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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 95,586	$ 49,218	$ 313,822	$ 98,471
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12,067)	(7,193)	(19,429)	(11,233)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 83,519	$ 42,025	$ 294,393	$ 87,238
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,339	112,189	112,300	110,160
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.37	$ 2.62	$ 0.79
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 95,586	$ 49,218	$ 313,822	$ 98,471
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12,067)	(7,193)	(19,429)	(11,233)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 83,519	$ 42,025	$ 294,393	$ 87,238
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,339	112,189	112,300	110,160
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	836	418	673	376
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	113,175	112,607	112,973	110,536
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.37	$ 2.61	$ 0.79