Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,310,596	$ 2,091,805	$ 7,261,038	$ 4,699,126
Adjusted EBITDA	453,287	1,189,966	3,081,272	2,232,105
Depreciation and amortization	(105,445)	(77,713)	(285,801)	(215,280)
Interest and financing expenses	(29,332)	(29,691)	(81,686)	(98,934)
Income tax (benefit) expense	8,551	(196,938)	(311,399)	(366,486)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	0	0	0	(8,400)
Acquisition and integration related costs	(10,043)	(2,145)	(21,653)	(9,244)
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(620)	5,027	(1,833)	15,345
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(26,445)	10,626	34,401	10,626
Legal Accrual		0	(218,510)	0
Other	12,580	(1,917)	(3,635)	(2,361)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	302,533	897,215	2,191,156	1,557,371
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	468,942	1,222,836	3,086,929	2,318,278
Reportable Segments | Energy Storage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,697,163	1,414,053	5,403,910	2,680,150
Adjusted EBITDA	407,476	1,084,643	2,745,680	1,853,407
Depreciation and amortization	(67,323)	(44,591)	(176,025)	(118,451)
Reportable Segments | Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	352,722	441,928	1,142,802	1,354,950
Adjusted EBITDA	46,307	133,558	268,665	433,534
Depreciation and amortization	(22,699)	(16,939)	(63,890)	(50,002)
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	260,711	235,824	714,326	664,026
Adjusted EBITDA	15,159	4,635	72,584	31,337
Depreciation and amortization	(13,259)	(12,689)	(39,486)	(38,785)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	(15,655)	(32,870)	(5,657)	(86,173)
Depreciation and amortization	$ (2,164)	$ (3,494)	$ (6,400)	$ (8,042)