Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net sales	$ 634,197	$ 684,894		$ 1,275,822	$ 1,396,598
Cost of goods sold	437,558	435,606		879,593	896,330
Gross profit	196,639	249,288		396,229	500,268
Selling, general and administrative expenses	62,900	61,735		127,650	135,739
Research and development expenses	21,565	20,911		41,518	39,960
Restructuring and other charges, net (Note 13)		94,703	[1]		94,703	[1]
Operating profit	112,174	71,939		227,061	229,866
Interest and financing expenses	(7,608)	(8,486)		(12,839)	(17,220)
Other expenses, net	(1,697)	(688)		(5,906)	(806)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	102,869	62,765		208,316	211,840
Income tax expense	21,450	21,882		47,642	60,910
Income before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	81,419	40,883		160,674	150,930
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	9,709	12,712		19,970	21,298
Net income	91,128	53,595		180,644	172,228
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,389)	(3,506)		(13,918)	(7,877)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ 82,739	$ 50,089		$ 166,726	$ 164,351
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.98	$ 0.56		$ 1.93	$ 1.84
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.98	$ 0.56		$ 1.92	$ 1.83
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	84,028	89,414		86,374	89,206
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	84,489	90,051		86,862	89,999
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.24	$ 0.20		$ 0.48	$ 0.40

[1] See Note 13, "Restructuring and Other."