Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 746,868	$ 879,747	$ 2,249,762	$ 2,596,863
Adjusted EBITDA	216,055	254,351	597,613	742,118
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	98,301	155,070	291,129	442,837
Depreciation and amortization	58,679	54,487	170,214	156,718
Restructuring and other	2,251		10,831	5,290
Acquisition and integration related costs	5,928	4,114	14,349	14,388
Gain on sale of property			0	(11,079)
Interest and financing expenses	19,227	11,108	53,964	35,295
Income tax expense	30,653	25,341	64,526	93,266
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,901)	(551)	(8,704)	(1,810)
Other	3,917	4,782	1,304	7,213
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	46,110	31,748	159,833	109,786
Adjusted EBITDA	24,985	10,448	66,407	28,931
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	22,798	8,305	60,069	22,629
Depreciation and amortization	2,187	2,143	6,338	6,302
Restructuring and other	0		0	0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of property				0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	265,646	330,386	786,186	947,030
Adjusted EBITDA	97,789	127,459	270,962	384,854
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	69,102	102,136	188,380	312,609
Depreciation and amortization	28,687	25,212	82,582	71,669
Restructuring and other	0		0	0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of property				0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0	0	0
Other	0	111	0	576
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	237,193	256,267	701,564	760,752
Adjusted EBITDA	79,448	88,814	235,751	248,743
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	66,548	75,224	198,905	212,320
Depreciation and amortization	12,900	12,448	36,846	35,281
Restructuring and other	0		0	0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of property				0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0	0	0
Other	0	1,142	0	1,142
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	197,919	261,346	602,179	779,295
Adjusted EBITDA	37,834	66,944	108,081	193,890
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	25,176	54,345	70,770	156,328
Depreciation and amortization	12,658	12,599	37,311	37,562
Restructuring and other	0		0	0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of property				0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Reportable Segments | Reportable Segments Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	215,071	283,217	614,794	827,487
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	160,826	231,705	458,055	681,257
Depreciation and amortization	54,245	50,259	156,739	144,512
Restructuring and other	0		0	0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of property				0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0	0	0	0
Other	0	1,253	0	1,718
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	(24,001)	(39,314)	(83,588)	(114,300)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	(85,323)	(84,940)	(226,995)	(261,049)
Depreciation and amortization	2,247	2,085	7,137	5,904
Restructuring and other	2,251		10,831	5,290
Acquisition and integration related costs	5,928	4,114	14,349	14,388
Gain on sale of property				(11,079)
Interest and financing expenses	19,227	11,108	53,964	35,295
Income tax expense	30,653	25,341	64,526	93,266
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(2,901)	(551)	(8,704)	(1,810)
Other	$ 3,917	$ 3,529	$ 1,304	$ 5,495