Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Actuarial loss (gain)	$ (38.9)	$ 112.6	$ 2.8	$ 15.4
Actuarial loss (gain), net of income tax	$ (27.8)	$ 71.8	$ 1.8	$ 9.8

Mark-to-market adjustments for the gain or losses occurring on pension or postretirement plans during the year, and any mark-to-market true-up or other adjustments, net of income taxes.

No definition available.

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