Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net sales	$ 656,679	$ 641,625
Cost of goods sold	462,393	442,035
Gross profit	194,286	199,590
Selling, general and administrative expenses	79,310	64,750
Research and development expenses	22,572	19,953
Restructuring and other charges, net (Note 13)	17,000	0
Operating profit	75,404	114,887
Interest and financing expenses	(8,773)	(5,231)
Other income (expenses), net	1,149	(4,209)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	67,780	105,447
Income tax expense	12,446	26,192
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	55,334	79,255
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	8,901	10,261
Net income	64,235	89,516
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,652)	(5,529)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 56,583	$ 83,987
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.95
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.94
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	79,735	88,719
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	80,112	89,236
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.275	$ 0.240