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Stock-based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 20, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | May 07, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Stock options granted during the period (in shares) |  | 82,204 | 141,661 | 313,803 |
Common stock authorized for non-employee directors (in shares) |  | 150,000,000 | 150,000,000 |  |
Stock-based compensation |  | $ 19,404,000 | $ 17,031,000 | $ 15,188,000 |
Tax benefits recognized related to stock based compensation |  | 7,000,000 | 6,200,000 | 5,600,000 |
Proceeds from stock option exercised |  | $ 8,238,000 | 9,401,000 | 517,000 |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based awards vesting period |  | 1 year |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based awards vesting period |  | 5 years |  |  |
Albemarle Corporation 2008 Incentive Plan |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Increase in number of shares available for issuance under incentive plan (in shares) | 4,470,000 |  |  |  |
Reduced incentive plan awards number of shares for each share (in shares) | 1.6 |  |  |  |
Shares available for grant (in shares) |  | 1,873,159 |  |  |
Albemarle Corporation 2008 Incentive Plan | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares available for issuance under incentive plan (in shares) | 7,470,000 |  |  |  |
Non Employee Directors, Plan |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Common stock authorized for non-employee directors (in shares) |  |  |  |  | 500,000
Shares available for grant (in shares) |  | 408,591 |  |  |
Non Employee Directors, Plan | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fair market value of shares issued per director per year |  | $ 150,000 |  |  |
Stock Options |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based awards vesting period |  | 3 years |  |  |
Stock options, term |  | 10 years |  |  |
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised |  | $ 15,600,000 | 7,900,000 | 500,000 |
Compensation cost not yet recognized for nonvested share |  | $ 5,000,000 |  |  |
Remaining weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost years |  | 1 year 6 months 24 days |  |  |
Proceeds from stock option exercised |  | $ 8,200,000 |  |  |
Tax benefit from stock option exercised |  | 5,700,000 |  |  |
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Compensation cost not yet recognized for nonvested share |  | $ 9,700,000 |  |  |
Remaining weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost years |  | 2 years 1 month 24 days |  |  |
Weighted average grant date fair value |  | $ 8,200,000 | 8,800,000 | 3,500,000 |
Weighted average fair value of awards vested in period |  | $ 3,100,000 | 3,200,000 | 2,200,000 |
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based awards vesting period |  | 1 year |  |  |
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based awards vesting period |  | 5 years |  |  |
Performance Unit Awards |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Compensation cost not yet recognized for nonvested share |  | $ 11,500,000 |  |  |
Remaining weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost years |  | 1 year 1 month 24 days |  |  |
Weighted average grant date fair value |  | $ 9,600,000 | 10,900,000 | 11,900,000 |
Weighted average fair value of awards vested in period |  | $ 11,900,000 | 4,600,000 | $ 2,500,000 |
Number of common stock share for each performance unit (in shares) |  | 1 |  |  |
Performance Unit Awards | Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Performance unit award payout percentage |  | 0.00% |  |  |
Specific performance criteria period |  | 1 year |  |  |
Performance Unit Awards | Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Performance unit award payout percentage |  | 200.00% |  |  |
Specific performance criteria period |  | 3 years |  |  |
Two Year Measurement Period |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of award distributed |  | 50.00% |  |  |
One Year Vesting Period Thereafter |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of award distributed |  | 50.00% |  |  |
Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation |  |  | $ 5,800,000 |  |
Accrued Liabilities | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation |  | $ 2,300,000 |  |  |
Other Noncurrent Liabilities | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |  |  |  |
Share Based Compensation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation |  | $ 3,400,000 |  |  |

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- Definition Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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