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Operating Segments and Geographic Area Information - Depreciation Amortization and Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization: | $ 103,572 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | $ 107,370 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | $ 99,020 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Capital expenditures: | 110,576 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | 155,346 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | 280,873 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Performance Chemicals |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization: | 48,233 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember | 43,472 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember | 37,831 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember
Capital expenditures: | 48,831 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember | 94,506 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember | 156,648 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_PerformanceChemicalsMember
Catalyst Solutions |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization: | 49,622 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember | 49,656 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember | 47,155 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember
Capital expenditures: | 61,721 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember | 60,326 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember | 122,746 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = alb_CatalystSolutionsMember
Discontinued Operations |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization: | 3,165 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 12,054 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember | 12,120 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Corporate & other |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization: | 2,552 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 2,188 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | 1,914 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Capital expenditures: | $ 24 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | $ 514 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember | $ 1,479 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember

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- Definition The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: 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 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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