XML 53 R77.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Other Intangibles (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance $ 200,418us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross $ 198,124us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross  
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (7,233)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments 2,294us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments  
Acquisitions 5,228us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments    
Divestitures (c) (68,540)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived [1]    
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 129,873us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross 200,418us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross 198,124us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (112,215)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization (103,660)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization  
Amortization (5,737)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets (8,066)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets (10,700)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (27,584)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment [1]    
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 4,620alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact (489)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact  
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (85,748)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization (112,215)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization (103,660)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Net Book Value 44,125us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill 88,203us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill  
Customer Lists and Relationships      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 86,426us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
85,167us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (3,055)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
1,259us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Divestitures (c) (34,892)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 48,479us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
86,426us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (35,988)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
(31,484)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Amortization (2,839)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
(4,332)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (14,487)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 1,409alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
(172)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (22,931)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
(35,988)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Net Book Value 25,548us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
50,438us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_CustomerListsAndRelationshipsMember
 
Trade Names      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 26,907us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
[2] 26,943us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
[2]  
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (1,181)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
(36)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Divestitures (c) (8,171)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 17,555us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
[2] 26,907us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
[2]  
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (8,970)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
(8,486)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Amortization (824)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
(995)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (1,539)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 343alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
511alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (7,912)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
(8,970)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Net Book Value 9,643us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
17,937us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember
 
Patents and Technology      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 48,743us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
47,876us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (2,257)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
867us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Divestitures (c) (11,316)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 40,398us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
48,743us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (40,354)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
(38,778)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Amortization (388)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
(797)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (5,738)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 2,173alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
(779)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (32,831)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
(40,354)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Net Book Value 7,567us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
8,389us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
 
Land Use Rights      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 6,376us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
6,203us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (40)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
173us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Divestitures (c) (4,929)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 1,407us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
6,376us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (1,268)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
(1,079)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Amortization (42)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
(166)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (100)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 3alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
(23)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (1,407)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
(1,268)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Net Book Value 0us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
5,108us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_UseRightsMember
 
Manufacturing Contracts and Supply/Service Agreements      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 8,338us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
8,523us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 0us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
(185)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Divestitures (c) (4,474)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 3,864us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
8,338us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (6,974)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
(6,512)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Amortization (368)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
(647)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (4,164)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 0alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
185alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (3,178)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
(6,974)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Net Book Value 686us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
1,364us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_ManufacturingContractsAndServiceAgreementsMember
 
Other      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance 23,628us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
23,412us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (700)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
216us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTranslationAdjustments
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Divestitures (c) (4,758)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
   
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance 18,170us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
23,628us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance (18,661)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
(17,321)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Amortization (1,276)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
(1,129)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (1,756)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other 692alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
(211)alb_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortizationForeignExchangeImpact
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance (17,489)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
(18,661)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Net Book Value 681us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
4,967us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
 
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Divestitures (c) (68,540)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
   
Amortization (900)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
(3,500)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
(3,400)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment (27,584)alb_RemovalofAccumulatedAmortizationofIntangibleAssetsFromImpairment
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= alb_AntioxidantIbuprofenandPropofolAssetsMember
   
Cambridge Chemical Company | Patents and Technology      
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]      
Acquisitions $ 5,228us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= alb_CambridgeChemicalCompanyMember
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= alb_PatentsAndTechnologyMember
[3]    
[1] In 2014 we reduced intangible assets by $68.5 million and related accumulated amortization by $27.6 million in connection with the sale of our antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses and assets which closed on September 1, 2014. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about this transaction.
[2] Trade names include a gross carrying amount of $9.2 million for an indefinite-lived intangible asset.
[3] Increase in Patents and Technology relates to a purchase accounting adjustment in connection with our acquisition of Cambridge Chemical Company, Ltd.