Business Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2010

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]

Results of Operations Since Acquisition Date [Table Text Block]

Net sales, income before taxes and net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. from Elian included in the Company’s results since the January 31, 2012 acquisition are as follows:

	January 31, 2012 to August 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Net sales	$	20,306
Income before taxes	$	640
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	402

Net sales, loss from continuing operations before taxes and net loss from the ICO acquired businesses included in the Company’s results since the April 30, 2010 acquisition are as follows (in thousands): 

	April 30, 2010 to August 31, 2010
Net sales	$	134,166
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	$	(2,030	)
Net loss attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	(1,163	)

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the preliminary estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,624
Accounts receivable	6,897
Inventories	3,427
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	434
Property, plant and equipment	5,111
Intangible assets	27,779
Other long-term assets	20
Total assets acquired	$	45,292
Accounts payable	$	4,907
Other accrued liabilities	3,106
Deferred income taxes	10,598
Pension plans	711
Other long-term liabilities	143
Total liabilities assumed	$	19,465
Net identifiable assets acquired	$	25,827
Goodwill	40,718
Net assets acquired	$	66,545

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The following pro forma information represents the consolidated results of the Company as if the acquisition of Elian occurred as of September 1, 2010: 

	For the Years Ended August 31,
	2012		2011
	Unaudited
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales	$	2,122,525	$	2,232,715
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	52,423	$	43,376
Net income per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. - diluted	$	1.77	$	1.39

The following unaudited, pro forma information represents the consolidated results of the Company as if the ICO acquisition occurred at the beginning of the period presented (in thousands, except per share data): 

	Year ended August 31, 2010
	Unaudited
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales	$	1,828,339
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	45,948
Net income per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. - diluted	$	1.47

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

Other Business Transactions

The following table summarizes the Company's other business transactions for the periods presented as well as the ECM Plastics, Inc. acquisition completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2013:

Transaction Description	Date of Transaction	Purchase Consideration (In millions)		Segment
McCann Color, Inc.	March 1, 2010	$	8.8	Americas
An Ohio producer of high-quality color concentrates whose products are used in end markets such as packaging, lawn and garden, furniture, consumer products and appliances
Mash Indústria e Comércio de Compostos Plásticos LTDA	November 3, 2010	$	15.2	Americas
A Brazilian masterbatch additive producer and engineered plastics compounder whose products are used in end markets such as film and packaging, automotive and appliances
Surplast S.A.	June 30, 2011	$	1.1	Americas
A 51% ownership interest in an Argentinean venture, further expanding the Company’s specialty powders presence in South America
ECM Plastics, Inc.	September 4, 2012	$	36.5	Americas
A Massachusetts producer of custom color, specialty additive masterbatch and niche engineered plastics products, with a strong presence in personal care and cosmetics