Albemarle (ALB) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract] [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ALB
Entity Registrant Name	ALBEMARLE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	915913
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		112,186,098

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$884,404		$599,843
Cost of goods sold	625,938		404,244
Gross profit	258,466		195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	135,765		78,104
Research and development expenses	26,492		22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	0		17,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	59,523		0
Operating profit	36,686		77,923
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746		-8,773
Other income, net	49,957		1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	50,897		70,293
Income tax expense	14,140		13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	36,757		57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	10,392		8,901
Net income from continuing operations	47,149		66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0		-1,769
Net income	47,149		64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034		-7,652
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$43,115		$56,583
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.73
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0		($0.02)
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.71
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.73
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0		($0.02)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.71
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	108,130	[1]	79,735
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	108,464	[1]	80,112
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$0.29		$0.28
[1]	2015 includes the impact of 34,113 shares issued in connection with the Rockwood acquisition.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$47,149	$64,235
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	-354,571	-5,258
Pension and postretirement benefits	2	-301
Net investment hedge	54,046	0
Interest rate swap	527	-4,011
Other	27	35
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,969	-9,535
Comprehensive (loss) income	-252,820	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,934	-7,435
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	($256,754)	$47,265

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$261,421	$2,489,768	$524,043	$477,239
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2015 – $1,991; 2014 – $1,563)	626,965	385,212
Other accounts receivable	83,033	49,423
Inventories	620,177	358,361
Other current assets	94,947	66,086
Total current assets	1,686,543	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,021,633	2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,404,606	1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	2,617,027	1,231,868
Investments	652,972	194,042
Other assets	180,212	160,956
Goodwill	2,709,670	243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	1,948,335	44,125
Total assets	9,794,759	5,223,103
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	340,815	231,705
Accrued expenses	553,947	166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	471,809	711,096
Dividends payable	32,261	21,458
Income taxes payable	57,512	9,453
Total current liabilities	1,456,344	1,139,886
Long-term debt	3,541,312	2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	55,298	56,424
Pension benefits	451,192	170,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	241,971	87,705
Deferred income taxes	801,312	56,884
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 8)
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, issued and outstanding – 112,185 in 2015 and 78,031 in 2014	1,122	780
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-362,282	-62,413	106,927	116,245
Retained earnings	1,421,234	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	137,947	129,170
Total equity	3,247,330	1,488,635	1,727,601	1,742,776
Total liabilities and equity	$9,794,759	$5,223,103

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,991	$1,563
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, issued	112,185	78,031
Common stock, outstanding	112,185	78,031

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Total Albemarle Shareholders' Equity	Non-controlling Interests
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,742,776	$801	$9,957	$116,245	$1,500,358	$1,627,361	$115,415
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		80,052,842
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	64,235				56,583	56,583	7,652
Other comprehensive loss	-9,535			-9,318		-9,318	-217
Cash dividends declared	-21,873				-21,873	-21,873	0
Stock-based compensation and other	3,099		3,099			3,099
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		41,680
Exercise of stock options	1,281	0	1,281			1,281
Shares repurchased (in shares)		-623,248
Shares repurchased	-50,000	-6	-8,842		-41,152	-50,000
Tax benefit related to stock plans	586		586			586
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		119,685
Issuance of common stock, net	0	1	-1			0
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		-46,667
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	-2,968	-1	-2,967			-2,968
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,727,601	795	3,113	106,927	1,493,916	1,604,751	122,850
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		79,544,292
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,488,635	780	10,447	-62,413	1,410,651	1,359,465	129,170
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		78,030,524
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	47,149				43,115	43,115	4,034
Other comprehensive loss	-299,969			-299,869		-299,869	-100
Cash dividends declared	-32,532				-32,532	-32,532	0
Stock-based compensation and other	3,863		3,863			3,863
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		4,000
Exercise of stock options	90	0	90			90
Tax benefit related to stock plans	-125		-125			-125
Issuance of common stock, net (in shares)		58,064
Issuance of common stock, net	0	1	-1			0
Rockwood acquisition, issuance of common stock	34,113,000	34,113,064
Acquisition of Rockwood	2,036,550	341	2,036,209			2,036,550	0
Noncontrolling interest assumed in acquisition of Shanghai Chemetall	4,843					0	4,843
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances (in shares)		-20,707
Shares withheld for withholding taxes associated with common stock issuances	-1,174	0	-1,174			-1,174
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$3,247,330	$1,122	$2,049,309	($362,282)	$1,421,234	$3,109,383	$137,947
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		112,184,945

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$2,489,768	$477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	47,149	64,235
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	63,986	27,809
Write-offs associated with restructuring and other	0	3,000
Stock-based compensation	4,912	3,402
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	-23	-586
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	-10,392	-8,901
Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable securities	3,048	3,085
Pension and postretirement (benefit) expense	-1,458	16,669
Pension and postretirement contributions	-5,986	-2,540
Unrealized gain on investments in marketable securities	-462	-635
Deferred income taxes	-32,845	4,139
Working capital changes	28,881	39,826
Other, net	-51,019	-330
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,791	149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired	-2,051,645	0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	-45,550	0
Capital expenditures	-56,741	-23,667
Decrease in restricted cash	57,550	0
Sales of marketable securities, net	1,557	2,151
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture	2,156	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,092,673	-21,516
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-1,326,263	-101
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	1,000,000	0
Other borrowings (repayments), net	167,571	-8,434
Dividends paid to shareholders	-21,730	-19,582
Repurchases of common stock	0	-50,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	90	1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	23	586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	-1,174	-2,968
Debt financing costs	-1,164	-1,370
Net cash used in financing activities	-182,647	-80,614
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	1,182	-239
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-2,228,347	46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$261,421	$524,043

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation:
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Albemarle Corporation and our wholly-owned, majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries (collectively, “Albemarle,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company”) contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement, in all material respects, of our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and our consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015. The December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet data herein was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”). The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto to conform to the current presentation.
	As described further in Note 2, “Acquisitions,” we completed our acquisition of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (“Rockwood”) on January 12, 2015. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein include the results of operations of Rockwood, commencing on January 13, 2015.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions:
	On July 15, 2014, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) to acquire all the outstanding shares of Rockwood (the “Merger”). On January 12, 2015 (the “Acquisition Closing Date”), we completed the acquisition of Rockwood for a purchase price of approximately $5.7 billion. As a result, Rockwood became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albemarle. The cash consideration was funded with proceeds from our 2014 Senior Notes, Term Loan, Cash Bridge Facility and February 2014 Credit Agreement, each of which is more fully described in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13, “Long-Term Debt,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The fair value of the equity consideration was based on the closing price of Albemarle’s common stock on the Acquisition Closing Date of $59.70 per share, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
	Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Acquisition Closing Date each issued and outstanding share of Rockwood common stock, par value $0.01 per share, (other than shares owned directly or indirectly by Albemarle, Rockwood or the Merger Sub, as defined in the Merger Agreement, and Appraisal Shares as defined in the Merger Agreement) was canceled and extinguished and converted into the right to receive (i) $50.65 in cash, without interest, and (ii) 0.4803 of a share of Albemarle common stock, par value $0.01 per share, (the “Merger Consideration”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, equity awards relating to shares of Rockwood’s common stock were canceled and converted into the right to receive the cash value of the Merger Consideration. On the Acquisition Closing Date, we issued approximately 34.1 million shares of Albemarle common stock.
	Subsequent to the acquisition of Rockwood, Albemarle continues to be a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of technologically advanced and high value-added specialty chemicals. We are a leading integrated and low cost global producer of lithium and lithium compounds used in lithium ion batteries for electronic devices, alternative transportation vehicles and energy storage technologies, meeting the significant growth in global demand for these products. We are also one of the largest global producers of surface treatments and coatings for metal processing, servicing the automotive, aerospace and general industrial markets.
	Net sales and Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 include approximately $328.8 million and $8.9 million, respectively, attributable to the businesses acquired from Rockwood from January 13, 2015 through March 31, 2015. Also, our consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes $57.4 million of acquisition and integration related costs directly related to the acquisition of Rockwood (mainly consisting of advisory fees, costs to achieve synergies, and other integration costs) and $2.1 million of costs in connection with other significant projects.
	Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
	The aggregate purchase price noted above was allocated to the major categories of assets and liabilities acquired based upon their estimated fair values at the Acquisition Closing Date, which were based, in part, upon outside preliminary appraisals for certain assets, including specifically-identified intangible assets. The excess of the purchase price over the preliminary estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $2.6 billion and was recorded as goodwill.
	The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Rockwood and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, which have been allocated on a preliminary basis (in thousands):
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	3,606,784
	Shares issued	2,036,550
	Appraisal shares	74,934
	Total purchase price	$	5,718,268
	Net assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,555,139
	Trade and other accounts receivable	266,363
	Inventories	292,435
	Other current assets	86,275
	Property, plant and equipment	1,429,024
	Investments	549,263
	Other assets	28,243
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Patents and technology	226,650
	Trade names and trademarks	363,120
	Customer lists and relationships	1,339,860
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	27,130
	Current liabilities	(414,342		)
	Long-term debt	(1,319,132		)
	Pension benefits	(316,835		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(166,167		)
	Deferred income taxes	(853,634		)
	Total identifiable net assets	3,093,392
	Goodwill	2,624,876
	Total net assets acquired	$	5,718,268
	The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the residual amount allocated to goodwill, is based upon preliminary information and is subject to change within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) as additional information concerning final asset and liability valuations is obtained. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of inventories, property, plant and equipment, investments, intangible assets, environmental liabilities, appraisal shares, legal reserves, contingent liabilities, and other assets and liabilities. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s preliminary estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it will evaluate any necessary information prior to finalization of the amounts. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair values will be reflected as if the adjustments had been completed on the acquisition date. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments will be included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets or goodwill, or require acceleration of the amortization of intangible assets in subsequent periods.
	Goodwill arising from the acquisition consists largely of the anticipated synergies and economies of scale from the combined companies and the overall strategic importance of the acquired businesses to Albemarle. The goodwill attributable to the acquisition will not be amortizable or deductible for tax purposes.
	The weighted-average amortization periods for the intangible assets acquired are 17 years for patents and technology, 24 years for trade names and trademarks and 24 years for customer lists and relationships. The weighted average amortization period for all definite-lived intangible assets acquired is 23 years.
	Long-term debt assumed primarily includes Rockwood’s 4.625% senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion and a fair value adjustment of approximately $43.7 million related to the senior notes. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 1 inputs.
	Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 assume that the Merger occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma amounts include certain adjustments, including interest expense, depreciation, amortization expense and taxes. Pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were adjusted to include these costs. The pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were adjusted to exclude approximately $57.4 million of nonrecurring acquisition and integration related costs and approximately $48.2 million of charges related to the utilization of the inventory markup as further described in Note 11. The pro forma results do not include adjustments related to cost savings or other synergies that are anticipated as a result of the Merger. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma results are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the combined company would have been if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2014, nor are they indicative of future results of operations.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Pro forma Net sales	$	917,734		$	954,340
	Pro forma Net income from continuing operations	$	122,145		$	60,730
	Litigation Related to the Merger
	On July 22, 2014, a putative class action complaint was filed in the Chancery Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County (“Superior Court of New Jersey”) relating to the Merger. On July 24, 2014, an additional putative class action complaint was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey relating to the Merger. Both suits named the same plaintiff but were filed by different law firms. On August 1, 2014 and August 12, 2014, three additional putative class action complaints were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (“Delaware Chancery Court”) relating to the Merger. The lawsuits filed in New Jersey, Thwaites v. Rockwood Holdings Inc., et al. (“Thwaites I”), Thwaites v. Rockwood Holdings, Inc., et al. (“Thwaites II”), and the lawsuits filed in Delaware, Rudman Partners, L.P. v. Rockwood Holdings, Inc., et al., Riley v. Rockwood Holdings, Inc., et al., and North Miami Beach Police Officers & Firefighters’ Retirement Plan v. Rockwood Holdings, Inc., et al., each named Rockwood, its former directors, and Albemarle as defendants. Thwaites II and the cases filed in Delaware also named Albemarle Holdings Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albemarle, as a defendant. The lawsuits, which contained substantially similar allegations, included allegations that Rockwood’s former board of directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the Merger by failing to ensure that Rockwood shareholders would receive the maximum value for their shares, failing to conduct an appropriate sale process and putting their own interests ahead of those of Rockwood shareholders. Rockwood and Albemarle are alleged to have aided and abetted the alleged fiduciary breaches. The lawsuits sought a variety of equitable relief, including enjoining the former Rockwood board of directors from proceeding with the proposed Merger unless they acted in accordance with their fiduciary duties to maximize shareholder value and rescission of the Merger to the extent implemented, in addition to damages arising from the defendants’ alleged breaches and attorneys’ fees and costs. On August 12, 2014, the plaintiff in Thwaites I filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice as to all defendants. On August 27, 2014, the Delaware Court of Chancery ordered the three Delaware cases consolidated and appointed co-lead counsel. The court also ordered that no response to the complaints would be due until after plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint. On September 19, 2014, the plaintiff in Thwaites II filed an amended complaint which included allegations that the registration statement failed to disclose material information.
	Plaintiffs in Thwaites II and in the Delaware consolidated action subsequently coordinated their litigation efforts, and the Delaware consolidated action was stayed pending the outcome of the Thwaites II litigation. In Thwaites II, the parties (including the Delaware plaintiffs) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on November 6, 2014, provisionally settling all claims in the pending actions and declaring the parties’ intent to submit a settlement agreement for the court’s approval within 90 days. On December 2, 2014, the parties submitted a joint stipulation to extend the defendants’ time to respond to the amended complaint in Thwaites II until February 4, 2015. The parties executed a final Stipulation of Settlement and Release (“Stipulation”) on February 4, 2015. In addition to extinguishing the current claims, the Stipulation contemplates broad releases of any and all actual and potential claims, whether known or unknown, by any member of the putative shareholder class against the defendants relating to or arising out of the Merger, the Merger Agreement, or the registration statement. On February 26, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement, which was unopposed. The Superior Court of New Jersey granted the motion on March 31, 2015, and scheduled the final settlement hearing for July 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. In accordance with the terms of the Stipulation and the Court’s Order preliminarily approving the settlement, notice of the settlement and final hearing date was provided to former Rockwood stockholders on April 14, 2015. On April 28, 2015, plaintiffs filed a motion for final approval of the settlement. Upon final approval of the settlement by the Superior Court of New Jersey, plaintiffs in the Delaware actions will move to dismiss the pending consolidated action with prejudice, thereby terminating the litigation.
	On February 19, 2015, Verition Multi-Strategy Master Fund Ltd and Verition Partners Master Fund Ltd, who collectively owned approximately 882,000 shares of Rockwood common stock immediately prior to the Merger, commenced an action in the Delaware Chancery Court seeking appraisal of their shares of Rockwood common stock pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law § 262. These shareholders exercised their right not to receive the Merger Consideration for each share of Rockwood common stock owned by such shareholders. Following the Merger, these shareholders ceased to have any rights with respect to their Rockwood shares, except for their rights to seek an appraisal of the cash value of their Rockwood shares under Delaware law. On March 16, 2015, Albemarle, on behalf of Rockwood, filed an Answer and Verified List in response to the appraisal petition. Fact discovery has commenced and remains ongoing. While Albemarle intends to vigorously defend against this action, the outcome of the appraisal process cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time. Included in Accrued expenses in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 is an estimated liability of $74.9 million in connection with this portion of the Merger Consideration. The fair value of the liability was considered a Level 2 measurement as the value was based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the liability.
	Acquisition of Remaining Interest in Shanghai Chemetall Chemicals Co., Ltd.
	On January 29, 2015, we acquired the remaining 40% interest in Shanghai Chemetall Chemicals Co., Ltd., (“Shanghai Chemetall”) for approximately $57.6 million ($45.6 million net of cash acquired), the proceeds of which came from the release of restricted cash acquired from Rockwood at closing. As of the acquisition date, Shanghai Chemetall became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albemarle and is being consolidated into the Chemetall® Surface Treatment segment. The purchase price and the fair value of our equity interest immediately before the date of acquisition (approximately $60 million) have been allocated to the net assets acquired at the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation, including the residual amount allocated to goodwill, is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of the valuation of assets and liabilities and the fair value of the previously held equity investment.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure	Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	243,262
	Acquisition of Rockwood	2,624,876
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall	18,168
	Foreign currency translation	(176,636		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,709,670
	The following table summarizes the changes in other intangibles and related accumulated amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Customer Lists and Relationships			Trade Names and Trademarks			Patents and Technology			Other			Total
	Gross Asset Value
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	48,479		$	17,555		$	40,398		$	23,441		$	129,873
	Acquisition of Rockwood	1,339,860			363,120			226,650			27,130			1,956,760
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall	76,537			—			1,328			—			77,865
	Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(64,318		)	(27,723		)	(19,855		)	(2,538		)	(114,434		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1,400,558		$	352,952		$	248,521		$	48,033		$	2,050,064
	Accumulated Amortization
	Balance at December 31, 2014	(22,931		)	(7,912		)	(32,831		)	(22,074		)	(85,748		)
	Amortization	(13,003		)	(3,521		)	(3,282		)	(107		)	(19,913		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,318			380			1,765			469			3,932
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(34,616	)	$	(11,053	)	$	(34,348	)	$	(21,712	)	$	(101,729	)
	Net Book Value at December 31, 2014	$	25,548		$	9,643		$	7,567		$	1,367		$	44,125
	Net Book Value at March 31, 2015	$	1,365,942		$	341,899		$	214,173		$	26,321		$	1,948,335
	Total estimated amortization expense of other intangibles acquired in the Rockwood acquisition for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated Amortization Expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	64,560
	2016	$	86,080
	2017	$	86,080
	2018	$	86,080
	2019	$	86,080
	As discussed in Note 2, “Acquisitions,” amounts of goodwill and other intangibles recorded in connection with the Rockwood and Shanghai Chemetall acquisitions are preliminary. Additionally, the preliminary allocation of goodwill and identifiable assets to our reportable segments has not been completed as of the date the financial statements have been issued.

