Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]

Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

	Year Ended August 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	$	52,049		$	41,685		$	44,111
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(46,647		)	42,550			(27,898		)
Unrecognized losses and prior service costs (credits), net	(9,371		)	13,735			(17,094		)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(3,969		)	97,970			(881		)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,072		)	(689		)	(221		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	(5,041	)	$	97,281		$	(1,102	)

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: 

	Foreign Currency Translation Gain  (Loss)			Unrecognized Losses and Prior Service Costs (Credits), Net			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(In thousands)
Balance as of August 31, 2009	$	45,288		$	(6,574	)	$	38,714
Current period change	(27,898		)	(17,094		)	(44,992		)
Balance as of August 31, 2010	17,390			(23,668		)	(6,278		)
Current period change	42,550			13,735			56,285
Balance as of August 31, 2011	59,940			(9,933		)	50,007
Current period change	(46,557		)	(9,371		)	(55,928		)
Balance as of August 31, 2012	$	13,383		$	(19,304	)	$	(5,921	)