Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 879,747	$ 777,748	$ 2,596,863	$ 2,453,251
Cost of goods sold	569,880	497,211	1,677,596	1,556,379
Gross profit	309,867	280,537	919,267	896,872
Selling, general and administrative expenses	108,135	100,167	348,205	325,174
Research and development expenses	15,585	16,610	44,024	53,670
Gain on sale of business	0	0	0	218,705
Operating profit	186,147	163,760	527,038	736,733
Interest and financing expenses	(11,108)	(12,988)	(35,295)	(39,834)
Other (expenses) income, net	(11,316)	3,793	(7,090)	(31,906)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	163,723	154,565	484,653	664,993
Income tax expense	25,341	33,167	93,266	133,630
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	138,382	121,398	391,387	531,363
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	33,236	22,081	106,727	61,727
Net income	171,618	143,479	498,114	593,090
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16,548)	(13,734)	(55,277)	(29,124)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 155,070	$ 129,745	$ 442,837	$ 563,966
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.21	$ 4.18	$ 5.16
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.46	$ 1.20	$ 4.16	$ 5.11
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	105,999	107,315	105,920	109,223
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,299	108,302	106,324	110,276