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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 130,193	$ 114,512	$ 306,539	$ 428,334
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(11,523)	(9,477)	(33,323)	(28,906)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 118,670	$ 105,035	$ 273,216	$ 399,428
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,476	112,429	111,049	112,343
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.93	$ 2.46	$ 3.56
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$ 130,193	$ 114,512	$ 306,539	$ 428,334
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(11,523)	(9,477)	(33,323)	(28,906)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 118,670	$ 105,035	$ 273,216	$ 399,428
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	110,476	112,429	111,049	112,343
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	1,499	1,019	1,407	788
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	111,975	113,448	112,456	113,131
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.06	$ 0.93	$ 2.43	$ 3.53