Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,091,805	$ 830,566	$ 4,699,126	$ 2,433,753
Cost of goods sold	1,047,991	581,293	2,625,858	1,672,376
Gross profit	1,043,814	249,273	2,073,268	761,377
Selling, general and administrative expenses	134,479	103,477	375,989	318,180
Research and development expenses	18,358	13,289	51,827	41,901
(Gain) loss on sale of business/interest in properties	0	984	8,400	(428,424)
Operating profit	890,977	131,523	1,637,052	829,720
Interest and financing expenses	(29,691)	(5,136)	(98,934)	(56,170)
Other income (expense), net	7,974	(643,196)	32,237	(631,870)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	869,260	(516,809)	1,570,355	141,680
Income tax expense (benefit)	196,938	(114,670)	366,486	14,422
Income (loss) before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	672,322	(402,139)	1,203,869	127,258
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	258,884	27,706	449,476	62,215
Net income (loss)	931,206	(374,433)	1,653,345	189,473
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(33,991)	(18,348)	(95,974)	(61,977)
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 897,215	$ (392,781)	$ 1,557,371	$ 127,496
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 7.66	$ (3.36)	$ 13.30	$ 1.10
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 7.61	$ (3.36)	$ 13.23	$ 1.10
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	117,136	116,965	117,106	115,455
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,869	116,965	117,749	116,140