Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Footnote) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Net pension and postretirement benefits cost	$ 3.7	$ 4.9

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