Foreign_Exchange

Foreign Exchange	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Foreign Exchange	Foreign Exchange:
	Foreign exchange transaction gains were $52.4 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and are included in Other income, net, in our consolidated statements of income, with the unrealized portion included in Other, net, in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. These gains are primarily related to cash denominated in U.S. Dollars held by foreign subsidiaries where the European Union Euro serves as the functional currency.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes:
	The effective income tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was 27.8%, compared to 18.8% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. The Company’s effective income tax rate fluctuates based on, among other factors, our level and location of income. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate for the 2015 and 2014 periods is mainly due to the impact of earnings from outside the U.S. Our effective income tax rate in the 2015 period was affected by $3.2 million of discrete tax expense items related mainly to U.S. tax provision to return adjustments, and by the OPEB plan termination gain described in Note 12, while our effective income tax rate in the 2014 period was impacted by a tax benefit of approximately $5.8 million related to the restructuring charges described in Note 15, and by the pension plan actuarial loss described in Note 12.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share:
	Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are calculated as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	47,149		$	66,004
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,034		)	(7,652		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	58,352
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share(a)	108,130			79,735
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.73
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	47,149		$	66,004
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,034		)	(7,652		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	58,352
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share(a)	108,130			79,735
	Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	334			377
	Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share(a)	108,464			80,112
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.73
	(a)	2015 includes the impact of 34,113 shares issued in connection with the Rockwood acquisition.
	On February 24, 2015, the Company increased the regular quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.29 per share and declared a cash dividend of said amount for the first quarter of 2015, which was paid on April 1, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 16, 2015. On May 5, 2015, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which is payable on July 1, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of June 16, 2015.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories:
	The following table provides a breakdown of inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Finished goods	$	412,391	$	262,769
	Raw materials	97,287		53,152
	Work in process	58,136		—
	Stores, supplies and other	52,363		42,440
	Total inventories	$	620,177	$	358,361

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments	Investments:
	The Company holds a 49% equity interest in Talison Lithium Pty. Ltd. (“Talison”), which we acquired in the Rockwood acquisition. With regards to the Company’s ownership in Talison, the parties share risks and benefits disproportionate to their voting interests. As a result, the Company considers Talison to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, the Company does not consolidate Talison as it is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying amount of our 49% equity interest in Talison, which is our most significant VIE, was $444.8 million at March 31, 2015. The Company’s aggregate net investment in all other entities which it considers to be VIE’s for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary was $32.9 million and $6.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Our unconsolidated VIE’s are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not guarantee debt for, or have other financial support obligations to, these entities, and its maximum exposure to loss in connection with its continuing involvement with these entities is limited to the carrying value of the investments.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt:
	Long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	1.875% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $5,717 at March 31, 2015 and $6,605 at December 31, 2014	$	758,438	$	844,315
	3.00% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $291 at March 31, 2015 and $306 at December 31, 2014	249,709		249,694
	4.15% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,403 at March 31, 2015 and $1,439 at December 31, 2014	423,597		423,561
	4.50% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,793 at March 31, 2015 and $1,871 at December 31, 2014	348,207		348,129
	4.625% Senior notes, including unamortized premium of $42,102 at March 31, 2015	1,291,442		—
	5.10% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $3 at December 31, 2014	—		324,997
	5.45% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,020 at March 31, 2015 and $1,029 at December 31, 2014	348,980		348,971
	Commercial paper notes	461,717		367,178
	Fixed-rate foreign borrowings	10,679		1,958
	Variable-rate foreign bank loans	38,390		25,139
	Variable-rate domestic bank loans	59,880		—
	Capital lease obligations	21,994		—
	Miscellaneous	88		189
	Total long-term debt	4,013,121		2,934,131
	Less amounts due within one year	471,809		711,096
	Long-term debt, less current portion	$	3,541,312	$	2,223,035
	The cash consideration paid in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood was funded with proceeds from senior notes we issued in 2014 (the “2014 Senior Notes”) and borrowings in January 2015 consisting of the following: (a) $1.0 billion under our August 15, 2014 term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan”); (b) $800.0 million under our senior unsecured cash bridge facility (the “Cash Bridge Facility”); and (c) $250.0 million under our revolving credit agreement (the “February 2014 Credit Agreement”). In the first quarter of 2015, amounts borrowed under the Term Loan, Cash Bridge Facility and February 2014 Credit Agreement in connection with the Rockwood acquisition were repaid in full. Such repayments were made with a combination of existing cash, cash acquired from Rockwood, cash from operations and borrowings under our commercial paper program. For further details about the 2014 Senior Notes, Term Loan, Cash Bridge Facility and the February 2014 Credit Agreement, see Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13, “Long-Term Debt,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Upon completion of the Rockwood acquisition, we assumed Rockwood’s senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion. These senior notes bear interest at a rate of 4.625% payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, and mature on October 15, 2020. The carrying amount of these senior notes at March 31, 2015 includes an unamortized premium of $42.1 million which originated from an adjustment to fair value upon our assumption of the notes from Rockwood. The effective interest rate of the notes is approximately 3.95%. The 4.625% senior notes rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. We may redeem some or all of these senior notes prior to their maturity, subject to certain restrictions and the payment of an applicable make-whole premium in certain instances.
	Our $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes, which were issued on January 20, 2005 and bore interest at a rate of 5.10%, matured and were repaid on February 1, 2015. These senior notes were classified as Current portion of long-term debt at December 31, 2014.
	Current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2015 consists primarily of commercial paper notes with a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 0.87% and a weighted-average maturity of 21 days.
	The carrying value of our 1.875% Euro-denominated senior notes has been designated as an effective hedge of our net investment in foreign subsidiaries where the Euro serves as the functional currency, and gains or losses on the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. During three months ended March 31, 2015, a gain of $54.0 million (net of income taxes) was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the revaluation of these senior notes to our reporting currency.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we expensed the remaining $2.3 million of structuring and underwriting fees paid in 2014 for bridge financing arrangements in connection with the Rockwood acquisition. This amount is included in Other income, net, in our consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Also, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, we paid $1.2 million of debt financing costs that were accrued at December 31, 2014, primarily related to the 2014 Senior Notes issued in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies:
	In connection with the closing of the Rockwood acquisition on January 12, 2015, we have become liable for both recorded and unrecorded contingencies of Rockwood. We are not aware of any unrecorded contingencies assumed in connection with the Rockwood acquisition whose ultimate outcome will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows on an annual basis, although any such sum could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a particular quarterly reporting period. We believe that amounts recorded are adequate for known items which might become due in the current year.
	Environmental
	We had the following activity in our recorded environmental liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as follows (in thousands):
	Beginning balance at December 31, 2014	$	9,235
	Expenditures	(975		)
	Acquisition of Rockwood	31,391
	Accretion of discount	111
	Revisions of estimates	8
	Foreign currency translation	(2,426		)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2015	37,344
	Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,009
	Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	32,335
	As part of the Rockwood acquisition, we assumed $31.4 million of environmental remediation liabilities globally, the majority of which relate to sites in Germany and the U.S. where the Company is currently operating groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems. For certain locations where the Company is operating these groundwater monitoring and/or remediation systems, prior owners or insurers have assumed all or most of the responsibility. Environmental remediation liabilities assumed as part of the Rockwood acquisition includes discounted liabilities of $21.4 million, discounted at rates ranging from 2.8% to 4.3%, with the undiscounted amount totaling $34.5 million.
	The amounts recorded represent our future remediation and other anticipated environmental liabilities. These liabilities typically arise during the normal course of our operational and environmental management activities or at the time of acquisition of the site, and are based on internal analysis as well as input from outside consultants. As evaluations proceed at each relevant site, changes in risk assessment practices, remediation techniques and regulatory requirements can occur, therefore such liability estimates may be adjusted accordingly. The timing and duration of remediation activities at these sites will be determined when evaluations are completed. Although it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of these remediation liabilities, management estimates (based on the latest available information) that there is a reasonable possibility that future environmental remediation costs associated with our past operations, in excess of amounts already recorded, could be up to approximately $22 million before income taxes.
	We believe that any sum we may be required to pay in connection with environmental remediation matters in excess of the amounts recorded would likely occur over a period of time and would likely not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows on a consolidated annual basis although any such sum could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a particular quarterly reporting period.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The following is a summary of the activity in our asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Beginning Balance at December 31, 2014	$	15,085
	Acquisition of Rockwood	17,362
	Accretion of discount	230
	Revisions of estimates	52
	Foreign currency translation	(49		)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2015	$	32,680
	Our asset retirement obligations are recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Asset retirement obligations assumed through the acquisition of Rockwood primarily relate to post-closure reclamation of sites involved in the surface mining and manufacturing of lithium.
	Litigation
	We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings of types regarded as common in our business, including administrative or judicial proceedings seeking remediation under environmental laws, such as the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA or Superfund, products liability, breach of contract liability and premises liability litigation. Where appropriate, we may establish financial reserves for such proceedings. We also maintain insurance to mitigate certain of such risks. Costs for legal services are generally expensed as incurred.
	Indemnities
	We are indemnified by third parties in connection with certain matters related to acquired and divested businesses. Although we believe that the financial condition of those parties who may have indemnification obligations to the Company is generally sound, in the event the Company seeks indemnity under any of these agreements or through other means, there can be no assurance that any party who may have obligations to indemnify the us will adhere to their obligations and we may have to resort to legal action to enforce our rights under the indemnities.
	The Company may be subject to indemnity claims relating to properties or businesses it divested, including properties or businesses that Rockwood divested prior to the Acquisition Closing Date. In the opinion of management, and based upon information currently available, the ultimate resolution of any indemnification obligations owed to the Company or by the Company is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	Other
	We have contracts with certain of our customers, which serve as guarantees on product delivery and performance according to customer specifications that can cover both shipments on an individual basis as well as blanket coverage of multiple shipments under certain customer supply contracts. The financial coverage provided by these guarantees is typically based on a percentage of net sales value.
	Also, see Note 2, “Acquisitions” for a discussion about litigation in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments	Segment Information:
	As a result of the Rockwood acquisition, we have realigned our organizational structure under three reportable segments. Our new reportable business segments consist of the following: Performance Chemicals, Refining Solutions and Chemetall Surface Treatment. The Performance Chemicals segment includes the Lithium, PCS and Bromine product categories. The Refining Solutions segment consists of the Company’s Heavy Oil Upgrading and Clean Fuels Technologies product categories. The Chemetall Surface Treatment segment consists of the Surface Treatment product category.
	Each segment has a dedicated team of sales, research and development, process engineering, manufacturing and sourcing, and business strategy personnel and has full accountability for improving execution through greater asset and market focus, agility and responsiveness. The new business structure aligns with the markets and customers we serve through each of the segments. The new structure also facilitates the continued standardization of business processes across the organization, and is consistent with the manner in which information is presently used internally by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions.
	Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables. Results for 2014 have been recast to reflect the change in segments noted above and a change in our measure of segment profit or loss to adjusted EBITDA as discussed below. Segment results for all periods presented exclude discontinued operations as further described in Note 17.
	During the first quarter we announced our intention to pursue strategic alternatives for three operating segments - Minerals, Fine Chemistry Services and Metal Sulfides, which together comprise the “All Other” category. All three operating segments have been and are expected to continue to be profitable, but do not fit into any of our core businesses subsequent to the acquisition of Rockwood. We expect to use the cash generated from the sale of these businesses to reduce the debt incurred for the acquisition of Rockwood. We have considered the accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, and determined that the relevant asset groups did not meet the criteria to be accounted for as assets held for sale as of the balance sheet date.
	The Corporate category is not considered to be a segment and includes corporate-related items not allocated to the reportable segments. Pension and OPEB service cost (which represents the benefits earned by active employees during the period) and amortization of prior service cost or benefit are allocated to the reportable segments, All Other, and Corporate, whereas the remaining components of pension and OPEB benefits cost or credit (“Non-operating pension and OPEB items”) are included in Corporate. Segment data includes intersegment transfers of raw materials at cost and allocations for certain corporate costs.
	Beginning in 2015, the Company uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for certain non-recurring or unusual items such as restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges and other significant non-recurring items (“adjusted EBITDA”), on a segment basis to assess the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. The Company has reported adjusted EBITDA because management believes it provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Net sales:
	Performance Chemicals	$	388,366		$	275,897
	Refining Solutions	179,166			194,661
	Chemetall Surface Treatment	192,091			—
	All Other	122,369			129,285
	Corporate	2,412			—
	Total net sales	$	884,404		$	599,843
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Performance Chemicals	$	130,528		$	73,385
	Refining Solutions	42,193			61,034
	Chemetall Surface Treatment	46,004			—
	All Other	13,564			20,695
	Corporate	33,339			(19,084		)
	Total Adjusted EBITDA	$	265,628		$	136,030
	See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, to Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, (in thousands):
		Performance Chemicals			Refining Solutions			Chemetall Surface Treatment			Reportable Segments Total			All Other			Corporate			Consolidated Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	130,528		$	42,193		$	46,004		$	218,725		$	13,564		$	33,339		$	265,628
	Depreciation and amortization	(30,283		)	(8,110		)	(18,196		)	(56,589		)	(5,498		)	(1,899		)	(63,986		)
	Utilization of inventory markup(a)	(28,582		)	—			(16,953		)	(45,535		)	(2,651		)	—			(48,186		)
	Acquisition and integration related costs(b)	—			—			—			—			—			(59,523		)	(59,523		)
	Interest and financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—			(35,746		)	(35,746		)
	Income tax expense	—			—			—			—			—			(14,140		)	(14,140		)
	Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—			—			—			—			3,509			3,509
	Other(c)	—			—			—			—			—			(4,441		)	(4,441		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	71,663		$	34,083		$	10,855		$	116,601		$	5,415		$	(78,901	)	$	43,115
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	73,385		$	61,034		$	—		$	134,419		$	20,695		$	(19,084	)	$	136,030
	Depreciation and amortization(d)	(12,056		)	(8,680		)	—			(20,736		)	(3,364		)	(544		)	(24,644		)
	Restructuring and other charges, net(e)	—			—			—			—			—			(17,000		)	(17,000		)
	Interest and financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—			(8,773		)	(8,773		)
	Income tax expense	—			—			—			—			—			(13,190		)	(13,190		)
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—			(1,769		)	(1,769		)
	Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—			—			—			—			(14,071		)	(14,071		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	61,329		$	52,354		$	—		$	113,683		$	17,331		$	(74,431	)	$	56,583
	(a)	In connection with the acquisition of Rockwood, the Company valued Rockwood’s existing inventory at fair value as of the Acquisition Closing Date, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $103 million. The inventory markup is being expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, $40.3 million was included in Cost of goods sold, and Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments was reduced by $7.9 million, related to the utilization of the inventory markup.
	(b)	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”
	(c)	Financing-related fees expensed in the 2015 period in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood.
	(d)	Excludes discontinued operations.
	(e)	See Note 15, “Restructuring and Other.”

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits:
	In connection with the acquisition of Rockwood, in the first quarter of 2015 we assumed the obligations of various defined benefit pension plans that were maintained by Rockwood which cover certain employees, primarily in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Germany. The majority of the plans’ assets are invested in diversified equity mutual funds, government and corporate bonds and other fixed income funds.
	The following table sets forth the benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and weighted-average assumption percentages for the defined benefit pension plans acquired in the Rockwood acquisition, as of the Acquisition Closing Date (in thousands):
		U.S.			Foreign
	Benefit obligation	$	39,126		$	417,312
	Fair value of plan assets	29,314			110,289
	Funded status	$	(9,812	)	$	(307,023	)
	Weighted-average assumption percentages:
	Discount rate	4.09		%	2.36		%
	Expected return on plan assets	6.03		%	5.78		%
	Rate of compensation increase	—		%	2.79		%
	The current forecast of benefit payments related to the defined benefit pension plans acquired in the Rockwood acquisition, which reflect expected future service, amounts to (in millions):
		U.S.			Foreign
	Remainder of 2015	$	1.4		$	12
	2016	$	1.6		$	16.4
	2017	$	1.7		$	16
	2018	$	1.9		$	16.8
	2019	$	2		$	16.9
	2020-2024	$	11.1		$	89.8
	For the remainder of 2015, contributions related to the defined benefit pension plans acquired in the Rockwood acquisition are expected to be approximately $3.4 million.
	The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown the table below. The 2015 period includes results of the plans we acquired in the Rockwood acquisition.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
	Service cost	$	1,979		$	2,841
	Interest cost	9,564			8,169
	Expected return on assets	(11,082		)	(10,205		)
	Actuarial loss(a)	—			15,432
	Amortization of prior service benefit	30			(273		)
	Total net pension benefits cost	$	491		$	15,964
	Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
	Service cost	$	66		$	54
	Interest cost	668			760
	Expected return on assets	(65		)	(85		)
	Amortization of prior service benefit	(24		)	(24		)
	Settlements/curtailments(b)	(2,594		)	—
	Total net postretirement benefits cost (credit)	$	(1,949	)	$	705
	Total net pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit)	$	(1,458	)	$	16,669
	(a)	In connection with a realignment of our operating segments effective January 1, 2014, in the fourth quarter of 2013 we initiated a workforce reduction plan which resulted in a reduction of approximately 230 employees worldwide. This workforce reduction triggered a net curtailment gain of approximately $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 for our U.S. defined benefit plan which covers non-represented employees and our supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). In connection with the curtailment, we were required to remeasure the related assets and obligations for these two plans. As of the January 31, 2014 remeasurement date, the weighted-average discount rate for all of our domestic pension plans was 4.97% compared to 5.14% at December 31, 2013. Taking into account the discount rate reduction and actual return on plan assets through January 31, 2014, we recorded a mark-to-market actuarial loss (net of the curtailment gain) of $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 related to these two plans.
	(b)	We assumed responsibility for one domestic OPEB plan in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood which covered a small number of active employees and retirees. This plan was terminated in the first quarter of 2015 and provisions were made for the affected employees and retirees to receive benefits under an existing plan. A gain of $2.6 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2015 related to the termination of this plan.
	During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we made contributions of $4.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to our qualified and nonqualified pension plans.
	We paid $1.5 million and $1.4 million in premiums to the U.S. postretirement benefit plan during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Multiemployer Plan
	Certain current and former employees of Rockwood participate in a multiemployer plan in Germany, the Pensionskasse Dynamit Nobel Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit, Troisdorf (“DN Pensionskasse”), that provides monthly payments in the case of disability, death or retirement. The risks of participating in a multiemployer plan are different from single-employer plans in the following ways: (a) assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, and (b) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligation of the plan may be borne by remaining participating employers.
	Some participants in the plan are subject to collective bargaining arrangements, which have no fixed expiration date. The contribution and benefit levels are not negotiated or significantly influenced by these collective bargaining arrangements. Also, the benefit levels generally are not subject to reduction. Under German insurance law, the DN Pensionskasse must be fully funded at all times. The DN Pensionskasse was fully funded as of December 31, 2014, the most recent year-end date of the plan. This funding level would correspond to the highest funding zone status (at least 80% funded) under U.S. pension regulation. Since the plan liabilities need to be fully funded at all times according to local funding requirements, it is unlikely that the DN Pensionskasse plan will fail to fulfill its obligations, however, in such an event, the Company is liable for the benefits of its employees who participate in the plan. Additional information of the DN Pensionskasse is available in the public domain.
	The majority of the Company’s contributions are tied to employees’ contributions, which are generally calculated as a percentage of base compensation, up to a certain statutory ceiling. Our contributions to this plan were €0.3 million (approximately $0.4 million) during the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of the most recent year-end date of the plan, Rockwood’s contributions in 2014 represented more than 5% of total contributions to the DN Pensionskasse in 2014.
	The DN Pensionskasse was subject to a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) which expired at the end of 2014. The solvency requirements of the FIP have been met as of December 31, 2014.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
	In assessing the fair value of financial instruments, we use methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and other risk factors existing at the time of assessment. Fair value information for our financial instruments is as follows:
	Long-Term Debt—the fair values of our senior notes and other fixed rate foreign borrowings are estimated using Level 1 inputs and account for the majority of the difference between the recorded amount and fair value of our long-term debt. The carrying value of our remaining long-term debt reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value as substantially all of such debt bears interest based on prevailing variable market rates currently available in the countries in which we have borrowings.
		31-Mar-15				31-Dec-14
		Recorded		Fair Value		Recorded		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt	$	4,013,121	$	4,142,435	$	2,934,131	$	2,994,935
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts—we enter into foreign currency forward contracts in connection with our risk management strategies in an attempt to minimize the financial impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivative financial instruments are used to manage risk and are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. The fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts are estimated based on current settlement values. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with notional values totaling $364.9 million and $479.9 million, respectively. Our foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 have not been designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. At March 31, 2015, $0.1 million was included in Accrued expenses associated with the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts, and at December 31, 2014, $0.6 million was included in Other accounts receivable associated with the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts.
	Gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts are recognized currently in Other income (expenses), net; further, fluctuations in the value of these contracts are generally expected to be offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized losses of $(20.4) million, and $(1.1) million, respectively, in Other income, net, in our consolidated statements of income related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts. These amounts are generally expected to be offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged which are also reported in Other income, net. Also, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $20.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the change in the fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts, and net cash settlements of $(19.7) million and $(0.8) million, respectively, in Other, net in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
	The counterparties to our foreign currency forward contracts are major financial institutions with which we generally have other financial relationships. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. However, we do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement:
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:
	Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 2	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
	Level 3	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability
	We endeavor to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred on the date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Mar-15		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	21,073	$	21,073		$	—	$	—
	Private equity securities(b)	$	1,806	$	21		$	—	$	1,785
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	19	$	—		$	19	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	21,073	$	21,073		$	—	$	—
	Liability for appraisal shares(d)	$	74,934	$	—		$	74,934	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	93	$	—		$	93	$	—
		31-Dec-14		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	22,168	$	22,168		$	—	$	—
	Private equity securities(b)	$	1,806	$	21		$	—	$	1,785
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	631	$	—		$	631	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	22,168	$	22,168		$	—	$	—
	(a)	We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDCP) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.
	(b)	Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other income, net, in our consolidated statements of income. Holdings in private equity securities are typically valued using the net asset valuations provided by the underlying private investment companies and as such are classified within Level 3.
	(c)	As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.
	(d)	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”
	The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,785	$	750
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings relating to assets still held at the reporting date	—		(33		)
	Ending balance	$	1,785	$	717

