XML 35 R67.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Additional Information (Detail) (Forward contracts, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]      
Derivative, notional amount $ 364.9invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount   $ 479.9invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Accrued expenses
     
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]      
Fair value foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities 0.1us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
   
Other accounts receivable
     
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]      
Fair value foreign currency forward contracts, assets     0.6us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
Other income (expenses), net
     
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]      
Recognized gains (losses) of foreign currency forward contracts (20.4)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherIncomeExpenseNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
(1.1)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherIncomeExpenseNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
 
Other, net
     
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]      
Change in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts 20.4alb_ChangeInFairValueOfForeignCurrencyForwardContracts
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
1.1alb_ChangeInFairValueOfForeignCurrencyForwardContracts
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
 
Cash settlements $ (19.7)us-gaap_DerivativeCashReceivedOnHedge
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
$ (0.8)us-gaap_DerivativeCashReceivedOnHedge
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= alb_OtherNetMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember