Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 885,052	$ 853,874	$ 1,717,116	$ 1,675,503
Cost of goods sold	559,138	542,518	1,107,716	1,059,168
Gross profit	325,914	311,356	609,400	616,335
Selling, general and administrative expenses	126,715	123,637	240,070	225,007
Research and development expenses	13,462	16,074	28,439	37,060
Gain on sale of business	0	218,705	0	218,705
Operating profit	185,737	390,350	340,891	572,973
Interest and financing expenses	(11,601)	(13,308)	(24,187)	(26,846)
Other (expenses) income, net	(7,065)	(5,223)	4,226	(35,699)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	167,071	371,819	320,930	510,428
Income tax expense	30,411	80,102	67,925	100,463
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	136,660	291,717	253,005	409,965
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	38,310	18,969	73,491	39,646
Net income	174,970	310,686	326,496	449,611
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(20,772)	(8,225)	(38,729)	(15,390)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 154,198	$ 302,461	$ 287,767	$ 434,221
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 2.76	$ 2.72	$ 3.94
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.45	$ 2.73	$ 2.71	$ 3.90
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,961	109,671	105,880	110,176
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,316	110,659	106,336	111,263