Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 821,629	$ 722,063
Adjusted EBITDA	248,718	211,376
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	131,760	51,213
Depreciation and amortization	50,330	45,070
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		12,905
Gain on acquisition	0	(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	2,201	14,281
Interest and financing expenses	13,538	68,513
Income tax expense	20,361	11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,197)	(1,063)
Legal accrual	17,628
Other	15,097	5,313
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	37,165	32,419
Adjusted EBITDA	3,862	5,156
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	1,760	3,246
Depreciation and amortization	2,102	1,910
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	298,032	216,229
Adjusted EBITDA	131,014	99,852
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	108,334	77,614
Depreciation and amortization	24,065	19,065
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	(1,385)	0
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	225,639	219,191
Adjusted EBITDA	69,969	68,488
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	59,536	58,694
Depreciation and amortization	10,433	9,794
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	260,717	253,558
Adjusted EBITDA	67,830	69,749
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	55,660	56,966
Depreciation and amortization	12,170	12,783
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	0	0
Reportable Segments | Reportable Segments Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	268,813	238,089
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	223,530	193,274
Depreciation and amortization	46,668	41,642
Utilization of inventory markup		10,606
Restructuring and other, net		0
Gain on acquisition		(7,433)
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0
Legal accrual	0
Other	(1,385)	0
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	76	666
Adjusted EBITDA	(23,957)	(31,869)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(93,530)	(145,307)
Depreciation and amortization	1,560	1,518
Utilization of inventory markup		0
Restructuring and other, net		12,905
Gain on acquisition		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	2,201	14,281
Interest and financing expenses	13,538	68,513
Income tax expense	20,361	11,971
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,197)	(1,063)
Legal accrual	17,628
Other	$ 16,482	$ 5,313