XML 106 R88.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance |  | $ 473,571 |  | $ 129,873 |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | (72,122) |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 1,454 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | (13,340) |  | (28,740) |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance |  | 461,685 |  | 473,571 |  | $ 129,873
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance |  | (89,703) |  | (85,748) |  |
Amortization |  | (19,039) |  | (16,919) |  | (5,700)
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 5,798 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | (1,322) |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | 2,943 |  | 7,166 |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance |  | (107,121) |  | (89,703) |  | (85,748)
Net Book Value |  | 354,564 |  | 383,868 | [3] |
Customer lists and relationships |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance |  | 398,725 |  | 48,479 |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | (16,608) |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | (10,832) |  | (19,476) |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance |  | 387,893 |  | 398,725 |  | 48,479
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance |  | (32,656) |  | (22,931) |  |
Amortization |  | (18,034) |  | (11,441) |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 596 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | 1,525 |  | 1,120 |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance |  | (49,165) |  | (32,656) |  | (22,931)
Net Book Value |  | 338,728 |  | 366,069 | [3] |
Trade names and trademarks |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance |  | 16,923 | [4] | 17,555 |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 0 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | (409) |  | (632) |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance |  | 16,514 | [4] | 16,923 | [4] | 17,555
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance |  | (8,086) |  | (7,912) |  |
Amortization |  | 0 |  | (423) |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 0 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | 134 |  | 249 |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance |  | (7,952) |  | (8,086) |  | (7,912)
Net Book Value |  | 8,562 |  | 8,837 | [3] |
Patents and technology |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance |  | 40,144 |  | 40,398 |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | (54,060) |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | (1,710) |  | (4,424) |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance |  | 38,434 |  | 40,144 |  | 40,398
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance |  | (32,008) |  | (32,831) |  |
Amortization |  | (574) |  | (4,654) |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 3,880 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 0 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | 899 |  | 1,597 |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance |  | (31,683) |  | (32,008) |  | (32,831)
Net Book Value |  | 6,751 |  | 8,136 | [3] |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance |  | 17,779 |  | 23,441 |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | (1,454) |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | 1,454 |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | (389) |  | (4,208) |  |
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance |  | 18,844 |  | 17,779 |  | 23,441
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance |  | (16,953) |  | (22,074) |  |
Amortization |  | (431) |  | (401) |  |
Reclass to assets held for sale | [1] |  |  | 1,322 |  |
Reclass from assets held for sale | [2] | (1,322) |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other |  | 385 |  | 4,200 |  |
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance |  | (18,321) |  | (16,953) |  | $ (22,074)
Net Book Value |  | $ 523 |  | 826 | [3] |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition of Rockwood |  |  |  | 444,560 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Customer lists and relationships |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition of Rockwood |  |  |  | 386,330 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Trade names and trademarks |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition of Rockwood |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Patents and technology |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition of Rockwood |  |  |  | 58,230 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Other |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition of Rockwood |  |  |  | $ 0 |  |
[1] | Represents Other intangibles and related amortization of the minerals-based flame retardants and specialty chemicals, fine chemistry services and metal sulfides businesses. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.
[2] | Represents Other intangibles and related amortization of the fine chemistry services business, which was reported in Assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015, but reclassified back to Other intangibles during the year end December 31, 2016. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.
[3] | As of December 31, 2015, $1.4 billion of Other intangibles, net of amortization were classified as Assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 3 “Divestitures,” for additional information.
[4] | Balances as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 include only indefinite-lived intangible assets.

X
- Definition Finite lived intangible assets accumulated amortization foreign exchange impact. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Reclass from Assets Held for Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationReclassfromAssetsHeldforSale
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Reclass to Assets Held for Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationReclasstoAssetsHeldforSale
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Reclass from Assets Held for Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclassfromAssetsHeldforSale
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Reclass to Assets Held for Sale + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsReclasstoAssetsHeldforSale
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 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=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of foreign currency translation gain (loss) which increases (decreases) assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for purchase accounting adjustments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16212-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TrademarksAndTradeNamesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=alb_RockwoodHoldingsInc.Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |