulting from the acquisition of the lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate conversion business of Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (“Jiangli New Materials”). In addition, gross profit in 2017 included a $10.6 million charge related to the markup of inventory purchased as part of the Jiangli New Materials acquisition. Excluding the impact of these items, gross profit increased by $31.5 million, or 11%, primarily due to $45.1 million in favorable price impacts more than offsetting higher costs. Overall, these factors contributed to a gross profit margin for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 of 37.1%, up from 35.3% in the corresponding period in 2017.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased$7.6 million, or 7%, from the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. The three-month period ended March 31, 2018 includes a $1.4 million gain related to a refund from Chilean authorities due to an overpayment made in a prior year and $4.2 million less acquisition and integration related costs than the corresponding 2017 period, primarily resulting from the acquisition of Jiangli New Materials. In addition, the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 included $4.2 million of restructuring costs related to our Lithium site in Germany. Excluding the impact of these charges, SG&A expenses increased $2.2 million, primarily due to Lithium growth spending, partially offset by lower Corporate SG&A spend. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 12.3% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, compared to 15.1% for the corresponding period in 2017.

Research and Development Expenses

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, our research and development (“R&D”) expenses decreased$3.3 million, or 14%, from the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. Included in R&D expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 were $5.8 million of restructuring costs related to our Lithium site in Germany. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses were 2.6% and 3.4% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Interest and Financing Expenses

Interest and financing expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018decreased$55.0 million to $13.5 million from the corresponding 2017 period, due mainly to a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $52.8 million in 2017. This was related to the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the repayment of the 3.00% Senior notes in full, €307.0 million of the 1.875% Senior notes and $174.7 million of the 4.50% Senior notes in the first quarter of 2017.

Other (Expenses) Income, Net

Other (expenses) income, net, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 was ($30.5) million compared to $0.3 million for the corresponding 2017 period. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a $17.6 million legal accrual resulting from a jury rendered verdict against Albemarle related to certain business concluded under a 2014 sales agreement for products that Albemarle no longer manufactures and $15.6 million of environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, we recorded $3.2 million of asset retirement obligation charges related to the revision of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle and a loss of $2.1 million associated with the previous disposal of a business, partially offset by a $7.4 million gain related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest of equity investment in 2017. The remaining change was primarily due to an increase in interest income and decrease in foreign exchange losses totaling $2.8 million.

Income Tax Expense

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 was 14.7% compared to 22.4% for the first quarter of 2017. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 was impacted by a variety of factors, primarily stemming from discrete tax benefits related to adjustments recorded for the TCJA and excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to the impact of earnings from outside the U.S., and is mainly attributable to our share of the income of our Jordan Bromine Company Limited (“JBC”) joint venture, a Free Zones company under the laws of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, was driven by a variety of factors, primarily stemming from discrete tax benefits recorded in the first quarter of 2018 related to adjustments recorded for the TCJA and excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements. Income tax expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 included a $5.1 million out-of-period adjustment due to changes in our deferred tax liabilities for basis differences in Chilean fixed assets, partially offset by a $4.1 million reduction from the tax effects of share-based compensation awards.

Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Investments

Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments was $20.7 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 compared to $21.2 million in the same period last year. This decrease of $0.5 million was primarily due to a decrease in equity income in our Catalyst segment, partially offset by higher equity income reported by our Lithium joint venture, Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd.

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Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $7.2 million compared to $11.4 million in the same period last year. This decrease of $4.3 million was primarily due to a decrease in consolidated income related to our JBC joint venture from lower sales volumes in the quarter.

Net Income Attributable to Albemarle Corporation

Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation increased to $131.8 million in the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, from $51.2 million in the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. The increase is primarily due to favorable pricing impacts in all reportable segments, favorable volumes in the Lithium segment and a $12.1 million decrease in acquisition and integration costs in 2018, as well as a $52.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the repayment of senior notes, $12.9 million of restructuring costs and a higher effective tax rate in 2017. This was partially offset by a $17.6 million legal accrual resulting from a jury rendered verdict against Albemarle related to certain business concluded under a 2014 sales agreement for products that Albemarle no longer manufactures and $15.6 million related to environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle recorded in 2018, and a $7.4 million gain related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest of equity investment in 2017.

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

Total other comprehensive income, after income taxes, was $51.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 compared to $65.9 million for the corresponding period in 2017. The majority of these amounts are the result of translating our foreign subsidiary financial statements from their local currencies to U.S. Dollars. In the 2018 period, other comprehensive income from foreign currency translation adjustments was $64.9 million, primarily as a result of favorable movements in the Euro of approximately $47 million, the Chinese Renminbi of approximately $10 million and a net favorable variance in various other currencies totaling approximately $8 million. Also included in total other comprehensive income for the 2018 period is a loss of $14.4 million in connection with the revaluation of our Euro-based 1.875% Senior notes which have been designated as a hedge of our net investment in foreign operations. In the 2017 period, other comprehensive income from foreign currency translation adjustments was $79.1 million, mainly as a result of favorable movements in the Euro of approximately $57 million, the Korean Won of approximately $11 million and a net favorable variance in various other currencies totaling approximately $11 million (each approximately $4 million or less). Also included in total other comprehensive income for the 2017 period is a loss of $13.7 million in connection with the revaluation of our Euro-based 1.875% Senior notes which have been designated as a hedge of our net investment in foreign operations.

Segment Information Overview. We have identified three reportable segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of our products as well as the manner in which the information is used internally by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions. Our reportable business segments consist of: (1) Lithium, (2) Bromine Specialties and (3) Catalysts.

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables. Results for 2017 have been recast to reflect the change in segments previously noted. The “All Other” category includes only the fine chemistry services business, that does not fit into any of our core businesses.

The Corporate category is not considered to be a segment and includes corporate-related items not allocated to the operating segments. Pension and OPEB service cost (which represents the benefits earned by active employees during the period) and amortization of prior service cost or benefit are allocated to the reportable segments, All Other, and Corporate, whereas the remaining components of pension and OPEB benefits cost or credit (“Non-operating pension and OPEB items”) are included in Corporate. Segment data includes intersegment transfers of raw materials at cost and allocations for certain corporate costs.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) to assess the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments and to allocate resources. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted on a consistent basis for certain non-recurring or unusual items in a balanced manner and on a segment basis. These non-recurring or unusual items may include acquisition and integration related costs, utilization of inventory markup, gains or losses on sales of businesses, restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges, non-operating pension and OPEB items and other significant non-recurring items. In addition, management uses adjusted EBITDA for business planning purposes and as a significant component in the calculation of performance-based compensation for management and other employees. The Company has reported adjusted EBITDA because management believes it provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial

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measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or any other financial measure reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

	Three Months Ended March 31,										Percentage Change
	2018			%		2017			%		2018 vs. 2017
	(In thousands, except percentages)
Net sales:
Lithium	$	298,032		36.3	%	$	216,229		30.0	%	38	%
Bromine Specialties	225,639			27.5	%	219,191			30.4	%	3	%
Catalysts	260,717			31.7	%	253,558			35.1	%	3	%
All Other	37,165			4.5	%	32,419			4.4	%	15	%
Corporate	76			—	%	666			0.1	%	(89	)%
Total net sales	$	821,629		100.0	%	$	722,063		100.0	%	14	%
Adjusted EBITDA:
Lithium	$	131,014		52.7	%	$	99,852		47.3	%	31	%
Bromine Specialties	69,969			28.1	%	68,488			32.4	%	2	%
Catalysts	67,830			27.3	%	69,749			33.0	%	(3	)%
All Other	3,862			1.5	%	5,156			2.4	%	(25	)%
Corporate	(23,957		)	(9.6	)%	(31,869		)	(15.1	)%	(25	)%
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	248,718		100.0	%	$	211,376		100.0	%	18	%

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, (in thousands):

	Lithium			Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		Reportable Segments Total			All Other		Corporate			Consolidated Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	108,334		$	59,536	$	55,660	$	223,530		$	1,760	$	(93,530	)	$	131,760
Depreciation and amortization	24,065			10,433		12,170		46,668			2,102		1,560			50,330
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		2,201			2,201
Interest and financing expenses	—			—		—		—			—		13,538			13,538
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		20,361			20,361
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(2,197		)	(2,197		)
Legal accrual(b)	—			—		—		—			—		17,628			17,628
Other(c)	(1,385		)	—		—		(1,385		)	—		16,482			15,097
Adjusted EBITDA	$	131,014		$	69,969	$	67,830	$	268,813		$	3,862	$	(23,957	)	$	248,718
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	77,614		$	58,694	$	56,966	$	193,274		$	3,246	$	(145,307	)	$	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	19,065			9,794		12,783		41,642			1,910		1,518			45,070
Utilization of inventory markup(d)	10,606			—		—		10,606			—		—			10,606
Restructuring and other, net(e)	—			—		—		—			—		12,905			12,905
Gain on acquisition(f)	(7,433		)	—		—		(7,433		)	—		—			(7,433		)
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		14,281			14,281
Interest and financing expenses(g)	—			—		—		—			—		68,513			68,513
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		11,971			11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(1,063		)	(1,063		)
Other(h)	—			—		—		—			—		5,313			5,313
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,852		$	68,488	$	69,749	$	238,089		$	5,156	$	(31,869	)	$	211,376

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(a) Included amounts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 recorded in (1) Cost of goods sold of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively; and (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, relating to various significant projects, including the Jiangli New Materials acquisition, which contains unusual compensation related costs negotiated specifically as a result of this acquisition that are outside of the Company’s normal compensation arrangements.

(b) Included in Other (expenses) income, net is a $17.6 million accrual resulting from a jury rendered verdict against Albemarle related to certain business concluded under a 2014 sales agreement for products that Albemarle no longer manufactures.

(c) Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 recorded in:

▪ Cost of goods sold - $1.1 million related to the write-off of fixed assets in our JBC joint venture.

▪ Selling, general and administrative expenses - $1.4 million gain related to a refund from Chilean authorities due to an overpayment made in a prior year.

▪ Other (expenses) income, net - $15.6 million of environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle, partially offset by a net gain of $0.2 million related to the reversal of previously recorded expenses of disposed businesses.

(d) In connection with the acquisition of Jiangli New Materials, the Company valued inventory purchased from Jiangli New Materials at fair value, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $23.1 million. The inventory markup was expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, $10.6 million was included in Cost of goods sold related to the utilization of the inventory markup.

(e) During the first quarter of 2017, we initiated actions to reduce costs at several locations, primarily at our Lithium site in Germany. Based on the restructuring plans, we have recorded expenses of $2.9 million in Cost of goods sold, $4.2 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses and $5.8 million in Research and development expenses, primarily related to severance, expected to be incurred. The unpaid balance is recorded in Accrued expenses at March 31, 2018, with the expectation that the majority of these plans will be completed by the end of 2018.

(f) Gain recorded in Other (expenses) income, net related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Sales de Magnesio Ltda. joint venture in Chile. The calculation of the initial gain recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions available at that time.

(g) During the first quarter of 2017, we repaid the 3.00% Senior notes in full, €307.0 million of the 1.875% Senior notes and $174.7 million of the 4.50% Senior notes, as well as related tender premiums of $45.2 million. As a result, included in Interest and financing expenses is a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $52.8 million, representing the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the redemption of these senior notes.

(h) Included in Other (expenses) income, net are $3.2 million of asset retirement obligation charges related to the revision of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle and a loss of $2.1 million associated with the previous disposal of a business.

Lithium

Lithium segment net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 were $298.0 million, up$81.8 million, or 38%, compared to the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was primarily driven by $41.6 million of higher volume and $29.4 million of favorable price due to strong demand, which continues to drive investment in new capacity, and $10.8 million of favorable currency translation primarily driven by the weaker U.S. dollar against the Euro. Adjusted EBITDA for Lithium was up31%, or $31.2 million, to $131.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, compared to the corresponding period of 2017, primarily due to favorable pricing, higher sales volumes and $1.4 million of favorable currency translation, partially offset by higher growth related costs.

Bromine Specialties

Bromine Specialties segment net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 were $225.6 million, up$6.4 million, or 3%, compared to the corresponding period of 2017. The increase was driven mainly by $10.2 million in favorable price in flame retardants, bromine and other derivatives due to continued strong demand and $4.3 million of favorable currency translation driven by the weaker U.S. dollar against the Euro. This was partially offset by lower volumes related to constraints in elemental bromine, which we expect to continue through second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for Bromine Specialties was up2%, or $1.5 million, to $70.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This increase was primarily due to favorable pricing across most products and $3.8 million of favorable currency translation related to the Euro, more than offsetting the impact of lower volumes and higher freight costs.

Catalysts

Catalysts segment net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 were $260.7 million, an increase of $7.2 million, or 3%, compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This increase was primarily due to $6.3 million of favorable price impacts due to pass through of higher metals costs and $4.7 million of favorable currency translation driven by the weaker U.S. dollar against the Euro. This was partially offset by $3.9 million of lower volumes primarily in the CFT product family due to order timing. Catalysts adjusted EBITDA decreased3%, or $1.9 million, to $67.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2017. This decrease was primarily due to slightly weaker performance in our joint ventures.

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All Other

All Other net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 were $37.2 million, an increase of $4.7 million, or 15%, compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to higher sales volumes for the fine chemistry services business. All Other adjusted EBITDA was down 25%, or $1.3 million, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2017, primarily due to slightly higher costs for the fine chemistry services business.

Corporate

Corporate adjusted EBITDA was a charge of $24.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, compared to a charge of $31.9 million for the corresponding period of 2017. The change was primarily due to lower SG&A spend related to compensation and professional fees and $1.7 million of favorable currency exchange impacts.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Overview

The principal uses of cash in our business generally have been capital investments and resource development costs, funding working capital and service of debt. We also make contributions to our defined benefit pension plans, pay dividends to our shareholders and repurchase shares of our common stock. Historically, cash to fund the needs of our business has been principally provided by cash from operations, debt financing and equity issuances.

We are continually focused on working capital efficiency particularly in the areas of accounts receivable and inventory. We anticipate that cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from divestitures and borrowings will be sufficient to pay our operating expenses, satisfy debt service obligations, fund capital expenditures and other investing activities, fund pension contributions and pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flow

During the first three months of 2018, cash on hand and cash provided by operations funded $382.8 million of commercial paper repayments, net of borrowings, $131.8 million of capital expenditures for plant, machinery and equipment, and dividends to shareholders of $35.4 million. Our operations provided $121.6 million of cash flows during the first three months of 2018, as compared to $82.6 million for the first three months of 2017. Our cash from operations in 2018 included an outflow from working capital changes of $95.1 million, primarily due to the increase in accounts receivable from the Lithium segment as a result of increased sales, as well as the build up of inventory in the Catalysts and Lithium reportable segments in 2018. Overall, our cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $445.1 million to $692.2 million at March 31, 2018, down from $1.14 billion at December 31, 2017.

