CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,128,909	$ 3,589,427	$ 3,374,950
Cost of goods sold	2,134,056	2,331,649	2,157,694
Gross profit	994,853	1,257,778	1,217,256
Selling, general and administrative expenses	429,827	533,368	446,090
Research and development expenses	59,214	58,287	70,054
Gain on sale of business	0	0	(210,428)
Operating profit	505,812	666,123	911,540
Interest and financing expenses	(73,116)	(57,695)	(52,405)
Other expenses, net	(59,177)	(45,478)	(64,434)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	373,519	562,950	794,701
Income tax expense	54,425	88,161	144,826
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	319,094	474,789	649,875
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	127,521	129,568	89,264
Net income	446,615	604,357	739,139
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(70,851)	(71,129)	(45,577)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 375,764	$ 533,228	$ 693,562
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.53	$ 5.03	$ 6.40
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.52	$ 5.02	$ 6.34
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	106,402	105,949	108,427
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	106,808	106,321	109,458