Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 70,872		$ 88,019	$ 177,387		$ 243,427
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,480)		(8,546)	(16,733)		(23,130)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 65,392		$ 79,473	$ 160,654		$ 220,297
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,202	[1]	78,244	110,840	[1]	78,880
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58		$ 1.02	$ 1.45		$ 2.79
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 70,872		$ 88,019	$ 177,387		$ 243,427
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,480)		(8,546)	(16,733)		(23,130)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 65,392		$ 79,473	$ 160,654		$ 220,297
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,202	[1]	78,244	110,840	[1]	78,880
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	342		415	365		407
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	112,544	[1]	78,659	111,205	[1]	79,287
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58		$ 1.01	$ 1.44		$ 2.78

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