XML 53 R77.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Other Intangibles (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | $ 200,418 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross |  | $ 198,124 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (7,233)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments |  | 2,294 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments |  |
Acquisitions | 5,228 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments |  |  |  |
Divestitures (c) | (68,540)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived | [1] |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 129,873 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross |  | 200,418 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross |  | 198,124 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (112,215)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  | (103,660)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  |
Amortization | (5,737)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets |  | (8,066)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets |  | (10,700)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (27,584)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment | [1] |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 4,620 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact |  | (489)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (85,748)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  | (112,215)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization |  | (103,660)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Net Book Value | 44,125 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill |  | 88,203 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill |  |
Customer Lists and Relationships |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 86,426 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | 85,167 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (3,055)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | 1,259 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (34,892)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 48,479 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | 86,426 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (35,988)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | (31,484)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Amortization | (2,839)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | (4,332)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (14,487)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 1,409 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | (172)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (22,931)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | (35,988)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Net Book Value | 25,548 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  | 50,438 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember |  |
Trade Names |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 26,907 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember | [2] | 26,943 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember | [2] |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (1,181)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | (36)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (8,171)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 17,555 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember | [2] | 26,907 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember | [2] |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (8,970)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | (8,486)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Amortization | (824)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | (995)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (1,539)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 343 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | 511 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (7,912)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | (8,970)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Net Book Value | 9,643 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  | 17,937 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_TradeNamesMember |  |
Patents and Technology |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 48,743 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | 47,876 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (2,257)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | 867 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (11,316)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 40,398 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | 48,743 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (40,354)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | (38,778)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Amortization | (388)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | (797)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (5,738)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 2,173 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | (779)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (32,831)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | (40,354)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Net Book Value | 7,567 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  | 8,389 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember |  |
Land Use Rights |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 6,376 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | 6,203 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (40)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | 173 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (4,929)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 1,407 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | 6,376 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (1,268)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | (1,079)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Amortization | (42)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | (166)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (100)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 3 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | (23)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (1,407)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | (1,268)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Net Book Value | 0 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  | 5,108 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_UseRightsMember |  |
Manufacturing Contracts and Supply/Service Agreements |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 8,338 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | 8,523 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 0 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | (185)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (4,474)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 3,864 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | 8,338 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (6,974)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | (6,512)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Amortization | (368)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | (647)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (4,164)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 0 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | 185 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (3,178)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | (6,974)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Net Book Value | 686 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  | 1,364 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember |  |
Other |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance | 23,628 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | 23,412 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (700)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | 216 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Divestitures (c) | (4,758)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance | 18,170 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | 23,628 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance | (18,661)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | (17,321)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Amortization | (1,276)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | (1,129)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (1,756)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | 692 alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | (211)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance | (17,489)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | (18,661)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Net Book Value | 681 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  | 4,967 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember |  |
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Divestitures (c) | (68,540)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember |  |  |  |
Amortization | (900)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember |  | (3,500)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember |  | (3,400)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment | (27,584)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment / us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis = alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember |  |  |  |
Cambridge Chemical Company | Patents and Technology |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Acquisitions | $ 5,228 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = alb_CambridgeChemicalCompanyMember / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember | [3] |  |  |
[1] | In 2014 we reduced intangible assets by $68.5 million and related accumulated amortization by $27.6 million in connection with the sale of our antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses and assets which closed on September 1, 2014. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about this transaction.
[2] | Trade names include a gross carrying amount of $9.2 million for an indefinite-lived intangible asset.
[3] | Increase in Patents and Technology relates to a purchase accounting adjustment in connection with our acquisition of Cambridge Chemical Company, Ltd.

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