Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Basic earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	436,280	$	323,720	$	178,368
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share		90,522		91,393		91,512
Basic earnings per share	$	4.82	$	3.54	$	1.95
Diluted earnings per share
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	436,280	$	323,720	$	178,368
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share		90,522		91,393		91,512
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans		1,000		791		534
Total shares		91,522		92,184		92,046
Diluted earnings per share	$	4.77	$	3.51	$	1.94