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Special Items - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring And Other [Line Items] |
Charitable contribution | $ 8
Charitable contribution, after income taxes | 5.1
Settlement of Litigation |
Restructuring And Other [Line Items] |
Gain of settlement of litigation | 8.1
Gain of settlement of litigation, after income taxes | 5.1
Estimated reimbursement of related legal fees | $ 0.9

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- Definition Contribution of monetary assets, after taxes, by an enterprise to a charitable organization. + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Charitable Contributions + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Gain Of Settlement Of Litigation After Taxes + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
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- Definition The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration