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X UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington , D.C. 20549 FORM 10 - K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 ( d ) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2020 or Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 ( d ) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from Commission file number 001-12658 Virginia ( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization ) ALBEMARLE CORPORATION ( Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter ) to Title of each class COMMON STOCK , $ .01 Par Value 54-1692118 ( I.R.S. Employer Identification No. ) 4250 Congress Street , Suite 900 Charlotte , North Carolina 28209 ( Address of principal executive offices ) ( Zip Code ) Registrant's telephone number , including area code : ( 980 ) - 299-5700 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 ( b ) of the Act : Tradi Symbol ALB Large accelerated filer Non - accelerated filer Name of each exchange on which reg New York Stock Exchange red Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well - known seasoned issuer , as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act . Yes > No □ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 ( d ) of the Act . No 冈 Yes □ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant ( 1 ) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 ( d ) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months ( or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports ) , and ( 2 ) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days . Yes > No □ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S - T ( §232.405 of this chapter ) during the preceding 12 months ( or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files ) . Yes No □ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer , an accelerated filer , a non - accelerated filer , smaller reporting company , or an emerging growth company . See the definitions of “ large accelerated filer , ” “ accelerated filer , ” “ smaller reporting company , " and " emerging growth company " in Rule 12b - 2 of the Exchange Act . ( Check one ) : Accelerated filer Smaller reporting company ■ Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company , indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13 ( a ) of the Exchange Act .