XML 148 R115.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Restructuring and Other - Restructuring and Other Charges Reported in Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 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, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Severance costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 33,400 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,948 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 | [1] | $ 33,361 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 | [1],[2] | $ 21,640 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 | [1] |
Defined benefit pension plan curtailment gain, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (4,500)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments |  |  |  |  | (4,507)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments | [3] |
Employer discretionary contribution to defined contribution plan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10,100 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount |  |  |  |  | 10,081 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount | [3] |
Other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,300 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts | 2,426 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts | [4] |  |  | 5,334 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts | [4] |
Restructuring and other charges, net (Note 20) | 5,322 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 293 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 3,332 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 17,000 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 33,361 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 0 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | 0 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | 0 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions |  | 25,947 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 33,361 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] | 111,685 us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions | [5] |
Phosphorous Flame Retardant Business Exit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Severance costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22,000 us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember
Restructuring charges related to exit of business or contract |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,100 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember |  |  |  |  | 100,777 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember | [6] | 94,700 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember
Other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,000 us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember
Contract Termination |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges related to exit of business or contract | $ 6,500 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  | $ 14,000 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 23,521 us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember | [7] |  |  |  |  |
[1] | The year ended December 31, 2014 includes charges amounting to $1.9 million for retention of certain employees associated with our antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses which were sold effective September 1, 2014. These workforce reduction charges are recorded in (Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of tax), in our consolidated statements of income.The year ended December 31, 2013 includes charges amounting to $33.4 million in connection with the announced realignment of our operating segments effective January 1, 2014 as described above.The year ended December 31, 2012 includes charges amounting to $21.6 million relating to reduction in force liabilities associated with our exit of the phosphorus flame retardants business noted above.
[2] | In connection with the announced 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. In the fourth quarter of 2013 we recorded charges of $33.4 million ($21.9 million after income taxes) for termination benefits and other costs related to this workforce reduction plan. Payments under this workforce reduction plan are substantially complete.
[3] | In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded a net curtailment gain of $4.5 million ($2.9 million after income taxes) and a one-time employer contribution to the Company’s defined contribution plan of $10.1 million ($6.4 million after income taxes), both in connection with various amendments to certain of our U.S. pension and defined contribution plans that were approved by our Board of Directors in the fourth quarter of 2012. See Note 18, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
[4] | The amount for 2014 mainly consists of $3.3 million ($2.1 million after income taxes) recorded in the second quarter for certain multi-product facility project costs that we do not expect to recover in future periods, net of other credits recorded in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2012 we recorded charges amounting to $5.3 million ($4.3 million after income taxes) related to changes in product sourcing and other items.
[5] | See Note 20, “Restructuring and Other.”
[6] | In the second quarter of 2012, we recorded net charges amounting to $94.7 million ($73.6 million after income taxes), and in the fourth quarter we recorded net charges amounting to $6.1 million ($2.5 million after income taxes), in connection with our exit of the phosphorus flame retardants business, whose products were sourced mainly at our Avonmouth, United Kingdom and Nanjing, China manufacturing sites. The charges are comprised mainly of non-cash items consisting of net asset write-offs of approximately $57 million and write-offs of foreign currency translation adjustments of approximately $12 million, as well as accruals for future cash costs associated with related severance programs of approximately $22 million, estimated site remediation costs of approximately $9 million, other estimated exit costs of approximately $3 million, partly offset by a gain of approximately $2 million related to the sale of our Nanjing, China manufacturing site. Payments under this restructuring plan are substantially complete.
[7] | In 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 ($9.3 million after income taxes) in the first quarter and $6.5 million ($4.3 million after income taxes) in the fourth quarter for contract termination and volume commitments. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2014 we recorded an impairment charge of $3.0 million ($1.9 million after income taxes) for certain capital project costs also related to aluminum alkyls capacity which we do not expect to recover.

X
- Definition Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Includes, but is not limited to, one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and termination benefits associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement. Excludes expenses associated with special or contractual termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an event that significantly reduces the expected years of future service of present employees or eliminates for a significant number of employees the accrual of defined benefits for some or all of their future services. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Plan Curtailment -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6520938 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 15 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7577095&loc=d3e8001-114927 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of other expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition The aggregate amount provided for estimated restructuring charges, remediation costs, and asset impairment loss during an accounting period. Generally, these items are either unusual or infrequent, but not both (in which case they would be extraordinary items). + 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
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringSettlementAndImpairmentProvisions
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=alb_PhosphorousFlameRetardantBusinessExitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |