Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,127,728	$ 829,291
Cost of goods sold	678,698	565,604
Gross profit	449,030	263,687
Selling, general and administrative expenses	112,568	93,187
Research and development expenses	16,083	14,636
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	8,400	0
Operating profit	311,979	155,864
Interest and financing expenses	(27,834)	(43,882)
Other income, net	15,496	11,312
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	299,641	123,294
Income tax expense	80,530	22,107
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	219,111	101,187
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	62,436	16,511
Net income	281,547	117,698
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(28,164)	(22,021)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 253,383	$ 95,677
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.16	$ 0.85
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.15	$ 0.84
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	117,066	112,592
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,653	113,330