CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 402,642	$ 469,416
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2012 - $1,576 2011 - $2,709)	378,938	355,372
Other accounts receivable	39,914	36,199
Inventories	491,930	431,495
Other current assets	73,428	63,138
Total current assets	1,386,852	1,355,620
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	2,830,268	2,619,428
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,577,129	1,489,948
Net property, plant and equipment	1,253,139	1,129,480
Investments	199,864	198,427
Other assets	155,734	116,871
Goodwill	271,566	273,145
Other intangibles, net of amortization	95,500	130,281
Total assets	3,362,655	3,203,824
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	166,564	184,472
Accrued expenses	181,213	175,257
Current portion of long-term debt	12,572	14,416
Dividends payable	17,517	15,237
Income taxes payable	4,646	11,796
Total current liabilities	382,512	401,178
Long-term debt	701,162	749,257
Postretirement benefits	53,232	57,588
Pension benefits	117,045	127,964
Other noncurrent liabilities	108,153	111,107
Deferred income taxes	99,268	77,903
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding - 89,260 in 2012 and 88,841 in 2011	893	888
Additional paid-in capital	10,290	15,194
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(192,415)	(222,922)
Retained earnings	1,989,586	1,798,117
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders' equity	1,808,354	1,591,277
Noncontrolling interests	92,929	87,550
Total equity	1,901,283	1,678,827
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,362,655	$ 3,203,824