The provided text, an excerpt from the Wikipedia article on Albemarle Corporation, offers a comprehensive overview of the American specialty chemicals company. It details the company's history, operations, and numerous legal challenges. The article highlights Albemarle’s major products, including lithium and bromine compounds, and discusses its worldwide operations, particularly lithium extraction in environmentally sensitive areas like the Salar De Atacama in Chile and Silver Peak, Nevada, noting significant concerns regarding water use and environmental impact. Furthermore, it documents the corporation's legal issues, including a major settlement with the SEC over FCPA violations and various fines for EPA environmental violations.