Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,479,593	$ 773,896	$ 2,607,321	$ 1,603,187
Cost of goods sold	899,169	525,479	1,577,867	1,091,083
Gross profit	580,424	248,417	1,029,454	512,104
Selling, general and administrative expenses	128,942	121,516	241,510	214,703
Research and development expenses	17,386	13,976	33,469	28,612
(Gain) loss on sale of business/interest in properties	0	(429,408)	8,400	(429,408)
Operating profit	434,096	542,333	746,075	698,197
Interest and financing expenses	(41,409)	(7,152)	(69,243)	(51,034)
Other income, net	8,767	14	24,263	11,326
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	401,454	535,195	701,095	658,489
Income tax expense	89,018	106,985	169,548	129,092
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	312,436	428,210	531,547	529,397
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	128,156	17,998	190,592	34,509
Net income	440,592	446,208	722,139	563,906
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(33,819)	(21,608)	(61,983)	(43,629)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 406,773	$ 424,600	$ 660,156	$ 520,277
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.47	$ 3.63	$ 5.64	$ 4.54
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.46	$ 3.62	$ 5.61	$ 4.51
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	117,116	116,809	117,091	114,700
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,724	117,436	117,689	115,383