Capital expenditures for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 of $131.8 million were associated with property, plant and equipment additions. We expect our capital expenditures to approximate $800 to $900 million in 2018 for Lithium growth and capacity increases, productivity and continuity of operations projects. Of the total capital expenditures, our projects related to the continuity of operations is expected to remain in the range of 4-6% of net sales, similar to prior years.

On April 3, 2018, the Company closed the sale of the polyolefin catalysts and components portion of its Performance Catalyst Solutions (“PCS”) business to W.R. Grace & Co. for proceeds of approximately $416 million in cash. The transaction includes Albemarle’s Product Development Center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and operations at its Yeosu, South Korea site. The sale does not include the Company’s organometallics or curatives portion of its PCS business. The sale of the polyolefin catalysts business and components reflects the Company’s commitment to investing in the future growth of its high priority businesses and returning capital to shareholders.

Net current assets were $1.29 billion at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Changes in the components of net current assets are due to the timing of the sale of goods and other ordinary transactions leading up to the balance sheet dates and are not the result of any policy changes by the Company, and do not reflect any change in either the quality of our net current assets or our expectation of success in converting net working capital to cash in the ordinary course of business.

On February 23, 2018, we increased our quarterly dividend rate to $0.335 per share, a 5% increase from the quarterly rate of $0.32 per share paid in 2017.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents included $462.4 million and $1.10 billion, respectively, held by our foreign subsidiaries. The majority of these foreign cash balances are associated with earnings that we have asserted are indefinitely reinvested and which we plan to use to support our continued growth plans outside the U.S. through funding of capital expenditures, acquisitions, research, operating expenses or other similar cash needs of our foreign

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operations. From time to time, we repatriate cash associated with earnings from our foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. for normal operating needs through intercompany dividends, but only from subsidiaries whose earnings we have not asserted to be indefinitely reinvested or whose earnings qualify as “previously taxed income” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. During the first three months of 2018, we repatriated approximately $611.3 million of cash as part of these foreign earnings cash repatriation activities. A portion of these cash repatriations were used to repay a net amount of $382.8 million of commercial paper during the first quarter of 2018. No such repatriations occurred during the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. We continue to evaluate our indefinite reinvestment assertion as a result of the TCJA.

While we continue to closely monitor our cash generation, working capital management and capital spending in light of continuing uncertainties in the global economy, we believe that we will continue to have the financial flexibility and capability to opportunistically fund future growth initiatives. Additionally, we anticipate that future capital spending, including business acquisitions, share repurchases and other cash outlays, should be financed primarily with cash flow provided by operations and cash on hand, with additional cash needed, if any, provided by borrowings. The amount and timing of any additional borrowings will depend on our specific cash requirements.

Long-Term Debt

We currently have the following senior notes outstanding:

Issue Month/Year	Principal (in millions)	Interest Rate	Interest Payment Dates		Maturity Date
December 2014	€393.0	1.875%	December 8		December 8, 2021
November 2014	$425.0	4.15%	June 1	December 1	December 1, 2024
November 2014	$350.0	5.45%	June 1	December 1	December 1, 2044
December 2010	$175.3	4.50%	June 15	December 15	December 15, 2020

Our senior notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all our other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The senior notes are effectively subordinated to any of our existing or future secured indebtedness and to the existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries. As is customary for such long-term debt instruments, each senior note outstanding has terms that allow us to redeem the notes before its maturity, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the senior notes to be redeemed, or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis using the comparable government rate (as defined in the indentures governing the senior notes) plus between 25 and 40 basis points, depending on the note, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption. Holders may require us to purchase such notes at 101% upon a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indentures. The senior notes are subject to typical events of default, including bankruptcy and insolvency events, nonpayment and the acceleration of certain subsidiary indebtedness of $40 million or more caused by a nonpayment default.

Our revolving, unsecured credit agreement dated as of February 7, 2014, as amended, (the “February 2014 Credit Agreement”) currently provides for borrowings of up to $1.0 billion and matures on February 7, 2020. During 2018, we intend to negotiate a new revolving credit agreement, or an amendment and extension of the February 2014 Credit Agreement in the ordinary course of business. Borrowings under the February 2014 Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based on the LIBOR for deposits in the relevant currency plus an applicable margin which ranges from 1.000% to 1.700%, depending on the Company’s credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Services and Fitch Ratings. The applicable margin on the facility was 1.10% as of March 31, 2018. There were no borrowings outstanding under the February 2014 Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2018.

Borrowings under the February 2014 Credit Agreement are conditioned upon compliance with the following covenants: (a) consolidated funded debt, as defined in the agreement, must be less than or equal to 3.50 times consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the agreement, which reflects adjustments for certain non-recurring or unusual items such as restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges and other significant non-recurring items (herein “consolidated adjusted EBITDA” or “adjusted EBITDA”) as of the end of any fiscal quarter; (b) with the exception of certain liens as specified in the agreement, liens may not attach to assets when the aggregate amount of all indebtedness secured by such liens plus unsecured subsidiary indebtedness, other than indebtedness incurred by our subsidiaries under the February 2014 Credit Agreement, would exceed 20% of consolidated net worth, as defined in the agreement; and (c) with the exception of certain indebtedness as specified in the agreement, subsidiary indebtedness may not exceed the difference between 20% of consolidated net worth, as defined in the agreement, and indebtedness secured by liens permitted under the agreement.

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On May 29, 2013, we entered into agreements to initiate a commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “Commercial Paper Notes”) from time-to-time up to a maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $750.0 million. The proceeds from the issuance of the Commercial Paper Notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of other debt of the Company. Our February 2014 Credit Agreement is available to repay the Commercial Paper Notes, if necessary. Aggregate borrowings outstanding under the February 2014 Credit Agreement and the Commercial Paper Notes will not exceed the $1.0 billion current maximum amount available under the February 2014 Credit Agreement. The Commercial Paper Notes will be sold at a discount from par, or alternatively, will be sold at par and bear interest at rates that will vary based upon market conditions at the time of issuance. The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes will vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The definitive documents relating to the commercial paper program contain customary representations, warranties, default and indemnification provisions. At March 31, 2018, we had $38.5 million of Commercial Paper Notes outstanding bearing a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 2.37% and a weighted-average maturity of 31 days. During the first quarter of 2018, we repaid a net amount of $382.8 million of commercial paper notes using cash on hand. The Commercial Paper Notes are classified as Current portion of long-term debt in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The non-current portion of our long-term debt amounted to $1.44 billion at March 31, 2018, compared to $1.42 billion at December 31, 2017. In addition, at March 31, 2018, we had the ability to borrow $961.5 million under our commercial paper program and the February 2014 Credit Agreement, and $251.1 million under other existing lines of credit, subject to various financial covenants under our February 2014 Credit Agreement. We have the ability and intent to refinance our borrowings under our other existing credit lines with borrowings under the February 2014 Credit Agreement, as applicable. Therefore, the amounts outstanding under those credit lines, if any, are classified as long-term debt. We believe that as of March 31, 2018, we were, and currently are, in compliance with all of our long term debt covenants.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the ordinary course of business with customers, vendors and others, we have entered into off-balance sheet arrangements, including bank guarantees and letters of credit, which totaled approximately $58.9 million at March 31, 2018. None of these off-balance sheet arrangements has, or is likely to have, a material effect on our current or future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

Other Obligations

There have been no significant changes in our contractual obligations from the information we provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Total expected 2018 contributions to our domestic and foreign qualified and nonqualified pension plans, including our SERP, should approximate $13 million. We may choose to make additional pension contributions in excess of this amount. We have made contributions of $3.1 million to our domestic and foreign pension plans (both qualified and nonqualified) during the three-month period ended March 31, 2018.

The liability related to uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities totaled $22.8 million at March 31, 2018 and $24.4 million at December 31, 2017. Related assets for corresponding offsetting benefits recorded in Other assets totaled $12.6 million at March 31, 2018 and $14.6 million at December 31, 2017. We cannot estimate the amounts of any cash payments associated with these liabilities for the remainder of 2018 or the next twelve months, and we are unable to estimate the timing of any such cash payments in the future at this time.

We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign requirements regulating the handling, manufacture and use of materials (some of which may be classified as hazardous or toxic by one or more regulatory agencies), the discharge of materials into the environment and the protection of the environment. To our knowledge, we are currently in compliance, and expect to continue to comply, in all material respects with applicable environmental laws, regulations, statutes and ordinances. Compliance with existing federal, state, local and foreign environmental protection laws is not expected to have a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position, but the costs associated with increased legal or regulatory requirements could have an adverse effect on our results.

Among other environmental requirements, we are subject to the federal Superfund law, and similar state laws, under which we may be designated as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) and may be liable for a share of the costs associated with cleaning up various hazardous waste sites. Management believes that in cases in which we may have liability as a PRP, our liability for our share of cleanup is de minimis. Further, almost all such sites represent environmental issues that are quite mature and have been investigated, studied and in many cases settled. In de minimis situations, our policy generally is to negotiate a consent decree and to pay any apportioned settlement, enabling us to be effectively relieved of any further liability as a PRP, except for remote contingencies. In other than de minimis PRP matters, our records indicate that unresolved PRP

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exposures should be immaterial. We accrue and expense our proportionate share of PRP costs. Because management has been actively involved in evaluating environmental matters, we are able to conclude that the outstanding environmental liabilities for unresolved PRP sites should not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations or financial condition.

Liquidity Outlook

We anticipate that cash on hand and cash provided by operating activities, divestitures, including the proceeds received from the sale of the polyolefin catalysts and components business, and borrowings will be sufficient to pay our operating expenses, satisfy debt service obligations, fund any capital expenditures and share repurchases, make acquisitions, make pension contributions and pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Our main focus over the next three years, in terms of uses of cash, will be investing in growth of the businesses and the return of value to shareholders. Additionally, we will continue to evaluate the merits of any opportunities that may arise for acquisitions of businesses or assets, which may require additional liquidity.

Our cash flows from operations may be negatively affected by adverse consequences to our customers and the markets in which we compete as a result of moderating global economic conditions and reduced capital availability.

While we maintain business relationships with a diverse group of financial institutions, an adverse change in their credit standing could lead them to not honor their contractual credit commitments, decline funding under existing but uncommitted lines of credit, not renew their extensions of credit or not provide new financing. While the global corporate bond and bank loan markets remain strong, periods of elevated uncertainty related to global economic and/or geopolitical concerns may limit efficient access to such markets for extended periods of time. If such concerns heighten, we may incur increased borrowing costs and reduced credit capacity as our various credit facilities mature. When the U.S. Federal Reserve or similar national reserve banks in other countries decide to tighten the monetary supply in response, for example, to improving economic conditions, we may incur increased borrowing costs as interest rates increase on our variable rate credit facilities, as our various credit facilities mature or as we refinance any maturing fixed rate debt obligations, although these cost increases would be partially offset by increased income rates on portions of our cash deposits.

Overall, with generally strong cash-generative businesses and no significant long-term debt maturities before 2020, we believe we have, and will maintain, a solid liquidity position.

Following receipt of information regarding potential improper payments being made by third party sales representatives of our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, we promptly retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to investigate potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), and other potentially applicable laws. Based on this internal investigation, we have voluntarily self-reported potential issues relating to the use of third party sales representatives in our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, to the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and SEC, and are cooperating with the DOJ and SEC in their review of these matters. In connection with our internal investigation, we have implemented, and are continuing to implement, appropriate remedial measures.

At this time, we are unable to predict the duration, scope, result or related costs associated with any investigations by the DOJ or SEC. We also are unable to predict what, if any, action may be taken by the DOJ or SEC or what penalties or remedial actions they may seek. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations, however, could result in the imposition of fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses. We do not believe, however, that any fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity.

We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $692.2 million at March 31, 2018, of which $462.4 million is held by our foreign subsidiaries. This cash represents an important source of our liquidity and is invested in bank accounts or money market investments with no limitations on access. The cash held by our foreign subsidiaries is intended for use outside of the U.S. We anticipate that any needs for liquidity within the U.S. in excess of our cash held in the U.S. can be readily satisfied with borrowings under our existing U.S. credit facilities or our commercial paper program.

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” As a result, we have updated our revenue recognition accounting policy, see Item 1 Financial Statements – Note 1, “Basis of Presentation,” for additional details. There have been no other significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information we provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

35

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, see Item 1 Financial Statements – Note 18, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no significant changes in our interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate exposure, marketable securities price risk or raw material price risk from the information we provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

We had variable interest rate borrowings of $46.1 million outstanding at March 31, 2018, bearing a weighted average interest rate of 2.04% and representing approximately 3% of our total outstanding debt. A hypothetical 10% change (approximately 20 basis points) in the interest rate applicable to these borrowings would change our annualized interest expense by approximately $0.1 million as of March 31, 2018. We may enter into interest rate swaps, collars or similar instruments with the objective of reducing interest rate volatility relating to our borrowing costs.

Our financial instruments which are subject to foreign currency exchange risk consist of foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of $494.7 million and with a fair value representing a net liability position of $0.2 million at March 31, 2018. Fluctuations in the value of these contracts are generally offset by the value of the underlying exposures being hedged. We conducted a sensitivity analysis on the fair value of our foreign currency hedge portfolio assuming an instantaneous 10% change in select foreign currency exchange rates from their levels as of March 31, 2018, with all other variables held constant. A 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies that we hedge would result in an decrease of approximately $24.9 million in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts. A 10% depreciation of the U.S. Dollar against these foreign currencies would result in a increase of approximately $18.9 million in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts. The sensitivity of the fair value of our foreign currency hedge portfolio represents changes in fair values estimated based on market conditions as of March 31, 2018, without reflecting the effects of underlying anticipated transactions. When those anticipated transactions are realized, actual effects of changing foreign currency exchange rates could have a material impact on our earnings and cash flows in future periods.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) occurred during the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings of types regarded as common in our business, including administrative or judicial proceedings seeking remediation under environmental laws, such as Superfund, products liability, breach of contract liability and premises liability litigation. Where appropriate, we may establish financial reserves for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Additional information with respect to this Item 1 is contained in Note 10 to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

While we attempt to identify, manage and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with our business to the extent practical under the circumstances, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. The risk factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 describes some of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect our results of

36

operations and our financial condition. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

NONE

Item 6. Exhibits.

(a) Exhibits

10.1	Notice of TSR Performance Unit Award (2018)
10.2	Notice of Option Grant (2018)
10.3	Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (2018)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101	Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and (vi) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
Date:	May 9, 2018	By:	/S/    SCOTT A. TOZIER
			Scott A. Tozier
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
			(principal financial officer)

38

EX-10.1

EXHIBIT 10.1

NOTICE OF TSR PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD

under the

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION 2017 INCENTIVE PLAN

This AWARD, made as of the _____ day of ____________, 20__, by Albemarle Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), to «Name»(“Participant”), is made pursuant to and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). All terms that are used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings given them in the Plan.

Contingent Performance Units

1. Grant Date. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company, on ___________, 2018 (the “Grant Date”), granted Participant an Award (“Award”) in the form of «# of Units»TSRPerformance Units (which number of Units is also referred to herein as the “Target Units”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

2. Accounts. TSR Performance Units granted to Participant shall be credited to an account (the “Account”) established and maintained for Participant. The Account of Participant shall be the record of TSR Performance Units granted to the Participant under the Plan, is solely for accounting purposes and shall not require a segregation of any Company assets.

3. Definitions. Terms used in this Award Notice shall have the following meanings:

(a) “TSR” means “Total Shareholder Return.”

(b) “TSR %” is calculated using the following formula:

(Ending Stock Price + Reinvested Dividends) - Starting Stock Price

Starting Stock Price

(c) “Starting Stock Price” means the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock over the 20-trading-day period commencing January 1, 2018.

(d) “Ending Stock Price” means the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock over the 20-trading-day period ending December 31, 2020.

(e) “Reinvested Dividends” means the value of reinvested dividends paid on the Company’s Common Stock over the Measurement Period (as defined in paragraph 5).

(f) “TSR Relative to Peer Group” is the TSR % of the Company as compared to the TSR % of the Peer Group.

(g) “Peer Group” is the group of companies listed on Exhibit A. If a company in the Peer Group has its common stock delisted or if it no longer exists as a separate entity, the TSR % will be retroactively calculated for the remainder of the Performance Period without such company.

4. Terms and Conditions. No Award shall be earned and Participant’s interest in the TSR Performance Units granted hereunder shall be forfeited, except to the extent that the requirements of this Notice are satisfied.

5. Performance Criteria. Participant’s TSR Performance Units shall be earned on the Award Date based on the following formula (to the nearest whole TSR Performance Unit). Such TSR Performance Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the following paragraphs of this Notice of Award.

(a) The Measurement Period is the 2018, 2019 and 2020calendar period.

(b) Earned Award = TSR % of Target Units x TSR Performance Units

(c) TSR % of Target Units. The TSR % of Target Units is determined according to the following table (awards to be interpolated between the TSR %s below):

TSR Relative to Peer Group	TSR % of Target Units
75th percentile or higher	200% of Target Units
50th percentile	100% of Target Units
25th percentile	25% of Target Units
less than 25th percentile	0%

(d) The Company shall retain discretion to decrease Awards but may not increase any Awards, directly or indirectly, hereunder.

(e) For purposes of the above calculations, TSR % of Target Units will be rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Valuation of TSR Performance Units

6. Value of Units. The value of each TSR Performance Unit shall be equal to the value of one share of the Company’s Common Stock.

7. Value of Stock. For purposes of this Award, the value of the Company’s Common Stock is the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) on the date any TSR Performance Units become vested and payable hereunder.

Vesting of Earned TSR Performance Units

8. Earned Awards. As soon as practicable after the end of the Measurement Period, a determination shall be made by the Committee of the number of whole TSR Performance Units that Participant has earned. The date as of which the Committee determines the number of TSR Performance Units earned shall be the “Award Date.”

9. Restrictions. Except as provided herein, the earned TSR Performance Units shall remain unvested and forfeitable.

10. Vesting. Participant’s interest in one-half of the earned TSR Performance Units shall become vested and non-forfeitable on the Award Date and will be paid as soon as practicable thereafter. The final one-half of the earned TSR Performance Units shall become vested and non-forfeitable as of January 1 of the first calendar year following the calendar year that contains the Award Date.

Termination of Employment During the Measurement Period and Vesting Period

11. During the Measurement Period. Notwithstanding anything in this Notice of Award to the contrary, if a Participant separates from service prior to the end of the Measurement Period on account of a Qualifying Termination Event, then a pro-rata number (as determined in accordance with the following sentence) of the Participant’s TSR Performance Units shall be earned under paragraph 8 above as of the Award Date, based on the criteria set forth in paragraph 5 above, and any remaining TSR Performance Units shall be forfeited. The pro-rata number of TSR Performance Units earned pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be equal to 1/36^th of the Units granted, for each full month of service performed by the Participant during the Measurement Period. The number of TSR Performance Units earned shall be determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion within the limits provided in the Plan and the earned TSR Performance Units shall be fully vested as of the Award Date, and payable pursuant to paragraphs 15-17 hereof.

12. After the Measurement Period. Notwithstanding anything in this Notice of Award to the contrary, if after the Measurement Period ends, but prior to the Award Date, Participant experiences a Qualifying Termination Event, such Participant shall earn his TSR Performance Units pursuant to paragraph 8 and such earned Units shall be fully vested as of the Award Date and payable pursuant to paragraphs 15-17 hereof.

13. During the Vesting Period. Notwithstanding anything in this Notice of Award to the contrary if, after the Award Date, but prior to the forfeiture of the TSR Performance Units under paragraph 14, Participant experiences a Qualifying Termination Event, then all earned TSR Performance Units that are forfeitable shall become non-forfeitable as of the date of the Qualifying Termination Event and shall be paid pursuant to paragraphs 15-17 hereof.

14. Forfeiture. Except as provided in paragraph 24 hereof, all TSR Performance Units that are forfeitable shall be forfeited if Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates for any reason except a Qualifying Termination Event.

Payment of Awards

15. Time of Payment. Payment of Participant’s TSR Performance Units shall be made as soon as practicable after the Units have become non-forfeitable (or the Award Date, if later), but in no event later than March 15^th of the calendar year after the year in which the Units become earned and non-forfeitable.

16. Form of Payment. The vested TSR Performance Units shall be paid in whole shares of the

Company’s Common Stock.

17. Death of Participant. If Participant dies prior to the payment of his earned and vested TSR Performance Units, an amount equal to the amount of the Participant’s non-forfeitable TSR Performance Units shall be paid to his or her Beneficiary. Participant shall have the right to designate a Beneficiary in accordance with procedures established under the Plan for such purpose. If Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary, or if at the time of the Participant’s death there is no surviving Beneficiary, any amounts payable will be paid to the Participant’s estate.

18. Taxes. The Company will withhold from the Award the number of shares of Common Stock necessary to satisfy Federal tax-withholding requirements and state and local tax-withholding requirements with respect to the state and locality designated by the Participant as their place of residence in the Company's system of record at the time the Award becomes taxable, except to the extent otherwise determined to be required by the Company, subject, however, to any special rules or provisions that may apply to Participants who are non-US employees (working inside or outside of the United States) or US employees working outside of the United States. It is the Participant's responsibility to properly report all income and remit all Federal, state, and local taxes that may be due to the relevant taxing authorities as the result of receiving this Award.

General Provisions

19. No Right to Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor the granting, earning or vesting of TSR Performance Units shall confer upon Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

20. Change in Capital Structure. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the terms of this Award shall be adjusted as the Committee determines is equitable in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

21. Governing Law. This Award shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and applicable Federal law. All disputes arising under this Award shall be adjudicated solely within the state or Federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

22. Conflicts. (a) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the Grant Date and the provisions of this Award, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the Grant Date.

(b) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Award and the provisions of any separate Agreement between the Company and the Participant, including, but not limited to, any Severance Compensation Agreement entered between the Participant and the Company, the provisions of this Award shall govern.

23. Binding Effect. Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Award shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legatees, distributees, and personal representatives of Participant and the successors of the Company.

24. Change in Control. The provisions of this paragraph 24 shall apply in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) prior to the forfeiture of the TSR Performance Units under paragraph 14.

(a) Subject to subparagraph (b) hereof, upon a Change in Control during the Measurement Period, a pro-rata number of TSR Performance Units equal to 1/36^th of the Units granted, for each full

month of service performed by the Participant during the Measurement Period, will be earned based on the higher of actual performance as of the date of the Change in Control or achievement of a TSR Relative to Peer Group at the 50^th percentile as described in Section 5(c). The number of TSR Performance Units earned shall be determined by the Committee (as it exists immediately prior to the Change in Control) in its sole and absolute discretion within the limits provided in the Plan, and the earned TSR Performance Units shall be vested and paid pursuant to paragraph 16 hereof, no later than March 15^th of the calendar year after the year in which the Change in Control occurs.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) hereof, if, following the Change in Control, the Company’s shares continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange or another established securities market, subparagraph (a) of this paragraph shall not apply, and this Award shall remain in effect and continue subject to the remaining terms of this Notice of Award; provided, however, if the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (as defined in subparagraph (c)) concurrent with or within two (2) years after the date of the Change in Control and during the Measurement Period, a pro-rata number of TSR Performance Units equal to 1/36^th of the Units granted, for each full month of service performed by the Participant during the Measurement Period, will be earned and paid (no later than March 15^th of the calendar year after the year in which the termination or resignation occurs) based on the higher of actual performance as of the date of the termination of employment or achievement of a TSR Relative to Peer Group at the 50^th percentile as described in Section 5(c). If the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason after the Measurement Period but before the Award is fully vested, the earned unvested TSR Performance Units will become immediately vested and payable pursuant to paragraph 16 hereof no later than March 15^th of the calendar year after the year in which the termination or resignation occurs.

(c) For purposes of subparagraph (b), “Good Reason” shall mean:

(i) a change in the Participant’s position which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment does not represent a promotion of the Participant’s status or position immediately prior to the Change in Control or the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities, or diminution of duties or responsibilities, which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment are inconsistent with the Participant’s position in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(ii) a reduction by the Company in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of a Change in Control;

(iii) the Company’s requiring the Participant’s office nearest to the Participant’s principal residence to be located at a different place which is more than thirty-five (35) miles from where such office is located immediately prior to a Change in Control;

(iv) the failure by the Company to continue in effect compensation or benefit plans in which the Participant participates, which in the aggregate provide the Participant compensation and benefits substantially equivalent to those prior to a Change in Control; or

(v) the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any applicable successor entity to assume and agree to perform under any Severance Compensation Agreement.

In order for one of the foregoing events to constitute Good Reason, (i) Participant must notify the Company in writing no later than 90 days after the relevant event stating which Good Reason event has occurred, and (ii) the Company shall not have corrected the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days after Participant’s notice.

25. Qualifying Termination Event and Other Terms

(a) For purposes of this Award, Qualifying Termination Event shall mean a Participant’s death, Disability, Retirement while in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or termination by the Company or an Affiliateother than for Cause.

(i) “Disability” shall mean a Participant’s permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(ii) “Retirement” shall mean termination of employment after having attained age 55 and completed at least 10 years of service with the Company or an Affiliate.

(b) If the events described in (a)(i) and (ii) or paragraph 24 occur after the date that the Participant is advised (upon recommendation by the Committee) that his employment is being, or will be, terminated for Cause, on account of performance or in circumstances that prevent him from being in good standing with the Company, accelerated vesting shall not occur and all rights under this Award shall terminate, and this Award shall expire on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. The Committee shall have the authority to determine whether Participant’s termination from employment is for Cause or for any reason other than Cause.

20. Recoupment. In addition to any other applicable provision of the Plan, this Award is subject to the terms of the separate Albemarle Corporation Recoupment Policy, as such Policy may be amended from time to time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Award to be signed on its behalf.

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

By:______________________________

EXHIBIT A

Peer Group for Award

The Peer Group for the 2018 Performance Unit based relative TSR Award will include the following Companies:

A. Schulman, Inc. (SHLM)

Ashland Inc. (ASH)

Cabot Corporation (CBT)

Celanese Corporation (CE)

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF)

Chemours Company (CC)

FMC Corporation (FMC)

H.B. Fuller Company (FUL)

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF)

Koppers Holdings, Inc. (KOP)

Minerals Technologies, Inc. (MTX)

The Mosaic Company (MOS)

Olin Corporation (OLN)

PolyOne (POL)

RPM International Inc. (RPM)

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG)

W.R. Grace & Co (GRA)

EX-10.2

EXHIBIT 10.2

NOTICE OF OPTION GRANT

under the

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION 2017 INCENTIVE PLAN

No.of shares subject to option:_«Stock_Options_»_

This GRANT, made as of the _____ day of ___________, 2018by Albemarle Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), to«First_Name» «Last_Name»(“Participant”), is made pursuant and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a copy of which has been given to Participant. All terms used herein that are defined in the Plan have the same meanings given them in the Plan.

1.Grant of Option. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company, on____________, 2018(“Grant Date”), granted to Participant, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the right and option to purchase from the Company all or any part of the aggregate of _______ shares of Common Stock at the option price of$XX.XXper share (the “Option Price”) (this grant referred to herein as the “Option”), being not less than the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the Grant Date of the Option. Such Option will be exercisable as hereinafter provided. This Option is not intended to be treated as an incentive stock option under Code section 422.

2.Expiration Date. The Expiration Date of this Option is the date that is ten (10) years from the Grant Date. This Option may not be exercised on or after the Expiration Date.

3.Vesting of Option. Except as provided in paragraphs 7, 8, or 10, this Option shall become vested on the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

4.Exercisabilityof Option. Except as provided inparagraphs 7, 8, or 10, this Option shall become exercisable on the third anniversary of the Grant Date. Once the Option has become exercisable in accordance with the preceding sentence, it shall continue to be exercisable until the termination of Participant’s rights hereunder pursuant to paragraphs 7, 8, or 10, or until the Expiration Date, if earlier. A partial exercise of this Option shall not affect Participant’s right to exercise this Option with respect to the remaining shares, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and those set forth herein.

5.Method of Exercising and Payment for Shares. This Option shall be exercised through a licensed brokerage firm at Participant’s expense, in conjunction with established procedures and coordinated with the Company’s Human Resources and Law Departments. From time to time the procedures for exercising this Option may be subject to modification by the aforesaid departments, but in no case shall the number of shares subject to the Option or its terms for vesting be changed by the procedures for exercise or by the modification thereof. Procedures for the exercise of this Option will be provided to Participant by the Company’s Human Resources Department.

6.Nontransferability. This Option is nontransferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During Participant’s lifetime, this Option may be exercised only by Participant.

