XML 156 R135.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Segment and Geographic Area Information Depreciation and Amortization and Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 260,076 | $ 103,572 | $ 107,370
Capital expenditures | 227,649 | 110,576 | 155,346
All Other |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 18,183 | 13,478 | 13,323
Capital expenditures | 13,054 | 9,053 | 18,831
Corporate |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 8,703 | 2,552 | 2,188
Capital expenditures | 2,683 | 24 | 514
Operating Segments | Performance Chemicals |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 120,248 | 51,707 | 46,225
Capital expenditures | 159,338 | 52,280 | 119,500
Operating Segments | Refining Solutions |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 34,039 | 32,670 | 33,580
Capital expenditures | 28,836 | 49,219 | 16,501
Operating Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 78,903 | 0 | 0
Capital expenditures | 23,738 | 0 | 0
Discontinued Operations |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 0 | $ 3,165 | $ 12,054

X
- Definition The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. + 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=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis=us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |