CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 687,596		$ 661,226	[1]	$ 684,894	[2]	$ 711,704	[3]	$ 707,390	[4]	$ 722,977	[5]	$ 742,108	[6]	$ 696,530	[7]	$ 2,745,420	[8]	$ 2,869,005	[8]	$ 2,362,764	[8]
Cost of goods sold																	1,835,425		1,914,058		1,620,854
Gross profit	191,977		217,750	[1]	249,288	[2]	250,980	[3]	206,810	[4]	260,402	[5]	252,377	[6]	235,358	[7]	909,995		954,947		741,910
Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 19)																	313,227		360,070		274,615
Research and development expenses																	78,919		77,083		58,394
Restructuring and other charges, net (Note 19)	16,982	[9]			94,703	[2],[9]											111,685	[9]			6,958	[9]
Operating profit																	406,164		517,794		401,943
Interest and financing expenses																	(32,800)		(37,574)		(25,533)
Other income, net																	1,229		357		2,788
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments																	374,593		480,577		379,198
Income tax expense																	82,533		104,134		87,756
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments																	292,060		376,443		291,442
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)																	38,067		43,754		37,975
Net income																	330,127		420,197		329,417
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	(18,591)		(28,083)		(13,639)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 37,726		$ 109,459	[1]	$ 50,089	[2]	$ 114,262	[3]	$ 45,548	[4]	$ 120,662	[5]	$ 114,843	[6]	$ 111,061	[7]	$ 311,536		$ 392,114		$ 315,778
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.42		$ 1.23	[1]	$ 0.56	[2]	$ 1.28	[3]	$ 0.51	[4]	$ 1.34	[5]	$ 1.25	[6]	$ 1.21	[7]	$ 3.49		$ 4.33		$ 3.46
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.42		$ 1.22	[1]	$ 0.56	[2]	$ 1.27	[3]	$ 0.51	[4]	$ 1.33	[5]	$ 1.24	[6]	$ 1.20	[7]	$ 3.47		$ 4.28		$ 3.43
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic	89,018		89,327	[1]	89,414	[2]	88,997	[3]	88,805	[4]	89,935	[5]	91,713	[6]	91,633	[7]	89,189		90,522		91,393
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted	89,660		89,879	[1]	90,051	[2]	89,947	[3]	89,819	[4]	90,958	[5]	92,795	[6]	92,517	[7]	89,884		91,522		92,184
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock																	$ 0.80		$ 0.67		$ 0.56

[1] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, third quarter 2012 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $3.0 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $10.2 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.12 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.12, and a decrease to Restructuring and other charges, net of $6.5 million.

[2] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, second quarter 2012 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $6.6 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $12.4 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.14 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.14.

[3] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, first quarter 2012 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $3.1 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $6.2 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.07 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.07.

[4] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, fourth quarter 2011 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in decreases to Gross profit of $27.3 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $53.9 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.61 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.60.

[5] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, third quarter 2011 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $2.4 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $4.6 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.05 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.05.

[6] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, second quarter 2011 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $0.4 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $0.7 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.01 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.01.

[7] As a result of our change in method of accounting relating to our global pension and OPEB plans in the fourth quarter of 2012, first quarter 2011 results were retrospectively adjusted resulting in increases to Gross profit of $2.3 million, Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation of $4.5 million, Basic earnings per share of $0.05 and Diluted earnings per share of $0.05.

[8] 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.

[9] See Note 19, "Special Items."