7.Upon a Qualifying Termination Event.

(a)Notwithstanding anything in this Option to the contrary, if, prior to the forfeiture of the Option under paragraph 9, Participant experiences a Qualifying Termination Event (as defined below), the Option shall become vested as to a pro-rata portion of the Option, as determined in accordance with the following sentence. The pro-rata portion of the Option that shall vest pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be equal to 1/36^thof the shares subject to the Option, for each full month of service performed by the Participant after the Grant Date and prior to the Qualifying Termination Event. The non-vested portion of the Option shall be forfeited.

(b)The vested portion of the Option may be exercised beginning on the date the Option becomes vested and shall remain exercisable according to the terms provided in paragraph 4,and the Participant or Participant’s beneficiary (or estate as the case may be) may exercise this Option during the remainder of the period preceding the Expiration Date.Participant shall have the right to designate his beneficiary in accordance with procedures established under the Plan for such purpose. If Participant fails to designate a beneficiary, or if at the time of his death there is no surviving beneficiary, this Option may be exercised by his estate.

8.Exercise of Vested Option After Other Termination of Employment. Except as provided in paragraph 7, in the event Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate, the rules under this paragraph 8 shall apply. If Participant ceases to be employed after the Option is vested, but prior to the Expiration Date, Participant may exercise this Option with respect to the shares he is entitled to purchase pursuant to paragraphs 3 and 4 above within sixty (60) days of the date of such termination of employment (but in no event later than the Expiration Date). Any portion of the vested Option that is not exercised within the foregoing sixty (60) day period shall be immediately forfeited.

9.Forfeiture. Any non-vested portion of the Option that does not become vested pursuant to paragraph 3, 7(a) or 10, shall be forfeited if Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates for any reason.

10.Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) prior to the forfeiture of the Option under paragraph 9, the provisions of this paragraph 10 shall apply in addition to the provisions of Article 17 (and related provisions) of the Plan.

(a)Any Replacement Award made to the Participant shall provide that if the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (as defined in paragraph 11) concurrent with or within two (2) years after the date of the Change in Control, the non-vested Replacement Award shall become immediately vested and shall be exercisable as provided in paragraph 7(b), at the time of the termination or resignation. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the terms of any Replacement Award in compliance with the Plan and applicable law. For purposes of paragraphs 9 and 11, references to the Company or an Affiliate shall also include any successor entity.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) hereof, in connection with a Change in Control where the Company’s shares continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange or another established securities market and this Option remains in effect, if the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (as defined in paragraph 11) concurrent with or within two (2) years after the date of the Change in Control, the non-vested Option shall become immediately vested and shall be exercisable as provided in paragraph 7(b), as of the time of the termination or resignation.

11. Qualifying Termination Event and Other Terms.

(a)For purposes of this Option, Qualifying Termination Event shall mean a Participant’s death, Disability, Retirement while in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or termination by the Company or an Affiliateother than for Cause.

(i)“Disability” shall mean a Participant’s permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(ii)“Retirement” shall mean termination of employment after having attained age 55 and completed at least 10 years of service with the Company or an Affiliate.

(b)“Good Reason” for purposes of paragraph 10 shall mean

(i)a change in the Participant’s position which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment does not represent a promotion of the Participant’s status or position immediately prior to the Change in Control or the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities, or diminution of duties or responsibilities, which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment are inconsistent with the Participant’s position in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(ii)a reduction by the Company in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of a Change in Control;

(iii)the Company’s requiring the Participant’s office nearest to the Participant’s principal residence to be located at a different place which is more than thirty-five (35) miles from where such office is located immediately prior to a Change in Control;

(iv)the failure by the Company to continue in effect compensation or benefit plans in which the Participant participates, which in the aggregate provide the Participant compensation and benefits substantially equivalent to those prior to a Change in Control; or

(v)the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any applicable successor entity to assume and agree to perform under any Severance Compensation Agreement.

In order for one of the foregoing events to constitute Good Reason, (i) Participant must notify the Company in writing no later than 90 days after the relevant event stating which Good Reason event has occurred, and (ii) the Company shall not have corrected the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days after Participant’s notice.

(c)If the events described in (a)(i) and (ii) or paragraph 10 occur after the date that the Participant is advised (upon recommendation by the Committee) that his employment is being, or will be, terminated for Cause, on account of performance or in circumstances that prevent him from being in good standing with the Company, accelerated vesting shall not occur and all rights under this Option shall terminate, and this Option shall expire on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. The Committee shall have the authority to determine whether Participant’s termination from employment is for Cause or for any reason other than Cause.

12.Fractional Shares. Fractional shares shall not be issuable hereunder, and when any provision hereof may entitle Participant to a fractional share such fraction shall be disregarded.

13.No Right to Continued Employment. This Option does not confer upon Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate his employment at any time.

14.Change in Capital Structure. The terms of this Option shall be adjusted as the Committee determines is equitable in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

15.Governing Law. This Option shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and applicable Federal law. All disputes arising under this Option shall be adjudicated solely within the state or Federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

16.Conflicts.

(a)In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the date hereof and the provisions of this Option, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the date hereof.

(b)In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Option and the provisions of any separate Agreement between the Company and the Participant, including, but not limited to, any Severance Compensation Agreement, the provisions of this Option shall govern.

17.Binding Effect. Subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Plan, this Option shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legatees, distributees, and personal representatives of Participant and the successors of the Company.

18.Taxes.Tax withholding requirements attributable to the exercise of this Option, including employment taxes, Federal income taxes, and state and local income taxes with respect to the state and locality where, according to the Company's system of records, the Participant resides at the time the Option is exercised, except as otherwise might be determined to be required by the Company, will be satisfied by the Participant as instructed in the established procedures for exercising this Option; provided, however, that the foregoing employment, Federal, state and local income tax withholding provision shall be subject to any special rules or provisions that may apply to Participants who are non-US employees (working inside or outside of the United States) or US employees working outside of the United States. It is the Participant's responsibility to properly report all income and remit all Federal, state, and local taxes that may be due to the relevant taxing authorities as the result of exercising this Option.

19.Recoupment. In addition to any other applicable provision of the Plan, this Option is subject to the terms of the separate Albemarle Corporation Recoupment Policy, as such Policy may be amended from time to time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Option to be signed by a duly authorized officer.

ALBEMARLECORPORATION

By:_______________________________

EX-10.3

EXHIBIT 10.3

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

under the

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION 2017 INCENTIVE PLAN

This AWARD, made as of the ____ day of ___________, 20__, by Albemarle Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), to XXXX(“Participant”), is made pursuant to and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2017 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). All terms that are used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings given them in the Plan.

Contingent Restricted Stock Units

1. Grant Date. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company, on , 2018 (the “Grant Date”), granted Participant an incentive award (“Award”) in the form of XXXX Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

2. Accounts. Restricted Stock Units granted to Participant shall be credited to an account (the “Account”) established and maintained for Participant. A Participant’s Account shall be the record of Restricted Stock Units granted to the Participant under the Plan, is solely for accounting purposes and shall not require a segregation of any Company assets.

3. Terms and Conditions. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Restricted Stock Units shall remain nonvested and subject to substantial risk of forfeiture.

Valuation of Restricted Stock Units

4. Value of Units. The value of each Restricted Stock Unit on any date shall be equal to the value of one share of the Company’s Common Stock on such date.

5. Value of Stock. For purposes of this Award, the value of the Company’s Common Stock is the Fair Market Value of the Stock (as defined in the Plan) on the relevant date.

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units

6. Vesting. Participant’s interest in one half of the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and non-forfeitable on the third anniversary of the Grant Date. The final one half of the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested and non-forfeitable as of the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.

Termination of Employment During the Vesting Period

7. Upon a Qualifying Termination Event. Notwithstanding anything in this Notice of Award to the contrary, if, prior to the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units under paragraph 8, Participant experiences a Qualifying Termination Event (as defined below), Restricted Stock Units that are forfeitable shall become vested as to a pro-rata portion of the Award, as determined in accordance with the following sentence. The pro-rata portion of the Award that shall vest pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be equal to 1/36^th of the Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, for each full month of service performed by the Participant after the Grant Date and prior to the Qualifying Termination Event. The non-vested portion of the Award shall be forfeited.

8. Forfeiture. Except as provided in paragraph 18, all Restricted Stock Units that are forfeitable shall be forfeited if Participant’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates for any reason except a Qualifying Termination Event.

Payment of Awards

9. Time of Payment. Payment of Participant’s Restricted Stock Units shall be made as soon as practicable after the Units have vested, but in no event later than March 15^th of the calendar year after the year in which the Units vest.

10. Form of Payment. The vested Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in whole shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

11. Death of Participant. If Participant dies prior to the payment of his or her non-forfeitable Restricted Stock Units, such Units shall be paid to his or her Beneficiary. Participant shall have the right to designate a Beneficiary in accordance with procedures established under the Plan for such purpose. If Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary, or if at the time of the Participant’s death there is no surviving Beneficiary, any amounts payable will be paid to the Participant’s estate.

12. Taxes. The Company will withhold from the Award the number of shares of Common Stock necessary to satisfy Federal tax-withholding requirements and state and local tax-withholding requirements with respect to the state and locality designated by the Participant as their place of residence in the Company's system of record at the time the Award becomes taxable, except to the extent otherwise determined to be required by the Company, subject, however, to any special rules or provisions that may apply to Participants who are non-US employees (working inside or outside of the United States) or US employees working outside of the United States. It is the Participant's responsibility to properly report all income and remit all Federal, state, and local taxes that may be due to the relevant taxing authorities as the result of receiving this Award.

General Provisions

13. No Right to Continued Employment. Neither this Award nor the granting or vesting of Restricted Stock Units shall confer upon Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

14. Change in Capital Structure.In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the terms of this Award shall be adjusted as the Committee determines is equitable in the event the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in capitalization.

15. Governing Law. This Award shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and applicable Federal law. All disputes arising under this Award shall be adjudicated solely within the state or Federal courts located within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

16. Conflicts.

(a)In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan as in effect on the Grant Date and the provisions of this Award, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the Grant Date.

(b)In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Award and the provisions of any separate Agreement between the Company and the Participant, including, but not limited to, any Severance Compensation Agreement entered between the Participant and the Company, the provisions of this Award shall govern.

17. Binding Effect. Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Award shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legatees, distributees, and personal representatives of Participant and the successors of the Company.

18. Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) prior to the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units under paragraph 8, the provisions of this paragraph 18 shall apply in addition to the provisions of Article 17 (and related provisions) of the Plan.

(a)Any Replacement Award made to the Participant shall provide that if the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (as defined in paragraph 19) concurrent with or within two (2) years after the date of the Change in Control, the unvested Replacement Award shall become immediately vested and payable at the time of the termination or resignation. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the terms of any Replacement Award in compliance with the Plan and applicable law. For purposes of paragraphs 7 and 19, references to the Company or an Affiliate shall also include any successor entity.

(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) hereof, in connection with a Change in Control where the Company’s shares continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange or another established securities market, and this Award remains in effect, if the Participant is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (as defined in paragraph 19) concurrent with or within two (2) years after the date of the Change in Control, the unvested Award shall become immediately vested and payable at the time of the termination or resignation.

19. Qualifying Termination Event and Other Terms.

(a) For purposes of this Award, Qualifying Termination Event shall mean a Participant’s death, Disability, Retirement while in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or termination by the Company or an Affiliateother than for Cause.

(i)“Disability” shall mean a Participant’s permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(ii)“Retirement” shall mean termination of employment after having attained age 55 and completed at least 10 years of service with the Company or an Affiliate.

(b) “Good Reason” for purposes of paragraph 18 shall mean:

(i)a change in the Participant’s position which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment does not represent a promotion of the Participant’s status or position immediately prior to the Change in Control or the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities, or diminution of duties or responsibilities, which in the Participant’s reasonable judgment are inconsistent with the Participant’s position in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(ii)a reduction by the Company in the annual rate of the Participant’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of a Change in Control;

(iii)the Company’s requiring the Participant’s office nearest to the Participant’s principal residence to be located at a different place which is more than thirty-five (35) miles from where such office is located immediately prior to a Change in Control;

(iv)the failure by the Company to continue in effect compensation or benefit plans in which the Participant participates, which in the aggregate provide the Participant compensation and benefits substantially equivalent to those prior to a Change in Control; or

(v)the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any applicable successor entity to assume and agree to perform under any Severance Compensation Agreement.

In order for one of the foregoing events to constitute Good Reason, (i) Participant must notify the Company in writing no later than 90 days after the relevant event stating which Good Reason event has occurred, and (ii) the Company shall not have corrected the Good Reason event within thirty (30) days after Participant’s notice.

(c) If the events described in (a)(i) and (ii) or paragraph 18 occur after the date that the Participant is advised (upon recommendation by the Committee) that his employment is being, or will be, terminated for Cause, on account of performance or in circumstances that prevent him from being in good standing with the Company, accelerated vesting shall not occur and all rights under this Award shall terminate, and this Award shall expire on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. The Committee shall have the authority to determine whether Participant’s termination from employment is for Cause or for any reason other than Cause.

20. Recoupment. In addition to any other applicable provision of the Plan, this Award is subject to the terms of the separate Albemarle Corporation Recoupment Policy, as such Policy may be amended from time to time.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Award to be signed on its behalf.

