CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 9,617,203	$ 7,320,104	$ 3,327,957
Cost of goods sold	[1]	8,431,294	4,245,517	2,329,986
Gross profit		1,185,909	3,074,587	997,971
Selling, general and administrative expenses		919,493	524,145	441,482
Research and development expenses		85,725	71,981	54,026
(Gain) loss on change in interest in properties/sale of business, net		(71,190)	8,400	(295,971)
Operating profit		251,881	2,470,061	798,434
Interest and financing expenses		(116,072)	(122,973)	(61,476)
Other income (expenses), net		110,929	86,356	(603,340)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		246,738	2,433,444	133,618
Income tax expense		430,277	390,588	29,446
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(183,539)	2,042,856	104,172
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)		1,854,082	772,275	95,770
Net income		1,670,543	2,815,131	199,942
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(97,067)	(125,315)	(76,270)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation		$ 1,573,476	$ 2,689,816	$ 123,672
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 13.41	$ 22.97	$ 1.07
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 13.36	$ 22.84	$ 1.06
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic (in shares)		117,317	117,120	115,841
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted (in shares)		117,766	117,793	116,536

[1] Included purchases from related unconsolidated affiliates of $2.3 billion, $656.7 million and $156.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.