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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax |  | $ 12,000,000 alb_PotentialEnvironmentalRemediationCostIncreaseDecreaseDueToRevisionInEstimates |  |  |
Estimated site remediation liabilities |  | 9,235,000 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies | 16,599,000 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies | 20,322,000 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies | 12,359,000 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business | 8,700,000 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness | 0 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness | 0 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness | 8,700,000 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness |
Rental expenses related to capital and operating lease |  | 31,900,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 30,700,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 33,100,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense |
Asset retirement obligation relating to property plant and equipment |  | 15,100,000 us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation | 16,900,000 us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligation |  |
Bergheim, Germany Site |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Estimated site remediation liabilities |  | 5,100,000 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = alb_BergheimGermanySiteMember |  |  |
Pledged land and housing facilities |  | 5,400,000 alb_PledgedLandAndHousingFacilitiesPerformanceGuarantyEstimatedFairValue / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = alb_BergheimGermanySiteMember |  |  |
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Rental expenses related to capital and operating lease |  | $ 1,300,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember | $ 1,600,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember | $ 1,400,000 us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember |

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