XML 144 R129.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Operating Segments and Geographic Area Information - Net Sales (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ 598,566 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 642,418 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 604,721 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 599,843 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 639,635 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 591,196 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 576,842 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 586,597 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | $ 2,445,548 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | [1] | $ 2,394,270 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | [1] | $ 2,519,154 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet | [1]
United States |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 884,373 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_US |  | 933,182 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_US |  | 959,571 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = country_US |
Foreign(a) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,561,175 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = alb_ForeignMember | [1] | $ 1,461,088 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = alb_ForeignMember | [1] | $ 1,559,583 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = alb_ForeignMember | [1]
[1] | No sales in a foreign country exceed 10% of total net sales. Also, net sales are attributed to countries based upon shipments to final destination.

X
- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + 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 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=alb_ForeignMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |