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Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Changes in Goodwill by Operating Segment Footnote (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]  
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit $ 15,088us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit [1]
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations  
Goodwill [Line Items]  
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit $ 15,088us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
[1] In 2014 we reduced Catalyst Solutions segment goodwill by $15.1 million in connection with the sale of our antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses and assets which closed on September 1, 2014. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about this transaction.