Proposed Acquisition of Rockwood (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Rockwood Holdings, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2014 Rockwood Holdings, Inc.	Jul. 15, 2014 Merger Scenario Rockwood Holdings, Inc.	Jul. 15, 2014 Merger Scenario Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash issuable per outstanding share of Rockwood common stock								$ 50.65
Equity issuable per outstanding share of Rockwood common stock								0.4803
Percentage of combined company to be owned by Albemarle shareholders								70.00%
Percentage of combined company to be owned by Rockwood shareholders								30.00%
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross							$ 2,200,000,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred							1,700,000,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	10,261,000	0	15,104,000	0	9,300,000	9,300,000
Potential termination fee payment							300,000,000
Potential termination fee receipt							180,000,000
Payment for out-of-pocket fees							25,000,000
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket fees							$ 25,000,000