CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 160,906us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 439,834us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 330,127us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(168,809)	31,704	28,769
Pension and postretirement benefits	(487)	(502)	(4,071)
Net investment hedge	11,384	0	0
Interest rate swap	(20,962)	0	0
Other	136	135	134
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(178,738)	31,337	24,832
Comprehensive (loss) income	(17,832)	471,171	354,959
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(27,510)	(27,019)	(18,488)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (45,342)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 444,152us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 336,471us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

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 and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for actuarial gain (loss) related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

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Current period adjustment in other comprehensive income reflecting gains or losses on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity, net of tax effect.

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