Restructuring_and_Other

Restructuring and Other	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other	Restructuring and Other:
	During the first quarter of 2014, we initiated action to reduce high cost supply capacity of certain aluminum alkyl products, primarily through the termination of a third party manufacturing contract. Based on the contract termination, we estimated costs of approximately $14.0 million for contract termination and volume commitments. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2014 we recorded an impairment charge of $3.0 million for certain capital project costs also related to aluminum alkyls capacity which we do not expect to recover. After income taxes, these charges were approximately $11.1 million. In the fourth quarter of 2014 we concluded the contract termination agreement which resulted in an additional charge of $6.5 million ($4.3 million after income taxes). At March 31, 2015, a remaining amount of $12.5 million related to this agreement is included in Accrued expenses.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
	The components and activity in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (net of deferred income taxes) consisted of the following during the periods indicated below (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits(a)			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap(b)			Other			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(52,264	)	$	—		$	11,384		$	(20,962	)	$	(571	)	$	(62,413	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(354,571		)	—			54,046			—			—			(300,525		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	—			2			—			527			27			556
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(354,571		)	2			54,046			527			27			(299,969		)
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	100			—			—			—			—			100
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(406,735	)	$	2		$	65,430		$	(20,435	)	$	(544	)	$	(362,282	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	116,465		$	487		$	—		$	—		$	(707	)	$	116,245
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(5,258		)	—			—			(4,011		)	—			(9,269		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	—			(301		)	—			—			35			(266		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(5,258		)	(301		)	—			(4,011		)	35			(9,535		)
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	217			—			—			—			—			217
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	111,424		$	186		$	—		$	(4,011	)	$	(672	)	$	106,927
	(a)	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit). See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
	(b)	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is included in interest expense.
	The amount of income tax benefit (expense) allocated to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided in the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015															2014
		Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap			Other			Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Interest Rate Swap			Other
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	$	(387,812	)	$	6		$	85,577		$	834		$	18		$	(4,723	)	$	(297	)	$	(6,319	)	$	54
	Income tax benefit (expense)	33,241			(4		)	(31,531		)	(307		)	9			(535		)	(4		)	2,308			(19		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$	(354,571	)	$	2		$	54,046		$	527		$	27		$	(5,258	)	$	(301	)	$	(4,011	)	$	35

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations:
	On April 15, 2014, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell its antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses and assets to SI Group, Inc. Included in the transaction were Albemarle’s manufacturing sites in Orangeburg, South Carolina and Jinshan, China, along with Albemarle’s antioxidant product lines manufactured in Ningbo, China. On September 1, 2014, the Company closed the sale of these businesses and assets and received net proceeds of $104.7 million. A working capital settlement of $7.6 million (recorded in Other accounts receivable at December 31, 2014) was received in the first quarter of 2015. Financial results of the disposed group have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income for the 2014 period shown below. A summary of results of discontinued operations is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net sales	$	—	$	56,836
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	—	$	(2,513	)
	Income tax benefit	—		(744		)
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	$	—	$	(1,769	)

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance that changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements to provide users of financial statements with more information about the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of discontinued operations. The guidance modified the definition of discontinued operations by limiting its scope to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Additionally, these new requirements require entities to disclose the pretax profit or loss related to disposals of significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations. These new requirements became effective on January 1, 2015. The impact of these new requirements is dependent on the nature of dispositions, if any, after adoption.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance designed to enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. The core principle of the guidance is that revenue recognized from a transaction or event that arises from a contract with a customer should reflect the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for goods or services provided. To achieve that core principle the new guidance sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model that will need to be applied consistently to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the ASC. Also required are new disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The new disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, and assets recognized related to the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. These new requirements become effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is prohibited. We are assessing the impact of these new requirements on our financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance which clarifies the proper method of accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The accounting guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. These new requirements become effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the analysis that reporting entities must perform to determine whether certain types of legal entities should be consolidated. Specifically, the amendments affect (a) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (b) the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (c) certain investment funds. These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are assessing the impact of these amendments on our financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs relating to a recognized debt liability to be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability in the balance sheet. This new requirement will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of this new requirement on our financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that, among other things, provides for a practical expedient related to interim period remeasurements of defined benefit plan assets and obligations. The practical expedient permits entities to remeasure plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the date of the actual event. Disclosure of such election and related month-end remeasurement date is required. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and is to be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance which clarifies the proper method of accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The guidance requires software licenses included in a cloud computing arrangement to be accounted for consistently with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. This new requirement will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of this new requirement on our financial statements.

