Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 1,329,992	$ 1,430,385	$ 2,406,873	$ 2,791,121
Cost of goods sold	[1]	1,133,116	1,440,963	2,053,698	2,762,761
Gross profit (loss)		196,876	(10,578)	353,175	28,360
Selling, general and administrative expenses		132,457	166,423	255,959	327,799
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs		4,448	294,840	3,385	328,376
Research and development expenses		12,444	20,770	26,543	44,302
Operating profit (loss)		47,527	(492,611)	67,288	(672,117)
Interest and financing expenses		(49,939)	(35,187)	(98,916)	(73,156)
Other (expenses) income, net		(6,559)	33,666	3,691	83,567
Loss before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(8,971)	(494,132)	(27,937)	(661,706)
Income tax expense (benefit)		34,094	(30,660)	30,116	(34,381)
Loss before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(43,065)	(463,472)	(58,053)	(627,325)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)		78,258	286,878	142,544	467,378
Net income (loss)		35,193	(176,594)	84,491	(159,947)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(12,296)	(11,604)	(20,246)	(25,803)
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation		22,897	(188,198)	64,245	(185,750)
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends		(41,687)	(41,688)	(83,375)	(53,272)
Net loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders		$ (18,790)	$ (229,886)	$ (19,130)	$ (239,022)
Basic loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.16)	$ (1.96)	$ (0.16)	$ (2.03)
Diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (0.16)	$ (1.96)	$ (0.16)	$ (2.03)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)		117,665	117,528	117,634	117,489
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)		117,665	117,528	117,634	117,489

[1] Included purchases from related unconsolidated affiliates of $158.6 million and $582.2 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $278.5 million and $1.1 billion for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.