CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 739,139	$ 99,468	$ 680,769
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(150,258)	227,439	(20,825)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(138)	(97)	834
Net investment hedge	25,786	(41,827)	26,133
Interest rate swap	(585)	2,116	2,116
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(125,195)	187,631	8,258
Comprehensive income	613,944	287,099	689,027
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(45,396)	(45,505)	(36,477)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 568,548	$ 241,594	$ 652,550

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 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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