Earnings Per Share (Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	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
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 99,443	$ 116,098	$ 114,159	$ 106,580	$ 84,972	$ 93,689	$ 81,751	$ 63,308	$ 436,280	$ 323,720	$ 178,368
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share	88,805	89,935	91,713	91,633	91,567	91,312	91,308	91,386	90,522	91,393	91,512
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.12	$ 1.29	$ 1.24	$ 1.16	$ 0.93	$ 1.03	$ 0.90	$ 0.69	$ 4.82	$ 3.54	$ 1.95
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans									1,000	791	534
Total shares	89,819	90,958	92,795	92,517	92,350	92,082	92,111	92,193	91,522	92,184	92,046
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.11	$ 1.28	$ 1.23	$ 1.15	$ 0.92	$ 1.02	$ 0.89	$ 0.69	$ 4.77	$ 3.51	$ 1.94