Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,370,190	$ 1,479,593	$ 4,950,442	$ 2,607,321
Cost of goods sold	1,811,703	899,169	3,115,415	1,577,867
Gross profit	558,487	580,424	1,835,027	1,029,454
Selling, general and administrative expenses	397,070	128,942	551,376	241,510
Research and development expenses	21,419	17,386	41,890	33,469
(Gain) loss on sale of business/interest in properties	0	0	0	8,400
Operating profit	139,998	434,096	1,241,761	746,075
Interest and financing expenses	(25,577)	(41,409)	(52,354)	(69,243)
Other income, net	53,954	8,767	136,446	24,263
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	168,375	401,454	1,325,853	701,095
Income tax expense	42,987	89,018	319,950	169,548
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	125,388	312,436	1,005,903	531,547
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	551,051	128,156	947,239	190,592
Net income	676,439	440,592	1,953,142	722,139
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(26,396)	(33,819)	(64,519)	(61,983)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 650,043	$ 406,773	$ 1,888,623	$ 660,156
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.54	$ 3.47	$ 16.10	$ 5.64
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.52	$ 3.46	$ 16.03	$ 5.61
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	117,332	117,116	117,282	117,091
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,769	117,724	117,805	117,689