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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2005
Dec. 31, 2013
Feb. 27, 2015
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Net curtailment gain         $ (4,500,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments   $ (4,507,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments [1]          
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution percentage           5.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent            
Discretionary contribution         10,100,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount   10,081,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount [1]          
Accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit pension plans 776,600,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation     669,100,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation   776,600,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation     669,100,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation      
Post retirement medical benefit available to U.S. employees, change of age group, current range               under age 50        
Age group for capping of retiree medical premium               age 50 and above        
Actuarial (gain) loss 112,600,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses 2,800,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses 15,400,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses (139,000,000)alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses                
Change in percentage of broad asset class targets           10.00%alb_PercentageVarianceOfAssetClassTargets            
Assumed rate of increase in the pre-65 capita cost of covered health care benefits for U.S. retirees           0.00%alb_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYearPre65            
Assumed rate of increase in the post-65 per capita cost of covered health care benefits for U.S. retirees           0.00%alb_DefinedBenefitPlanHealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYearPost65            
Accrued postemployment benefit liability 800,000us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityNoncurrent     800,000us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityNoncurrent   800,000us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityNoncurrent     800,000us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsLiabilityNoncurrent      
Traditional Long Equity Holdings                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Target allocations percentage of assets           65.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= alb_TraditionalLongEquityHoldingsMember		            
Diversified Asset Classes                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Target allocations percentage of assets           35.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= alb_DiversifiedAssetClassesMember		            
Domestic Pension Benefits                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Actuarial (gain) loss           116,705,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 65,603,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 [2]   (130,297,000)alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		      
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets           6.91%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 8.25%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		   7.25%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		      
Rate of compensation increase 0.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		     3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		   0.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		     3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		      
Employer contribution           7,042,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		     7,556,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		      
Projected benefit obligation recognized 729,652,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		     629,337,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 714,158,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 729,652,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 714,158,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		   629,337,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		     714,158,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Domestic Pension Benefits | Subsequent Event                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets                   6.89%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		    
Total Postretirement Benefits                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Actuarial (gain) loss           3,868,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 3,161,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 [3]   (6,120,000)alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets           7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Rate of compensation increase 3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     3.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Employer contribution           3,934,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     3,504,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Projected benefit obligation recognized 64,500,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     62,832,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 70,787,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 64,500,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 70,787,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   62,832,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     70,787,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Total Postretirement Benefits | Subsequent Event                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets                   7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember		    
Domestic Pension Plan of Foreign Entity [Member]                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Employer contribution           13,900,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_DomesticPensionPlansOfForeignEntityDefinedBenefitMember		 21,600,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_DomesticPensionPlansOfForeignEntityDefinedBenefitMember		   13,300,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_DomesticPensionPlansOfForeignEntityDefinedBenefitMember		      
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets           4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     4.35%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Total Pension Benefits                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Actuarial (gain) loss           126,975,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 72,550,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 [2]   (132,916,000)alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Weighted-average expected rate of return on plan assets           6.86%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 8.19%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   7.20%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Rate of compensation increase 3.40%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     2.78%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   3.40%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     2.78%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Employer contribution           9,982,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     9,790,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		      
Expect contributions to benefit plans in 2015           5,000,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		            
Projected benefit obligation recognized 782,764,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     678,582,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 762,395,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 782,764,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		 762,395,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   678,582,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember		     762,395,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Employer contribution             14,100,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		          
Expect contributions to benefit plans in 2015           3,200,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		            
Expenses related to benefit           7,300,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		 10,300,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		   (1,500,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanOtherCosts
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		      
Projected benefit obligation recognized 26,400,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		     21,800,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		   26,400,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		     21,800,000us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember		      
U.S. Postretirement Benefit Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Expected premium contribution 4,000,000alb_AnnualAmountOfInsurancePremiumsForPostretirementPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		         4,000,000alb_AnnualAmountOfInsurancePremiumsForPostretirementPlan
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		            
Restatement Adjustment | Pension Plan Actuarial Gain Correction | Total Postretirement Benefits                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Actuarial (gain) loss                     4,400,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis
= alb_PensionPlanActuarialGainCorrectionMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember		  
Restatement Adjustment | Pension Plan Actuarial Gain Correction | Total Pension Benefits                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Actuarial (gain) loss                     5,800,000alb_DefinedBenefitPlanMarkToMarketPensionAndPostretirementAdjustmentstoGainsLosses
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2004 Defined Contribution Plan | U.S. Postretirement Benefit Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Discretionary contribution                       10,100,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
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Annual premiums and related costs pertaining to defined contribution plan           8,400,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
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Employee Savings Plan | Foreign Postretirement Benefit Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Annual premiums and related costs pertaining to defined contribution plan           10,100,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
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= us-gaap_ForeignPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember		   10,300,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
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Employee Savings Plan | U.S. Postretirement Benefit Plan                        
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                        
Annual premiums and related costs pertaining to defined contribution plan           $ 10,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
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= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPostretirementBenefitPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember		   $ 10,600,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
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[1] In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded a net curtailment gain of $4.5 million ($2.9 million after income taxes) and a one-time employer contribution to the Company’s defined contribution plan of $10.1 million ($6.4 million after income taxes), both in connection with various amendments to certain of our U.S. pension and defined contribution plans that were approved by our Board of Directors in the fourth quarter of 2012. See Note 18, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
[2] In the second quarter of 2013, we identified that our consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2012 included a correction of $5.8 million (recorded in the second quarter of 2012) for pension plan actuarial gains that related to 2011. This amount was deemed to be not material with respect to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and any prior period financial statements.
[3] In the second quarter of 2013, we identified that our consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2012 included a correction of $4.4 million (recorded in the second quarter of 2012) for postretirement plan actuarial gains that related to 2011. This amount was deemed to be not material with respect to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and any prior period financial statements.