Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,370,190	$ 1,479,593	$ 4,950,442	$ 2,607,321
Adjusted EBITDA	1,032,266	610,209	2,627,985	1,042,139
Depreciation and amortization	(93,085)	(70,993)	(180,356)	(137,567)
Interest and financing expenses	(25,577)	(41,409)	(52,354)	(69,243)
Income tax expense	(42,987)	(89,018)	(319,950)	(169,548)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	0	0	0	(8,400)
Acquisition and integration related costs	(6,502)	(5,375)	(11,610)	(7,099)
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(612)	5,038	(1,213)	10,318
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	15,020	0	60,846	0
Legal Accrual	(218,510)	0	(218,510)	0
Other	(9,970)	(1,679)	(16,215)	(444)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	650,043	406,773	1,888,623	660,156
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	1,035,105	640,683	2,617,987	1,095,442
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,763,065	802,393	3,706,747	1,266,097
Adjusted EBITDA	932,023	483,517	2,338,204	768,764
Depreciation and amortization	(56,540)	(38,814)	(108,702)	(73,860)
Reportable Segments | Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	371,302	466,875	790,080	913,022
Adjusted EBITDA	60,200	147,374	222,358	299,976
Depreciation and amortization	(21,299)	(16,910)	(41,191)	(33,063)
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	235,823	210,325	453,615	428,202
Adjusted EBITDA	42,882	9,792	57,425	26,702
Depreciation and amortization	(13,084)	(13,175)	(26,227)	(26,096)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	(2,839)	(30,474)	9,998	(53,303)
Depreciation and amortization	$ (2,162)	$ (2,094)	$ (4,236)	$ (4,548)