Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011		Aug. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 2,106,753	$ 2,192,955		$ 1,590,443
Cost of sales	1,829,336	1,907,409		1,357,575
Selling, general and administrative expenses	192,439	206,406		179,821
Restructuring expense	9,256	8,117		5,054
Asset impairment	3,392	8,150		5,668
Curtailment (gains) losses	(310)	0		270
Operating income	72,640	62,873		42,055
Interest expense	8,377	6,453		5,010
Interest income	(699)	(922)		(1,345)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	245	1,595		884
Other (income) expense, net	(1,251)	(1,720)		(2,425)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	65,968	57,467		39,931
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	13,919	15,782		(4,419)
Income from continuing operations	52,049	41,685		44,350
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0	0	0		(239)
Net income	52,049	41,685		44,111
Noncontrolling interests	(1,162)	(689)		(221)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 50,887	$ 40,996		$ 43,890
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,389	30,978		27,746
Diluted	29,549	31,141		27,976
Earnings (losses) per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. — Basic:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.73	$ 1.32		$ 1.59
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 1.73	$ 1.32		$ 1.58
Earnings (losses) per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. — Diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.72	$ 1.32		$ 1.58
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00		$ (0.01)
Net Income	$ 1.72	$ 1.32	[1]	$ 1.57
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.72	$ 0.62		$ 0.60

[1] The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.