Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Summary

	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2013
Net sales	$	641,625	$	634,197	$	648,638	$	691,956
Gross profit	$	199,590	$	196,639	$	211,649	$	253,527
Restructuring and other charges, net(a)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	33,361
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	83,987	$	82,739	$	90,512	$	155,933
Basic earnings per share	$	0.95	$	0.98	$	1.11	$	1.92
Shares used to compute basic earnings per share	88,719		84,028		81,385		81,226
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.94	$	0.98	$	1.11	$	1.91
Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share	89,236		84,489		81,852		81,713

	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2012
Net sales	$	711,704	$	684,894	$	661,226	$	687,596
Gross profit	$	250,980	$	249,288	$	217,750	$	191,977
Restructuring and other charges, net(a)	$	—	$	94,703	$	—	$	16,982
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	114,262	$	50,089	$	109,459	$	37,726
Basic earnings per share	$	1.28	$	0.56	$	1.23	$	0.42
Shares used to compute basic earnings per share	88,997		89,414		89,327		89,018
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.27	$	0.56	$	1.22	$	0.42
Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share	89,947		90,051		89,879		89,660

(a) See Note 19, “Special Items.”