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information	Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information:
	The 2014 Senior Notes issued by Albemarle Corporation (the “Issuer”) are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (“RHI”) and Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc. (“RSGI”) (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned subsidiaries of the Issuer. The guarantees are general senior unsecured obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and other obligations of the Guarantor Subsidiaries that are not, by their terms, otherwise expressly subordinated. The note guarantees will be released when the 4.625% senior notes assumed by Albemarle upon the acquisition of Rockwood are repaid or otherwise discharged.
	The Company applies the equity method of accounting to its subsidiaries. For cash management purposes, the Company transfers cash among the Issuer, Guarantor Subsidiaries and all other non-guarantor subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) through intercompany financing arrangements, contributions or declaration of dividends between the respective parent and its subsidiaries. The transfer of cash under these activities facilitates the ability of the recipient to make specified third-party payments for principal and interest on the Company’s outstanding debt, common stock dividends and common stock repurchases. The consolidating statements of cash flows for the periods included herein present such intercompany financing activities, contributions and dividends consistent with how such activity would be presented in a stand-alone statement of cash flows. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Issuer or the Guarantor Subsidiaries to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
	The following consolidating financial information presents the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Issuer, Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with consolidating adjustments necessary to present Albemarle’s results on a consolidated basis, and should be read in conjunction with the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Each entity in the consolidating financial information follows the same accounting policies as described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net sales	$	378,172		$	—		$	687,615		$	(181,383	)	$	884,404
	Cost of goods sold	258,124			—			546,776			(178,962		)	625,938
	Gross profit	120,048			—			140,839			(2,421		)	258,466
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517			—			95,248			—			135,765
	Research and development expenses	13,368			—			13,124			—			26,492
	Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880			—			20,643			—			59,523
	Intercompany service fee	5,665			—			(5,665		)	—			—
	Operating profit	21,618			—			17,489			(2,421		)	36,686
	Interest and financing expenses	(26,656		)	(10,771		)	1,681			—			(35,746		)
	Intergroup interest and financing expenses	(5,914		)	9,061			(3,147		)	—			—
	Other income (expenses), net	28,568			(50,052		)	71,441			—			49,957
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616			(51,762		)	87,464			(2,421		)	50,897
	Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892			(6,928		)	11,068			(892		)	14,140
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724			(44,834		)	76,396			(1,529		)	36,757
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	2,019			—			8,373			—			10,392
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	8,743			(44,834		)	84,769			(1,529		)	47,149
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—
	Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372			62,630			8,898			(105,900		)	—
	Net income	43,115			17,796			93,667			(107,429		)	47,149
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(4,034		)	—			(4,034		)
	Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	17,796		$	89,633		$	(107,429	)	$	43,115
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net income	$	43,115		$	17,796		$	93,667		$	(107,429	)	$	47,149
	Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(299,869		)	(496,500		)	(635,434		)	1,131,834			(299,969		)
	Comprehensive loss	(256,754		)	(478,704		)	(541,767		)	1,024,405			(252,820		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(3,934		)	—			(3,934		)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	(256,754	)	$	(478,704	)	$	(545,701	)	$	1,024,405		$	(256,754	)
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net sales	$	376,324		$	—		$	383,831		$	(160,312	)	$	599,843
	Cost of goods sold	261,593			—			303,361			(160,710		)	404,244
	Gross profit	114,731			—			80,470			398			195,599
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	55,769			—			22,335			—			78,104
	Research and development expenses	14,156			—			8,416			—			22,572
	Restructuring and other charges, net	3,000			—			14,000			—			17,000
	Intercompany service fee	5,070			—			(5,070		)	—			—
	Operating profit	36,736			—			40,789			398			77,923
	Interest and financing expenses	(8,798		)	—			25			—			(8,773		)
	Other income, net	208			—			935			—			1,143
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	28,146			—			41,749			398			70,293
	Income tax expense	10,371			—			2,674			145			13,190
	Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,775			—			39,075			253			57,103
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	1,936			—			6,965			—			8,901
	Net income from continuing operations	19,711			—			46,040			253			66,004
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(413		)	—			(1,356		)	—			(1,769		)
	Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	37,285			—			—			(37,285		)	—
	Net income	56,583			—			44,684			(37,032		)	64,235
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(7,652		)	—			(7,652		)
	Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	56,583		$	—		$	37,032		$	(37,032	)	$	56,583
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net income	$	56,583		$	—		$	44,684		$	(37,032	)	$	64,235
	Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,318		)	—			(5,262		)	5,045			(9,535		)
Comprehensive income	47,265			—			39,422			(31,987		)	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(7,435		)	—			(7,435		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	47,265		$	—		$	31,987		$	(31,987	)	$	47,265
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835			—			521,130			—			626,965
Other accounts receivable	12,518			23,216			47,299			—			83,033
Intergroup receivable	56,069			49			40,953			(97,071		)	—
Inventories	201,563			—			431,877			(13,263		)	620,177
Other current assets	88,100			—			104,692			(97,845		)	94,947
Total current assets	466,348			25,319			1,403,055			(208,179		)	1,686,543
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949			—			2,283,684			—			4,021,633
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877			—			343,729			—			1,404,606
Net property, plant and equipment	677,072			—			1,939,955			—			2,617,027
Investments	74,362			4,891			573,719			—			652,972
Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998			11,104,115			6,368,690			(24,436,803		)	—
Other assets	28,247			12,319			152,245			(12,599		)	180,212
Goodwill	49,214			—			2,660,456			—			2,709,670
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282			—			1,928,053			—			1,948,335
Intergroup receivable	—			3,311,271			1,817,653			(5,128,924		)	—
Total assets	$	8,279,523		$	14,457,915		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	119,879		$	—		$	220,936		$	—		$	340,815
Intergroup payable	40,939			36			56,096			(97,071		)	—
Accrued expenses	154,992			119,221			279,734			—			553,947
Current portion of long-term debt	461,767			—			10,042			—			471,809
Dividends payable	32,261			—			—			—			32,261
Income taxes payable	—			97,845			58,404			(98,737		)	57,512
Total current liabilities	809,838			217,102			625,212			(195,808		)	1,456,344
Long-term debt	2,218,848			1,291,442			31,022			—			3,541,312
Postretirement benefits	55,578			—			—			(280		)	55,298
Pension benefits	125,659			—			325,533			—			451,192
Intergroup payable	1,804,370			1,016,759			2,307,795			(5,128,924		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263			58,970			130,738			—			241,971
Deferred income taxes	103,584			—			710,047			(12,319		)	801,312
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122			—			6,808			(6,808		)	1,122
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309			12,352,346			12,117,045			(24,469,391		)	2,049,309
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(362,282		)	(496,500		)	(686,412		)	1,182,912			(362,282		)
Retained earnings	1,421,234			17,796			1,138,091			(1,155,887		)	1,421,234
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383			11,873,642			12,575,532			(24,449,174		)	3,109,383
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			137,947			—			137,947
Total equity	3,109,383			11,873,642			12,713,479			(24,449,174		)	3,247,330
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,279,523		$	14,457,915		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	91,849			—			293,363			—			385,212
Other accounts receivable	19,033			—			30,390			—			49,423
Intergroup receivable	74,102			—			18,097			(92,199		)	—
Inventories	201,006			—			171,543			(14,188		)	358,361
Other current assets	45,901			—			25,111			(4,926		)	66,086
Total current assets	2,362,693			—			1,097,470			(111,313		)	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,726,690			—			893,980			—			2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,047,372			—			341,430			—			1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	679,318			—			552,550			—			1,231,868
Investments	73,500			—			120,542			—			194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	1,551,071			—			—			(1,551,071		)	—
Other assets	35,837			—			125,119			—			160,956
Goodwill	49,212			—			194,050			—			243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,834			—			23,291			—			44,125
Total assets	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	122,479		$	—		$	109,226		$	—		$	231,705
Intergroup payable	18,097			—			74,102			(92,199		)	—
Accrued expenses	84,619			—			81,555			—			166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	692,280			—			18,816			—			711,096
Dividends payable	21,458			—			—			—			21,458
Income taxes payable	1,396			—			7,944			113			9,453
Total current liabilities	940,329			—			291,643			(92,086		)	1,139,886
Long-term debt	2,214,755			—			8,280			—			2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	56,424			—			—			—			56,424
Pension benefits	128,238			—			42,296			—			170,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,936			—			35,769			—			87,705
Deferred income taxes	21,318			—			35,566			—			56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	780			—			6,808			(6,808		)	780
Additional paid-in capital	10,447			—			553,172			(553,172		)	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62,413		)	—			(51,073		)	51,073			(62,413		)
Retained earnings	1,410,651			—			1,061,391			(1,061,391		)	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	1,359,465			—			1,570,298			(1,570,298		)	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			129,170			—			129,170
Total equity	1,359,465			—			1,699,468			(1,570,298		)	1,488,635
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	46,397			(18,121		)	26,593			(9,078		)	45,791
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired	(3,597,083		)	159,409			1,386,029			—			(2,051,645		)
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	—			—			(45,550		)	—			(45,550		)
Capital expenditures	(19,876		)	—			(36,865		)	—			(56,741		)
Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			57,550			—			57,550
Sales of marketable securities, net	1,557			—			—			—			1,557
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture	2,156			—			—			—			2,156
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity	—			891,290			82			(891,372		)	—
Intercompany investing related payments	—			(1,028,367		)	(1,175,700		)	2,204,067			—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(3,613,246		)	22,332			185,546			1,312,695			(2,092,673		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,325,102		)	—			(1,161		)	—			(1,326,263		)
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	1,000,000			—			—			—			1,000,000
Other borrowings (repayments), net	184,418			—			(16,847		)	—			167,571
Dividends paid to shareholders	(21,730		)	—			—			—			(21,730		)
Intercompany dividends paid	—			—			(9,078		)	9,078			—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	90			—			—			—			90
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	23			—			—			—			23
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(1,174		)	—			—			—			(1,174		)
Debt financing costs	(1,164		)	—			—			—			(1,164		)
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity	1,829,770			—			374,297			(2,204,067		)	—
Intercompany financing related payments	(28,039		)	(82		)	(863,251		)	891,372			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,637,092			(82		)	(516,040		)	(1,303,617		)	(182,647		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	1,218			(2,075		)	2,039			—			1,182
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,928,539		)	2,054			(301,862		)	—			(2,228,347		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	88,476		$	—		$	388,763		$	—		$	477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,984			—			90,189			—			149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,325		)	—			(9,342		)	—			(23,667		)
Sales of (investments in) marketable securities, net	2,163			—			(12		)	—			2,151
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,162		)	—			(9,354		)	—			(21,516		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(101		)	—			—			—			(101		)
Other borrowings (repayments), net	—						(8,434		)	—			(8,434		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(19,582		)	—			—			—			(19,582		)
Repurchases of common stock	(50,000		)	—			—			—			(50,000		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,255			—			—			—			1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	586			—			—			—			586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(2,968		)	—			—			—			(2,968		)
Debt financing costs	(1,370		)	—			—			—			(1,370		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(72,180		)	—			(8,434		)	—			(80,614		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	—						(239		)	—			(239		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,358		)	—			72,162			—			46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	63,118		$	—		$	460,925		$	—		$	524,043
The 4.625% senior notes issued in September 2012 by RSGI (the “Issuer”) are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by Albemarle Corporation (the “Parent Company Guarantor”) and RHI (the “Guarantor Subsidiary,” and together with the Parent Company Guarantor, the “Guarantors”). The guarantees are general senior unsecured obligations of the Guarantors and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and other obligations of the Guarantors that are not, by their terms, otherwise expressly subordinated. The note guarantees will be released when the 4.625% senior notes are repaid or otherwise discharged.
The Company applies the equity method of accounting to its subsidiaries. For cash management purposes, the Company transfers cash among Parent Company Guarantor, Issuer, Guarantor Subsidiary and all other non-guarantor subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”) through intercompany financing arrangements, contributions or declaration of dividends between the respective parent and its subsidiaries. The transfer of cash under these activities facilitates the ability of the recipient to make specified third-party payments for principal and interest on the Company’s outstanding debt, common stock dividends and common stock repurchases. The consolidating statements of cash flows for the periods included herein present such intercompany financing activities, contributions and dividends consistent with how such activity would be presented in a stand-alone statement of cash flows. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Issuer or the Guarantors to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
The following consolidating financial information presents the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Parent Company Guarantor, Issuer, Guarantor Subsidiary, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with consolidating adjustments necessary to present Albemarle’s results on a consolidated basis, and should be read in conjunction with the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Each entity in the consolidating financial information follows the same accounting policies as described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net sales	$	378,172		$	—		$	—		$	687,615		$	(181,383	)	$	884,404
Cost of goods sold	258,124			—			—			546,776			(178,962		)	625,938
Gross profit	120,048			—			—			140,839			(2,421		)	258,466
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517			—			—			95,248			—			135,765
Research and development expenses	13,368			—			—			13,124			—			26,492
Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880			—			—			20,643			—			59,523
Intercompany service fee	5,665			—			—			(5,665		)	—			—
Operating profit	21,618			—			—			17,489			(2,421		)	36,686
Interest and financing expenses	(26,656		)	(10,771		)	—			1,681			—			(35,746		)
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	(5,914		)	9,061			—			(3,147		)	—			—
Other income (expenses), net	28,568			(50,052		)	—			71,441			—			49,957
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616			(51,762		)	—			87,464			(2,421		)	50,897
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892			(6,928		)	—			11,068			(892		)	14,140
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724			(44,834		)	—			76,396			(1,529		)	36,757
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	2,019			—			—			8,373			—			10,392
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	8,743			(44,834		)	—			84,769			(1,529		)	47,149
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372			53,732			8,898			8,898			(105,900		)	—
Net income	43,115			8,898			8,898			93,667			(107,429		)	47,149
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(4,034		)	—			(4,034		)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	8,898		$	8,898		$	89,633		$	(107,429	)	$	43,115
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net income	$	43,115		$	8,898		$	8,898		$	93,667		$	(107,429	)	$	47,149
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(299,869		)	(248,250		)	(248,250		)	(635,434		)	1,131,834			(299,969		)
Comprehensive loss	(256,754		)	(239,352		)	(239,352		)	(541,767		)	1,024,405			(252,820		)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(3,934		)	—			(3,934		)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	(256,754	)	$	(239,352	)	$	(239,352	)	$	(545,701	)	$	1,024,405		$	(256,754	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net sales	$	376,324		$	—		$	—		$	383,831		$	(160,312	)	$	599,843
Cost of goods sold	261,593			—			—			303,361			(160,710		)	404,244
Gross profit	114,731			—			—			80,470			398			195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	55,769			—			—			22,335			—			78,104
Research and development expenses	14,156			—			—			8,416			—			22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	3,000			—			—			14,000			—			17,000
Intercompany service fee	5,070			—			—			(5,070		)	—			—
Operating profit	36,736			—			—			40,789			398			77,923
Interest and financing expenses	(8,798		)	—			—			25			—			(8,773		)
Other income, net	208			—			—			935			—			1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	28,146			—			—			41,749			398			70,293
Income tax expense	10,371			—			—			2,674			145			13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,775			—			—			39,075			253			57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	1,936			—			—			6,965			—			8,901
Net income from continuing operations	19,711			—			—			46,040			253			66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(413		)	—			—			(1,356		)	—			(1,769		)
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	37,285			—			—			—			(37,285		)	—
Net income	56,583			—			—			44,684			(37,032		)	64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(7,652		)	—			(7,652		)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	56,583		$	—		$	—		$	37,032		$	(37,032	)	$	56,583
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net income	$	56,583		$	—		$	—		$	44,684		$	(37,032	)	$	64,235
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,318		)	—			—			(5,262		)	5,045			(9,535		)
Comprehensive income	47,265			—			—			39,422			(31,987		)	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(7,435		)	—			(7,435		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	47,265		$	—		$	—		$	31,987		$	(31,987	)	$	47,265
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	—		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835			—			—			521,130			—			626,965
Other accounts receivable	12,518			23,216			—			47,299			—			83,033
Intergroup receivable	56,069			49			—			40,953			(97,071		)	—
Inventories	201,563			—			—			431,877			(13,263		)	620,177
Other current assets	88,100			—			—			104,692			(97,845		)	94,947
Total current assets	466,348			25,319			—			1,403,055			(208,179		)	1,686,543
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949			—			—			2,283,684			—			4,021,633
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877			—			—			343,729			—			1,404,606
Net property, plant and equipment	677,072			—			—			1,939,955			—			2,617,027
Investments	74,362			4,891			—			573,719			—			652,972
Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998			4,735,428			6,368,687			6,368,690			(24,436,803		)	—
Other assets	28,247			12,319			—			152,245			(12,599		)	180,212
Goodwill	49,214			—			—			2,660,456			—			2,709,670
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282			—			—			1,928,053			—			1,948,335
Intergroup receivable	—			3,311,210			61			1,817,653			(5,128,924		)	—
Total assets	$	8,279,523		$	8,089,167		$	6,368,748		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	119,879		$	—		$	—		$	220,936		$	—		$	340,815
Intergroup payable	40,939			—			36			56,096			(97,071		)	—
Accrued expenses	154,992			119,221			—			279,734			—			553,947
Current portion of long-term debt	461,767			—			—			10,042			—			471,809
Dividends payable	32,261			—			—			—			—			32,261
Income taxes payable	—			97,845			—			58,404			(98,737		)	57,512
Total current liabilities	809,838			217,066			36			625,212			(195,808		)	1,456,344
Long-term debt	2,218,848			1,291,442			—			31,022			—			3,541,312
Postretirement benefits	55,578			—			—			—			(280		)	55,298
Pension benefits	125,659			—			—			325,533			—			451,192
Intergroup payable	1,804,370			153,002			863,757			2,307,795			(5,128,924		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263			58,970			—			130,738			—			241,971
Deferred income taxes	103,584			—			—			710,047			(12,319		)	801,312
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122			—			—			6,808			(6,808		)	1,122
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309			6,608,039			5,744,307			12,117,045			(24,469,391		)	2,049,309
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(362,282		)	(248,250		)	(248,250		)	(686,412		)	1,182,912			(362,282		)
Retained earnings	1,421,234			8,898			8,898			1,138,091			(1,155,887		)	1,421,234
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383			6,368,687			5,504,955			12,575,532			(24,449,174		)	3,109,383
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			137,947			—			137,947
Total equity	3,109,383			6,368,687			5,504,955			12,713,479			(24,449,174		)	3,247,330
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,279,523		$	8,089,167		$	6,368,748		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	91,849			—			—			293,363			—			385,212
Other accounts receivable	19,033			—			—			30,390			—			49,423
Intergroup receivable	74,102			—			—			18,097			(92,199		)	—
Inventories	201,006			—			—			171,543			(14,188		)	358,361
Other current assets	45,901			—			—			25,111			(4,926		)	66,086
Total current assets	2,362,693			—			—			1,097,470			(111,313		)	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,726,690			—			—			893,980			—			2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,047,372			—			—			341,430			—			1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	679,318			—			—			552,550			—			1,231,868
Investments	73,500			—			—			120,542			—			194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	1,551,071			—			—			—			(1,551,071		)	—
Other assets	35,837			—			—			125,119			—			160,956
Goodwill	49,212			—			—			194,050			—			243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,834			—			—			23,291			—			44,125
Total assets	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	122,479		$	—		$	—		$	109,226		$	—		$	231,705
Intergroup payable	18,097			—			—			74,102			(92,199		)	—
Accrued expenses	84,619			—			—			81,555			—			166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	692,280			—			—			18,816			—			711,096
Dividends payable	21,458			—			—			—			—			21,458
Income taxes payable	1,396			—			—			7,944			113			9,453
Total current liabilities	940,329			—			—			291,643			(92,086		)	1,139,886
Long-term debt	2,214,755			—			—			8,280			—			2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	56,424			—			—			—			—			56,424
Pension benefits	128,238			—			—			42,296			—			170,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,936			—			—			35,769			—			87,705
Deferred income taxes	21,318			—			—			35,566			—			56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	780			—			—			6,808			(6,808		)	780
Additional paid-in capital	10,447			—			—			553,172			(553,172		)	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62,413		)	—			—			(51,073		)	51,073			(62,413		)
Retained earnings	1,410,651			—			—			1,061,391			(1,061,391		)	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	1,359,465			—			—			1,570,298			(1,570,298		)	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			129,170			—			129,170
Total equity	1,359,465			—			—			1,699,468			(1,570,298		)	1,488,635
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	46,397			(18,203		)	82			26,593			(9,078		)	45,791
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired	(3,597,083		)	159,409			—			1,386,029			—			(2,051,645		)
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	—			—			—			(45,550		)	—			(45,550		)
Capital expenditures	(19,876		)	—			—			(36,865		)	—			(56,741		)
Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			57,550			—			57,550
Sales of marketable securities, net	1,557			—			—			—			—			1,557
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture	2,156			—			—			—			—			2,156
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity	—			891,290			—			82			(891,372		)	—
Intercompany investing related payments	—			(1,028,367		)	—			(1,175,700		)	2,204,067			—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(3,613,246		)	22,332			—			185,546			1,312,695			(2,092,673		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,325,102		)	—			—			(1,161		)	—			(1,326,263		)
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	1,000,000			—			—			—			—			1,000,000
Other borrowings (repayments), net	184,418			—			—			(16,847		)	—			167,571
Dividends paid to shareholders	(21,730		)	—			—			—			—			(21,730		)
Intercompany dividends paid	—			—			—			(9,078		)	9,078			—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	90			—			—			—			—			90
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	23			—			—			—			—			23
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(1,174		)	—			—			—			—			(1,174		)
Debt financing costs	(1,164		)	—			—			—			—			(1,164		)
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity	1,829,770			—			—			374,297			(2,204,067		)	—
Intercompany financing related payments	(28,039		)	—			(82		)	(863,251		)	891,372			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,637,092			—			(82		)	(516,040		)	(1,303,617		)	(182,647		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	1,218			(2,075		)	—			2,039			—			1,182
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,928,539		)	2,054			—			(301,862		)	—			(2,228,347		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	—		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	88,476		$	—		$	—		$	388,763		$	—		$	477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,984			—			—			90,189			—			149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,325		)	—			—			(9,342		)	—			(23,667		)
Sales of (investments in) marketable securities, net	2,163			—			—			(12		)	—			2,151
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,162		)	—			—			(9,354		)	—			(21,516		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(101		)	—			—			—			—			(101		)
Other borrowings (repayments), net	—			—			—			(8,434		)	—			(8,434		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(19,582		)	—			—			—			—			(19,582		)
Repurchases of common stock	(50,000		)	—			—			—			—			(50,000		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,255			—			—			—			—			1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	586			—			—			—			—			586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(2,968		)	—			—			—			—			(2,968		)
Debt financing costs	(1,370		)	—			—			—			—			(1,370		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(72,180		)	—			—			(8,434		)	—			(80,614		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(239		)	—			(239		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,358		)	—			—			72,162			—			46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	63,118		$	—		$	—		$	460,925		$	—		$	524,043

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables) (Rockwood Holdings, Inc.)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Rockwood and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, which have been allocated on a preliminary basis (in thousands):
	Purchase price:
	Cash paid	$	3,606,784
	Shares issued	2,036,550
	Appraisal shares	74,934
	Total purchase price	$	5,718,268
	Net assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,555,139
	Trade and other accounts receivable	266,363
	Inventories	292,435
	Other current assets	86,275
	Property, plant and equipment	1,429,024
	Investments	549,263
	Other assets	28,243
	Definite-lived intangible assets:
	Patents and technology	226,650
	Trade names and trademarks	363,120
	Customer lists and relationships	1,339,860
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	27,130
	Current liabilities	(414,342		)
	Long-term debt	(1,319,132		)
	Pension benefits	(316,835		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(166,167		)
	Deferred income taxes	(853,634		)
	Total identifiable net assets	3,093,392
	Goodwill	2,624,876
	Total net assets acquired	$	5,718,268
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
	The following unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 assume that the Merger occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma amounts include certain adjustments, including interest expense, depreciation, amortization expense and taxes. Pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were adjusted to include these costs. The pro forma amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were adjusted to exclude approximately $57.4 million of nonrecurring acquisition and integration related costs and approximately $48.2 million of charges related to the utilization of the inventory markup as further described in Note 11. The pro forma results do not include adjustments related to cost savings or other synergies that are anticipated as a result of the Merger. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma results are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations of the combined company would have been if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2014, nor are they indicative of future results of operations.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Pro forma Net sales	$	917,734		$	954,340
	Pro forma Net income from continuing operations	$	122,145		$	60,730

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	243,262
	Acquisition of Rockwood	2,624,876
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall	18,168
	Foreign currency translation	(176,636		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,709,670
Other Intangibles	The following table summarizes the changes in other intangibles and related accumulated amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Customer Lists and Relationships			Trade Names and Trademarks			Patents and Technology			Other			Total
	Gross Asset Value
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	48,479		$	17,555		$	40,398		$	23,441		$	129,873
	Acquisition of Rockwood	1,339,860			363,120			226,650			27,130			1,956,760
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall	76,537			—			1,328			—			77,865
	Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(64,318		)	(27,723		)	(19,855		)	(2,538		)	(114,434		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1,400,558		$	352,952		$	248,521		$	48,033		$	2,050,064
	Accumulated Amortization
	Balance at December 31, 2014	(22,931		)	(7,912		)	(32,831		)	(22,074		)	(85,748		)
	Amortization	(13,003		)	(3,521		)	(3,282		)	(107		)	(19,913		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,318			380			1,765			469			3,932
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(34,616	)	$	(11,053	)	$	(34,348	)	$	(21,712	)	$	(101,729	)
	Net Book Value at December 31, 2014	$	25,548		$	9,643		$	7,567		$	1,367		$	44,125
	Net Book Value at March 31, 2015	$	1,365,942		$	341,899		$	214,173		$	26,321		$	1,948,335
Total Estimated Amortization Expense of Other Intangibles for Next Five Fiscal Years	Total estimated amortization expense of other intangibles acquired in the Rockwood acquisition for the next five years is as follows (in thousands):
		Estimated Amortization Expense
	Remainder of 2015	$	64,560
	2016	$	86,080
	2017	$	86,080
	2018	$	86,080
	2019	$	86,080

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earning Per Share	Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are calculated as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	47,149		$	66,004
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,034		)	(7,652		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	58,352
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share(a)	108,130			79,735
	Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.73
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	47,149		$	66,004
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,034		)	(7,652		)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	58,352
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share(a)	108,130			79,735
	Incremental shares under stock compensation plans	334			377
	Weighted-average common shares for diluted earnings per share(a)	108,464			80,112
	Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.73
	(a)	2015 includes the impact of 34,113 shares issued in connection with the Rockwood acquisition.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Breakdown of Inventories	The following table provides a breakdown of inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Finished goods	$	412,391	$	262,769
	Raw materials	97,287		53,152
	Work in process	58,136		—
	Stores, supplies and other	52,363		42,440
	Total inventories	$	620,177	$	358,361

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	1.875% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $5,717 at March 31, 2015 and $6,605 at December 31, 2014	$	758,438	$	844,315
	3.00% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $291 at March 31, 2015 and $306 at December 31, 2014	249,709		249,694
	4.15% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,403 at March 31, 2015 and $1,439 at December 31, 2014	423,597		423,561
	4.50% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,793 at March 31, 2015 and $1,871 at December 31, 2014	348,207		348,129
	4.625% Senior notes, including unamortized premium of $42,102 at March 31, 2015	1,291,442		—
	5.10% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $3 at December 31, 2014	—		324,997
	5.45% Senior notes, net of unamortized discount of $1,020 at March 31, 2015 and $1,029 at December 31, 2014	348,980		348,971
	Commercial paper notes	461,717		367,178
	Fixed-rate foreign borrowings	10,679		1,958
	Variable-rate foreign bank loans	38,390		25,139
	Variable-rate domestic bank loans	59,880		—
	Capital lease obligations	21,994		—
	Miscellaneous	88		189
	Total long-term debt	4,013,121		2,934,131
	Less amounts due within one year	471,809		711,096
	Long-term debt, less current portion	$	3,541,312	$	2,223,035

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities	We had the following activity in our recorded environmental liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as follows (in thousands):
	Beginning balance at December 31, 2014	$	9,235
	Expenditures	(975		)
	Acquisition of Rockwood	31,391
	Accretion of discount	111
	Revisions of estimates	8
	Foreign currency translation	(2,426		)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2015	37,344
	Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,009
	Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	$	32,335
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation	The following is a summary of the activity in our asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Beginning Balance at December 31, 2014	$	15,085
	Acquisition of Rockwood	17,362
	Accretion of discount	230
	Revisions of estimates	52
	Foreign currency translation	(49		)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2015	$	32,680

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments Summarized Financial Information
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Net sales:
	Performance Chemicals	$	388,366		$	275,897
	Refining Solutions	179,166			194,661
	Chemetall Surface Treatment	192,091			—
	All Other	122,369			129,285
	Corporate	2,412			—
	Total net sales	$	884,404		$	599,843
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Performance Chemicals	$	130,528		$	73,385
	Refining Solutions	42,193			61,034
	Chemetall Surface Treatment	46,004			—
	All Other	13,564			20,695
	Corporate	33,339			(19,084		)
	Total Adjusted EBITDA	$	265,628		$	136,030
	See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, to Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP, (in thousands):
		Performance Chemicals			Refining Solutions			Chemetall Surface Treatment			Reportable Segments Total			All Other			Corporate			Consolidated Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	130,528		$	42,193		$	46,004		$	218,725		$	13,564		$	33,339		$	265,628
	Depreciation and amortization	(30,283		)	(8,110		)	(18,196		)	(56,589		)	(5,498		)	(1,899		)	(63,986		)
	Utilization of inventory markup(a)	(28,582		)	—			(16,953		)	(45,535		)	(2,651		)	—			(48,186		)
	Acquisition and integration related costs(b)	—			—			—			—			—			(59,523		)	(59,523		)
	Interest and financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—			(35,746		)	(35,746		)
	Income tax expense	—			—			—			—			—			(14,140		)	(14,140		)
	Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—			—			—			—			3,509			3,509
	Other(c)	—			—			—			—			—			(4,441		)	(4,441		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	71,663		$	34,083		$	10,855		$	116,601		$	5,415		$	(78,901	)	$	43,115
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	73,385		$	61,034		$	—		$	134,419		$	20,695		$	(19,084	)	$	136,030
	Depreciation and amortization(d)	(12,056		)	(8,680		)	—			(20,736		)	(3,364		)	(544		)	(24,644		)
	Restructuring and other charges, net(e)	—			—			—			—			—			(17,000		)	(17,000		)
	Interest and financing expenses	—			—			—			—			—			(8,773		)	(8,773		)
	Income tax expense	—			—			—			—			—			(13,190		)	(13,190		)
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—			(1,769		)	(1,769		)
	Non-operating pension and OPEB items	—			—			—			—			—			(14,071		)	(14,071		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	61,329		$	52,354		$	—		$	113,683		$	17,331		$	(74,431	)	$	56,583
	(a)	In connection with the acquisition of Rockwood, the Company valued Rockwood’s existing inventory at fair value as of the Acquisition Closing Date, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $103 million. The inventory markup is being expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, $40.3 million was included in Cost of goods sold, and Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments was reduced by $7.9 million, related to the utilization of the inventory markup.
	(b)	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”
	(c)	Financing-related fees expensed in the 2015 period in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood.
	(d)	Excludes discontinued operations.
	(e)	See Note 15, “Restructuring and Other.”

