8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 2, 2005

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

Virginia	1-12658	54-1692118
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission file number)	(IRS employer identification no.)

330 South Fourth Street, Richmond, Virginia	23219
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (804) 788-6000

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 1 — Registrant’s Business and Operations

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Albemarle Corporation’s (the “Company”) Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Richard J. Diemer, Jr., 47, to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 1, 2005. Mr. Diemer replaces Mr. Paul F. Rocheleau, who has concurrently announced his resignation from the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 1, 2005. Mr. Diemer will begin employment with the Company as of August 15, 2005.

Since 2002, Mr. Diemer has served as Vice President — Equity Research and Senior Portfolio Manager—Equities for Honeywell International, a diversified technology and manufacturing company. From 2000 until 2002, Mr. Diemer served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Specialty Materials Division of Honeywell International. From 1998 until 2000, Mr. Diemer served as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Mr. Diemer previously was a partner with KPMG LLP.

On July 26, 2005, in connection with Mr. Diemer’s appointment to be Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Diemer entered in a letter agreement with the Company providing for certain compensation arrangements and benefits (the “Agreement”).

The Agreement provides that Mr. Diemer will receive an annual base salary of $365,000. Under the Agreement, Mr. Diemer is entitled to a bonus equal to a target amount of 50% of base salary under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan. For 2005, the bonus amount will be prorated based on time worked and actual performance, with a minimum payment of $150,000.

In addition, Mr. Diemer will receive 50,000 stock options under the Company’s existing stock option plan, with a ten year term that will completely vest after three years from the date of grant. Mr. Diemer also will receive 20,000 shares of Restricted Stock that fully vest after five years. In addition, to compensate Mr. Diemer for the loss of earned, but unvested incentive stock grants at Honeywell, the Company will pay Mr. Diemer $140,000 in September 2005 and $130,000 on January 1, 2007.

Mr. Diemer will be eligible to receive a grant of Performance Units in accordance with the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan. In addition, Mr. Diemer will participate in the Company’s defined contribution pension plan, the Company’s savings plan and the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Diemer also will receive the same benefits provided by the Company for its other similarly situated executives.

The Agreement contains change in control provisions. In the event that a change in control of the Company were to occur (as defined in the Company’s 2003 Incentive Plan) and one or more of the events described below were to occur within 24 months thereafter, Mr. Diemer may elect to resign in which case (a) he will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times his annual compensation, including base salary and annual incentive compensation, at the previous year’s payment amount, (b) all vested outstanding options will become exercisable and

(c) all restricted stock will become non-forfeitable. The events include (1) a change or diminution of responsibilities or compensation, (2) a reduction of benefit eligibility or level, (3) failure by a successor company to assume his severance agreement or (4) termination.

In the event that Mr. Diemer’s employment is terminated within the first five years for reasons other than for “cause,” the Company will pay him a severance equal to one times Mr. Diemer’s then current annual compensation including both salary and annual incentive compensation at the target amount.

A copy of the Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.16 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

The information required by this item is included in Item 1.01 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9 — Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statement and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

10.16 Compensation Arrangement with Richard J. Diemer, Jr., dated as of July 26, 2005 (filed herewith).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 2, 2005

ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Luther C. Kissam, IV
	Luther C. Kissam, IV
	Vice President, General Counsel and     Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Exhibit
10.16	Compensation Arrangement with Richard J. Diemer, Jr., dated as of July 26, 2005 (filed herewith).

EX-10.16

Exhibit 10.16

[Letterhead of Albemarle Corporation]

July 25, 2005

Richard J. Diemer, Jr.

Ridgewood, New Jersey

Dear Rich:

I will summarize Albemarle Corporation’s (the Company’s) offer to you to join the Company as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Since there are several components, I will address each separately.

1. Base Salary - $365,000 annually.

2. Bonuses - Target is 50% of base salary under the Annual Incentive Plan of the Company, which is performance based. Attached is a copy of the 2003 Incentive Plan and the 2005 Annual Incentive Plan goals for your reference. As the plan is calculated for the calendar year, your first year bonus amount will be prorated for 2005 based on time worked and actual performance, with a minimum payment of $150,000.