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

By:______________________________

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Luther C. Kissam IV, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Albemarle Corporation for the period ended March 31, 2018;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 9, 2018

/s/ LUTHER C. KISSAM IV

Luther C. Kissam IV

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Scott A. Tozier, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Albemarle Corporation for the period ended March 31, 2018;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 9, 2018

/s/ SCOTT A. TOZIER

Scott A. Tozier

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Albemarle Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Luther C. Kissam IV, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ LUTHER C. KISSAM IV

Luther C. Kissam IV

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

May 9, 2018

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Albemarle Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Scott A. Tozier, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ SCOTT A. TOZIER

Scott A. Tozier

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 9, 2018

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract] [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ALB
Entity Registrant Name	ALBEMARLE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000915913
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		110,763,247

XML

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 821,629	$ 722,063
Cost of goods sold	516,650	467,107
Gross profit	304,979	254,956
Selling, general and administrative expenses	101,370	108,928
Research and development expenses	20,986	24,323
Operating profit	182,623	121,705
Interest and financing expenses	(13,538)	(68,513)
Other (expenses) income, net	(30,476)	265
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	138,609	53,457
Income tax expense	20,361	11,971
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	118,248	41,486
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	20,677	21,171
Net income	138,925	62,657
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,165)	(11,444)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 131,760	$ 51,213
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.45
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	110,681	111,986
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	111,867	113,289
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.335	$ 0.32

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 138,925	$ 62,657
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	64,891	79,055
Pension and postretirement benefits	3	(7)
Net investment hedge	(14,421)	(13,685)
Interest rate swap	642	529
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	51,115	65,892
Comprehensive income	190,040	128,549
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,351)	(11,905)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 182,689	$ 116,644

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 692,188	$ 1,137,303
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2018 – $10,098; 2017 – $10,425)	606,968	534,326
Other accounts receivable	43,410	37,937
Inventories	666,567	592,781
Other current assets	113,763	136,064
Assets held for sale	35,829	39,152
Total current assets	2,158,725	2,477,563
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,247,345	4,124,335
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,678,139	1,631,025
Net property, plant and equipment	2,569,206	2,493,310
Investments	524,687	534,064
Noncurrent assets held for sale	151,743	139,813
Other assets	78,619	74,164
Goodwill	1,643,746	1,610,355
Other intangibles, net of amortization	429,614	421,503
Total assets	7,556,340	7,750,772
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	481,726	418,537
Accrued expenses	262,883	268,336
Current portion of long-term debt	39,216	422,012
Dividends payable	36,885	35,165
Liabilities held for sale	2,173	1,938
Income taxes payable	45,977	54,937
Total current liabilities	868,860	1,200,925
Long-term debt	1,436,852	1,415,360
Postretirement benefits	52,090	52,003
Pension benefits	296,671	294,611
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale	682	614
Other noncurrent liabilities	588,640	599,174
Deferred income taxes	369,115	370,389
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding – 110,756 in 2018 and 110,547 in 2017	1,107	1,105
Additional paid-in capital	1,855,321	1,863,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(174,739)	(225,668)
Retained earnings	2,118,621	2,035,163
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,800,310	3,674,549
Noncontrolling interests	143,120	143,147
Total equity	3,943,430	3,817,696
Total liabilities and equity	$ 7,556,340	$ 7,750,772

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 10,098	$ 10,425
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, issued	110,756	110,547
Common stock, outstanding	110,756	110,547

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Retained Earnings	Total Albemarle Shareholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interests
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		112,523,790
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,942,604	$ 1,125	$ 2,084,418	$ (412,412)	$ 2,121,931	$ 3,795,062	$ 147,542
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	62,657				51,213	51,213	11,444
Other comprehensive income	65,892			65,431		65,431	461
Cash dividends declared	(35,441)				(35,441)	(35,441)	0
Stock-based compensation and other	3,945		3,945			3,945
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		37,146
Exercise of stock options	2,170	$ 0	2,170			2,170
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(1,948,178)
Shares repurchased	(250,000)	$ (19)	(249,981)			(250,000)
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		225,559
Issuance of common stock, net	0	$ 2	(2)			0
Termination of Tianqi Lithium Corporation option agreement	0		13,144			13,144	(13,144)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(86,117)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(7,855)	$ 0	(7,855)			(7,855)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		110,752,200
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	3,783,972	$ 1,108	1,845,839	(346,981)	2,137,703	3,637,669	146,303
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		110,546,674
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	3,817,696	$ 1,105	1,863,949	(225,668)	2,035,163	3,674,549	143,147
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	138,925				131,760	131,760	7,165
Other comprehensive income	51,115			50,929		50,929	186
Cash dividends declared	(44,481)				(37,103)	(37,103)	(7,378)
Cumulative adjustment from adoption of income tax standard update (Note 18)	(11,199)				(11,199)	(11,199)
Stock-based compensation and other	5,737		5,737			5,737
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		12,740
Exercise of stock options	646	$ 0	646			646
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		319,440
Issuance of common stock, net	0	$ 3	(3)			0
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(122,740)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(15,009)	$ (1)	(15,008)			(15,009)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		110,756,114
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 3,943,430	$ 1,107	$ 1,855,321	$ (174,739)	$ 2,118,621	$ 3,800,310	$ 143,120

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$ 1,137,303	$ 2,269,756
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	138,925	62,657
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,330	45,070
Gain on acquisition	0	(7,433)
Stock-based compensation	2,869	5,046
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	(20,677)	(21,171)
Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable securities	25,462	2,551
Pension and postretirement benefit	(890)	(26)
Pension and postretirement contributions	(3,548)	(2,891)
Unrealized gain on investments in marketable securities	(393)	(873)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	52,801
Deferred income taxes	29,067	1,363
Working capital changes	(95,050)	(63,325)
Other, net	(4,541)	8,816
Net cash provided by operating activities	121,554	82,585
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(27,742)
Capital expenditures	(131,815)	(54,143)
Sales of marketable securities, net	10	492
Repayments from joint ventures	0	1,250
Investments in equity and other corporate investments	(735)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(132,540)	(80,143)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	0	(751,209)
Other (repayments) borrowings, net	(381,159)	66,384
Fees related to early extinguishment of debt	0	(46,959)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(35,382)	(34,330)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(7,378)	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	(250,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	646	2,170
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(15,009)	(7,855)
Net cash used in financing activities	(438,282)	(1,021,799)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	4,153	4,137
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(445,115)	(1,015,220)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 692,188	$ 1,254,536

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Basis of Presentaion

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation:

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Albemarle Corporation and our wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, “Albemarle,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company”) contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement, in all material respects, of our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2018. The December 31, 2017 condensed consolidated balance sheet data herein was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”). The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto to conform to the current presentation.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact to our results of operations or financial position upon adoption, and no adjustment was made to Retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheets because such adjustment was determined to be immaterial. In addition, new presentation requirements, including separate disclosure of net sales from sources other than customers on our consolidated statements of income and separate disclosures of contract assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, generally did not have a material impact. However, business circumstances, including the nature of customer contracts, can change and as such, we are expanding processes and controls to recognize such changes, and as necessary, consider whether any of these currently immaterial items might differ in the future. See Note 18, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” for additional information.

Included in Trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2018 is approximately $591.8 million arising from contracts with customers. The remaining balance of Trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2018 includes primarily value-added taxes collected from customers on behalf of various taxing authorities. In addition, see below for a description of our updated revenue recognition accounting policy.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services, and is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied under the terms of contracts with our customers. A performance obligation is deemed to be satisfied when control of the product or service is transferred to our customer. The transaction price of a contract, or the amount we expect to receive upon satisfaction of all performance obligations, is determined by reference to the contract’s terms and includes adjustments, if applicable, for any variable consideration, such as customer rebates, noncash consideration or consideration payable to the customer, although these adjustments are generally not material. Where a contract contains more than one distinct performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of each performance obligation, although these situations do not occur frequently and are generally not built into our contracts. Any unsatisfied performance obligations are not material. Standalone selling prices are based on prices we charge to our customers, which in some cases is based on established market prices. Sales and other similar taxes collected from customers on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue. Our payment terms are generally between 30 to 90 days, however, they vary by market factors, such as customer size, geography and competitive environment.

All of our revenue is derived from contracts with customers, and almost all of our contracts with customers contain one performance obligation for the transfer of goods where such performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time. Control of a product is deemed to be transferred to the customer upon shipment or delivery. Significant portions of our sales are sold free on board shipping point or on an equivalent basis, while delivery terms of other transactions are based upon specific contractual arrangements. Our standard terms of delivery are generally included in our contracts of sale, order confirmation documents and invoices, while the timing between shipment and delivery generally ranges between 1 and 45 days. Costs for shipping and handling activities, whether performed before or after the customer obtains control of the goods, are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

The Company currently utilizes the following practical expedients, as permitted by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers:

• All sales and other pass-through taxes are excluded from contract value;

• In utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, no adjustment would be necessary for contracts that do not cross over a reporting year;

• We will not consider the possibility of a contract having a significant financing component (which would effectively attribute a portion of the sales price to interest income) unless, if at contract inception, the expected payment terms (from time of delivery or other relevant criterion) are more than one year;

• If our right to customer payment is directly related to the value of our completed performance, we recognize revenue consistent with the invoicing right; and

• We expense as incurred all costs of obtaining a contract incremental to any costs/compensation attributable to individual product sales/shipments for contracts where the amortization period for such costs would otherwise be one year or less.

Certain products we produce are made to our customer’s specifications where such products have no alternative use or would need significant rework costs in order to be sold to another customer. In management’s judgment, control of these arrangements is transferred to the customer at a point in time (upon shipment or delivery) and not over the time they are produced. Therefore revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of these products.

Costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers are not significant and are expensed immediately as the amortization period would be one year or less. When the Company incurs pre-production or other fulfillment costs in connection with an existing or specific anticipated contract and such costs are recoverable through margin or explicitly reimbursable, such costs are capitalized and amortized to Cost of goods sold on a systematic basis that is consistent with the pattern of transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates, which is less than one year. We record bad debt expense in specific situations when we determine the customer is unable to meet its financial obligation.

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Divestitures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

Divestitures:

Assets Held for Sale

On December 14, 2017, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell the polyolefin catalysts and components portion of its Performance Catalyst Solutions (“PCS”) business to W.R. Grace & Co., with the sale closing on April 3, 2018. We received net cash proceeds of approximately $416 million. The transaction includes Albemarle’s Product Development Center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and operations at its Yeosu, South Korea site. The sale does not include the Company’s organometallics or curatives portion of its PCS business. The sale of the polyolefin catalysts business and components reflects the Company’s commitment to investing in the future growth of its high priority businesses and returning capital to shareholders. We currently expect to record a gain in the second quarter of 2018 related to this business.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we determined that the assets held for sale criteria in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, were met for this business. As such, the assets and liabilities of this business are included in Assets held for sale and Liabilities held for sale, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities that were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Assets
Current assets	$	35,829	$	39,152
Net, property, plant and equipment	133,506		121,759
Goodwill	14,422		14,422
Other intangibles, net of amortization	3,815		3,632
Assets held for sale	$	187,572	$	178,965
Liabilities
Current liabilities	$	2,173	$	1,938
Noncurrent liabilities	682		614
Liabilities held for sale	$	2,855	$	2,552

The results of operations of the business classified as held for sale is included in the consolidated statements of income.This business did not qualify for discontinued operations treatment because the Company’s management does not consider the sale as representing a strategic shift that had or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results.

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles:

The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Lithium		Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2017(a)(b)	$	1,389,089	$	20,319	$	194,361	$	6,586	$	1,610,355
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	26,110		—		7,281		—		33,391
Balance at March 31, 2018(b)	$	1,415,199	$	20,319	$	201,642	$	6,586	$	1,643,746

(a) The December 31, 2017 balances have been recast to reflect a change in segments. See Note 11, “Segment Information,” for additional information.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $14.4 million of Goodwill was classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

The following table summarizes the changes in other intangibles and related accumulated amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Customer Lists and Relationships			Trade Names and Trademarks(a)			Patents and Technology			Other			Total
Gross Asset Value
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	439,312		$	18,981		$	61,618		$	37,256		$	557,167
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	13,054			324			1,668			3,862			18,908
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	452,366		$	19,305		$	63,286		$	41,118		$	576,075
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(74,704	)	$	(8,295	)	$	(35,203	)	$	(17,462	)	$	(135,664	)
Amortization	(5,962		)	—			(368		)	(1,088		)	(7,418		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,005		)	(102		)	(727		)	(545		)	(3,379		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(82,671	)	$	(8,397	)	$	(36,298	)	$	(19,095	)	$	(146,461	)
Net Book Value at December 31, 2017(b)	$	364,608		$	10,686		$	26,415		$	19,794		$	421,503
Net Book Value at March 31, 2018(b)	$	369,695		$	10,908		$	26,988		$	22,023		$	429,614

(a) Balances as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include only indefinite-lived intangible assets.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of Other intangibles, net of amortization were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

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Foreign Exchange

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Foreign Currency [Abstract]

Foreign Exchange

Foreign Exchange:

Foreign exchange transaction and revaluation losses were $3.2 million and $4.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and were included in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income, with the unrealized portion included in Other, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:

The effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 was 14.7%, compared to 22.4% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. The Company’s effective income tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, its level and location of income. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 was impacted by a variety of factors, primarily stemming from discrete tax benefits related to adjustments recorded for the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) as noted below and excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and our effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to the impact of earnings from outside the U.S., and is mainly attributable to our share of the income of our Jordan Bromine Company Limited (“JBC”) joint venture, a Free Zones company under the laws of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In connection with the TCJA, we recorded a provisional amount of income tax expense of $429.2 million related to the one-time transition tax and income tax benefit of $62.3 million related to the remeasurement of deferred tax balances for the year ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118, the effects of the TCJA may be adjusted within a one-year measurement period from the enactment date for the items that were previously reported as provisional, or where a provisional estimate could not be made. The income tax provision for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 reflected a discrete tax benefit of $2.8 million related to an adjustment of our estimate of the one-time transition tax and a discrete tax benefit of $3.7 million related to other provisions of the TCJA. The effective income tax rate for the three-months ended March 31, 2018, included a $3.0 million tax expense on global intangible low-taxed income enacted by the TCJA. For the global intangible low-taxed income provisions of the TCJA, we have not yet elected an accounting policy with respect to either recognizing deferred taxes for basis differences expected to impact global intangible low-taxed income, or to record such as period costs if and when incurred. We also continue to evaluate our indefinite reinvestment assertion as a result of the TCJA. We will continue to assess forthcoming guidance and accounting interpretations on the effects of the TCJA and expect to finalize our analysis within the measurement period in accordance with the SEC guidance.

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share:

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Basic earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.46
Diluted earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	1,186		1,303
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share	111,867		113,289
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.18	$	0.45

On February 23, 2018, the Company increased the regular quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.335 per share and declared a cash dividend of said amount for the first quarter of 2018, which was paid on April 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 15, 2018. On May 8, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.335 per share, which is payable on July 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of June 15, 2018.

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories:

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Finished goods(a)	$	453,662	$	404,239
Raw materials and work in process(b)	154,679		132,891
Stores, supplies and other	58,226		55,651
Total(c)	$	666,567	$	592,781

(a) Increase primarily due to the build up of inventory in our Catalysts segment due to the timing of net sales expected in the second quarter, and an increased net sales in the near term for our Lithium segment.

(b) Increase primarily due to higher forecasted production levels in the second quarter from our Catalysts segment. Included $66.2 million and $59.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of work in process related to the Lithium product category.

(c) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $23.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively, of Inventories were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

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Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments

Investments:

The Company holds a 49% equity interest in Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd. (“Windfield”), where the ownership parties share risks and benefits disproportionate to their voting interests. As a result, the Company considers Windfield to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”), however this investment is not consolidated as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying amount of our 49% equity interest in Windfield, which is our most significant VIE, was $338.7 million and $355.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company’s aggregate net investment in all other entities which it considers to be VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary was $8.5 million and $8.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Our unconsolidated VIEs are reported in Investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not guarantee debt for, or have other financial support obligations to, these entities, and its maximum exposure to loss in connection with its continuing involvement with these entities is limited to the carrying value of its investments.

As part of the original Windfield joint venture agreement, Tianqi Lithium Corporation ("Tianqi") was granted an option to purchase from 20% to 30% of the equity interests in Rockwood Lithium GmbH, a wholly-owned German subsidiary of Albemarle, and its subsidiaries. In February 2017, Albemarle and Tianqi terminated the option agreement, and as a result, we retained 100% of the ownership interest in Rockwood Lithium GmbH and its subsidiaries. Following the termination of the option agreement, the $13.1 million fair value of the option agreement originally recorded in Noncontrolling interests was reversed and recorded as an adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.

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Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

Long-Term Debt:

Long-term debt at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
1.875% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,859 at March 31, 2018 and $3,971 at December 31, 2017	$	482,567	$	463,575
4.15% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,250 at March 31, 2018 and $3,372 at December 31, 2017	421,750		421,628
4.50% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $815 at March 31, 2018 and $891 at December 31, 2017	174,401		174,325
5.45% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $4,120 at March 31, 2018 and $4,159 at December 31, 2017	345,880		345,841
Commercial paper notes	38,500		421,321
Variable-rate foreign bank loans	7,560		5,298
Other	5,410		5,384
Total long-term debt	1,476,068		1,837,372
Less amounts due within one year	39,216		422,012
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	1,436,852	$	1,415,360

Current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2018 consisted primarily of commercial paper notes with a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 2.37% and a weighted-average maturity of 31 days. During the first quarter of 2018, we repaid a net amount of $382.8 million of commercial paper notes using cash on hand.

The carrying value of our 1.875% Euro-denominated senior notes has been designated as an effective hedge of our net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries where the Euro serves as the functional currency, and gains or losses on the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, losses of $14.4 million and $13.7 million (net of income taxes), respectively, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies:

Environmental

We had the following activity in our recorded environmental liabilities for the three months endedMarch 31, 2018, as follows (in thousands):

Beginning balance at December 31, 2017	$	39,808
Expenditures	(2,612		)
Accretion of discount	225
Additions and revisions of estimates	16,236
Foreign currency translation adjustments	786
Ending balance at March 31, 2018	54,443
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,060
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	49,383

Environmental remediation liabilities included discounted liabilities of $44.1 million and $28.1 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, discounted at rates with a weighted-average of 3.7% and 3.6%, respectively, with the undiscounted amount totaling $85.5 million and $68.2 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For certain locations where the Company is operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems, prior owners or insurers have assumed all or most of the responsibility.

The amounts recorded represent our future remediation and other anticipated environmental liabilities. These liabilities typically arise during the normal course of our operational and environmental management activities or at the time of acquisition of the site, and are based on internal analysis as well as input from outside consultants. As evaluations proceed at each relevant site, changes in risk assessment practices, remediation techniques and regulatory requirements can occur, therefore such liability estimates may be adjusted accordingly. The timing and duration of remediation activities at these sites will be determined when evaluations are completed. Although it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of these remediation liabilities, management estimates (based on the latest available information) that there is a reasonable possibility that future environmental remediation costs associated with our past operations, could be an additional $10 million to $20 million before income taxes, in excess of amounts already recorded.

We believe that any sum we may be required to pay in connection with environmental remediation matters in excess of the amounts recorded would likely occur over a period of time and would likely not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows on a consolidated annual basis although any such sum could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a particular quarterly reporting period.

Litigation

We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings of types regarded as common in our business, including administrative or judicial proceedings seeking remediation under environmental laws, such as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA or Superfund, products liability, breach of contract liability and premises liability litigation. Where appropriate, we may establish financial reserves for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Costs for legal services are generally expensed as incurred.

Following receipt of information regarding potential improper payments being made by third party sales representatives of our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, we promptly retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to investigate potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and other potentially applicable laws. Based on this internal investigation, we have voluntarily self-reported potential issues relating to the use of third party sales representatives in our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, to the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and SEC, and are cooperating with the DOJ and SEC in their review of these matters. In connection with our internal investigation, we have implemented, and are continuing to implement, appropriate remedial measures.

At this time, we are unable to predict the duration, scope, result or related costs associated with any investigations by the DOJ or SEC. We also are unable to predict what, if any, action may be taken by the DOJ or SEC or what penalties or remedial actions they may seek. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with existing laws or regulations, however, could result in the imposition of fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses. We do not believe, however, that any fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief or other losses would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity.

In the first quarter of 2018, a jury rendered a verdict against Albemarle in a legal matter related to certain business concluded under a 2014 sales agreement for products that Albemarle no longer manufactures. Although Albemarle has filed post trial motions to set aside the verdict, we have recorded an estimated accrual of $17.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, and in Accrued liabilities as of the balance sheet date, to reflect this matter.

Indemnities

We are indemnified by third parties in connection with certain matters related to acquired and divested businesses. Although we believe that the financial condition of those parties who may have indemnification obligations to the Company is generally sound, in the event the Company seeks indemnity under any of these agreements or through other means, there can be no assurance that any party who may have obligations to indemnify us will adhere to their obligations and we may have to resort to legal action to enforce our rights under the indemnities.

The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it divested, including properties or businesses of acquired businesses that were divested prior to the completion of the acquisition. In the opinion of management, and based upon information currently available, the ultimate resolution of any indemnification obligations owed to the Company or by the Company is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company had approximately $32.4 million and $42.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities related to the indemnification of certain income and non-income tax liabilities associated with the Chemetall Surface Treatment entities sold.

Other

We have contracts with certain of our customers, which serve as guarantees on product delivery and performance according to customer specifications that can cover both shipments on an individual basis as well as blanket coverage of multiple shipments under certain customer supply contracts. The financial coverage provided by these guarantees is typically based on a percentage of net sales value.

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segments

Segment Information:

In the first quarter of 2018, the PCS product category merged with our former Refining Solutions reportable segment to form a global business focused on catalysts. As a result, our three reportable segments include: (1) Lithium; (2) Bromine Specialties; and (3) Catalysts. Each segment has a dedicated team of sales, research and development, process engineering, manufacturing and sourcing, and business strategy personnel and has full accountability for improving execution through greater asset and market focus, agility and responsiveness. This business structure aligns with the markets and customers we serve through each of the segments. The structure also facilitates the continued standardization of business processes across the organization, and is consistent with the manner in which information is presently used internally by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions.

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables. Results for 2017 have been recast to reflect the change in segments noted above.

The “All Other” category includes only the fine chemistry services business that does not fit into any of our core businesses.

The Corporate category is not considered to be a segment and includes corporate-related items not allocated to the operating segments. Pension and OPEB service cost (which represents the benefits earned by active employees during the period) and amortization of prior service cost or benefit are allocated to the reportable segments, All Other, and Corporate, whereas the remaining components of pension and OPEB benefits cost or credit (“Non-operating pension and OPEB items”) are included in Corporate. Segment data includes intersegment transfers of raw materials at cost and allocations for certain corporate costs.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker uses adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) to assess the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments and to allocate resources. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted on a consistent basis for certain non-recurring or unusual items in a balanced manner and on a segment basis. These non-recurring or unusual items may include acquisition and integration related costs, utilization of inventory markup, gains or losses on sales of businesses, restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges, non-operating pension and OPEB items and other significant non-recurring items. In addition, management uses adjusted EBITDA for business planning purposes and as a significant component in the calculation of performance-based compensation for management and other employees. The Company has reported adjusted EBITDA because management believes it provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or any other financial measure reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Net sales:
Lithium	$	298,032		$	216,229
Bromine Specialties	225,639			219,191
Catalysts	260,717			253,558
All Other	37,165			32,419
Corporate	76			666
Total net sales	$	821,629		$	722,063
Adjusted EBITDA:
Lithium	$	131,014		$	99,852
Bromine Specialties	69,969			68,488
Catalysts	67,830			69,749
All Other	3,862			5,156
Corporate	(23,957		)	(31,869		)
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	248,718		$	211,376

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP (in thousands):

	Lithium			Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		Reportable Segments Total			All Other		Corporate			Consolidated Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	108,334		$	59,536	$	55,660	$	223,530		$	1,760	$	(93,530	)	$	131,760
Depreciation and amortization	24,065			10,433		12,170		46,668			2,102		1,560			50,330
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		2,201			2,201
Interest and financing expenses	—			—		—		—			—		13,538			13,538
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		20,361			20,361
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(2,197		)	(2,197		)
Legal accrual(b)	—			—		—		—			—		17,628			17,628
Other(c)	(1,385		)	—		—		(1,385		)	—		16,482			15,097
Adjusted EBITDA	$	131,014		$	69,969	$	67,830	$	268,813		$	3,862	$	(23,957	)	$	248,718
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	77,614		$	58,694	$	56,966	$	193,274		$	3,246	$	(145,307	)	$	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	19,065			9,794		12,783		41,642			1,910		1,518			45,070
Utilization of inventory markup(d)	10,606			—		—		10,606			—		—			10,606
Restructuring and other, net(e)	—			—		—		—			—		12,905			12,905
Gain on acquisition(f)	(7,433		)	—		—		(7,433		)	—		—			(7,433		)
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		14,281			14,281
Interest and financing expenses(g)	—			—		—		—			—		68,513			68,513
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		11,971			11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(1,063		)	(1,063		)
Other(h)	—			—		—		—			—		5,313			5,313
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,852		$	68,488	$	69,749	$	238,089		$	5,156	$	(31,869	)	$	211,376

(a) Included amounts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 recorded in (1) Cost of goods sold of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively; and (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, relating to various significant projects, including the Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (“Jiangli New Materials”) acquisition, which contains unusual compensation related costs negotiated specifically as a result of this acquisition that are outside of the Company’s normal compensation arrangements.

(b) Included in Other (expenses) income, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.

(c) Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 recorded in:

▪ Cost of goods sold - $1.1 million related to the write-off of fixed assets in our JBC joint venture.

▪ Selling, general and administrative expenses - $1.4 million gain related to a refund from Chilean authorities due to an overpayment made in a prior year.

▪ Other (expenses) income, net - $15.6 million of environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle, partially offset by a net gain of $0.2 million related to the the reversal of previously recorded expenses of disposed businesses.

(d) In connection with the acquisition of Jiangli New Materials, the Company valued inventory purchased from Jiangli New Materials at fair value, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $23.1 million. The inventory markup was expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, $10.6 million was included in Cost of goods sold related to the utilization of the inventory markup.

(e) During the first quarter of 2017, we initiated actions to reduce costs at several locations, primarily at our Lithium site in Germany. Based on the restructuring plans, we have recorded expenses of $2.9 million in Cost of goods sold, $4.2 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses and $5.8 million in Research and development expenses, primarily related to severance, expected to be incurred. The unpaid balance is recorded in Accrued expenses at March 31, 2018, with the expectation that the majority of these plans will be completed by the end of 2018.

(f) Gain recorded in Other (expenses) income, net related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Sales de Magnesio Ltda. joint venture in Chile. The calculation of the initial gain recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions available at that time.

(g) During the first quarter of 2017, we repaid the 3.00% Senior notes in full, €307.0 million of the 1.875% Senior notes and $174.7 million of the 4.50% Senior notes, as well as related tender premiums of $45.2 million. As a result, included in Interest and financing expenses is a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $52.8 million, representing the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the redemption of these senior notes.

(h) Included in Other (expenses) income, net are $3.2 million of asset retirement obligation charges related to the revision of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle and a loss of $2.1 million associated with the previous disposal of a business.

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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits:

The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,268		$	1,003
Interest cost	8,027			8,288
Expected return on assets	(10,764		)	(9,908		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	22			27
Total net pension benefits credit	$	(1,447	)	$	(590	)
Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	29		$	31
Interest cost	542			585
Expected return on assets	(2		)	(28		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(12		)	(24		)
Total net postretirement benefits cost	$	557		$	564
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	$	(890	)	$	(26	)

As a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis, all components of net benefit cost (credit), other than service cost, are to be shown outside of operations on the consolidated statements of income. We recast these components of net benefit cost (credit), which resulted in a reduction of $0.2 million in Cost of goods sold and $0.9 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses, with an offsetting increase of $1.1 million in Other (expenses) income, net for the three months ended March 31, 2017. There was no impact to Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we made contributions of $3.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, to our qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

We paid $0.5 million in premiums to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during both the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

In assessing the fair value of financial instruments, we use methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and other risk factors existing at the time of assessment. Fair value information for our financial instruments is as follows:

Long-Term Debt—the fair values of our senior notes are estimated using Level 1 inputs and account for the difference between the recorded amount and fair value of our long-term debt. The carrying value of our remaining long-term debt reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value as substantially all of such debt bears interest based on prevailing variable market rates currently available in the countries in which we have borrowings.

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Recorded Amount		Fair Value		Recorded Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	1,483,794	$	1,553,114	$	1,845,309	$	1,949,638

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts—we enter into foreign currency forward contracts in connection with our risk management strategies in an attempt to minimize the financial impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivative financial instruments are used to manage risk and are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. The fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts are estimated based on current settlement values. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with notional values totaling $494.7 million and $357.4 million, respectively. Our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $0.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively, was included in Accrued expenses associated with the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts.

Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recognized in Other (expenses) income, net; further, fluctuations in the value of these contracts are generally expected to be offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged, which are also reported in Other (expenses) income, net. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recognized gains of $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts. Also, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded gains of $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts, and net cash receipts of $0.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, in Other, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The counterparties to our foreign currency forward contracts are major financial institutions with which we generally have other financial relationships. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, we do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

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Fair Value Measurement

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement:

Fair value is defined as 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 (exit price). The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
Level 3	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred on the date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2018. The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	37	$	37	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,117	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	241	$	—	$	241	$	—

	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	38	$	38	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,121	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	4,954	$	—	$	4,954	$	—

(a) We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.

