Name:	alb_AnticipatedBusinessAcqusitionEstimatedCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Cash payable by acquiring entity for each outstanding share of stock acquired in business combination

No definition available.

Name:	alb_BusinessAcquisitionCashIssuable
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Units of common stock issuable by acquiring entity for each outstanding share of stock acquired in business combination

No definition available.

Name:	alb_BusinessAcquisitionEquityIssuableInShares
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks paid or offered to be paid in a business combination.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionSharePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

No definition available.