Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pension and OPEB items	$ 68.0	$ 89.2	$ 27.9

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement costs included in corporate and other

No definition available.

Name:	alb_DefinedBenefitPensionAndOtherPostretirementCostsIncludedInCorporateAndOther
Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant