Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,329,992	$ 1,430,385	$ 2,406,873	$ 2,791,121
Depreciation and amortization	(168,731)	(138,279)	(330,485)	(262,030)
Interest and financing expenses	(49,939)	(35,187)	(98,916)	(73,156)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(34,094)	30,660	(30,116)	34,381
Proportionate share of Windfield income tax expense	(33,150)	(119,780)	(58,476)	(193,469)
Acquisition and integration related costs	(1,768)	(1,581)	(3,208)	(3,488)
Restructuring and asset write-offs	(4,284)	(297,465)	(3,451)	(333,750)
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	(336)	337	(611)	662
(Loss) gain in fair value of public equity securities	186	(17,780)	(4,836)	(60,939)
Other	(21,462)	4,517	(9,275)	28,443
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	22,897	(188,198)	64,245	(185,750)
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,329,992	1,430,385	2,406,873	2,791,121
Cost of goods sold	(975,050)	(1,310,375)	(1,745,274)	(2,514,537)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(96,759)	(117,036)	(183,698)	(226,346)
Other segment items	(10,438)	(18,525)	(22,293)	(40,069)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	85,820	402,431	169,516	654,984
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12,296)	(11,890)	(20,246)	(25,007)
Adjusted EBITDA	321,269	374,990	604,878	640,146
Depreciation and amortization	(166,171)	(136,540)	(325,682)	(258,608)
Reportable Segments | Energy Storage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	717,656	830,110	1,242,221	1,631,008
Cost of goods sold	(526,884)	(867,722)	(892,405)	(1,644,304)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(48,712)	(67,614)	(93,247)	(132,028)
Other segment items	(1,659)	(6,343)	(4,209)	(12,981)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	79,324	394,548	153,720	639,280
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Adjusted EBITDA	219,725	282,979	406,080	480,975
Depreciation and amortization	(127,175)	(100,433)	(247,523)	(187,707)
Reportable Segments | Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	351,560	334,600	672,574	650,665
Cost of goods sold	(240,432)	(236,239)	(471,658)	(461,402)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(23,830)	(26,732)	(44,209)	(51,702)
Other segment items	(2,025)	(5,564)	(4,818)	(13,198)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12,296)	(11,890)	(20,246)	(25,007)
Adjusted EBITDA	72,977	54,175	131,643	99,356
Depreciation and amortization	(25,668)	(23,170)	(51,401)	(45,607)
Reportable Segments | Ketjen
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	260,776	265,675	492,078	509,448
Cost of goods sold	(207,734)	(206,414)	(381,211)	(408,831)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(24,217)	(22,690)	(46,242)	(42,616)
Other segment items	(6,754)	(6,618)	(13,266)	(13,890)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,496	7,883	15,796	15,704
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Adjusted EBITDA	28,567	37,836	67,155	59,815
Depreciation and amortization	(13,328)	(12,937)	(26,758)	(25,294)
Corporate expenses, net
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	15,206	11,370	(1,259)	37,450
Depreciation and amortization	$ (2,560)	$ (1,739)	$ (4,803)	$ (3,422)