Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 884,404		$ 599,843
Cost of goods sold	625,938		404,244
Gross profit	258,466		195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	135,765		78,104
Research and development expenses	26,492		22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	0		17,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	59,523		0
Operating profit	36,686		77,923
Interest and financing expenses	(35,746)		(8,773)
Other income, net	49,957		1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	50,897		70,293
Income tax expense	14,140		13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	36,757		57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	10,392		8,901
Net income from continuing operations	47,149		66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0		(1,769)
Net income	47,149		64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,034)		(7,652)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 43,115		$ 56,583
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40		$ 0.73
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40		$ 0.71
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40		$ 0.73
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ (0.02)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40		$ 0.71
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	108,130	[1]	79,735
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	108,464	[1]	80,112
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29		$ 0.275

[1] 2015 includes the impact of 34,113 shares issued in connection with the Rockwood acquisition.