CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461,751	$ 469,416
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2012 - $1,568; 2011 - $2,709)	379,260	355,372
Other accounts receivable	36,887	36,199
Inventories	499,680	431,495
Other current assets	74,097	63,138
Total current assets	1,451,675	1,355,620
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	2,725,084	2,619,428
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,548,114	1,489,948
Net property, plant and equipment	1,176,970	1,129,480
Investments	196,095	198,427
Other assets	115,156	116,871
Goodwill	265,649	273,145
Other intangibles, net of amortization	97,162	130,281
Total assets	3,302,707	3,203,824
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	194,905	184,472
Accrued expenses	184,657	175,257
Current portion of long-term debt	12,572	14,416
Dividends payable	17,554	15,237
Income taxes payable	3,615	11,796
Total current liabilities	413,303	401,178
Long-term debt	742,252	749,257
Postretirement benefits	53,184	57,588
Pension benefits	116,902	127,964
Other noncurrent liabilities	112,921	111,107
Deferred income taxes	70,501	77,903
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding - 89,484 in 2012 and 88,841 in 2011	895	888
Additional paid-in capital	28,257	15,194
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(231,639)	(222,922)
Retained earnings	1,908,177	1,798,117
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity	1,705,690	1,591,277
Noncontrolling interests	87,954	87,550
Total equity	1,793,644	1,678,827
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,302,707	$ 3,203,824