Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income	$ 91,128		$ 53,595	$ 180,644		$ 172,228
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	5,241		(55,882)	(28,668)		(26,870)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(330)	[1]	(154)	(404)	[1]	(334)
Other	29		31	61		66
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	4,940		(56,005)	(29,011)		(27,138)
Comprehensive income	96,068		(2,410)	151,633		145,090
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	(8,156)		(3,516)	(13,989)		(8,032)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	87,912		(5,926)	137,644		137,058
As Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income			41,238			153,652
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation			(55,882)			(26,870)
Pension and postretirement benefits			12,203			18,242
Other			31			66
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax			(43,648)			(8,562)
Comprehensive income			(2,410)			145,090
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests			(3,516)			(8,032)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation			(5,926)			137,058
Effect of Accounting Change
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net income			12,357			18,576
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Pension and postretirement benefits			(12,357)			(18,576)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax			$ (12,357)			$ (18,576)

[1] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income consist of amortization of prior service benefit. See Note 10, "Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits."