Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total Albemarle Shareholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,742,776	$ 801	$ 9,957	$ 116,245	$ 1,500,358	$ 1,627,361	$ 115,415
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		80,052,842
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	64,235				56,583	56,583	7,652
Other comprehensive loss	(9,535)			(9,318)		(9,318)	(217)
Cash dividends declared	(21,873)				(21,873)	(21,873)	0
Stock-based compensation and other	3,099		3,099			3,099
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		41,680
Exercise of stock options	1,281	0	1,281			1,281
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(623,248)
Shares repurchased	(50,000)	(6)	(8,842)		(41,152)	(50,000)
Tax benefit related to stock plans	586		586			586
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		119,685
Issuance of common stock, net	0	1	(1)			0
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(46,667)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(2,968)	(1)	(2,967)			(2,968)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,727,601	795	3,113	106,927	1,493,916	1,604,751	122,850
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		79,544,292
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,488,635	780	10,447	(62,413)	1,410,651	1,359,465	129,170
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		78,030,524
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	47,149				43,115	43,115	4,034
Other comprehensive loss	(299,969)			(299,869)		(299,869)	(100)
Cash dividends declared	(32,532)				(32,532)	(32,532)	0
Stock-based compensation and other	3,863		3,863			3,863
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		4,000
Exercise of stock options	90	0	90			90
Tax benefit related to stock plans	(125)		(125)			(125)
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		58,064
Issuance of common stock, net	0	1	(1)			0
Rockwood acquisition, issuance of common stock	34,113,000	34,113,064
Acquisition of Rockwood	2,036,550	341	2,036,209			2,036,550	0
Noncontrolling interest assumed in acquisition of Shanghai Chemetall	4,843					0	4,843
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		(20,707)
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	(1,174)	0	(1,174)			(1,174)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 3,247,330	$ 1,122	$ 2,049,309	$ (362,282)	$ 1,421,234	$ 3,109,383	$ 137,947
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		112,184,945