Operating Segments and Geographic Area Information - Net Sales Footnote (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Sales in any foreign country to total net sales maximum percentage	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Sales in any foreign country to total net sales maximum percentage.

No definition available.

Name:	alb_SalesInAnyForeignCountryToTotalNetSalesMaximumPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration