Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 446,208	$ 103,758	$ 563,906	$ 227,393
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation and other	20,564	62,855	(7,578)	(19,122)
Net investment hedge	0	(5,756)	5,110	(3,675)
Cash flow hedge	823	37,645	(777)	(13,815)
Interest rate swap	650	648	1,300	1,296
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	22,037	95,392	(1,945)	(35,316)
Comprehensive income	468,245	199,150	561,961	192,077
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21,532)	(18,168)	(43,553)	(34,645)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 446,713	$ 180,982	$ 518,408	$ 157,432