Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,360,736	$ 2,580,252
Depreciation and amortization	(123,751)	(87,271)
Interest and financing expenses	(37,969)	(26,777)
Income tax benefit (expense)	3,721	(276,963)
Proportionate share of Windfield income tax expense	(73,689)	(165,985)
Acquisition and integration related costs	(1,907)	(5,108)
Restructuring and other charges	(36,285)	0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	325	(601)
(Loss) gain in fair value of public equity securities	(43,159)	45,826
Mark-to-market (loss) gain on public equity securities	(9,400)	45,800
Other	23,926	(6,245)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	2,448	1,238,580
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	265,156	1,744,393
Depreciation and amortization	(122,068)	(85,197)
Reportable Segments | Energy Storage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	800,898	1,943,682
Adjusted EBITDA	197,996	1,567,692
Depreciation and amortization	(87,274)	(52,162)
Reportable Segments | Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	316,065	418,778
Adjusted EBITDA	45,181	162,158
Depreciation and amortization	(22,437)	(19,892)
Reportable Segments | Ketjen
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	243,773	217,792
Adjusted EBITDA	21,979	14,543
Depreciation and amortization	(12,357)	(13,143)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	26,080	17,311
Depreciation and amortization	$ (1,683)	$ (2,074)