Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Footnote) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Net pension and postretirement benefits cost	$ 0.6	$ 1.2

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Net Pension and Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit)

No definition available.

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