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Segment and Geographic Area Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ 921,699 | $ 777,748 | $ 853,874 | $ 821,629 | $ 857,789 | $ 754,866 | $ 737,258 | $ 722,063 | $ 3,374,950 | $ 3,071,976 | $ 2,677,203
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,006,664 | 885,480 | 758,217
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation | (129,596) | (129,745) | (302,461) | (131,760) | $ 218,366 | $ (118,670) | $ (103,333) | $ (51,213) | (693,562) | (54,850) | (643,675)
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,698 | 196,928 | 226,169
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net | $ 8,277 | $ 0 | $ (218,705) | $ 0 |  |  |  |  | (210,428) | 0 | (122,298)
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (6,221) | 0
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 57,384
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52,405 | 115,350 | 65,181
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144,826 | 431,817 | 96,263
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | (202,131)
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28,700 | 28,700 |
Reportable Segments | Lithium |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,228,171 | 1,018,885 | 668,852
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 530,773 | 446,652 | 285,714
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 95,193 | 87,879 | 86,862
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 917,880 | 855,143 | 792,425
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 288,116 | 258,901 | 226,926
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,607 | 40,062 | 39,562
Reportable Segments | Catalysts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,101,554 | 1,067,572 | 1,031,501
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 284,307 | 283,883 | 316,609
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49,131 | 54,468 | 51,193
All Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 127,186 | 128,914 | 180,988
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14,091 | 13,878 | 14,772
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,073 | 8,357 | 7,302
Corporate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 159 | 1,462 | 3,437
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (110,623) | (117,834) | (85,804)
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,694 | 6,162 | 6,056
Continuing Operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,006,664 | 885,480 | 758,217
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 693,562 | 54,850 | 643,675
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 200,698 | 196,928 | 190,975
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,095 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,838 | 17,056 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (210,428) |  | (122,298)
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (6,221) |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 19,377 | 33,954 | 57,384
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52,405 | 115,350 | 65,181
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144,826 | 431,817 | 96,263
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (202,131)
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,285 | (16,125) | 25,589
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,027 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,597 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,000 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25,240 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28,730 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14,237 | 6,046 | 3,579
Continuing Operations | Reportable Segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,103,196 | 989,436 | 829,249
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,120,325 | 792,496 | 651,632
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 185,931 | 182,409 | 177,617
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,095 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (210,428) |  | 0
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (6,221) |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,368 | (2,343) | 0
Continuing Operations | Reportable Segments | Lithium |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 530,773 | 446,652 | 285,714
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 428,212 | 342,992 | 198,852
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 95,193 | 87,879 | 86,862
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 23,095 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (6,221) |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,368 | (1,093) | 0
Continuing Operations | Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 288,116 | 258,901 | 226,926
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 246,509 | 218,839 | 187,364
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,607 | 40,062 | 39,562
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Continuing Operations | Reportable Segments | Catalysts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 284,307 | 283,883 | 316,609
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 445,604 | 230,665 | 265,416
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49,131 | 54,468 | 51,193
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (210,428) |  | 0
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (1,250) | 0
Continuing Operations | All Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14,091 | 13,878 | 14,772
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,018 | 5,521 | 131,301
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,073 | 8,357 | 7,302
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | (123,831)
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0
Continuing Operations | Corporate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjusted EBITDA |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (110,623) | (117,834) | (85,804)
Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (432,781) | (743,167) | (139,258)
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6,694 | 6,162 | 6,056
Utilization of inventory markup |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Restructuring and other, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,838 | 17,056 |
(Gain) loss on sales of businesses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 1,533
Gain on acquisition |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Acquisition and integration related costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 19,377 | 33,954 | 57,384
Interest and financing expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 52,405 | 115,350 | 65,181
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144,826 | 431,817 | 96,263
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (202,131)
Non-operating pension and OPEB items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,285 | (16,125) | 25,589
Legal accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,027 |  |
Environmental accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,597 |  |
Albemarle Foundation contribution |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15,000 |  |
Indemnification adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25,240 |  |
Note receivable reserve |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28,730 |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 6,869 | $ 8,389 | $ 3,579

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- Definition This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 23 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84229725&loc=d3e1043-128460 + Details
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- Definition In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of net gain (loss) recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463 + Details
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- 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/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) from sale and disposal of integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for purpose of providing return in form of dividend, lower cost, or other economic benefit to investor, owner, member and participant. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4582445-111684 + Details
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