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Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Pension and Postretirement Plan Contributions (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Pension Contributions $ 4.5us-gaap_PensionContributions $ 1.1us-gaap_PensionContributions
Other Postretirement Benefits Payments 1.5us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitsPayments 1.4us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitsPayments
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Pension Plan    
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]    
Expected Contributions to Rockwood Pension Plans for the Remainder of 2015 $ 3.4us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= alb_RockwoodHoldingsInc.Member
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember