Basis of Presentation - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income	$ 97,844		$ 114,434	$ 278,488		$ 286,662
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	40,613		29,165	11,945		2,295
Pension and postretirement benefits	(201)	[1]	(168)	(605)	[1]	(502)
Other	38		29	99		95
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	40,450		29,026	11,439		1,888
Comprehensive income	138,294		143,460	289,927		288,550
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(7,669)		(4,975)	(21,658)		(13,007)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	130,625		138,485	268,269		275,543
As Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income			104,236			257,888
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation			29,165			2,295
Pension and postretirement benefits			10,030			28,272
Other			29			95
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax			39,224			30,662
Comprehensive income			143,460			288,550
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests			(4,975)			(13,007)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation			138,485			275,543
Effect of Accounting Change
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income			10,198			28,774
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation			0			0
Pension and postretirement benefits			(10,198)			(28,774)
Other			0			0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax			(10,198)			(28,774)
Comprehensive income			0			0
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests			0			0
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation			$ 0			$ 0

[1] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income consist of amortization of prior service benefit. See Note 10, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”