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre1

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans	The components of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are shown the table below. The 2015 period includes results of the plans we acquired in the Rockwood acquisition.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Pension Benefits Cost (Credit):
	Service cost	$	1,979		$	2,841
	Interest cost	9,564			8,169
	Expected return on assets	(11,082		)	(10,205		)
	Actuarial loss(a)	—			15,432
	Amortization of prior service benefit	30			(273		)
	Total net pension benefits cost	$	491		$	15,964
	Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit):
	Service cost	$	66		$	54
	Interest cost	668			760
	Expected return on assets	(65		)	(85		)
	Amortization of prior service benefit	(24		)	(24		)
	Settlements/curtailments(b)	(2,594		)	—
	Total net postretirement benefits cost (credit)	$	(1,949	)	$	705
	Total net pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit)	$	(1,458	)	$	16,669
	(a)	In connection with a realignment of our operating segments effective January 1, 2014, in the fourth quarter of 2013 we initiated a workforce reduction plan which resulted in a reduction of approximately 230 employees worldwide. This workforce reduction triggered a net curtailment gain of approximately $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 for our U.S. defined benefit plan which covers non-represented employees and our supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). In connection with the curtailment, we were required to remeasure the related assets and obligations for these two plans. As of the January 31, 2014 remeasurement date, the weighted-average discount rate for all of our domestic pension plans was 4.97% compared to 5.14% at December 31, 2013. Taking into account the discount rate reduction and actual return on plan assets through January 31, 2014, we recorded a mark-to-market actuarial loss (net of the curtailment gain) of $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 related to these two plans.
	(b)	We assumed responsibility for one domestic OPEB plan in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood which covered a small number of active employees and retirees. This plan was terminated in the first quarter of 2015 and provisions were made for the affected employees and retirees to receive benefits under an existing plan. A gain of $2.6 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2015 related to the termination of this plan.
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans	The following table sets forth the benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and weighted-average assumption percentages for the defined benefit pension plans acquired in the Rockwood acquisition, as of the Acquisition Closing Date (in thousands):
		U.S.			Foreign
	Benefit obligation	$	39,126		$	417,312
	Fair value of plan assets	29,314			110,289
	Funded status	$	(9,812	)	$	(307,023	)
	Weighted-average assumption percentages:
	Discount rate	4.09		%	2.36		%
	Expected return on plan assets	6.03		%	5.78		%
	Rate of compensation increase	—		%	2.79		%
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	The current forecast of benefit payments related to the defined benefit pension plans acquired in the Rockwood acquisition, which reflect expected future service, amounts to (in millions):
		U.S.			Foreign
	Remainder of 2015	$	1.4		$	12
	2016	$	1.6		$	16.4
	2017	$	1.7		$	16
	2018	$	1.9		$	16.8
	2019	$	2		$	16.9
	2020-2024	$	11.1		$	89.8

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
		31-Mar-15				31-Dec-14
		Recorded		Fair Value		Recorded		Fair Value
		Amount				Amount
		(In thousands)
	Long-term debt	$	4,013,121	$	4,142,435	$	2,934,131	$	2,994,935

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Mar-15		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	21,073	$	21,073		$	—	$	—
	Private equity securities(b)	$	1,806	$	21		$	—	$	1,785
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	19	$	—		$	19	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	21,073	$	21,073		$	—	$	—
	Liability for appraisal shares(d)	$	74,934	$	—		$	74,934	$	—
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	93	$	—		$	93	$	—
		31-Dec-14		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Assets:
	Investments under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	22,168	$	22,168		$	—	$	—
	Private equity securities(b)	$	1,806	$	21		$	—	$	1,785
	Foreign currency forward contracts(c)	$	631	$	—		$	631	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan(a)	$	22,168	$	22,168		$	—	$	—
	(a)	We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDCP) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.
	(b)	Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other income, net, in our consolidated statements of income. Holdings in private equity securities are typically valued using the net asset valuations provided by the underlying private investment companies and as such are classified within Level 3.
	(c)	As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.
	(d)	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”
	The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,785	$	750
	Total unrealized losses included in earnings relating to assets still held at the reporting date	—		(33		)
	Ending balance	$	1,785	$	717

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components and Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net of Deferred Income Taxes	The components and activity in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (net of deferred income taxes) consisted of the following during the periods indicated below (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits(a)			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap(b)			Other			Total
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(52,264	)	$	—		$	11,384		$	(20,962	)	$	(571	)	$	(62,413	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(354,571		)	—			54,046			—			—			(300,525		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	—			2			—			527			27			556
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(354,571		)	2			54,046			527			27			(299,969		)
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	100			—			—			—			—			100
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(406,735	)	$	2		$	65,430		$	(20,435	)	$	(544	)	$	(362,282	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	116,465		$	487		$	—		$	—		$	(707	)	$	116,245
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(5,258		)	—			—			(4,011		)	—			(9,269		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	—			(301		)	—			—			35			(266		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(5,258		)	(301		)	—			(4,011		)	35			(9,535		)
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	217			—			—			—			—			217
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	111,424		$	186		$	—		$	(4,011	)	$	(672	)	$	106,927
	(a)	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit). See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
	(b)	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is included in interest expense.
Amount of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit Allocated to Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The amount of income tax benefit (expense) allocated to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided in the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015															2014
		Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Net Investment Hedge			Interest Rate Swap			Other			Foreign Currency Translation			Pension and Postretirement Benefits			Interest Rate Swap			Other
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	$	(387,812	)	$	6		$	85,577		$	834		$	18		$	(4,723	)	$	(297	)	$	(6,319	)	$	54
	Income tax benefit (expense)	33,241			(4		)	(31,531		)	(307		)	9			(535		)	(4		)	2,308			(19		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$	(354,571	)	$	2		$	54,046		$	527		$	27		$	(5,258	)	$	(301	)	$	(4,011	)	$	35

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	A summary of results of discontinued operations is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net sales	$	—	$	56,836
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	—	$	(2,513	)
	Income tax benefit	—		(744		)
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	$	—	$	(1,769	)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ1

