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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Bxt8kDJfgWegSp4ZoiMcoA4fNB9/5p3p1E8h+Zhy3rf1zZJs4Q6U9FUMMMhJcD9R
 2oXQx1IHgxYVeOCmTLj4dA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000915913-06-000108.txt : 20061026
<SEC-HEADER>0000915913-06-000108.hdr.sgml : 20061026
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061026161855
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000915913-06-000108
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061026
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061026
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061026

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOTTWALD FLOYD D JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000919560
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12658
		FILM NUMBER:		061166134

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8047885000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		330 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALBEMARLE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000915913
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS, MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS [2821]
		IRS NUMBER:				541692118
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		330 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1335
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23218
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8047886000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		330 SOUTH FOURTH STREET
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1335
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23218

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ECHEM INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931208
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-10-26</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000915913</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALBEMARLE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ALB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000919560</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GOTTWALD FLOYD D JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>330 SOUTH FOURTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RICHMOND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23219</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-10-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16140</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>62.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>911292</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nicole C. Daniel, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-10-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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