ALBEMARLE CORP, DEF 14A filed on 3/24/2026
Proxy Statement (definitive)
v3.26.1
Cover
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]  
Document Type DEF 14A
Amendment Flag false
Entity Information [Line Items]  
Entity Registrant Name ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key 0000915913
v3.26.1
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table
2025 Pay Versus Performance Table
Year
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1)
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(1)(3)
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs(2)
Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs(2)(3)
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on:
Net Income ($MM)(5)
Adjusted EBITDA ($MM)
Total Shareholder Return(4)
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return(4)
2025$15,513,654 $38,198,957 $3,871,357 $6,716,651 $102 $109 $(465)$1,098 
2024$14,368,498 $4,401,575 $3,479,959 $1,603,421 $61 $108 $(1,316)$1,140 
2023$14,472,115 $(4,776,615)$3,154,592 $1,224,527 $100 $110 $1,573 $2,779 
2022$11,118,156 $13,714,085 $2,964,307 $3,084,017 $149 $96 $2,474.0 $3,403.0 
2021$9,040,753 $20,335,113 $2,516,658 $8,987,310 $160 $128 $199.9 $871.0 
        
Named Executive Officers, Footnote “PEO” represents J. Kent Masters, Jr., who was appointed CEO on April 20, 2020. The non-PEO NEOs for each applicable year are as follows:
a.2025: Neal R. Sheorey, Melissa H. Anderson, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., Eric W. Norris and Mark Mummert
b.2024: Neal R. Sheorey, Melissa H. Anderson, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., Eric W. Norris and Kristin M. Coleman
c.2023: Neal R. Sheorey, Kristin M. Coleman, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., Eric W. Norris, Raphael G. Crawford, Sean O'Hollaren and Scott A. Tozier
d.2022: Scott A. Tozier, Kristin M. Coleman, Netha N. Johnson, Jr. and Eric W. Norris
e.2021: Scott A. Tozier, Netha N. Johnson, Jr., Karen G. Narwold and Eric W. Norris
        
Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP as reported in the Pay Versus Performance Table above. The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP after deducting the Summary Compensation Table values for the aggregate change in value of pension plans and the grant-date fair value of stock awards and option awards. The fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of stock awards and option awards was determined by reference to (x) for RSU awards, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date, (y) for PSU awards (excluding market-
conditioned (relative TSR-based) PSU awards), the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date multiplied by the probability of achievement as of such date and (z) for market-conditioned PSU awards, a Monte Carlo simulation as of the applicable measurement date. For stock options, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The model references the closing stock price, in addition to the stock option’s strike price, expected life, volatility, expected dividend yield and risk-free rate as of the measurement date.
YearPensionEquity Awards
Pension Service CostYear End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the YearYear over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior YearsFair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year
Change in Fair Value (since End of Prior Year) of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year
Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the YearValue of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total CompensationTotal Equity Award Adjustments
PEO
2025N/A$14,819,685 $4,191,852 $10,295,958 $3,827,465 $— $— $33,134,961 
Non-PEO NEO Average
2025N/A$4,120,674 $1,019,522 $17,156 $(30,934)$(121,059)$— $5,005,359 
        
Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount $ 3,871,357 $ 3,479,959 $ 3,154,592 $ 2,964,307 $ 2,516,658
Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount $ 6,716,651 1,603,421 1,224,527 3,084,017 8,987,310
Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP as reported in the Pay Versus Performance Table above. The following table details the applicable adjustments that were made to Summary Compensation Table totals to determine CAP after deducting the Summary Compensation Table values for the aggregate change in value of pension plans and the grant-date fair value of stock awards and option awards. The fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of stock awards and option awards was determined by reference to (x) for RSU awards, the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date, (y) for PSU awards (excluding market-
conditioned (relative TSR-based) PSU awards), the closing price of our common stock on the applicable measurement date multiplied by the probability of achievement as of such date and (z) for market-conditioned PSU awards, a Monte Carlo simulation as of the applicable measurement date. For stock options, the fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The model references the closing stock price, in addition to the stock option’s strike price, expected life, volatility, expected dividend yield and risk-free rate as of the measurement date.
YearPensionEquity Awards
Pension Service CostYear End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in the YearYear over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior YearsFair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year
Change in Fair Value (since End of Prior Year) of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year
Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the YearValue of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total CompensationTotal Equity Award Adjustments
PEO
2025N/A$14,819,685 $4,191,852 $10,295,958 $3,827,465 $— $— $33,134,961 
Non-PEO NEO Average
2025N/A$4,120,674 $1,019,522 $17,156 $(30,934)$(121,059)$— $5,005,359 
        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return 6114        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income 6117        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure 6118
___________________________________________________
        
Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group 6115        
Tabular List, Table
Adjusted EBITDA
Operating Cash Flow Conversion Rate
Cost Center Expense
rTSR
Adjusted ROIC

        
Total Shareholder Return Amount $ 102 61 100 149 160
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount 109 108 110 96 128
Net Income (Loss) $ (465) $ (1,316) $ 1,573 $ 2,474 $ 199.9
Company Selected Measure Amount 1,098 1,140 2,779 3,403 871.0
PEO Name J. Kent Masters, Jr.        
Additional 402(v) Disclosure Cumulative Company TSR and peer group TSR are calculated by assuming that a $100 investment was made on the trading day prior to the first fiscal year reported and reinvesting all dividends until the last day of each reported fiscal year. For this purpose, our peer group is S&P 1500 Specialty Chemical Index.        
Masters Jr. [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
PEO Total Compensation Amount $ 15,513,654 $ 14,368,498 $ 14,472,115 $ 11,118,156 $ 9,040,753
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount $ 38,198,957 $ 4,401,575 $ (4,776,615) $ 13,714,085 $ 20,335,113
PEO | Measure:: 1          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Adjusted EBITDA        
PEO | Measure:: 2          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Operating Cash Flow Conversion Rate        
PEO | Measure:: 3          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Cost Center Expense        
PEO | Measure:: 4          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name rTSR        
PEO | Measure:: 5          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name Adjusted ROIC        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Unvested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards $ 14,819,685        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 4,191,852        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Vested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 10,295,958        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 3,827,465        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 0        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Awards, Value of Dividends and Other Earnings Paid Adjustment [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 0        
PEO | Masters Jr. [Member] | Equity Award Adjustments [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 33,134,961        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Unvested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 4,120,674        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Unvested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 1,019,522        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted During the Year, Vested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 17,156        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years, Vested [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards (30,934)        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards (121,059)        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards, Value of Dividends and Other Earnings Paid Adjustment [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation Amount, Equity Awards 0        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Award Adjustments [Member]          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount $ 5,005,359        
v3.26.1
Award Timing Disclosure
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items]  
Award Timing MNPI Disclosure
The Committee maintains a well-established process for granting equity awards and has a long-standing practice of granting awards generally at a time when directors and executive officers are not in possession of material, non-public information and only during an open "trading window" period under the Company's insider trading policy. Additional features of this practice include:
•The grant date of equity awards is generally the date on which the Board or the Committee approves the award by meeting or unanimous written consent or a later date designated in such approval. The Committee generally grants equity awards to NEOs during its regularly scheduled meeting early in the fiscal year; however, the timing of this approval may be changed in the event of extraordinary circumstances, including in connection with mid-year promotions and new-hires.
•No equity awards will be granted to executive officers within the period starting four business days before the filing of a periodic report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, or the filing or furnishing of a current report on Form 8-K that discloses material non-public information (including earnings information) and ending one business day after such filing. In 2025, the Company did not award grants to our NEOs within four business days before or one business day after the release of material non-public information.
•LTIP awards generally have a three-year performance period and the shares that are earned are not subject to any further vesting conditions.
•RSU awards generally vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant date, assuming no qualifying termination occurs during such period.
•Stock option awards generally vest in full on the third anniversary of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. Stock options will be awarded at an exercise price equal to the closing price of Albemarle’s common stock on the date of grant. Under the terms of our 2008 Incentive Plan, 2017 Incentive Plan, and proposed 2026 Incentive Plan, stock option re-pricing is not permitted without shareholder approval.
•Beginning in 2026, we discontinued granting stock options and now deliver equity awards solely in the form of full-value shares.
•We do not time the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Award Timing MNPI Considered false
v3.26.1
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items]  
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted true