Operating Segments And Geographic Area Information (Summarized Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 707,390,000	$ 722,977,000	$ 742,108,000	$ 696,530,000	$ 604,975,000	$ 585,036,000	$ 592,483,000	$ 580,270,000		$ 2,869,005,000	[1]	$ 2,362,764,000	[1]	$ 2,005,394,000	[1]
Total segment operating profit										587,840,000		414,848,000		186,280,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments										43,754,000		37,975,000		22,322,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests										(28,083,000)		(13,639,000)		(11,255,000)
Segment Income										700,990,000		519,182,000		257,133,000
Corporate & other										(97,479,000)		(73,040,000)		(35,750,000)
Restructuring and other charges								(6,958,000)	[2]			(6,958,000)	[3]	(11,643,000)	[3]
Port de Bouc facility disposition charges														(12,393,000)	[4]
Interest and financing expenses										(37,574,000)		(25,533,000)		(24,584,000)
Other income (expenses), net										357,000		2,788,000		(1,423,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit										(130,014,000)		(92,719,000)		7,028,000
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	99,443,000	116,098,000	114,159,000	106,580,000	84,972,000	93,689,000	81,751,000	63,308,000		436,280,000		323,720,000		178,368,000
Restructuring and other related charges after tax								(4,600,000)
Polymer Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										1,001,922,000		903,745,000		697,206,000
Total segment operating profit										239,918,000		195,681,000		63,780,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments										7,696,000		8,734,000		3,496,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests										(9,803,000)		(6,154,000)		(5,886,000)
Segment Income										237,811,000		198,261,000		61,390,000
Catalysts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										1,116,863,000		890,007,000		808,063,000
Total segment operating profit										287,342,000		219,125,000		129,691,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments										36,259,000		29,648,000		18,934,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Segment Income										323,601,000		248,773,000		148,625,000
Fine Chemistry [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										750,220,000		569,012,000		500,125,000
Total segment operating profit										157,884,000		79,505,000		52,589,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests										(18,306,000)		(7,357,000)		(5,471,000)
Segment Income										139,578,000		72,148,000		47,118,000
Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments										(201,000)		(407,000)		(108,000)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests										26,000		(128,000)		102,000
Segment Operating Profit Excluding Corporate Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating profit										$ 685,144,000		$ 494,311,000		$ 246,060,000

[1] No sales in a foreign country exceed 10% of total net sales. Also, net sales are attributed to countries based upon shipments to final destination.

[2] First quarter of 2010 results include $7.0 million in pre-tax charges ($4.6 million after income taxes) that related principally to reductions in force at our Bergheim, Germany site.

[3] The year ended December 31, 2010 included charges amounting to $7.0 million ($4.6 million after income taxes) that related principally to reductions in force at our Bergheim, Germany site. The year ended December 31, 2009 results included $11.6 million in pre-tax charges ($7.6 million after income taxes) for restructuring and other costs, related principally to reductions in force and the write-off of assets at our Arkansas facility.

[4] The year ended December 31, 2009 included charges amounting to $12.4 million ($8.2 million after income taxes) that related to the costs of the final contract settlement arising from the divestiture of our Port de Bouc, France facility to International Chemical Investors Group S.A. effective December 31, 2008.