CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,670,543	$ 2,815,131	$ 199,942
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation and other	26,403	(171,295)	(74,385)
Net investment hedge	0	0	5,110
Cash flow hedge	5,851	(4,399)	174
Interest rate swap	0	7,399	2,623
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	32,254	(168,295)	(66,478)
Comprehensive income	1,702,797	2,646,836	133,464
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(97,185)	(125,232)	(76,110)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 1,605,612	$ 2,521,604	$ 57,354