Operating Segments (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net sales	$ 722,977	$ 585,036	$ 2,161,615	$ 1,757,789
Total segment operating profit	160,309	120,563	451,766	303,462
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	9,500	9,179	37,118	29,950
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,860)	(3,331)	(23,582)	(9,272)
Segment Income	186,411	143,899	538,191	383,340
Corporate & other	(23,462)	(17,488)	(72,889)	(52,242)
Restructuring and other charges				(6,958)	[1]
Interest and financing expenses	(9,710)	(6,139)	(28,576)	(18,059)
Other income, net	956	1,303	534	1,584
Income tax expense	(38,097)	(27,886)	(100,423)	(68,917)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	116,098	93,689	336,837	238,748
Restructuring and other related charges after tax				(4,593)
Polymer Solutions [Member]
Net sales	243,931	231,847	792,604	683,789
Total segment operating profit	55,219	58,699	203,900	145,193
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	1,357	2,040	6,496	6,859
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,021)	(2,235)	(9,200)	(4,749)
Segment Income	54,555	58,504	201,196	147,303
Catalysts [Member]
Net sales	299,531	214,785	827,339	658,438
Total segment operating profit	93,682	61,721	209,251	167,056
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	8,170	7,166	30,796	23,173
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Segment Income	101,852	68,887	240,047	190,229
Fine Chemistry [Member]
Net sales	179,515	138,404	541,672	415,562
Total segment operating profit	34,793	17,799	111,387	50,251
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,789)	(1,291)	(14,439)	(4,443)
Segment Income	30,004	16,508	96,948	45,808
Corporate And Other [Member]
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	(27)	(27)	(174)	(82)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(50)	195	57	(80)
Segment Operating Profit Excluding Corporate Expense [Member]
Total segment operating profit	$ 183,694	$ 138,219	$ 524,538	$ 362,500

[1] The nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 included charges amounting to $6,958 ($4,593 after income taxes) associated with restructuring costs related to reductions in force at our Bergheim, Germany site.