Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,869,005	[1]	$ 2,362,764	[1]	$ 2,005,394	[1]
Cost of goods sold	1,891,946		1,616,842		1,521,532
Gross profit	977,059		745,922		483,862
Selling, general and administrative expenses	312,136		265,722		212,628
Research and development expenses	77,083		58,394		60,918
Restructuring and other charges			6,958	[2]	11,643	[2]
Port de Bouc facility disposition charges					12,393	[3]
Operating profit	587,840		414,848		186,280
Interest and financing expenses	(37,574)		(25,533)		(24,584)
Other income (expenses), net	357		2,788		(1,423)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	550,623		392,103		160,273
Income tax expense (benefit)	130,014		92,719		(7,028)
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	420,609		299,384		167,301
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	43,754		37,975		22,322
Net income	464,363		337,359		189,623
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(28,083)		(13,639)		(11,255)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 436,280		$ 323,720		$ 178,368
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.82		$ 3.54		$ 1.95
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.77		$ 3.51		$ 1.94
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	90,522		91,393		91,512
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	91,522		92,184		92,046
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.67		$ 0.56		$ 0.50

[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] 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.

[3] 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.