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Income Statement	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net sales	$	378,172		$	—		$	687,615		$	(181,383	)	$	884,404
	Cost of goods sold	258,124			—			546,776			(178,962		)	625,938
	Gross profit	120,048			—			140,839			(2,421		)	258,466
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517			—			95,248			—			135,765
	Research and development expenses	13,368			—			13,124			—			26,492
	Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880			—			20,643			—			59,523
	Intercompany service fee	5,665			—			(5,665		)	—			—
	Operating profit	21,618			—			17,489			(2,421		)	36,686
	Interest and financing expenses	(26,656		)	(10,771		)	1,681			—			(35,746		)
	Intergroup interest and financing expenses	(5,914		)	9,061			(3,147		)	—			—
	Other income (expenses), net	28,568			(50,052		)	71,441			—			49,957
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616			(51,762		)	87,464			(2,421		)	50,897
	Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892			(6,928		)	11,068			(892		)	14,140
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724			(44,834		)	76,396			(1,529		)	36,757
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	2,019			—			8,373			—			10,392
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	8,743			(44,834		)	84,769			(1,529		)	47,149
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—
	Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372			62,630			8,898			(105,900		)	—
	Net income	43,115			17,796			93,667			(107,429		)	47,149
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(4,034		)	—			(4,034		)
	Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	17,796		$	89,633		$	(107,429	)	$	43,115
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net income	$	43,115		$	17,796		$	93,667		$	(107,429	)	$	47,149
	Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(299,869		)	(496,500		)	(635,434		)	1,131,834			(299,969		)
	Comprehensive loss	(256,754		)	(478,704		)	(541,767		)	1,024,405			(252,820		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(3,934		)	—			(3,934		)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	(256,754	)	$	(478,704	)	$	(545,701	)	$	1,024,405		$	(256,754	)
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net sales	$	376,324		$	—		$	383,831		$	(160,312	)	$	599,843
	Cost of goods sold	261,593			—			303,361			(160,710		)	404,244
	Gross profit	114,731			—			80,470			398			195,599
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	55,769			—			22,335			—			78,104
	Research and development expenses	14,156			—			8,416			—			22,572
	Restructuring and other charges, net	3,000			—			14,000			—			17,000
	Intercompany service fee	5,070			—			(5,070		)	—			—
	Operating profit	36,736			—			40,789			398			77,923
	Interest and financing expenses	(8,798		)	—			25			—			(8,773		)
	Other income, net	208			—			935			—			1,143
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	28,146			—			41,749			398			70,293
	Income tax expense	10,371			—			2,674			145			13,190
	Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,775			—			39,075			253			57,103
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	1,936			—			6,965			—			8,901
	Net income from continuing operations	19,711			—			46,040			253			66,004
	Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(413		)	—			(1,356		)	—			(1,769		)
	Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	37,285			—			—			(37,285		)	—
	Net income	56,583			—			44,684			(37,032		)	64,235
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(7,652		)	—			(7,652		)
	Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	56,583		$	—		$	37,032		$	(37,032	)	$	56,583
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Net income	$	56,583		$	—		$	44,684		$	(37,032	)	$	64,235
	Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,318		)	—			(5,262		)	5,045			(9,535		)
	Comprehensive income	47,265			—			39,422			(31,987		)	54,700
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(7,435		)	—			(7,435		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	47,265		$	—		$	31,987		$	(31,987	)	$	47,265
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net sales	$	378,172		$	—		$	—		$	687,615		$	(181,383	)	$	884,404
Cost of goods sold	258,124			—			—			546,776			(178,962		)	625,938
Gross profit	120,048			—			—			140,839			(2,421		)	258,466
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517			—			—			95,248			—			135,765
Research and development expenses	13,368			—			—			13,124			—			26,492
Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880			—			—			20,643			—			59,523
Intercompany service fee	5,665			—			—			(5,665		)	—			—
Operating profit	21,618			—			—			17,489			(2,421		)	36,686
Interest and financing expenses	(26,656		)	(10,771		)	—			1,681			—			(35,746		)
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	(5,914		)	9,061			—			(3,147		)	—			—
Other income (expenses), net	28,568			(50,052		)	—			71,441			—			49,957
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616			(51,762		)	—			87,464			(2,421		)	50,897
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892			(6,928		)	—			11,068			(892		)	14,140
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724			(44,834		)	—			76,396			(1,529		)	36,757
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	2,019			—			—			8,373			—			10,392
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	8,743			(44,834		)	—			84,769			(1,529		)	47,149
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	—			—			—			—			—			—
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372			53,732			8,898			8,898			(105,900		)	—
Net income	43,115			8,898			8,898			93,667			(107,429		)	47,149
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(4,034		)	—			(4,034		)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	43,115		$	8,898		$	8,898		$	89,633		$	(107,429	)	$	43,115
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net income	$	43,115		$	8,898		$	8,898		$	93,667		$	(107,429	)	$	47,149
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(299,869		)	(248,250		)	(248,250		)	(635,434		)	1,131,834			(299,969		)
Comprehensive loss	(256,754		)	(239,352		)	(239,352		)	(541,767		)	1,024,405			(252,820		)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(3,934		)	—			(3,934		)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	(256,754	)	$	(239,352	)	$	(239,352	)	$	(545,701	)	$	1,024,405		$	(256,754	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net sales	$	376,324		$	—		$	—		$	383,831		$	(160,312	)	$	599,843
Cost of goods sold	261,593			—			—			303,361			(160,710		)	404,244
Gross profit	114,731			—			—			80,470			398			195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	55,769			—			—			22,335			—			78,104
Research and development expenses	14,156			—			—			8,416			—			22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	3,000			—			—			14,000			—			17,000
Intercompany service fee	5,070			—			—			(5,070		)	—			—
Operating profit	36,736			—			—			40,789			398			77,923
Interest and financing expenses	(8,798		)	—			—			25			—			(8,773		)
Other income, net	208			—			—			935			—			1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	28,146			—			—			41,749			398			70,293
Income tax expense	10,371			—			—			2,674			145			13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,775			—			—			39,075			253			57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax)	1,936			—			—			6,965			—			8,901
Net income from continuing operations	19,711			—			—			46,040			253			66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(413		)	—			—			(1,356		)	—			(1,769		)
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	37,285			—			—			—			(37,285		)	—
Net income	56,583			—			—			44,684			(37,032		)	64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(7,652		)	—			(7,652		)
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	56,583		$	—		$	—		$	37,032		$	(37,032	)	$	56,583
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Net income	$	56,583		$	—		$	—		$	44,684		$	(37,032	)	$	64,235
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,318		)	—			—			(5,262		)	5,045			(9,535		)
Comprehensive income	47,265			—			—			39,422			(31,987		)	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			(7,435		)	—			(7,435		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$	47,265		$	—		$	—		$	31,987		$	(31,987	)	$	47,265
Condensed Balance Sheet	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
	Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835			—			521,130			—			626,965
	Other accounts receivable	12,518			23,216			47,299			—			83,033
	Intergroup receivable	56,069			49			40,953			(97,071		)	—
	Inventories	201,563			—			431,877			(13,263		)	620,177
	Other current assets	88,100			—			104,692			(97,845		)	94,947
	Total current assets	466,348			25,319			1,403,055			(208,179		)	1,686,543
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949			—			2,283,684			—			4,021,633
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877			—			343,729			—			1,404,606
	Net property, plant and equipment	677,072			—			1,939,955			—			2,617,027
	Investments	74,362			4,891			573,719			—			652,972
	Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998			11,104,115			6,368,690			(24,436,803		)	—
	Other assets	28,247			12,319			152,245			(12,599		)	180,212
	Goodwill	49,214			—			2,660,456			—			2,709,670
	Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282			—			1,928,053			—			1,948,335
	Intergroup receivable	—			3,311,271			1,817,653			(5,128,924		)	—
	Total assets	$	8,279,523		$	14,457,915		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
	Liabilities and Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	119,879		$	—		$	220,936		$	—		$	340,815
	Intergroup payable	40,939			36			56,096			(97,071		)	—
	Accrued expenses	154,992			119,221			279,734			—			553,947
	Current portion of long-term debt	461,767			—			10,042			—			471,809
	Dividends payable	32,261			—			—			—			32,261
	Income taxes payable	—			97,845			58,404			(98,737		)	57,512
	Total current liabilities	809,838			217,102			625,212			(195,808		)	1,456,344
	Long-term debt	2,218,848			1,291,442			31,022			—			3,541,312
	Postretirement benefits	55,578			—			—			(280		)	55,298
	Pension benefits	125,659			—			325,533			—			451,192
	Intergroup payable	1,804,370			1,016,759			2,307,795			(5,128,924		)	—
	Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263			58,970			130,738			—			241,971
	Deferred income taxes	103,584			—			710,047			(12,319		)	801,312
	Commitments and contingencies
	Equity:
	Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
	Common stock	1,122			—			6,808			(6,808		)	1,122
	Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309			12,352,346			12,117,045			(24,469,391		)	2,049,309
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(362,282		)	(496,500		)	(686,412		)	1,182,912			(362,282		)
	Retained earnings	1,421,234			17,796			1,138,091			(1,155,887		)	1,421,234
	Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383			11,873,642			12,575,532			(24,449,174		)	3,109,383
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			137,947			—			137,947
	Total equity	3,109,383			11,873,642			12,713,479			(24,449,174		)	3,247,330
	Total liabilities and equity	$	8,279,523		$	14,457,915		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
	Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	91,849			—			293,363			—			385,212
	Other accounts receivable	19,033			—			30,390			—			49,423
	Intergroup receivable	74,102			—			18,097			(92,199		)	—
	Inventories	201,006			—			171,543			(14,188		)	358,361
	Other current assets	45,901			—			25,111			(4,926		)	66,086
	Total current assets	2,362,693			—			1,097,470			(111,313		)	3,348,850
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,726,690			—			893,980			—			2,620,670
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,047,372			—			341,430			—			1,388,802
	Net property, plant and equipment	679,318			—			552,550			—			1,231,868
	Investments	73,500			—			120,542			—			194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	1,551,071			—			—			(1,551,071		)	—
Other assets	35,837			—			125,119			—			160,956
Goodwill	49,212			—			194,050			—			243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,834			—			23,291			—			44,125
Total assets	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	122,479		$	—		$	109,226		$	—		$	231,705
Intergroup payable	18,097			—			74,102			(92,199		)	—
Accrued expenses	84,619			—			81,555			—			166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	692,280			—			18,816			—			711,096
Dividends payable	21,458			—			—			—			21,458
Income taxes payable	1,396			—			7,944			113			9,453
Total current liabilities	940,329			—			291,643			(92,086		)	1,139,886
Long-term debt	2,214,755			—			8,280			—			2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	56,424			—			—			—			56,424
Pension benefits	128,238			—			42,296			—			170,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,936			—			35,769			—			87,705
Deferred income taxes	21,318			—			35,566			—			56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	780			—			6,808			(6,808		)	780
Additional paid-in capital	10,447			—			553,172			(553,172		)	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62,413		)	—			(51,073		)	51,073			(62,413		)
Retained earnings	1,410,651			—			1,061,391			(1,061,391		)	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	1,359,465			—			1,570,298			(1,570,298		)	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			129,170			—			129,170
Total equity	1,359,465			—			1,699,468			(1,570,298		)	1,488,635
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	—		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835			—			—			521,130			—			626,965
Other accounts receivable	12,518			23,216			—			47,299			—			83,033
Intergroup receivable	56,069			49			—			40,953			(97,071		)	—
Inventories	201,563			—			—			431,877			(13,263		)	620,177
Other current assets	88,100			—			—			104,692			(97,845		)	94,947
Total current assets	466,348			25,319			—			1,403,055			(208,179		)	1,686,543
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949			—			—			2,283,684			—			4,021,633
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877			—			—			343,729			—			1,404,606
Net property, plant and equipment	677,072			—			—			1,939,955			—			2,617,027
Investments	74,362			4,891			—			573,719			—			652,972
Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998			4,735,428			6,368,687			6,368,690			(24,436,803		)	—
Other assets	28,247			12,319			—			152,245			(12,599		)	180,212
Goodwill	49,214			—			—			2,660,456			—			2,709,670
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282			—			—			1,928,053			—			1,948,335
Intergroup receivable	—			3,311,210			61			1,817,653			(5,128,924		)	—
Total assets	$	8,279,523		$	8,089,167		$	6,368,748		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	119,879		$	—		$	—		$	220,936		$	—		$	340,815
Intergroup payable	40,939			—			36			56,096			(97,071		)	—
Accrued expenses	154,992			119,221			—			279,734			—			553,947
Current portion of long-term debt	461,767			—			—			10,042			—			471,809
Dividends payable	32,261			—			—			—			—			32,261
Income taxes payable	—			97,845			—			58,404			(98,737		)	57,512
Total current liabilities	809,838			217,066			36			625,212			(195,808		)	1,456,344
Long-term debt	2,218,848			1,291,442			—			31,022			—			3,541,312
Postretirement benefits	55,578			—			—			—			(280		)	55,298
Pension benefits	125,659			—			—			325,533			—			451,192
Intergroup payable	1,804,370			153,002			863,757			2,307,795			(5,128,924		)	—
Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263			58,970			—			130,738			—			241,971
Deferred income taxes	103,584			—			—			710,047			(12,319		)	801,312
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122			—			—			6,808			(6,808		)	1,122
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309			6,608,039			5,744,307			12,117,045			(24,469,391		)	2,049,309
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(362,282		)	(248,250		)	(248,250		)	(686,412		)	1,182,912			(362,282		)
Retained earnings	1,421,234			8,898			8,898			1,138,091			(1,155,887		)	1,421,234
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383			6,368,687			5,504,955			12,575,532			(24,449,174		)	3,109,383
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			137,947			—			137,947
Total equity	3,109,383			6,368,687			5,504,955			12,713,479			(24,449,174		)	3,247,330
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,279,523		$	8,089,167		$	6,368,748		$	16,843,826		$	(29,786,505	)	$	9,794,759
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	91,849			—			—			293,363			—			385,212
Other accounts receivable	19,033			—			—			30,390			—			49,423
Intergroup receivable	74,102			—			—			18,097			(92,199		)	—
Inventories	201,006			—			—			171,543			(14,188		)	358,361
Other current assets	45,901			—			—			25,111			(4,926		)	66,086
Total current assets	2,362,693			—			—			1,097,470			(111,313		)	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,726,690			—			—			893,980			—			2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,047,372			—			—			341,430			—			1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	679,318			—			—			552,550			—			1,231,868
Investments	73,500			—			—			120,542			—			194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	1,551,071			—			—			—			(1,551,071		)	—
Other assets	35,837			—			—			125,119			—			160,956
Goodwill	49,212			—			—			194,050			—			243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,834			—			—			23,291			—			44,125
Total assets	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	122,479		$	—		$	—		$	109,226		$	—		$	231,705
Intergroup payable	18,097			—			—			74,102			(92,199		)	—
Accrued expenses	84,619			—			—			81,555			—			166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	692,280			—			—			18,816			—			711,096
Dividends payable	21,458			—			—			—			—			21,458
Income taxes payable	1,396			—			—			7,944			113			9,453
Total current liabilities	940,329			—			—			291,643			(92,086		)	1,139,886
Long-term debt	2,214,755			—			—			8,280			—			2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	56,424			—			—			—			—			56,424
Pension benefits	128,238			—			—			42,296			—			170,534
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,936			—			—			35,769			—			87,705
Deferred income taxes	21,318			—			—			35,566			—			56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	780			—			—			6,808			(6,808		)	780
Additional paid-in capital	10,447			—			—			553,172			(553,172		)	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(62,413		)	—			—			(51,073		)	51,073			(62,413		)
Retained earnings	1,410,651			—			—			1,061,391			(1,061,391		)	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	1,359,465			—			—			1,570,298			(1,570,298		)	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			129,170			—			129,170
Total equity	1,359,465			—			—			1,699,468			(1,570,298		)	1,488,635
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,772,465		$	—		$	—		$	2,113,022		$	(1,662,384	)	$	5,223,103
Condensed Cash Flow Statement	Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	46,397			(18,121		)	26,593			(9,078		)	45,791
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired	(3,597,083		)	159,409			1,386,029			—			(2,051,645		)
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	—			—			(45,550		)	—			(45,550		)
	Capital expenditures	(19,876		)	—			(36,865		)	—			(56,741		)
	Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			57,550			—			57,550
	Sales of marketable securities, net	1,557			—			—			—			1,557
	Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture	2,156			—			—			—			2,156
	Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity	—			891,290			82			(891,372		)	—
	Intercompany investing related payments	—			(1,028,367		)	(1,175,700		)	2,204,067			—
	Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(3,613,246		)	22,332			185,546			1,312,695			(2,092,673		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of long-term debt	(1,325,102		)	—			(1,161		)	—			(1,326,263		)
	Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	1,000,000			—			—			—			1,000,000
	Other borrowings (repayments), net	184,418			—			(16,847		)	—			167,571
	Dividends paid to shareholders	(21,730		)	—			—			—			(21,730		)
	Intercompany dividends paid	—			—			(9,078		)	9,078			—
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	90			—			—			—			90
	Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	23			—			—			—			23
	Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(1,174		)	—			—			—			(1,174		)
	Debt financing costs	(1,164		)	—			—			—			(1,164		)
	Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity	1,829,770			—			374,297			(2,204,067		)	—
	Intercompany financing related payments	(28,039		)	(82		)	(863,251		)	891,372			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,637,092			(82		)	(516,040		)	(1,303,617		)	(182,647		)
	Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	1,218			(2,075		)	2,039			—			1,182
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,928,539		)	2,054			(301,862		)	—			(2,228,347		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
	Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In Thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	88,476		$	—		$	388,763		$	—		$	477,239
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	58,984			—			90,189			—			149,173
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(14,325		)	—			(9,342		)	—			(23,667		)
	Sales of (investments in) marketable securities, net	2,163			—			(12		)	—			2,151
	Net cash used in investing activities	(12,162		)	—			(9,354		)	—			(21,516		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of long-term debt	(101		)	—			—			—			(101		)
	Other borrowings (repayments), net	—						(8,434		)	—			(8,434		)
	Dividends paid to shareholders	(19,582		)	—			—			—			(19,582		)
	Repurchases of common stock	(50,000		)	—			—			—			(50,000		)
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,255			—			—			—			1,255
	Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	586			—			—			—			586
	Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(2,968		)	—			—			—			(2,968		)
	Debt financing costs	(1,370		)	—			—			—			(1,370		)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(72,180		)	—			(8,434		)	—			(80,614		)
	Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	—						(239		)	—			(239		)
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,358		)	—			72,162			—			46,804
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	63,118		$	—		$	460,925		$	—		$	524,043
	Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	1,930,802		$	—		$	—		$	558,966		$	—		$	2,489,768
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	46,397			(18,203		)	82			26,593			(9,078		)	45,791
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired	(3,597,083		)	159,409			—			1,386,029			—			(2,051,645		)
	Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	—			—			—			(45,550		)	—			(45,550		)
Capital expenditures	(19,876		)	—			—			(36,865		)	—			(56,741		)
Decrease in restricted cash	—			—			—			57,550			—			57,550
Sales of marketable securities, net	1,557			—			—			—			—			1,557
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture	2,156			—			—			—			—			2,156
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity	—			891,290			—			82			(891,372		)	—
Intercompany investing related payments	—			(1,028,367		)	—			(1,175,700		)	2,204,067			—
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(3,613,246		)	22,332			—			185,546			1,312,695			(2,092,673		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,325,102		)	—			—			(1,161		)	—			(1,326,263		)
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	1,000,000			—			—			—			—			1,000,000
Other borrowings (repayments), net	184,418			—			—			(16,847		)	—			167,571
Dividends paid to shareholders	(21,730		)	—			—			—			—			(21,730		)
Intercompany dividends paid	—			—			—			(9,078		)	9,078			—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	90			—			—			—			—			90
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	23			—			—			—			—			23
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(1,174		)	—			—			—			—			(1,174		)
Debt financing costs	(1,164		)	—			—			—			—			(1,164		)
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity	1,829,770			—			—			374,297			(2,204,067		)	—
Intercompany financing related payments	(28,039		)	—			(82		)	(863,251		)	891,372			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,637,092			—			(82		)	(516,040		)	(1,303,617		)	(182,647		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	1,218			(2,075		)	—			2,039			—			1,182
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,928,539		)	2,054			—			(301,862		)	—			(2,228,347		)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,263		$	2,054		$	—		$	257,104		$	—		$	261,421
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)	Parent Company Guarantor			Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiary			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments			Consolidated Total
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	$	88,476		$	—		$	—		$	388,763		$	—		$	477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,984			—			—			90,189			—			149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,325		)	—			—			(9,342		)	—			(23,667		)
Sales of (investments in) marketable securities, net	2,163			—			—			(12		)	—			2,151
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,162		)	—			—			(9,354		)	—			(21,516		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(101		)	—			—			—			—			(101		)
Other borrowings (repayments), net	—			—			—			(8,434		)	—			(8,434		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(19,582		)	—			—			—			—			(19,582		)
Repurchases of common stock	(50,000		)	—			—			—			—			(50,000		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,255			—			—			—			—			1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements	586			—			—			—			—			586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions	(2,968		)	—			—			—			—			(2,968		)
Debt financing costs	(1,370		)	—			—			—			—			(1,370		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(72,180		)	—			—			(8,434		)	—			(80,614		)
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(239		)	—			(239		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,358		)	—			—			72,162			—			46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	63,118		$	—		$	—		$	460,925		$	—		$	524,043

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 12, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$2,709,670		$243,262
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid	3,606,784
Appraisal shares	74,934
Total purchase price	5,718,268
Cash and cash equivalents	1,555,139
Trade and other accounts receivable	266,363
Inventories	292,435
Other current assets	86,275
Property, plant and equipment	1,429,024
Investments	549,263
Other assets	28,243
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	27,130
Current liabilities	-414,342
Long-term debt	-1,319,132
Pension benefits	-316,835
Other noncurrent liabilities	-166,167
Deferred income taxes	-853,634
Total identifiable net assets	3,093,392
Goodwill	2,624,876
Total net assets acquired	5,718,268
Pro forma Net sales		917,734	954,340
Pro forma Net income from continuing operations		122,145	60,730
Common Stock | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares issued	2,036,550
Patents and technology | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	226,650
Trade names and trademarks | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	363,120
Customer lists and relationships | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets:	$1,339,860

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 12, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Share price					$59.70
Common stock, par value		$0.01			$0.01	$0.01
Net sales		$884,404,000		$599,843,000
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation		43,115,000		56,583,000
Acquisition and integration related costs		59,523,000		0
Goodwill		2,709,670,000				243,262,000
Utilization of inventory markup		48,200,000
Equity Interest Acquired, Percentage	40.00%
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall	57,600,000
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	45,550,000	45,550,000		0
Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value	60,000,000
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price					5,718,268,000
Cash issued per outstanding share of Rockwood common stock					$50.65
Equity issued per outstanding share of Rockwood common stock					0.4803
Net sales		328,800,000
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation		8,900,000
Acquisition and integration related costs		57,400,000
Goodwill					2,624,876,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life					23 years
Other significant projects
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration related costs		2,100,000
Common Stock | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common stock - number of shares issued					34,100,000
Appraisal shares							882,000
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common stock, par value					$0.01
4.625% Senior Notes
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate		4.63%			4.63%
Debt instrument, face amount					1,250,000,000
Unamortized Premium		42,102,000			43,700,000
Patents and technology | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life					17 years
Trade names and trademarks | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life					24 years
Customer lists and relationships | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life					24 years
Rockwood Merger Appraisal Shares Litigation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Liability for appraisal shares		$74,934,000	[1]
[1]	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Changes in Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 12, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$243,262
Foreign currency translation	-176,636
Balance at end of period	2,709,670
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		2,624,876
Acquisition of goodwill	2,624,876
Balance at end of period		2,624,876
Shanghai Chemetall
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	$18,168

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$129,873
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-114,434
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	2,050,064
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	-85,748
Amortization	-19,913
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	3,932
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	-101,729
Net Book Value	1,948,335	44,125
Customer lists and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	48,479
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-64,318
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	1,400,558
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	-22,931
Amortization	-13,003
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,318
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	-34,616
Net Book Value	1,365,942	25,548
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	17,555
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-27,723
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	352,952
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	-7,912
Amortization	-3,521
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	380
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	-11,053
Net Book Value	341,899	9,643
Patents and technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	40,398
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-19,855
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	248,521
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	-32,831
Amortization	-3,282
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,765
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	-34,348
Net Book Value	214,173	7,567
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning of Period	23,441
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-2,538
Gross Asset Value, End of Period	48,033
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning of Period	-22,074
Amortization	-107
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	469
Accumulated Amortization, End of Period	-21,712
Net Book Value	26,321	1,367
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	1,956,760
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Customer lists and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	1,339,860
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	363,120
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Patents and technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	226,650
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	27,130
Shanghai Chemetall
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	77,865
Shanghai Chemetall | Customer lists and relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	76,537
Shanghai Chemetall | Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	0
Shanghai Chemetall | Patents and technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	1,328
Shanghai Chemetall | Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisition of other intangible assets	$0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Total Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets for the Next Five Fiscal Years (Details) (Rockwood Holdings, Inc., USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	$64,560
2016	86,080
2017	86,080
2018	86,080
2019	$86,080

Foreign_Exchange_Additional_In

Foreign Exchange - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Net foreign exchange transaction gains (losses)	$52.40

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Addi

Income Taxes - Income Taxes Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	27.80%	18.80%
Other tax expense (benefit)	$3.20	($5.80)

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	$47,149		$66,004
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034		-7,652
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115		58,352
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	108,130	[1]	79,735
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.73
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net income from continuing operations	47,149		66,004
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034		-7,652
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$43,115		$58,352
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	108,130	[1]	79,735
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	334		377
Total shares	108,464	[1]	80,112
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40		$0.73
[1]	2015 includes the impact of 34,113 shares issued in connection with the Rockwood acquisition.

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation1

Earnings Per Share Calculation of Basic Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Footnote) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Rockwood acquisition, issuance of common stock	34,113

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 24, 2015	5-May-15
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in dividend rate, percentage	5.00%
Cash dividend, amount per share (in dollars per share)	$0.29
Subsequent Event
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash dividend, amount per share (in dollars per share)		$0.29

Inventories_Breakdown_of_Inven

Inventories Breakdown of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$412,391	$262,769
Raw materials	97,287	53,152
Work in process	58,136	0
Stores, supplies and other	52,363	42,440
Total inventories	$620,177	$358,361

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Talison Lithium variable interest entity
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.00%
Carrying value of unconsolidated investment	$444.80
Other variable interest entities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of unconsolidated investment	$32.90	$6.20

LongTerm_Debt_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper notes	$461,717	$367,178
Fixed rate foreign borrowings	10,679	1,958
Variable-rate foreign bank loans	38,390	25,139
Variable rate domestic bank loans	59,880	0
Capital lease obligations	21,994	0
Miscellaneous	88	189
Total long-term debt	4,013,121	2,934,131
Less amounts due within one year	471,809	711,096
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,541,312	2,223,035
1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	758,438	844,315
3.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	249,709	249,694
4.15% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	423,597	423,561
4.50% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	348,207	348,129
4.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	1,291,442	0
5.10% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	0	324,997
5.45% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$348,980	$348,971

LongTerm_Debt_Footnote_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Footnote) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 12, 2015	Jan. 20, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	$1,326,263	$101
1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	5,717			6,605
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.88%			1.88%
3.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	291			306
Debt instrument, interest rate	3.00%			3.00%
4.15% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	1,403			1,439
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.15%			4.15%
4.50% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	1,793			1,871
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.50%			4.50%
4.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.63%				4.63%
Unamortized Premium	42,102				43,700
5.10% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount				3
Debt instrument, interest rate				5.10%		5.10%
Repayments of long-term debt			325,000
5.45% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	1,020			1,029
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.45%			5.45%
Senior Unsecured Cash Bridge Facility | Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	800,000
Short-term Debt | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	1,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt	$250,000

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 12, 2015	Jan. 20, 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	$1,000,000,000	$0
Repayments of long-term debt	1,326,263,000	101,000
Commercial paper notes	461,717,000				367,178,000
Weighted average interest rate	0.87%
Weighted average maturity period	21 days
Net investment hedge, gain (loss)	54,046,000	0
Debt financing costs	1,164,000	1,370,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			250,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	250,000,000
Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Related Commitment Fees and Debt Issuance Costs	2,300,000
4.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						1,250,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.63%					4.63%
Unamortized Premium	42,102,000					43,700,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						3.95%
5.10% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate					5.10%		5.10%
Repayments of long-term debt				325,000,000
1.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.88%				1.88%
Short-term Debt | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			1,000,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	1,000,000,000
Senior Unsecured Cash Bridge Facility | Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			800,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	$800,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$9,235
Expenditures	-975
Accretion of discount	111
Revisions of estimates	8
Foreign currency translation	-2,426
Balance at end of period	37,344
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses	5,009
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities	32,335
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood	$31,391

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liabilities - discounted	$21,400,000
Environmental remediation liabilities - undiscounted	34,500,000
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax	22,000,000
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Discount Rate	2.80%
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Discount Rate	4.30%
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies from Rockwood Acquisition	$31,391,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$15,085
Accretion of discount	230
Revisions of estimates	52
Foreign currency translation	-49
Balance at end of period	32,680
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood	$17,362