3. The Company will award you fifty thousand stock options under the Company’s existing plan. The price of those options will be the composite closing price of the stock on your first day of employment. The options will have a ten year term and will completely vest after three years from the date of grant. These will be confirmed as a separate agreement following your hire. In addition, to compensate you for the loss of earned, but unvested incentive stock grants at your current employer, the Company will pay you $140,000 on the first pay period following your date of hire. A second payment of $130,000 will be made to you on January 1, 2007.

4. The Company will issue to you a grant of twenty thousand shares of Restricted Stock upon your hire that will fully vest after five years from your date of hire. These will be confirmed as a separate agreement following your hire. Company executives are eligible for grants of Performance Units (each unit is equivalent in value to a share of Albemarle stock) on a two year performance cycle as their primary long term incentive. The next grant performance cycle is anticipated in early 2006 and you will be eligible to participate in a grant to be determined at that time.

5. The Company’s retirement program for executives hired after April 1, 2004 is provided through the combination of a qualified defined contribution pension plan under which you will receive an a defined contribution equal to 5% of your base salary which you may invest in the investment choices available under the Company’s Savings Plan up to qualified plan limits. An additional defined

contribution on all base and bonus compensation received each year above qualified plan limits is credited in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and may be further credited with gains per the plan description below for additional voluntary elections.

6. You will participate in the Company’s savings plan, which provides a match of 100% on personal savings contributed by you of up to five percent of base salary. Should the amounts exceed so-called high income caps, such excess will be carried by the company until paid out at retirement. Attached is a description of the plan and investment options available to employees.

7. You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan at the next enrollment period later this year. The program allows participants to defer up to 50% of salary and up to 100% of bonus (net of FICA, including Medicare, taxes) each year. Deferrals are credited to one or more accounts which may be distributed at or before retirement based on your election. Deferrals are credited with the investment performance of funds which largely mirror those available in the Savings Plan.

8. In the event a Change of Control as defined in the 2003 Incentive Plan were to occur and one or more of the following events happen with respect to your employment within a period of 24 months thereafter, you may resign and receive a lump sum payment and other benefits as described below. The events include: (1) a change or diminution of responsibilities or compensation, (2) a reduction of benefit eligibility or benefit level (3) refusal by a successor company to assume this agreement, or (4) termination.

If you resign or are terminated under conditions described in the paragraph above, you will receive: (1) a lump sum payment equal to two times your annual salary and Annual Incentive at the previous year’s payment amount, (2) all outstanding stock options become exercisable, and (3) all restricted stock becomes nonforfeitable.

9. In the event that your employment is terminated within the first five years for reasons other than for cause, Albemarle will pay you a severance equal to one times your then current annual compensation including both salary and annual incentive compensation at target.

10. You will be eligible for the full benefit package provided by the company. Information on health and life insurance and other benefits are attached. Answers to questions you have will be provided separately by Jack Harsh.

11. Relocation allowances provide full coverage for moving and packing household goods. You will be entitled to the provisions of the policy as a transferred employee. If you can sell your residence, the Company prefers you do so. In the event you cannot do so in a reasonable time, the Company will buy the house based on the average of two appraisals. The mechanics of this transaction are covered in the relocation policy.

12. Your vacation eligibility is four weeks per year starting in 2006. For the balance of 2005, you will be eligible for 2 weeks vacation.

13. Your expected date of employment is on or before August 15, 2005 and your appointment as CFO will be made not later than September 1, 2005.

This offer is subject to a preemployment physical examination and substance screening under the company’s policy, completion of necessary background checks and confirmation of references. In addition, upon your acceptance of this offer and start of employment with the Company, this letter will represent our mutual agreement relating to the terms of your employment. Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing below and returning the original letter to Jack Harsh for our records.

Sincerely,

/s/ Mark C. Rohr

Mark C. Rohr

President, CEO

Accepted by:	Date:
/s/ Richard J. Diemer, Jr.	July 26, 2005
Richard J. Diemer, Jr.

Enclosures

cc: W. M. Gottwald

N. C. Daniel

J. P. Harsh