Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 832,064	$ 821,629
Cost of goods sold	548,578	516,650
Gross profit	283,486	304,979
Selling, general and administrative expenses	113,355	101,370
Research and development expenses	14,977	20,986
Operating profit	155,154	182,623
Interest and financing expenses	(12,586)	(13,538)
Other income (expenses), net	11,291	(30,476)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	153,859	138,609
Income tax expense	37,514	20,361
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	116,345	118,248
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	35,181	20,677
Net income	151,526	138,925
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(17,957)	(7,165)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 133,569	$ 131,760
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.26	$ 1.19
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.26	$ 1.18
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,799	110,681
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,356	111,867