XML 87 R103.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Income Taxes - Changes in Balance of Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning Balance | $ (49,562) | $ (36,419) | $ (39,802)
Additions | (4,359) | (20,182) | (6,155)
Deductions | 20,164 | 7,039 | 9,538
Ending Balance | $ (33,757) | $ (49,562) | $ (36,419)

X
- Definition Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Decrease + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Increase + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowanceIncrease
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | alb_DeferredTaxAssetValuationAllowanceRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant