Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 830,566	$ 746,868	$ 2,433,753	$ 2,249,762
Cost of goods sold	581,293	492,812	1,672,376	1,520,329
Gross profit	249,273	254,056	761,377	729,433
Selling, general and administrative expenses	103,477	96,092	318,180	304,918
Research and development expenses	13,289	13,532	41,901	43,839
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	984	0	(428,424)	0
Operating profit	131,523	144,432	829,720	380,676
Interest and financing expenses	(5,136)	(19,227)	(56,170)	(53,964)
Other expense, net	(643,196)	(3,661)	(631,870)	(1,620)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	(516,809)	121,544	141,680	325,092
Income tax (benefit) expense	(114,670)	30,653	14,422	64,526
(Loss) income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	(402,139)	90,891	127,258	260,566
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	27,706	26,154	62,215	83,872
Net (loss) income	(374,433)	117,045	189,473	344,438
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,348)	(18,744)	(61,977)	(53,309)
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (392,781)	$ 98,301	$ 127,496	$ 291,129
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (3.36)	$ 0.92	$ 1.10	$ 2.74
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (3.36)	$ 0.92	$ 1.10	$ 2.73
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	116,965	106,386	115,455	106,314
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	116,965	106,873	116,140	106,640