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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]          
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax   $ 12,000,000alb_PotentialEnvironmentalRemediationCostIncreaseDecreaseDueToRevisionInEstimates      
Estimated site remediation liabilities   9,235,000us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies 16,599,000us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies 20,322,000us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies 12,359,000us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business 8,700,000alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness 0alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness 0alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness 8,700,000alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness  
Rental expenses related to capital and operating lease   31,900,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 30,700,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 33,100,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense  
Asset retirement obligation relating to property plant and equipment   15,100,000us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation 16,900,000us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation    
Bergheim, Germany Site          
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]          
Estimated site remediation liabilities   5,100,000us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= alb_BergheimGermanySiteMember
     
Pledged land and housing facilities   5,400,000alb_PledgedLandAndHousingFacilitiesPerformanceGuarantyEstimatedFairValue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= alb_BergheimGermanySiteMember
     
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations          
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]          
Rental expenses related to capital and operating lease   $ 1,300,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
$ 1,600,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
$ 1,400,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember