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Segment Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Jan. 12, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Utilization of inventory markup $ 48,200,000alb_UtilizationofInventoryMarkup  
Cost of goods sold    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Utilization of inventory markup 40,300,000alb_UtilizationofInventoryMarkup
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
 
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Utilization of inventory markup 7,900,000alb_UtilizationofInventoryMarkup
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= alb_EquityinNetIncomeofUnconsolidatedInvestmentsMember
 
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Inventory markup   $ 103,000,000alb_Inventorymarkup
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= alb_RockwoodHoldingsInc.Member