Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 1,354,692	$ 2,310,596	$ 4,145,813	$ 7,261,038
Cost of goods sold	[1]	1,458,726	2,255,662	4,221,487	5,371,077
Gross (loss) profit		(104,034)	54,934	(75,674)	1,889,961
Selling, general and administrative expenses		154,253	172,109	482,052	716,046
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs		828,146	1,757	1,156,522	9,196
Research and development expenses		22,397	21,082	66,699	62,972
Operating (loss) profit		(1,108,830)	(140,014)	(1,780,947)	1,101,747
Interest and financing expenses		(47,760)	(29,332)	(120,916)	(81,686)
Other (expenses) income, net		(22,256)	11,182	61,311	147,628
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(1,178,846)	(158,164)	(1,840,552)	1,167,689
Income tax expense (benefit)		110,853	(8,551)	76,472	311,399
(Loss) income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(1,289,699)	(149,613)	(1,917,024)	856,290
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)		229,058	470,306	696,436	1,417,545
Net (loss) income		(1,060,641)	320,693	(1,220,588)	2,273,835
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(8,351)	(18,160)	(34,154)	(82,679)
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation		(1,068,992)	302,533	(1,254,742)	2,191,156
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends		(41,687)	0	(94,959)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders		$ (1,110,679)	$ 302,533	$ (1,349,701)	$ 2,191,156
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (9.45)	$ 2.58	$ (11.49)	$ 18.68
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (9.45)	$ 2.57	$ (11.49)	$ 18.60
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)		117,535	117,349	117,505	117,304
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)		117,535	117,783	117,505	117,797

[1] Included purchases from related unconsolidated affiliates of $441.1 million and $634.7 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.