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment_Information_Summarized

Segment Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$884,404		$599,843
Adjusted EBITDA	265,628		136,030
Depreciation and amortization	-63,986		-27,809
Utilization of inventory markup	-48,200
Restructuring and other charges, net	0		-17,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	-59,523		0
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746		-8,773
Income tax expense	-14,140		-13,190
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0		-1,769
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115		56,583
Performance Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	388,366		275,897
Adjusted EBITDA	130,528		73,385
Refining Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	179,166		194,661
Adjusted EBITDA	42,193		61,034
Chemetall Surface Treatment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	192,091		0
Adjusted EBITDA	46,004		0
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	122,369		129,285
Adjusted EBITDA	13,564		20,695
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,412		0
Adjusted EBITDA	33,339		-19,084
Continuing Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	265,628		136,030
Depreciation and amortization	-63,986		-24,644	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	-48,186	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			-17,000	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	-59,523	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746		-8,773
Income tax expense	-14,140		-13,190
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			-1,769
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	3,509		-14,071
Other	-4,441	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115		56,583
Continuing Operations [Member] | Performance Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	130,528		73,385
Depreciation and amortization	-30,283		-12,056	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	-28,582	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			0	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	0		0
Income tax expense	0		0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0		0
Other	0	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	71,663		61,329
Continuing Operations [Member] | Refining Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	42,193		61,034
Depreciation and amortization	-8,110		-8,680	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	0	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			0	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	0		0
Income tax expense	0		0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0		0
Other	0	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	34,083		52,354
Continuing Operations [Member] | Chemetall Surface Treatment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	46,004		0
Depreciation and amortization	-18,196		0	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	-16,953	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			0	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	0		0
Income tax expense	0		0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0		0
Other	0	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	10,855		0
Continuing Operations [Member] | Reportable Segment Subtotal
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	218,725		134,419
Depreciation and amortization	-56,589		-20,736	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	-45,535	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			0	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	0		0
Income tax expense	0		0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0		0
Other	0	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	116,601		113,683
Continuing Operations [Member] | All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	13,564		20,695
Depreciation and amortization	-5,498		-3,364	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	-2,651	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			0	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	0	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	0		0
Income tax expense	0		0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	0		0
Other	0	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	5,415		17,331
Continuing Operations [Member] | Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	33,339		-19,084
Depreciation and amortization	-1,899		-544	[1]
Utilization of inventory markup	0	[2]
Restructuring and other charges, net			-17,000	[3]
Acquisition and integration related costs	-59,523	[4]
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746		-8,773
Income tax expense	-14,140		-13,190
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)			-1,769
Non-operating pension and OPEB items	3,509		-14,071
Other	-4,441	[5]
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	($78,901)		($74,431)
[1]	Excludes discontinued operations.
[2]	In connection with the acquisition of Rockwood, the Company valued Rockwood’s existing inventory at fair value as of the Acquisition Closing Date, which resulted in a markup of the underlying net book value of the inventory totaling approximately $103 million. The inventory markup is being expensed over the estimated remaining selling period. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, $40.3 million was included in Cost of goods sold, and Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments was reduced by $7.9 million, related to the utilization of the inventory markup.
[3]	See Note 15, “Restructuring and Other.”
[4]	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”
[5]	Financing-related fees expensed in the 2015 period in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood.

Segment_Information_Summarized1

Segment Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 12, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup	$48,200,000
Cost of goods sold
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup	40,300,000
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup	7,900,000
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Inventory markup		$103,000,000

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre2

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Jan. 12, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Settlements/curtailments			($800)
Total net pension benefits cost	-1,458		16,669
United States Pension Plan of US Entity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate						5.14%	4.97%
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1,979		2,841
Interest cost	9,564		8,169
Expected return on assets	-11,082		-10,205
Actuarial loss	0		15,432	[1]
Amortization of prior service benefit	30		-273
Total net pension benefits cost	491		15,964
Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	66		54
Interest cost	668		760
Expected return on assets	-65		-85
Amortization of prior service benefit	-24		-24
Settlements/curtailments	-2,594	[2]	0
Total net pension benefits cost	-1,949		705
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | United States Pension Plan of US Entity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation					39,126
Fair value of plan assets					29,314
Funded status					-9,812
Discount rate					4.09%
Expected return on plan assets					6.03%
Rate of compensation increase					0.00%
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Foreign Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation					417,312
Fair value of plan assets					110,289
Funded status					($307,023)
Discount rate					2.36%
Expected return on plan assets					5.78%
Rate of compensation increase					2.79%
[1]	In connection with a realignment of our operating segments effective January 1, 2014, in the fourth quarter of 2013 we initiated a workforce reduction plan which resulted in a reduction of approximately 230 employees worldwide. This workforce reduction triggered a net curtailment gain of approximately $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 for our U.S. defined benefit plan which covers non-represented employees and our supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). In connection with the curtailment, we were required to remeasure the related assets and obligations for these two plans. As of the January 31, 2014 remeasurement date, the weighted-average discount rate for all of our domestic pension plans was 4.97% compared to 5.14% at December 31, 2013. Taking into account the discount rate reduction and actual return on plan assets through January 31, 2014, we recorded a mark-to-market actuarial loss (net of the curtailment gain) of $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 related to these two plans.
[2]	We assumed responsibility for one domestic OPEB plan in connection with the acquisition of Rockwood which covered a small number of active employees and retirees. This plan was terminated in the first quarter of 2015 and provisions were made for the affected employees and retirees to receive benefits under an existing plan. A gain of $2.6 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2015 related to the termination of this plan.

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre3

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Current Forecast of Benefit Payments which Reflect Expected Future Service (Detail) (Rockwood Holdings, Inc., USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
United States Pension Plan of US Entity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	$1.40
2016	1.6
2017	1.7
2018	1.9
2019	2
2020-2024	11.1
Foreign Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Remainder of 2015	12
2016	16.4
2017	16
2018	16.8
2019	16.9
2020-2024	$89.80

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre4

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Footnote) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net curtailment gain		$800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	2,600,000
United States Pension Plan of US Entity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate				5.14%	4.97%
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial loss	$0	$15,432,000	[1]
[1]	In connection with a realignment of our operating segments effective January 1, 2014, in the fourth quarter of 2013 we initiated a workforce reduction plan which resulted in a reduction of approximately 230 employees worldwide. This workforce reduction triggered a net curtailment gain of approximately $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 for our U.S. defined benefit plan which covers non-represented employees and our supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). In connection with the curtailment, we were required to remeasure the related assets and obligations for these two plans. As of the January 31, 2014 remeasurement date, the weighted-average discount rate for all of our domestic pension plans was 4.97% compared to 5.14% at December 31, 2013. Taking into account the discount rate reduction and actual return on plan assets through January 31, 2014, we recorded a mark-to-market actuarial loss (net of the curtailment gain) of $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2014 related to these two plans.

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre5

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Pension and Postretirement Plan Contributions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	$4.50	$1.10
Other Postretirement Benefits Payments	1.5	1.4
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected Contributions to Rockwood Pension Plans for the Remainder of 2015	$3.40

Pension_Plans_and_Other_Postre6

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Multiemployer Plan (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Funded status of multiemployer plan			80.00%
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$0.40	€ 0.30
Contributions to Multiemployer Plan, Percentage of Total Contributions to Plan			5.00%

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt, Recorded Amount	$4,013,121	$2,934,131
Long-term debt, Fair Value	$4,142,435	$2,994,935

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Additional Information (Detail) (Forward contracts, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$364.90		$479.90
Accrued expenses
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Fair value foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	0.1
Other accounts receivable
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Fair value foreign currency forward contracts, assets			0.6
Other income (expenses), net
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized gains (losses) of foreign currency forward contracts	-20.4	-1.1
Other, net
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts	20.4	1.1
Cash settlements	($19.70)	($0.80)

Fair_Value_Measurement_Financi

Fair Value Measurement Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	$21,073	[1]	$22,168	[1]
Private equity securities	1,806	[2]	1,806	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets	19	[3]	631	[3]
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	21,073	[1]	22,168	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	93	[3]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	21,073	[1]	22,168	[1]
Private equity securities	21	[2]	21	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	21,073	[1]	22,168	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	0	[3]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	0	[1]	0	[1]
Private equity securities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets	19	[3]	631	[3]
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	93	[3]
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan	0	[1]	0	[1]
Private equity securities	1,785	[2]	1,785	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan	0	[1]	0	[1]
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities	0	[3]
Rockwood Merger Appraisal Shares Litigation [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for appraisal shares	74,934	[4]
Rockwood Merger Appraisal Shares Litigation [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for appraisal shares	0	[4]
Rockwood Merger Appraisal Shares Litigation [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for appraisal shares	74,934	[4]
Rockwood Merger Appraisal Shares Litigation [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for appraisal shares	$0	[4]
[1]	We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (EDCP) that was adopted in 2001 and subsequently amended. The purpose of the EDCP is to provide current tax planning opportunities as well as supplemental funds upon the retirement or death of certain of our employees. The EDCP is intended to aid in attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing them with these benefits. We also maintain a Benefit Protection Trust (the “Trust”) that was created to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting the obligations of the EDCP, subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of our insolvency. Assets of the Trust are consolidated in accordance with authoritative guidance. The assets of the Trust consist primarily of mutual fund investments (which are accounted for as trading securities and are marked-to-market on a monthly basis through the consolidated statements of income) and cash and cash equivalents. As such, these assets and obligations are classified within Level 1.
[2]	Primarily consists of private equity securities classified as available-for-sale and are reported in Investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other income, net, in our consolidated statements of income. Holdings in private equity securities are typically valued using the net asset valuations provided by the underlying private investment companies and as such are classified within Level 3.
[3]	As a result of our global operating and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial position. When deemed appropriate, we minimize our risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through the use of foreign currency forward contracts. Unless otherwise noted, these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.
[4]	See Note 2, “Acquisitions.”

Fair_Value_Measurement_Level_3

Fair Value Measurement Level 3 Reconciliation (Details) (Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), Private Equity Funds [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$1,785	$750
Total unrealized losses included in earnings relating to assets still held at the reporting date	0	-33
Ending balance	$1,785	$717

Restructuring_and_Other_Additi

Restructuring and Other Additional Information (Details) (Contract Termination [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business exit costs	$6.50	$14
Asset impairment charges		3
Restructuring and other charges, net of tax		11.1
Business exit costs, net of tax	4.3
Restructuring reserve, current			$12.50

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Components and Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Net of Deferred Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	($62,413)		$116,245
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	-300,525		-9,269
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	556		-266
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,969		-9,535
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	100		217
Ending balance	-362,282		106,927
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance					-52,264	116,465
Ending balance	-406,735		111,424		-52,264	116,465
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	-354,571		-5,258
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	0		0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-354,571		-5,258
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	100		217
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance					0	487
Ending balance	2		186		0	487
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	0		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	2	[1]	-301	[1]
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	2		-301
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11,384		0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	54,046		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	0		0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	54,046		0
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Ending balance	65,430		0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance					-20,962	0
Ending balance	-20,435		-4,011		-20,962	0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	0		-4,011
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	527	[2]	0	[2]
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	527		-4,011
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-571		-707
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	0		0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	27		35
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	27		35
Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0
Ending balance	($544)		($672)
[1]	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consists of amortization of prior service benefit, which is a component of pension and postretirement benefits cost (credit). See Note 12, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
[2]	The pre-tax portion of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is included in interest expense.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Amount of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit Allocated to Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Translation, Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	($387,812)	($4,723)
Foreign Currency Translation, Income tax benefit (expense)	33,241	-535
Foreign Currency Translation, Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-354,571	-5,258
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	6	-297
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Income tax benefit (expense)	-4	-4
Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	2	-301
Net investment hedge, before tax	85,577
Net investment hedge, income tax benefit (expense)	-31,531
Net investment hedge	54,046	0
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax	834
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	307
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	527
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax		-6,319
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax		2,308
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	527	-4,011
Other, Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	18	54
Other, Income tax benefit (expense)	9	-19
Other, Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$27	$35

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)		$0	($1,769,000)
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from divestitures, net	104,700,000
Working capital settlement		7,600,000
Net sales		0	56,836,000
Loss from discontinued operations		0	-2,513,000
Income tax benefit		0	-744,000
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)		$0	($1,769,000)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ2

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Additional Information (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Jan. 12, 2015
4.625% Senior Notes
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.63%	4.63%
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ3

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Statement of Income 1 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$884,404	$599,843
Cost of goods sold	625,938	404,244
Gross profit	258,466	195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	135,765	78,104
Research and development expenses	26,492	22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	0	17,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	59,523	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	36,686	77,923
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746	-8,773
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	0
Other income (expenses), net	49,957	1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	50,897	70,293
Income tax expense (benefit)	14,140	13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	36,757	57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	10,392	8,901
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	47,149	66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-1,769
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	47,149	64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034	-7,652
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115	56,583
2014 Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	378,172	376,324
Cost of goods sold	258,124	261,593
Gross profit	120,048	114,731
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517	55,769
Research and development expenses	13,368	14,156
Restructuring and other charges, net		3,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880
Intercompany service fee	5,665	5,070
Operating profit	21,618	36,736
Interest and financing expenses	-26,656	-8,798
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	-5,914
Other income (expenses), net	28,568	208
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616	28,146
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892	10,371
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724	17,775
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	2,019	1,936
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	8,743	19,711
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-413
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372	37,285
Net income	43,115	56,583
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115	56,583
2014 Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Restructuring and other charges, net		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	-10,771	0
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	9,061
Other income (expenses), net	-50,052	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-51,762	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	-6,928	0
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-44,834	0
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	-44,834	0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	62,630	0
Net income	17,796	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	17,796	0
2014 Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	687,615	383,831
Cost of goods sold	546,776	303,361
Gross profit	140,839	80,470
Selling, general and administrative expenses	95,248	22,335
Research and development expenses	13,124	8,416
Restructuring and other charges, net		14,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	20,643
Intercompany service fee	-5,665	-5,070
Operating profit	17,489	40,789
Interest and financing expenses	1,681	25
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	-3,147
Other income (expenses), net	71,441	935
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	87,464	41,749
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,068	2,674
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	76,396	39,075
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	8,373	6,965
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	84,769	46,040
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-1,356
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	8,898	0
Net income	93,667	44,684
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034	-7,652
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	89,633	37,032
2014 Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	-181,383	-160,312
Cost of goods sold	-178,962	-160,710
Gross profit	-2,421	398
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Restructuring and other charges, net		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	-2,421	398
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	0
Other income (expenses), net	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-2,421	398
Income tax expense (benefit)	-892	145
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-1,529	253
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	-1,529	253
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	-105,900	-37,285
Net income	-107,429	-37,032
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	($107,429)	($37,032)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ4

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Comprehensive Income 1 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$47,149	$64,235
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,969	-9,535
Comprehensive (loss) income	-252,820	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,934	-7,435
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-256,754	47,265
2014 Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	43,115	56,583
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,869	-9,318
Comprehensive (loss) income	-256,754	47,265
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-256,754	47,265
2014 Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	17,796	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-496,500	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	-478,704	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-478,704	0
2014 Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	93,667	44,684
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-635,434	-5,262
Comprehensive (loss) income	-541,767	39,422
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,934	-7,435
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-545,701	31,987
2014 Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	-107,429	-37,032
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,131,834	5,045
Comprehensive (loss) income	1,024,405	-31,987
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$1,024,405	($31,987)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ5

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Balance Sheet 1 (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$261,421	$2,489,768	$524,043	$477,239
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	626,965	385,212
Other accounts receivable	83,033	49,423
Intergroup receivable	0	0
Inventories	620,177	358,361
Other current assets	94,947	66,086
Total current assets	1,686,543	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,021,633	2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,404,606	1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	2,617,027	1,231,868
Investments	652,972	194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	180,212	160,956
Goodwill	2,709,670	243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	1,948,335	44,125
Intergroup receivable	0
Total assets	9,794,759	5,223,103
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	340,815	231,705
Intergroup payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	553,947	166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	471,809	711,096
Dividends payable	32,261	21,458
Income taxes payable	57,512	9,453
Total current liabilities	1,456,344	1,139,886
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,541,312	2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	55,298	56,424
Pension benefits	451,192	170,534
Intergroup payable	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	241,971	87,705
Deferred income taxes	801,312	56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122	780
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-362,282	-62,413	106,927	116,245
Retained earnings	1,421,234	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	137,947	129,170
Total equity	3,247,330	1,488,635	1,727,601	1,742,776
Total liabilities and equity	9,794,759	5,223,103
2014 Senior Notes | Issuer
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,263	1,930,802	63,118	88,476
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835	91,849
Other accounts receivable	12,518	19,033
Intergroup receivable	56,069	74,102
Inventories	201,563	201,006
Other current assets	88,100	45,901
Total current assets	466,348	2,362,693
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949	1,726,690
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877	1,047,372
Net property, plant and equipment	677,072	679,318
Investments	74,362	73,500
Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998	1,551,071
Other assets	28,247	35,837
Goodwill	49,214	49,212
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282	20,834
Intergroup receivable	0
Total assets	8,279,523	4,772,465
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	119,879	122,479
Intergroup payable	40,939	18,097
Accrued expenses	154,992	84,619
Current portion of long-term debt	461,767	692,280
Dividends payable	32,261	21,458
Income taxes payable	0	1,396
Total current liabilities	809,838	940,329
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,218,848	2,214,755
Postretirement benefits	55,578	56,424
Pension benefits	125,659	128,238
Intergroup payable	1,804,370
Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263	51,936
Deferred income taxes	103,584	21,318
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122	780
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-362,282	-62,413
Retained earnings	1,421,234	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Total liabilities and equity	8,279,523	4,772,465
2014 Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,054	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Other accounts receivable	23,216	0
Intergroup receivable	49	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	25,319	0
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Investments	4,891	0
Investment in subsidiaries	11,104,115	0
Other assets	12,319	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net of amortization	0	0
Intergroup receivable	3,311,271
Total assets	14,457,915	0
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Intergroup payable	36	0
Accrued expenses	119,221	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	97,845	0
Total current liabilities	217,102	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,291,442	0
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Pension benefits	0	0
Intergroup payable	1,016,759
Other noncurrent liabilities	58,970	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	12,352,346	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-496,500	0
Retained earnings	17,796	0
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	11,873,642	0
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	11,873,642	0
Total liabilities and equity	14,457,915	0
2014 Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	257,104	558,966	460,925	388,763
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	521,130	293,363
Other accounts receivable	47,299	30,390
Intergroup receivable	40,953	18,097
Inventories	431,877	171,543
Other current assets	104,692	25,111
Total current assets	1,403,055	1,097,470
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	2,283,684	893,980
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	343,729	341,430
Net property, plant and equipment	1,939,955	552,550
Investments	573,719	120,542
Investment in subsidiaries	6,368,690	0
Other assets	152,245	125,119
Goodwill	2,660,456	194,050
Other intangibles, net of amortization	1,928,053	23,291
Intergroup receivable	1,817,653
Total assets	16,843,826	2,113,022
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	220,936	109,226
Intergroup payable	56,096	74,102
Accrued expenses	279,734	81,555
Current portion of long-term debt	10,042	18,816
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	58,404	7,944
Total current liabilities	625,212	291,643
Long-term debt, less current portion	31,022	8,280
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Pension benefits	325,533	42,296
Intergroup payable	2,307,795
Other noncurrent liabilities	130,738	35,769
Deferred income taxes	710,047	35,566
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	6,808	6,808
Additional paid-in capital	12,117,045	553,172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-686,412	-51,073
Retained earnings	1,138,091	1,061,391
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	12,575,532	1,570,298
Noncontrolling interests	137,947	129,170
Total equity	12,713,479	1,699,468
Total liabilities and equity	16,843,826	2,113,022
2014 Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Other accounts receivable	0	0
Intergroup receivable	-97,071	-92,199
Inventories	-13,263	-14,188
Other current assets	-97,845	-4,926
Total current assets	-208,179	-111,313
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Investments	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	-24,436,803	-1,551,071
Other assets	-12,599	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net of amortization	0	0
Intergroup receivable	-5,128,924
Total assets	-29,786,505	-1,662,384
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Intergroup payable	-97,071	-92,199
Accrued expenses	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	-98,737	113
Total current liabilities	-195,808	-92,086
Long-term debt, less current portion	0	0
Postretirement benefits	-280	0
Pension benefits	0	0
Intergroup payable	-5,128,924
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-12,319	0
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	-6,808	-6,808
Additional paid-in capital	-24,469,391	-553,172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,182,912	51,073
Retained earnings	-1,155,887	-1,061,391
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	-24,449,174	-1,570,298
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	-24,449,174	-1,570,298
Total liabilities and equity	($29,786,505)	($1,662,384)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ6

