Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited) (Footnote) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net benefit from release of tax reserves	$ 45.0	$ 41.0	$ 2.5
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets
Loss on disposal of businesses, net of tax			$ (65.7)

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired, and gain (loss) from the write down of assets from their carrying value to fair value, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	alb_GainLossonSaleofAssetsandAssetImpairmentChargesnetoftax
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration