XML 76 R113.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Fair Value Measurement - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | --- | ---
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments under executive deferred compensation plan | $ 23,030 | [1] | $ 20,265 | [1] |
Equity securities | 771 | [2] | 25 | [2] |
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets | 161 | [3] | 262 | [3] |
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan | 23,030 | [1] | 20,265 | [1] |
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities |  |  | 771 | [3] |
Total Pension Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | 616,545 | [4] | 563,303 | [4] | 531,105
Total Postretirement Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | 5,620 | [4] | 6,611 | [4] | 7,681
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 | 23,030 | [1] | 20,265 | [1] |
Equity securities | 21 | [2] | 25 | [2] |
Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan | 23,030 | [1] | 20,265 | [1] |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1) | Total Pension Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | 482,002 | [4] | 247,463 | [4] |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward contracts, assets | 161 | [3] | 262 | [3] |
Foreign currency forward contracts, liabilities |  |  | 771 | [3] |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2) | Total Pension Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | 10,944 | [4] | 245,011 | [4] |
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Similar Items (Level 2) | Total Postretirement Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | 5,620 | [4] | 6,611 | [4] |
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities | 750 | [2] |  |  |
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Pension Benefits |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets | $ 123,599 | [4] | $ 70,829 | [4] | $ 73,025
[1] | We maintain an 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 consolidated balance sheets. The changes in fair value are reported in Other in our consolidated statements of comprehensive 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 derivative financial instruments. 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 17 “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits” for further information about fair value measurements of our pension and postretirement plan assets.

X
- Definition Investments under executive deferred compensation plan fair value + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_InvestmentsUnderExecutiveDeferredCompensationPlanFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Obligations under executive deferred compensation plan fair value. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_ObligationsUnderExecutiveDeferredCompensationPlanFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph d(iv)(b)(i) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6867990&loc=d3e12355-114930 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 87 -Paragraph 49 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents contracts related to the exchange of different currencies, including foreign currency options, forward (delivery or nondelivery) contracts, and swaps entered into and existing as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents contracts related to the exchange of different currencies, including foreign currency options, forward (delivery or nondelivery) contracts, and swaps entered into and existing as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in common and preferred stocks and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests in a corporation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant