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Commitments and Contingencies - Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | $ 16,599 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies |  | $ 20,322 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies |  | $ 12,359 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Expenditures |  | (4,548)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments |  | (3,013)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments |  | (1,451)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments
Divestitures |  | (1,954)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForAcquisitionsAndDivestitures |  | 0 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForAcquisitionsAndDivestitures |  | 0 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForAcquisitionsAndDivestitures
Changes in estimates recorded to earnings and other |  | 34 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates |  | (902)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates |  | 227 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business | 8,700 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness | 0 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness |  | 0 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness |  | 8,700 alb_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseRelatedToExitOfBusiness
Foreign currency translation |  | (896)us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslation |  | 192 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslation |  | 487 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForCurrencyTranslation
Balance, end of year |  | 9,235 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies |  | 16,599 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies |  | 20,322 us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses |  | 4,394 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent |  | 7,386 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent |  | 3,109 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesCurrent
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities |  | $ 4,841 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent | [1] | $ 9,213 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent | [1] | $ 17,213 us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
[1] | See Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

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- Definition Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 Reference 2: 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 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 25 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346 + Details
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- Definition The Increase or Decrease in the accrual for environmental loss contingencies in the period arising from business acquisitions or divestitures. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
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- Definition The Increase or Decrease in the accrual for environmental loss contingencies during the reporting period related to currency translations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Foreign Currency Translation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513664 + Details
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- Definition The Increase or Decrease in the accrual for environmental loss in the period from revisions in estimates to existing obligations. The amount does not relate to changes in the environmental accrual related to business acquisitions or divestitures, or to currency movements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
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