CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 7,320,104	$ 3,327,957	$ 3,128,909
Cost of goods sold	4,245,517	2,329,986	2,134,056
Gross profit	3,074,587	997,971	994,853
Selling, general and administrative expenses	524,145	441,482	429,827
Research and development expenses	71,981	54,026	59,214
Loss (gain) on sale of business/interest in properties, net	8,400	(295,971)	0
Operating profit	2,470,061	798,434	505,812
Interest and financing expenses	(122,973)	(61,476)	(73,116)
Other income (expenses), net	86,356	(603,340)	(59,177)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	2,433,444	133,618	373,519
Income tax expense	390,588	29,446	54,425
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	2,042,856	104,172	319,094
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	772,275	95,770	127,521
Net income	2,815,131	199,942	446,615
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(125,315)	(76,270)	(70,851)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 2,689,816	$ 123,672	$ 375,764
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 22.97	$ 1.07	$ 3.53
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 22.84	$ 1.06	$ 3.52
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)	117,120	115,841	106,402
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)	117,793	116,536	106,808