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Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions |  |  |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 2 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Oct. 15, 2015 USD ($) | Feb. 01, 2015 USD ($) | Oct. 15, 2014 USD ($) | Feb. 07, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Feb. 28, 2017 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 EUR (€) | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Jan. 12, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 22, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 18, 2014 | Dec. 08, 2014 EUR (€) | Dec. 02, 2014 USD ($) | Nov. 24, 2014 USD ($) | Aug. 15, 2014 USD ($) | Jan. 22, 2014 USD ($) payment | May 29, 2013 USD ($) | Dec. 10, 2010 USD ($) | Jan. 20, 2005 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 422,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2020 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 180,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2021 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 467,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, thereafter |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 779,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 778,209 | $ 1,252,302 | $ 2,582,901 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of debt premium |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 45,200 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52,801 | 1,921 | 5,353 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments of debt premium |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 46,959 | 0 | 43,340 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified during next 12 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from borrowings of other long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,000 | 0 | 2,250,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt financing costs paid |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | $ 0 | 4,544 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving credit facility, remaining borrowings available |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 578,700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.875% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt | € |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | € 700.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  | 1.875% |  |  | 1.875% | 1.875% |  | 1.875% | 1.875% |  |  |  |  | 1.875% | 1.875% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.10% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, before tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (41,800) | $ 26,100 | 50,900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
3.00% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 250,000 |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  | 3.00% |  |  | 3.00% | 3.00% |  | 3.00% | 3.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.00% |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.18% |  |  |  |  |
4.15% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 425,000 |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  | 4.15% |  |  |  |  |  | 4.15% | 4.15% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.15% |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.06% |  |  |  |  |
Number of semi annual coupon payments | payment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20 |  |  |
4.50% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 350,000 |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  | 4.50% |  |  | 4.50% | 4.50% |  | 4.50% | 4.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.50% |
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.70% |
5.10% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 325,000
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.10%
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.19%
Repayments of long-term debt |  | $ 325,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
5.45% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 350,000 |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  |  |  | 5.45% |  |  |  |  |  | 5.45% | 5.45% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.45% |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate of debt, effective percentage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.50% |  |  |  |  |
4.625% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,250,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5,400 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage | 103.469% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payments of debt premium | $ 43,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial Paper |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  | $ 153,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial paper notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 421,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.80% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument weighted average maturity period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of Credit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 266,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Borrowings outstanding under credit facility |  |  |  |  | $ 38,900 |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5,300 | $ 38,900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Average interest rate on borrowings |  |  |  |  | 0.94% |  |  |  |  |  | 1.26% | 0.94% | 0.74% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum | Commercial Paper |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial paper notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 750,000 |  |
Debt instrument, maturity term |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 397 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.10% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt covenant ratio, maximum debt to EBITDA |  |  |  | 3.50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt covenant |  |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate margin |  |  |  | 1.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate margin |  |  |  | 1.70% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term Debt | Term Loan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.67% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional borrowing capacity amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |
Proceeds from borrowings of other long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior Unsecured Cash Bridge Facility | Bridge Loan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  | 800,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional borrowing capacity amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,150,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from borrowings of other long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  | $ 800,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bridge Loan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bridge loan fees |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 19,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Rate Swap | JP Morgan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative, notional amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 325,000 |  |  |
Payment for settlement of interest rate swap |  |  | $ 33,400 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior Notes | 1.875% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt | € |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | € 307.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior Notes | 3.00% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 250,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior Notes | 4.50% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 174,700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | September 2015 Term Loan Agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.375% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other (expenses) income | Bridge Loan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bridge loan fees expensed in period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Debt Covenant + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Debt Covenant Ratio, Maximum Debt to EBITDA + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type: | na
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- Definition Debt Instrument, Weighted Average Maturity Period + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | alb_
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Balance Type: | na
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- Definition Number of Semi Annual Coupon Payments + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Payment For Settlement Of Interest Rate Swap + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Repayment of Redemption Premium + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alb_RepaymentofRedemptionPremium
Namespace Prefix: | alb_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B + Details
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