Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 746,868	$ 879,747	$ 2,249,762	$ 2,596,863
Cost of goods sold	492,812	569,880	1,520,329	1,677,596
Gross profit	254,056	309,867	729,433	919,267
Selling, general and administrative expenses	96,092	108,135	304,918	348,205
Research and development expenses	13,532	15,585	43,839	44,024
Operating profit	144,432	186,147	380,676	527,038
Interest and financing expenses	(19,227)	(11,108)	(53,964)	(35,295)
Other expenses, net	(3,661)	(11,316)	(1,620)	(7,090)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	121,544	163,723	325,092	484,653
Income tax expense	30,653	25,341	64,526	93,266
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	90,891	138,382	260,566	391,387
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	26,154	33,236	83,872	106,727
Net income	117,045	171,618	344,438	498,114
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,744)	(16,548)	(53,309)	(55,277)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 98,301	$ 155,070	$ 291,129	$ 442,837
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 1.46	$ 2.74	$ 4.18
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 1.46	$ 2.73	$ 4.16
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,386	105,999	106,314	105,920
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,873	106,299	106,640	106,324