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Cash Flow 1 (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 29, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		$2,489,768	$477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		45,791	149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		-2,051,645	0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	-45,550	-45,550	0
Capital expenditures		-56,741	-23,667
Decrease in restricted cash		57,550	0
Sales of marketable securities, net		1,557	2,151
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		2,156	0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		0
Intercompany investing related payments		0
Net cash used in investing activities		-2,092,673	-21,516
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,326,263	-101
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		1,000,000	0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		167,571	-8,434
Dividends paid to shareholders		-21,730	-19,582
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock		0	-50,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		90	1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		23	586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		-1,174	-2,968
Debt financing costs		-1,164	-1,370
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		0
Intercompany financing related payments		0
Net cash used in financing activities		-182,647	-80,614
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		1,182	-239
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-2,228,347	46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		261,421	524,043
2014 Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		1,930,802	88,476
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		46,397	58,984
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		-3,597,083
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		-19,876	-14,325
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		1,557	2,163
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		2,156
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		0
Intercompany investing related payments		0
Net cash used in investing activities		-3,613,246	-12,162
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,325,102	-101
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		1,000,000
Other borrowings (repayments), net		184,418	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		-21,730	-19,582
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock			-50,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		90	1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		23	586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		-1,174	-2,968
Debt financing costs		-1,164	-1,370
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		1,829,770
Intercompany financing related payments		-28,039
Net cash used in financing activities		1,637,092	-72,180
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		1,218	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-1,928,539	-25,358
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,263	63,118
2014 Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		-18,121	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		159,409
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		0	0
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	0
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		891,290
Intercompany investing related payments		-1,028,367
Net cash used in investing activities		22,332	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		0	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		0
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		0
Intercompany financing related payments		-82
Net cash used in financing activities		-82	0
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		-2,075
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		2,054	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,054	0
2014 Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		558,966	388,763
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		26,593	90,189
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		1,386,029
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		-45,550
Capital expenditures		-36,865	-9,342
Decrease in restricted cash		57,550
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	-12
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		82
Intercompany investing related payments		-1,175,700
Net cash used in investing activities		185,546	-9,354
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,161	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		-16,847	-8,434
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		-9,078
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		374,297
Intercompany financing related payments		-863,251
Net cash used in financing activities		-516,040	-8,434
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		2,039	-239
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-301,862	72,162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		257,104	460,925
2014 Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		-9,078	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		0	0
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	0
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		-891,372
Intercompany investing related payments		2,204,067
Net cash used in investing activities		1,312,695	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		0	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		0	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		9,078
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		-2,204,067
Intercompany financing related payments		891,372
Net cash used in financing activities		-1,303,617	0
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$0	$0

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ7

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Statement of Income 2 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$884,404	$599,843
Cost of goods sold	625,938	404,244
Gross profit	258,466	195,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses	135,765	78,104
Research and development expenses	26,492	22,572
Restructuring and other charges, net	0	17,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	59,523	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	36,686	77,923
Interest and financing expenses	-35,746	-8,773
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	0
Other income (expenses), net	49,957	1,143
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	50,897	70,293
Income tax expense (benefit)	14,140	13,190
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	36,757	57,103
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	10,392	8,901
Net income from continuing operations	47,149	66,004
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-1,769
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	47,149	64,235
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034	-7,652
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115	56,583
4.625% Senior Notes | Parent Company Guarantor
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	378,172	376,324
Cost of goods sold	258,124	261,593
Gross profit	120,048	114,731
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,517	55,769
Research and development expenses	13,368	14,156
Restructuring and other charges, net		3,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	38,880
Intercompany service fee	5,665	5,070
Operating profit	21,618	36,736
Interest and financing expenses	-26,656	-8,798
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	-5,914
Other income (expenses), net	28,568	208
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	17,616	28,146
Income tax expense (benefit)	10,892	10,371
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	6,724	17,775
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	2,019	1,936
Net income from continuing operations	8,743	19,711
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-413
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	34,372	37,285
Net income	43,115	56,583
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	43,115	56,583
4.625% Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Restructuring and other charges, net		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	-10,771	0
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	9,061
Other income (expenses), net	-50,052	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-51,762	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	-6,928	0
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-44,834	0
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Net income from continuing operations	-44,834	0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	53,732	0
Net income	8,898	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	8,898	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Restructuring and other charges, net		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	0	0
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	0
Other income (expenses), net	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Net income from continuing operations	0	0
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	8,898	0
Net income	8,898	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	8,898	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	687,615	383,831
Cost of goods sold	546,776	303,361
Gross profit	140,839	80,470
Selling, general and administrative expenses	95,248	22,335
Research and development expenses	13,124	8,416
Restructuring and other charges, net		14,000
Acquisition and integration related costs	20,643
Intercompany service fee	-5,665	-5,070
Operating profit	17,489	40,789
Interest and financing expenses	1,681	25
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	-3,147
Other income (expenses), net	71,441	935
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	87,464	41,749
Income tax expense (benefit)	11,068	2,674
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	76,396	39,075
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	8,373	6,965
Net income from continuing operations	84,769	46,040
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	-1,356
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	8,898	0
Net income	93,667	44,684
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-4,034	-7,652
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	89,633	37,032
4.625% Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	-181,383	-160,312
Cost of goods sold	-178,962	-160,710
Gross profit	-2,421	398
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Restructuring and other charges, net		0
Acquisition and integration related costs	0
Intercompany service fee	0	0
Operating profit	-2,421	398
Interest and financing expenses	0	0
Intergroup interest and financing expenses	0
Other income (expenses), net	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-2,421	398
Income tax expense (benefit)	-892	145
Income from continuing operations before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	-1,529	253
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments	0	0
Net income from continuing operations	-1,529	253
Loss from discontinued operations (net of tax)	0	0
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	-105,900	-37,285
Net income	-107,429	-37,032
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	($107,429)	($37,032)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ8

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Comprehensive Income 2 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$47,149	$64,235
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,969	-9,535
Comprehensive (loss) income	-252,820	54,700
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,934	-7,435
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-256,754	47,265
4.625% Senior Notes | Parent Company Guarantor
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	43,115	56,583
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-299,869	-9,318
Comprehensive (loss) income	-256,754	47,265
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-256,754	47,265
4.625% Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	8,898	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-248,250	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	-239,352	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-239,352	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	8,898	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-248,250	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	-239,352	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-239,352	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	93,667	44,684
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-635,434	-5,262
Comprehensive (loss) income	-541,767	39,422
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,934	-7,435
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	-545,701	31,987
4.625% Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	-107,429	-37,032
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,131,834	5,045
Comprehensive (loss) income	1,024,405	-31,987
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$1,024,405	($31,987)

Consolidating_Guarantor_Financ9

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Balance Sheet 2 (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$261,421	$2,489,768	$524,043	$477,239
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	626,965	385,212
Other accounts receivable	83,033	49,423
Intergroup receivable	0	0
Inventories	620,177	358,361
Other current assets	94,947	66,086
Total current assets	1,686,543	3,348,850
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,021,633	2,620,670
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,404,606	1,388,802
Net property, plant and equipment	2,617,027	1,231,868
Investments	652,972	194,042
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	180,212	160,956
Goodwill	2,709,670	243,262
Other intangibles, net of amortization	1,948,335	44,125
Intergroup receivable	0
Total assets	9,794,759	5,223,103
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	340,815	231,705
Intergroup payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	553,947	166,174
Current portion of long-term debt	471,809	711,096
Dividends payable	32,261	21,458
Income taxes payable	57,512	9,453
Total current liabilities	1,456,344	1,139,886
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,541,312	2,223,035
Postretirement benefits	55,298	56,424
Pension benefits	451,192	170,534
Intergroup payable	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	241,971	87,705
Deferred income taxes	801,312	56,884
Commitments and contingencies
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122	780
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-362,282	-62,413	106,927	116,245
Retained earnings	1,421,234	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	137,947	129,170
Total equity	3,247,330	1,488,635	1,727,601	1,742,776
Total liabilities and equity	9,794,759	5,223,103
4.625% Senior Notes | Parent Company Guarantor
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,263	1,930,802	63,118	88,476
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	105,835	91,849
Other accounts receivable	12,518	19,033
Intergroup receivable	56,069	74,102
Inventories	201,563	201,006
Other current assets	88,100	45,901
Total current assets	466,348	2,362,693
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	1,737,949	1,726,690
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,060,877	1,047,372
Net property, plant and equipment	677,072	679,318
Investments	74,362	73,500
Investment in subsidiaries	6,963,998	1,551,071
Other assets	28,247	35,837
Goodwill	49,214	49,212
Other intangibles, net of amortization	20,282	20,834
Intergroup receivable	0
Total assets	8,279,523	4,772,465
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	119,879	122,479
Intergroup payable	40,939	18,097
Accrued expenses	154,992	84,619
Current portion of long-term debt	461,767	692,280
Dividends payable	32,261	21,458
Income taxes payable	0	1,396
Total current liabilities	809,838	940,329
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,218,848	2,214,755
Postretirement benefits	55,578	56,424
Pension benefits	125,659	128,238
Intergroup payable	1,804,370
Other noncurrent liabilities	52,263	51,936
Deferred income taxes	103,584	21,318
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,122	780
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,309	10,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-362,282	-62,413
Retained earnings	1,421,234	1,410,651
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	3,109,383	1,359,465
Total liabilities and equity	8,279,523	4,772,465
4.625% Senior Notes | Issuer
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,054	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Other accounts receivable	23,216	0
Intergroup receivable	49	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	25,319	0
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Investments	4,891	0
Investment in subsidiaries	4,735,428	0
Other assets	12,319	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net of amortization	0	0
Intergroup receivable	3,311,210
Total assets	8,089,167	0
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Intergroup payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	119,221	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	97,845	0
Total current liabilities	217,066	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,291,442	0
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Pension benefits	0	0
Intergroup payable	153,002
Other noncurrent liabilities	58,970	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	6,608,039	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-248,250	0
Retained earnings	8,898	0
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	6,368,687	0
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	6,368,687	0
Total liabilities and equity	8,089,167	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Other accounts receivable	0	0
Intergroup receivable	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Investments	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	6,368,687	0
Other assets	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net of amortization	0	0
Intergroup receivable	61
Total assets	6,368,748	0
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Intergroup payable	36	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	0	0
Total current liabilities	36	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	0	0
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Pension benefits	0	0
Intergroup payable	863,757
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	5,744,307	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-248,250	0
Retained earnings	8,898	0
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	5,504,955	0
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	5,504,955	0
Total liabilities and equity	6,368,748	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	257,104	558,966	460,925	388,763
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	521,130	293,363
Other accounts receivable	47,299	30,390
Intergroup receivable	40,953	18,097
Inventories	431,877	171,543
Other current assets	104,692	25,111
Total current assets	1,403,055	1,097,470
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	2,283,684	893,980
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	343,729	341,430
Net property, plant and equipment	1,939,955	552,550
Investments	573,719	120,542
Investment in subsidiaries	6,368,690	0
Other assets	152,245	125,119
Goodwill	2,660,456	194,050
Other intangibles, net of amortization	1,928,053	23,291
Intergroup receivable	1,817,653
Total assets	16,843,826	2,113,022
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	220,936	109,226
Intergroup payable	56,096	74,102
Accrued expenses	279,734	81,555
Current portion of long-term debt	10,042	18,816
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	58,404	7,944
Total current liabilities	625,212	291,643
Long-term debt, less current portion	31,022	8,280
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Pension benefits	325,533	42,296
Intergroup payable	2,307,795
Other noncurrent liabilities	130,738	35,769
Deferred income taxes	710,047	35,566
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	6,808	6,808
Additional paid-in capital	12,117,045	553,172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-686,412	-51,073
Retained earnings	1,138,091	1,061,391
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	12,575,532	1,570,298
Noncontrolling interests	137,947	129,170
Total equity	12,713,479	1,699,468
Total liabilities and equity	16,843,826	2,113,022
4.625% Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Other accounts receivable	0	0
Intergroup receivable	-97,071	-92,199
Inventories	-13,263	-14,188
Other current assets	-97,845	-4,926
Total current assets	-208,179	-111,313
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	0	0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Investments	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	-24,436,803	-1,551,071
Other assets	-12,599	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangibles, net of amortization	0	0
Intergroup receivable	-5,128,924
Total assets	-29,786,505	-1,662,384
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Intergroup payable	-97,071	-92,199
Accrued expenses	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Dividends payable	0	0
Income taxes payable	-98,737	113
Total current liabilities	-195,808	-92,086
Long-term debt, less current portion	0	0
Postretirement benefits	-280	0
Pension benefits	0	0
Intergroup payable	-5,128,924
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-12,319	0
Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity:
Common stock	-6,808	-6,808
Additional paid-in capital	-24,469,391	-553,172
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,182,912	51,073
Retained earnings	-1,155,887	-1,061,391
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity	-24,449,174	-1,570,298
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	-24,449,174	-1,570,298
Total liabilities and equity	($29,786,505)	($1,662,384)

Recovered_Sheet1

Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information - Cash Flow 2 (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 29, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		$2,489,768	$477,239
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		45,791	149,173
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		-2,051,645	0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired	-45,550	-45,550	0
Capital expenditures		-56,741	-23,667
Decrease in restricted cash		57,550	0
Sales of marketable securities, net		1,557	2,151
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		2,156	0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		0
Intercompany investing related payments		0
Net cash used in investing activities		-2,092,673	-21,516
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,326,263	-101
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		1,000,000	0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		167,571	-8,434
Dividends paid to shareholders		-21,730	-19,582
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock		0	-50,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		90	1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		23	586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		-1,174	-2,968
Debt financing costs		-1,164	-1,370
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		0
Intercompany financing related payments		0
Net cash used in financing activities		-182,647	-80,614
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		1,182	-239
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-2,228,347	46,804
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		261,421	524,043
4.625% Senior Notes | Parent Company Guarantor
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		1,930,802	88,476
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		46,397	58,984
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		-3,597,083
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		-19,876	-14,325
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		1,557	2,163
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		2,156
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		0
Intercompany investing related payments		0
Net cash used in investing activities		-3,613,246	-12,162
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,325,102	-101
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		1,000,000
Other borrowings (repayments), net		184,418	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		-21,730	-19,582
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock			-50,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		90	1,255
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		23	586
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		-1,174	-2,968
Debt financing costs		-1,164	-1,370
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		1,829,770
Intercompany financing related payments		-28,039
Net cash used in financing activities		1,637,092	-72,180
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		1,218	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-1,928,539	-25,358
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,263	63,118
4.625% Senior Notes | Issuer
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		-18,203	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		159,409
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		0	0
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	0
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		891,290
Intercompany investing related payments		-1,028,367
Net cash used in investing activities		22,332	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		0	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		0	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		0
Intercompany financing related payments		0
Net cash used in financing activities		0	0
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		-2,075	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		2,054	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		2,054	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		82	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		0	0
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	0
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		0
Intercompany investing related payments		0
Net cash used in investing activities		0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		0	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		0	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		0
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		0
Intercompany financing related payments		-82
Net cash used in financing activities		-82	0
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		0	0
4.625% Senior Notes | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		558,966	388,763
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		26,593	90,189
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		1,386,029
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		-45,550
Capital expenditures		-36,865	-9,342
Decrease in restricted cash		57,550
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	-12
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		82
Intercompany investing related payments		-1,175,700
Net cash used in investing activities		185,546	-9,354
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-1,161	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		-16,847	-8,434
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		-9,078
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		374,297
Intercompany financing related payments		-863,251
Net cash used in financing activities		-516,040	-8,434
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		2,039	-239
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		-301,862	72,162
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		257,104	460,925
4.625% Senior Notes | Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		0	0
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		-9,078	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of Rockwood, net of cash acquired		0
Acquisition of remaining interest in Shanghai Chemetall, net of cash acquired		0
Capital expenditures		0	0
Decrease in restricted cash		0
Sales of marketable securities, net		0	0
Proceeds from repayment of advance to joint venture		0
Proceeds from intercompany investing related activity		-891,372
Intercompany investing related payments		2,204,067
Net cash used in investing activities		1,312,695	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		0	0
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt		0
Other borrowings (repayments), net		0	0
Dividends paid to shareholders		0	0
Intercompany dividends paid		9,078
Repurchases of common stock			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		0	0
Excess tax benefits realized from stock-based compensation arrangements		0	0
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions		0	0
Debt financing costs		0	0
Proceeds from intercompany financing related activity		-2,204,067
Intercompany financing related payments		891,372
Net cash used in financing activities		-1,303,617	0
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents		0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$0	$0