Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 310,686	$ 113,689	$ 449,611	$ 176,346
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(150,857)	64,069	(85,966)	143,124
Pension and postretirement benefits	23	16	26	9
Net investment hedge	22,989	(14,234)	8,568	(27,919)
Interest rate swap	642	529	1,284	1,058
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(127,203)	50,380	(76,088)	116,272
Comprehensive income	183,483	164,069	373,523	292,618
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,962)	(10,588)	(15,313)	(22,493)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 175,521	$ 153,481	$ 358,210	$ 270,125

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount, after tax and reclassification adjustment, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income for defined benefit plan.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Current period adjustment in other comprehensive income reflecting gains or losses on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity, net of tax effect.

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