(b) Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

(c) Holdings in certain private equity securities are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient and have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

The components and activity in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (net of deferred income taxes) consisted of the following during the periods indicated below (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits(a)			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap(b)			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(257,569	)	$	(21	)	$	46,551		$	(14,629	)	$	(225,668	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	64,891			—			(14,421		)	—			50,470
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			3			—			642			645
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64,891			3			(14,421		)	642			51,115
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(186		)	—			—			—			(186		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(192,864	)	$	(18	)	$	32,130		$	(13,987	)	$	(174,739	)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(484,121	)	$	76		$	88,378		$	(16,745	)	$	(412,412	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	79,055			—			(13,685		)	—			65,370
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(7		)	—			529			522
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	79,055			(7		)	(13,685		)	529			65,892
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(461		)	—			—			—			(461		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	(405,527	)	$	69		$	74,693		$	(16,216	)	$	(346,981	)

(a) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits credit. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

(b) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in interest expense.

The amount of income tax benefit (expense) allocated to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is provided in the following tables (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018										2017
	Foreign Currency Translation		Pension and Postretirement Benefits		Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap			Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(18,734	)	$	834		$	80,141		$	(6	)	$	(21,580	)	$	834
Income tax benefit (expense)	—		—		4,313			(192		)	(1,086		)	(1		)	7,895			(305		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(14,421	)	$	642		$	79,055		$	(7	)	$	(13,685	)	$	529

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Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions:

Our consolidated statements of income include sales to and purchases from unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Sales to unconsolidated affiliates	$	4,605	$	7,189
Purchases from unconsolidated affiliates	$	68,916	$	40,570

Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include accounts receivable due from and payable to unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Receivable from related parties	$	2,184	$	2,406
Payable to related parties	$	67,244	$	55,801

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Supplemental information related to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Supplemental non-cash disclosure related to investing activities:
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable	$	74,906	$	18,874

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance designed to enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that revenue recognized from a transaction or event that arises from a contract with a customer should reflect the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services provided. To achieve that core principle the new guidance sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model that will need to be applied consistently to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the ASC. Also required are new disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The new disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, and assets recognized related to the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. During 2016, the FASB issued amendments to this new guidance that provides clarification, technical corrections and practical expedients. Topics of potential relevance to the Company include principal versus agent considerations, collectability, presentation of sales tax from customers, contract modifications at transition and accounting transition. These new requirements became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective method. We have implemented appropriate changes to the business processes, controls and control activities to support recognition, presentation and disclosure under the new standard for the first quarter of 2018, however, we have not made any significant changes to our existing systems as a result of this new standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires assets and liabilities arising from leases to be recorded on the balance sheet. Additional disclosures are required regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. We have made significant progress in evaluating our existing lease contracts and accounting policies to determine the impact this standard will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In addition, we are in the process of reviewing the impact of this standard on our current business processes and existing systems.

In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that eliminated the deferral of tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. As a result, the tax expense from the intercompany sale of assets, other than inventory, and associated changes to deferred taxes will be recognized when the sale occurs even though the pre-tax effects of the transaction have not been recognized as they are eliminated in consolidation. This guidance was effective using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018, which resulted in a $11.2 million cumulative adjustment to decrease Retained earnings and is not reflected in periods prior to this date.

In November 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify the definition of a business for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a reporting unit to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit has been acquired in a business combination. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (“net benefit cost”) in the income statement. This new guidance requires service cost to be presented as part of operating income (expense) and all other components of net benefit cost are to be shown outside of operations. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The prior year consolidated statements of income have been recast to conform to the current presentation required by this guidance. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits,” for additional details.

In May 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This new guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to better align an entity’s risk management activities with hedge accounting, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. This guidance will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We currently do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued accounting guidance that will give companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects caused by the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities will have the option to apply this guidance retrospectively or to record the reclassification as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements. In March 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance pursuant to the issuance of SAB 118, that provides clarification for a company’s ability to comply with the accounting requirements for the income tax effects of the TCJA in the period of enactment, effective immediately. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the TCJA are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and if possible to provide a reasonable estimate. We have accounted for the tax effects of the TCJA under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis. Our accounting for certain income tax effects is incomplete, but we have determined reasonable estimates for those effects and have recorded provisional amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance designed to enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that revenue recognized from a transaction or event that arises from a contract with a customer should reflect the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services provided. To achieve that core principle the new guidance sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model that will need to be applied consistently to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the ASC. Also required are new disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The new disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, and assets recognized related to the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. During 2016, the FASB issued amendments to this new guidance that provides clarification, technical corrections and practical expedients. Topics of potential relevance to the Company include principal versus agent considerations, collectability, presentation of sales tax from customers, contract modifications at transition and accounting transition. These new requirements became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective method. We have implemented appropriate changes to the business processes, controls and control activities to support recognition, presentation and disclosure under the new standard for the first quarter of 2018, however, we have not made any significant changes to our existing systems as a result of this new standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires assets and liabilities arising from leases to be recorded on the balance sheet. Additional disclosures are required regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. We have made significant progress in evaluating our existing lease contracts and accounting policies to determine the impact this standard will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In addition, we are in the process of reviewing the impact of this standard on our current business processes and existing systems.

In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that eliminated the deferral of tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. As a result, the tax expense from the intercompany sale of assets, other than inventory, and associated changes to deferred taxes will be recognized when the sale occurs even though the pre-tax effects of the transaction have not been recognized as they are eliminated in consolidation. This guidance was effective using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018, which resulted in a $11.2 million cumulative adjustment to decrease Retained earnings and is not reflected in periods prior to this date.

In November 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify the definition of a business for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a reporting unit to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit has been acquired in a business combination. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (“net benefit cost”) in the income statement. This new guidance requires service cost to be presented as part of operating income (expense) and all other components of net benefit cost are to be shown outside of operations. This guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The prior year consolidated statements of income have been recast to conform to the current presentation required by this guidance. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits,” for additional details.

In May 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This new guidance became effective on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to better align an entity’s risk management activities with hedge accounting, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. This guidance will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We currently do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued accounting guidance that will give companies the option to reclassify stranded tax effects caused by the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. This new guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities will have the option to apply this guidance retrospectively or to record the reclassification as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact of this new guidance on our financial statements. In March 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance pursuant to the issuance of SAB 118, that provides clarification for a company’s ability to comply with the accounting requirements for the income tax effects of the TCJA in the period of enactment, effective immediately. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the TCJA are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and if possible to provide a reasonable estimate. We have accounted for the tax effects of the TCJA under the guidance of SAB 118, on a provisional basis. Our accounting for certain income tax effects is incomplete, but we have determined reasonable estimates for those effects and have recorded provisional amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Divestitures Divestitures (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities that were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Assets
Current assets	$	35,829	$	39,152
Net, property, plant and equipment	133,506		121,759
Goodwill	14,422		14,422
Other intangibles, net of amortization	3,815		3,632
Assets held for sale	$	187,572	$	178,965
Liabilities
Current liabilities	$	2,173	$	1,938
Noncurrent liabilities	682		614
Liabilities held for sale	$	2,855	$	2,552

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Goodwill

The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Lithium		Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2017(a)(b)	$	1,389,089	$	20,319	$	194,361	$	6,586	$	1,610,355
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	26,110		—		7,281		—		33,391
Balance at March 31, 2018(b)	$	1,415,199	$	20,319	$	201,642	$	6,586	$	1,643,746

(a) The December 31, 2017 balances have been recast to reflect a change in segments. See Note 11, “Segment Information,” for additional information.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $14.4 million of Goodwill was classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

Other Intangibles

The following table summarizes the changes in other intangibles and related accumulated amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Customer Lists and Relationships			Trade Names and Trademarks(a)			Patents and Technology			Other			Total
Gross Asset Value
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	439,312		$	18,981		$	61,618		$	37,256		$	557,167
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	13,054			324			1,668			3,862			18,908
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	452,366		$	19,305		$	63,286		$	41,118		$	576,075
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(74,704	)	$	(8,295	)	$	(35,203	)	$	(17,462	)	$	(135,664	)
Amortization	(5,962		)	—			(368		)	(1,088		)	(7,418		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,005		)	(102		)	(727		)	(545		)	(3,379		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(82,671	)	$	(8,397	)	$	(36,298	)	$	(19,095	)	$	(146,461	)
Net Book Value at December 31, 2017(b)	$	364,608		$	10,686		$	26,415		$	19,794		$	421,503
Net Book Value at March 31, 2018(b)	$	369,695		$	10,908		$	26,988		$	22,023		$	429,614

(a) Balances as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include only indefinite-lived intangible assets.

(b) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of Other intangibles, net of amortization were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earning Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Basic earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.46
Diluted earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	131,760	$	51,213
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	110,681		111,986
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	1,186		1,303
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share	111,867		113,289
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.18	$	0.45

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Breakdown of Inventories

The following table provides a breakdown of inventories at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
Finished goods(a)	$	453,662	$	404,239
Raw materials and work in process(b)	154,679		132,891
Stores, supplies and other	58,226		55,651
Total(c)	$	666,567	$	592,781

(a) Increase primarily due to the build up of inventory in our Catalysts segment due to the timing of net sales expected in the second quarter, and an increased net sales in the near term for our Lithium segment.

(b) Increase primarily due to higher forecasted production levels in the second quarter from our Catalysts segment. Included $66.2 million and $59.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, of work in process related to the Lithium product category.

(c) As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $23.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively, of Inventories were classified as Assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
1.875% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,859 at March 31, 2018 and $3,971 at December 31, 2017	$	482,567	$	463,575
4.15% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3,250 at March 31, 2018 and $3,372 at December 31, 2017	421,750		421,628
4.50% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $815 at March 31, 2018 and $891 at December 31, 2017	174,401		174,325
5.45% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $4,120 at March 31, 2018 and $4,159 at December 31, 2017	345,880		345,841
Commercial paper notes	38,500		421,321
Variable-rate foreign bank loans	7,560		5,298
Other	5,410		5,384
Total long-term debt	1,476,068		1,837,372
Less amounts due within one year	39,216		422,012
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	1,436,852	$	1,415,360

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities

We had the following activity in our recorded environmental liabilities for the three months endedMarch 31, 2018, as follows (in thousands):

Beginning balance at December 31, 2017	$	39,808
Expenditures	(2,612		)
Accretion of discount	225
Additions and revisions of estimates	16,236
Foreign currency translation adjustments	786
Ending balance at March 31, 2018	54,443
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,060
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	49,383

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segments Summarized Financial Information

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Net sales:
Lithium	$	298,032		$	216,229
Bromine Specialties	225,639			219,191
Catalysts	260,717			253,558
All Other	37,165			32,419
Corporate	76			666
Total net sales	$	821,629		$	722,063
Adjusted EBITDA:
Lithium	$	131,014		$	99,852
Bromine Specialties	69,969			68,488
Catalysts	67,830			69,749
All Other	3,862			5,156
Corporate	(23,957		)	(31,869		)
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	248,718		$	211,376

See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP (in thousands):

	Lithium			Bromine Specialties		Catalysts		Reportable Segments Total			All Other		Corporate			Consolidated Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	108,334		$	59,536	$	55,660	$	223,530		$	1,760	$	(93,530	)	$	131,760
Depreciation and amortization	24,065			10,433		12,170		46,668			2,102		1,560			50,330
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		2,201			2,201
Interest and financing expenses	—			—		—		—			—		13,538			13,538
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		20,361			20,361
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(2,197		)	(2,197		)
Legal accrual(b)	—			—		—		—			—		17,628			17,628
Other(c)	(1,385		)	—		—		(1,385		)	—		16,482			15,097
Adjusted EBITDA	$	131,014		$	69,969	$	67,830	$	268,813		$	3,862	$	(23,957	)	$	248,718
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	77,614		$	58,694	$	56,966	$	193,274		$	3,246	$	(145,307	)	$	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	19,065			9,794		12,783		41,642			1,910		1,518			45,070
Utilization of inventory markup(d)	10,606			—		—		10,606			—		—			10,606
Restructuring and other, net(e)	—			—		—		—			—		12,905			12,905
Gain on acquisition(f)	(7,433		)	—		—		(7,433		)	—		—			(7,433		)
Acquisition and integration related costs(a)	—			—		—		—			—		14,281			14,281
Interest and financing expenses(g)	—			—		—		—			—		68,513			68,513
Income tax expense	—			—		—		—			—		11,971			11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—		—		—			—		(1,063		)	(1,063		)
Other(h)	—			—		—		—			—		5,313			5,313
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,852		$	68,488	$	69,749	$	238,089		$	5,156	$	(31,869	)	$	211,376

(a) Included amounts for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 recorded in (1) Cost of goods sold of $1.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively; and (2) Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, relating to various significant projects, including the Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. (“Jiangli New Materials”) acquisition, which contains unusual compensation related costs negotiated specifically as a result of this acquisition that are outside of the Company’s normal compensation arrangements.

(b) Included in Other (expenses) income, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.

(c) Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 recorded in:

▪ Cost of goods sold - $1.1 million related to the write-off of fixed assets in our JBC joint venture.

▪ Selling, general and administrative expenses - $1.4 million gain related to a refund from Chilean authorities due to an overpayment made in a prior year.

▪ Other (expenses) income, net - $15.6 million of environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle, partially offset by a net gain of $0.2 million related to the the reversal of previously recorded expenses of disposed businesses.

(d) In connection with the acquisition of Jiangli New Materials, the Company valued inventory purchased from Jiangli New Materials at fair value, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $23.1 million. The inventory markup was expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, $10.6 million was included in Cost of goods sold related to the utilization of the inventory markup.

(e) During the first quarter of 2017, we initiated actions to reduce costs at several locations, primarily at our Lithium site in Germany. Based on the restructuring plans, we have recorded expenses of $2.9 million in Cost of goods sold, $4.2 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses and $5.8 million in Research and development expenses, primarily related to severance, expected to be incurred. The unpaid balance is recorded in Accrued expenses at March 31, 2018, with the expectation that the majority of these plans will be completed by the end of 2018.

(f) Gain recorded in Other (expenses) income, net related to the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in the Sales de Magnesio Ltda. joint venture in Chile. The calculation of the initial gain recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions available at that time.

(g) During the first quarter of 2017, we repaid the 3.00% Senior notes in full, €307.0 million of the 1.875% Senior notes and $174.7 million of the 4.50% Senior notes, as well as related tender premiums of $45.2 million. As a result, included in Interest and financing expenses is a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $52.8 million, representing the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the redemption of these senior notes.

(h) Included in Other (expenses) income, net are $3.2 million of asset retirement obligation charges related to the revision of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle and a loss of $2.1 million associated with the previous disposal of a business.

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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans

The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018			2017
Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	1,268		$	1,003
Interest cost	8,027			8,288
Expected return on assets	(10,764		)	(9,908		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	22			27
Total net pension benefits credit	$	(1,447	)	$	(590	)
Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
Service cost	$	29		$	31
Interest cost	542			585
Expected return on assets	(2		)	(28		)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(12		)	(24		)
Total net postretirement benefits cost	$	557		$	564
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	$	(890	)	$	(26	)

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Long-Term Debt

The carrying value of our remaining long-term debt reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value as substantially all of such debt bears interest based on prevailing variable market rates currently available in the countries in which we have borrowings.

