Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 160,906us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 439,834us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 330,127us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(178,738)	31,337	24,832
Comprehensive income (loss)	(17,832)	471,171	354,959
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27,510)	(27,019)	(18,488)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(45,342)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	444,152us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	336,471us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Issuer
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	133,316	413,171	311,536
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(178,658)	30,981	24,935
Comprehensive income (loss)	(45,342)	444,152	336,471
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(45,342)	444,152	336,471
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	0	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	131,273	210,467	83,744
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(163,199)	(264,363)	44,721
Comprehensive income (loss)	(31,926)	(53,896)	128,465
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27,510)	(27,019)	(18,488)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(59,436)	(80,915)	109,977
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(103,683)	(183,804)	(65,153)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	163,119	264,719	(44,824)
Comprehensive income (loss)	59,436	80,915	(109,977)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 59,436	$ 80,915	$ (109,977)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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