CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,445,548	[1]	$ 2,394,270	[1]	$ 2,519,154	[1]
Cost of goods sold	1,674,700		1,543,799		1,620,311
Gross profit	770,848		850,471		898,843
Selling, general and administrative expenses	355,135		158,189		308,456
Research and development expenses	88,310		82,246		78,919
Restructuring and other charges, net (Note 20)	25,947	[2]	33,361	[2]	111,685	[2]
Acquisition and integration related costs (Note 23)	30,158	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Operating profit	271,298		576,675		399,783
Interest and financing expenses	(41,358)		(31,559)		(32,800)
Other (expenses) income, net	(16,761)		(6,674)		1,229
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	213,179		538,442		368,212
Income tax expense	18,484		134,445		80,433
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	194,695		403,997		287,779
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	35,742		31,729		38,067
Net income from continuing operations	230,437		435,726		325,846
(Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(69,531)		4,108		4,281
Net income	160,906		439,834		330,127
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27,590)		(26,663)		(18,591)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 133,316		$ 413,171		$ 311,536
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.57		$ 4.88		$ 3.44
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.88)		$ 0.05		$ 0.05
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69		$ 4.93		$ 3.49
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.57		$ 4.85		$ 3.42
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.88)		$ 0.05		$ 0.05
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69		$ 4.90		$ 3.47
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	78,696		83,839		89,189
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	79,102		84,322		89,884
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.10		$ 0.96		$ 0.80

[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.

[2] See Note 20, “Restructuring and Other.”

[3] See Note 23, “Acquisitions.”