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Recorded Amount		Fair Value		Recorded Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	1,483,794	$	1,553,114	$	1,845,309	$	1,949,638

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Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	37	$	37	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,117	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,878	$	25,878	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	241	$	—	$	241	$	—

	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities(b)	$	38	$	38	$	—	$	—
Private equity securities measured at net asset value(b)(c)	$	5,121	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	25,494	$	25,494	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts(d)	$	4,954	$	—	$	4,954	$	—

(a) We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.

(b) Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other (expenses) income, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

(c) Holdings in certain private equity securities are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient and have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Components and Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Net of Deferred Income Taxes

The components and activity in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (net of deferred income taxes) consisted of the following during the periods indicated below (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits(a)			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap(b)			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2018
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	(257,569	)	$	(21	)	$	46,551		$	(14,629	)	$	(225,668	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	64,891			—			(14,421		)	—			50,470
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			3			—			642			645
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64,891			3			(14,421		)	642			51,115
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(186		)	—			—			—			(186		)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(192,864	)	$	(18	)	$	32,130		$	(13,987	)	$	(174,739	)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(484,121	)	$	76		$	88,378		$	(16,745	)	$	(412,412	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	79,055			—			(13,685		)	—			65,370
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(7		)	—			529			522
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	79,055			(7		)	(13,685		)	529			65,892
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(461		)	—			—			—			(461		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	(405,527	)	$	69		$	74,693		$	(16,216	)	$	(346,981	)

(a) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits credit. See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

(b) The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in interest expense.

Amount of Income Tax Benefit (Expense) Allocated to Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The amount of income tax benefit (expense) allocated to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is provided in the following tables (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018										2017
	Foreign Currency Translation		Pension and Postretirement Benefits		Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap			Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(18,734	)	$	834		$	80,141		$	(6	)	$	(21,580	)	$	834
Income tax benefit (expense)	—		—		4,313			(192		)	(1,086		)	(1		)	7,895			(305		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	64,891	$	3	$	(14,421	)	$	642		$	79,055		$	(7	)	$	(13,685	)	$	529

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Related Party Transactions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

Our consolidated statements of income include sales to and purchases from unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Sales to unconsolidated affiliates	$	4,605	$	7,189
Purchases from unconsolidated affiliates	$	68,916	$	40,570

Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include accounts receivable due from and payable to unconsolidated affiliates in the ordinary course of business as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Receivable from related parties	$	2,184	$	2,406
Payable to related parties	$	67,244	$	55,801

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Information Related to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Supplemental information related to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended   March 31,
	2018		2017
Supplemental non-cash disclosure related to investing activities:
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable	$	74,906	$	18,874

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Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable arising from contracts with customers	$ 591.8
Minimum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Payment terms	30 days
Timing between shipment and delivery	1 day
Maximum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Payment terms	90 days
Timing between shipment and delivery	45 days

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Divestitures Divestitures - Other Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current assets		$ 35,829	$ 39,152
Goodwill		14,400	14,400
Other intangibles, net of amortization		3,800	3,600
Current liabilities		2,173	1,938
Assets held for sale, excluding discontinued operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current assets		35,829	39,152
Net, property, plant and equipment		133,506	121,759
Goodwill		14,422	14,422
Other intangibles, net of amortization		3,815	3,632
Assets held for sale		187,572	178,965
Current liabilities		2,173	1,938
Noncurrent liabilities		682	614
Liabilities held for sale		$ 2,855	$ 2,552
Subsequent Event | Assets held for sale, excluding discontinued operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from divestitures, net	$ 416,000

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill classified as assets held for sale	$ 14,400	$ 14,400
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,610,355
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	33,391
Balance at end of period	1,643,746
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,389,089
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	26,110
Balance at end of period	1,415,199
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	20,319
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0
Balance at end of period	20,319
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	194,361
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	7,281
Balance at end of period	201,642
Reportable Segments | All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	6,586
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0
Balance at end of period	$ 6,586

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$ 557,167
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	18,908
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	576,075
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	(135,664)
Amortization	(7,418)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(3,379)
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	(146,461)
Net Book Value	429,614	$ 421,503
Other intangibles classified as assets held for sale	3,800	3,600
Customer lists and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	439,312
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	13,054
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	452,366
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	(74,704)
Amortization	(5,962)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,005)
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	(82,671)
Net Book Value	369,695	364,608
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	18,981
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	324
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	19,305
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	(8,295)
Amortization	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(102)
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	(8,397)
Net Book Value	10,908	10,686
Patents and technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	61,618
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,668
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	63,286
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	(35,203)
Amortization	(368)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(727)
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	(36,298)
Net Book Value	26,988	26,415
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	37,256
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	3,862
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	41,118
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	(17,462)
Amortization	(1,088)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(545)
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	(19,095)
Net Book Value	$ 22,023	$ 19,794

XML

Foreign Exchange - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Net foreign transaction and revaluation losses	$ 3.2	$ 4.9

XML

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	14.70%	22.40%
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	35.00%
Provisional tax expense related to transition tax on foreign earnings			$ 429.2
Provisional tax benefit related to remeasurement of deferred tax balances			$ 62.3
Discrete tax benefit related to one-time transition tax	$ 2.8
Discrete tax benefit related to other provisions of TCJA	3.7
Income tax expense on global intangible low-taxed income	$ 3.0

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Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 131,760	$ 51,213
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,681	111,986
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 131,760	$ 51,213
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,681	111,986
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	1,186	1,303
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	111,867	113,289
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 0.45

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Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	May 07, 2018	Feb. 23, 2018
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in dividend rate, percentage		5.00%
Cash dividend, amount per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.335
Subsequent Event
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash dividend, amount per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.335

XML

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 453,662	$ 404,239
Raw materials and work in process	154,679	132,891
Stores, supplies and other	58,226	55,651
Total inventories	$ 666,567	$ 592,781

XML

Inventories - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories classified as assets held for sale	$ 23.0	$ 24.7
Lithium
Inventory [Line Items]
Work in process related to Lithium	$ 66.2	$ 59.6

XML

Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Termination of Tianqi Lithium Corporation option agreement	$ 13,100		$ 0
Windfield Holdings
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		49.00%
Carrying value of unconsolidated investment		$ 338,700		$ 355,200
Other variable interest entities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of unconsolidated investment		$ 8,500		$ 8,700
Rockwood Lithium GmbH
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Minimum | Rockwood Lithium GmbH
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		20.00%
Maximum | Rockwood Lithium GmbH
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		30.00%

XML

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	$ 1,476,068	$ 1,837,372
Current portion of long-term debt	39,216	422,012
Long-term debt	1,436,852	1,415,360
Senior Notes | 1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	482,567	463,575
Senior Notes | 4.15% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	421,750	421,628
Senior Notes | 4.50% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	174,401	174,325
Senior Notes | 5.45% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	345,880	345,841
Commercial paper notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	38,500	421,321
Variable-rate foreign bank loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	7,560	5,298
Other long-term debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term Debt	$ 5,410	$ 5,384

XML

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of commercial paper	$ 382,800
Net investment hedge loss	$ (14,421)	$ (13,685)
1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.875%	1.875%	1.875%
Commercial paper notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	2.37%
Debt instrument maturity period	31 days

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Long-Term Debt - Interest Rates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 3,859	$ 3,971
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.875%	1.875%	1.875%
4.15% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 3,250	$ 3,372
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.15%	4.15%
4.50% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 815	$ 891
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
5.45% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 4,120	$ 4,159
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.45%	5.45%

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Commitments and Contingencies - Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 39,808
Expenditures	(2,612)
Accretion of discount	225
Additions and revisions of estimates	16,236
Foreign currency translation adjustments	786
Balance at end of period	$ 39,808	$ 54,443
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses		5,060
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities		$ 49,383

XML

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liabilities - discounted	$ 44,100	$ 28,100
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies - weighted-average discount rate	3.70%	3.60%
Environmental remediation liabilities - undiscounted	$ 85,500	$ 68,200
Legal accrual	17,628
Tax indemnification liability	32,400	$ 42,700
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax	10,000
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax	$ 20,000

XML

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

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Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 821,629	$ 722,063
Adjusted EBITDA	248,718	211,376
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	131,760	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	50,330	45,070
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		12,905
Gain on acquisition	0	(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	2,201	14,281
Interest and financing expenses	13,538	68,513
Income tax expense	20,361	11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,197)	(1,063)
Legal accrual	17,628
Other	15,097	5,313
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	37,165	32,419
Adjusted EBITDA	3,862	5,156
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	1,760	3,246
Depreciation and amortization	2,102	1,910
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	298,032	216,229
Adjusted EBITDA	131,014	99,852
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	108,334	77,614
Depreciation and amortization	24,065	19,065
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	(1,385)	0
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	225,639	219,191
Adjusted EBITDA	69,969	68,488
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	59,536	58,694
Depreciation and amortization	10,433	9,794
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	260,717	253,558
Adjusted EBITDA	67,830	69,749
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	55,660	56,966
Depreciation and amortization	12,170	12,783
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Reportable Segments Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	268,813	238,089
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	223,530	193,274
Depreciation and amortization	46,668	41,642
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	(1,385)	0
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	76	666
Adjusted EBITDA	(23,957)	(31,869)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(93,530)	(145,307)
Depreciation and amortization	1,560	1,518
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		12,905
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	2,201	14,281
Interest and financing expenses	13,538	68,513
Income tax expense	20,361	11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,197)	(1,063)
Legal accrual	17,628
Other	$ 16,482	$ 5,313

XML

Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 01, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration related costs	$ 2,201		$ 14,281
Utilization of inventory markup			10,606
Restructuring and other, net			12,905
Repayments of long-term debt	0		751,209
Repayment of debt premium			45,200
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0		52,801
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Inventory markup			23,100
Sales de Magnesio Ltda.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interests acquired					50.00%
Cost of goods sold
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration related costs	1,000		8,900
Write-off of fixed assets at JBC	1,100
Restructuring and other, net			2,900
Cost of goods sold | Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup			10,600
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration related costs	1,200		5,400
Gain related to a refund form Chilean authorities	1,400
Restructuring and other, net			4,200
Other (expenses) income, net
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle	15,600
Reversal of previously recorded expenses of a disposed business	$ 200
Asset retirement obligation charges			3,200
Loss on sale of properties			(2,100)
Research and development expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other, net			$ 5,800
3.00% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			3.00%
1.875% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.875%		1.875%	1.875%
4.50% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.50%		4.50%	4.50%
Senior Notes | 3.00% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 0
Senior Notes | 1.875% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt | €		€ 307.0
Senior Notes | 4.50% Senior Notes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 174,700

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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	$ (890)	$ (26)
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1,268	1,003
Interest cost	8,027	8,288
Expected return on assets	(10,764)	(9,908)
Amortization of prior service benefit	22	27
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	(1,447)	(590)
Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	29	31
Interest cost	542	585
Expected return on assets	(2)	(28)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(12)	(24)
Total net pension and postretirement benefits credit	$ 557	$ 564

XML

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Pension and Postretirement Plan Contributions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	$ 516,650	$ 467,107
Selling, general and administrative expense	101,370	108,928
Other (expenses) income, net	(30,476)	265
Pension contributions	3,100	2,400
Other postretirement benefits payments	$ 500	500
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold		200
Selling, general and administrative expense		900
Other (expenses) income, net		$ 1,100

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Total long-term debt, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,483,794	$ 1,845,309
Total long-term debt, fair value, excluding debt issuance costs	$ 1,553,114	$ 1,949,638

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Additional Information (Details) - Forward contracts - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 494.7		$ 357.4
Accrued expenses
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Fair value foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	0.2		$ 5.0
Other (expenses) income, net
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized gains of foreign currency forward contracts	4.8	$ 4.5
Other, net
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts	(4.8)	(4.5)
Cash receipts	$ 0.1	$ 4.3

XML

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$ 0
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	25,878,000	$ 25,494,000
Private equity securities	37,000	38,000
Private equity securities measured at net asset value	5,117,000	5,121,000
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	25,878,000	25,494,000
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	241,000	4,954,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	25,878,000	25,494,000
Private equity securities	37,000	38,000
Private equity securities measured at net asset value	0	0
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	25,878,000	25,494,000
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	0	0
Private equity securities	0	0
Private equity securities measured at net asset value	0	0
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	0	0
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	241,000	4,954,000
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	0	0
Private equity securities	0	0
Private equity securities measured at net asset value	0	0
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	0	0
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Components and Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Net of Deferred Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 3,817,696	$ 3,942,604
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	50,470	65,370
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	645	522
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	51,115	65,892
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(186)	(461)
Ending Balance	3,943,430	3,783,972
Foreign Currency Translation
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(257,569)	(484,121)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	64,891	79,055
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64,891	79,055
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(186)	(461)
Ending Balance	(192,864)	(405,527)
Pension and Postretirement Benefits
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(21)	76
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3	(7)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	(7)
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Ending Balance	(18)	69
Net Investment Hedge
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	46,551	88,378
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	(14,421)	(13,685)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(14,421)	(13,685)
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Ending Balance	32,130	74,693
Interest Rate Swap
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(14,629)	(16,745)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	642	529
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	642	529
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Ending Balance	(13,987)	(16,216)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(225,668)	(412,412)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	50,929	65,431
Ending Balance	$ (174,739)	$ (346,981)

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Amount of Income Tax Benefit (Expense) Allocated to Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Translation, Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	$ 64,891	$ 80,141
Foreign Currency Translation, Income tax benefit (expense)	0	(1,086)
Foreign currency translation, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	64,891	79,055
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	3	(6)
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Income tax benefit (expense)	0	(1)
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	(7)
Net investment hedge, Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(18,734)	(21,580)
Net investment hedge, Income tax benefit (expense)	4,313	7,895
Net investment hedge, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(14,421)	(13,685)
Interest rate swap, Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	834	834
Interest rate swap, Income tax benefit (expense)	(192)	(305)
Interest rate swap, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 642	$ 529

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Related Party Transactions (Details) - Unconsolidated Affiliates - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to unconsolidated affiliates	$ 4,605	$ 7,189
Purchases from unconsolidated affiliates	68,916	$ 40,570
Receivable from related parties	2,184		$ 2,406
Payable to related parties	$ 67,244		$ 55,801

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Capital expenditures included in Accounts payable	$ 74,906	$ 18,874

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle adopted	$ (11.2)