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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 114,512	$ 59,842	$ 428,334	$ 158,313
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,477)	(5,447)	(28,906)	(16,680)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 105,035	$ 54,395	$ 399,428	$ 141,633
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,429	112,202	112,343	110,840
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.48	$ 3.56	$ 1.28
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 114,512	$ 59,842	$ 428,334	$ 158,313
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,477)	(5,447)	(28,906)	(16,680)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 105,035	$ 54,395	$ 399,428	$ 141,633
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	112,429	112,202	112,343	110,840
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	1,019	342	788	365
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	113,448	112,544	113,131	111,205
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.48	$ 3.53	$ 1.27