Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (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
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
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																	313,227		360,070		274,615
Research and development expenses																	78,919		77,083		58,394
Restructuring and other charges, net	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
As Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net sales																	2,745,420		2,869,005		2,362,764
Cost of goods sold																	1,822,261		1,891,946		1,616,842
Gross profit																	923,159		977,059		745,922
Selling, general and administrative expenses																	288,367		312,136		265,722
Research and development expenses																	78,919		77,083		58,394
Restructuring and other charges, net																	118,193				6,958
Operating profit																	437,680		587,840		414,848
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																	406,109		550,623		392,103
Income tax expense																	93,836		130,014		92,719
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments																	312,273		420,609		299,384
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)																	38,067		43,754		37,975
Net income																	350,340		464,363		337,359
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests																	(18,591)		(28,083)		(13,639)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation																	331,749		436,280		323,720
Basic earnings per share																	$ 3.72		$ 4.82		$ 3.54
Diluted earnings per share																	$ 3.69		$ 4.77		$ 3.51
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic																	89,189		90,522		91,393
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted																	89,884		91,522		92,184
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock																	$ 0.80		$ 0.67		$ 0.56
Effect of Accounting Change
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold																	13,164		22,112		4,012
Gross profit																	(13,164)		(22,112)		(4,012)
Selling, general and administrative expenses																	24,860		47,934		8,893
Restructuring and other charges, net																	(6,508)
Operating profit																	(31,516)		(70,046)		(12,905)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments																	(31,516)		(70,046)		(12,905)
Income tax expense																	(11,303)		(25,880)		(4,963)
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments																	(20,213)		(44,166)		(7,942)
Net income																	(20,213)		(44,166)		(7,942)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation																	$ (20,213)		$ (44,166)		$ (7,942)
Basic earnings per share																	$ (0.23)		$ (0.49)		$ (0.08)
Diluted earnings per share																	$ (0.22)		$ (0.49)		$ (0.08)

[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."