Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 829,291	$ 738,845
Cost of goods sold	565,604	496,827
Gross profit	263,687	242,018
Selling, general and administrative expenses	93,187	101,877
Research and development expenses	14,636	16,097
Operating profit	155,864	124,044
Interest and financing expenses	(43,882)	(16,885)
Other income, net	11,312	8,314
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	123,294	115,473
Income tax expense	22,107	18,442
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	101,187	97,031
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	16,511	26,604
Net income	117,698	123,635
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(22,021)	(16,431)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 95,677	$ 107,204
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 1.01
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 1.01
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	112,592	106,227
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	113,330	106,512