Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income from continuing operations					$ (12,990)	$ 88,019	$ 89,404	$ 66,004	$ 360,064	$ 230,437	$ 435,726
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									(25,158)	(27,590)	(26,663)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation									$ 334,906	$ 202,847	$ 409,063
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,207	112,202	112,189	108,130	78,144	78,244	78,662	79,735	111,182	78,696	83,839
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)					$ (0.22)	$ 1.02	$ 1.05	$ 0.73	$ 3.01	$ 2.57	$ 4.88
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans									374	406	483
Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	112,608	112,544	112,607	108,464	78,545	78,659	79,091	80,112	111,556	79,102	84,322
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)					$ (0.22)	$ 1.01	$ 1.04	$ 0.73	$ 3.00	$ 2.57	$ 4.85