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Operating Segments and Geographic Area Information - Net Sales (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales $ 598,566us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 642,418us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 604,721us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 599,843us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 639,635us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 591,196us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 576,842us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 586,597us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 2,445,548us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet [1] $ 2,394,270us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet [1] $ 2,519,154us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet [1]
United States                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 884,373us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
933,182us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
959,571us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
Foreign(a)                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 $ 1,561,175us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= alb_ForeignMember
[1] $ 1,461,088us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= alb_ForeignMember
[1] $ 1,559,583us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= alb_ForeignMember
[1]
[1] No sales in a foreign country exceed 10% of total net sales. Also, net sales are attributed to countries based upon shipments to final destination.