Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 1,307,829	$ 1,354,692	$ 3,714,702	$ 4,145,813
Cost of goods sold	[1]	1,190,219	1,458,726	3,243,917	4,221,487
Gross profit (loss)		117,610	(104,034)	470,785	(75,674)
Selling, general and administrative expenses		138,577	154,253	394,536	482,052
Goodwill impairment charges		181,070	0	181,070	0
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs		2,275	828,146	5,660	1,156,522
Research and development expenses		12,674	22,397	39,217	66,699
Operating loss		(216,986)	(1,108,830)	(149,698)	(1,780,947)
Interest and financing expenses		(50,959)	(47,760)	(149,875)	(120,916)
Other income (expenses), net		28,799	(22,256)	32,490	61,311
Loss before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(239,146)	(1,178,846)	(267,083)	(1,840,552)
Income tax (benefit) expense		(30,565)	110,853	(449)	76,472
Loss before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments		(208,581)	(1,289,699)	(266,634)	(1,917,024)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)		60,640	229,058	203,184	696,436
Net loss		(147,941)	(1,060,641)	(63,450)	(1,220,588)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(12,753)	(8,351)	(32,999)	(34,154)
Net loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation		(160,694)	(1,068,992)	(96,449)	(1,254,742)
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends		(41,688)	(41,687)	(125,063)	(94,959)
Net loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders		$ (202,382)	$ (1,110,679)	$ (221,512)	$ (1,349,701)
Basic loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (1.72)	$ (9.45)	$ (1.88)	$ (11.49)
Diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)		$ (1.72)	$ (9.45)	$ (1.88)	$ (11.49)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)		117,685	117,535	117,651	117,505
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)		117,685	117,535	117,651	117,505

[1] Included purchases from related unconsolidated affiliates of $146.9 million and $441.1 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $425.3 million and $1.6 billion for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.