Other Accounts Receivable Other Accounts Receivable- Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Other accounts receivable	$ 8.3

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Accounts Receivable

No definition available.

Name:	alb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant