Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 569,107	$ 611,142	$ 1,582,307	$ 1,614,868
Cost of sales	492,518	532,254	1,371,673	1,400,367
Selling, general and administrative expenses	48,861	51,746	145,692	154,081
Restructuring expense	1,944	1,843	6,785	5,779
Asset impairment	2,586	125	2,586	1,925
Curtailment (gain) loss	(101)	0	(310)	0
Operating income	23,299	25,174	55,881	52,716
Interest expense	1,953	1,802	6,532	4,729
Interest income	(318)	(200)	(675)	(591)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	53	60	569	1,398
Other (income) expense, net	(60)	(1,637)	(1,113)	(2,074)
Income before taxes	21,671	25,149	50,568	49,254
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	4,423	6,225	10,067	13,675
Net income	17,248	18,924	40,501	35,579
Noncontrolling interests	(252)	(170)	(850)	(441)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 16,996	$ 18,754	$ 39,651	$ 35,138
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,440	30,853	29,411	31,092
Diluted	29,569	31,061	29,585	31,289
Earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.:
Basic	$ 0.58	$ 0.61	$ 1.35	$ 1.13
Diluted	$ 0.57	$ 0.60	$ 1.34	$ 1.12
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.190	$ 0.155	$ 0.530	$ 0.465