Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 2,133,402		$ 2,081,272		$ 2,159,053
Cost of sales	1,856,168		1,805,930		1,872,561
Selling, general and administrative expenses	201,425		189,601		202,305
Restructuring expense	10,500		9,256		4,547
Asset impairment	1,873		3,392		8,150
Curtailment (gains) losses	333		(310)		0
Operating income	63,103		73,403		71,490
Interest expense	7,657		8,351		6,430
Interest income	(495)		(676)		(832)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	2,426		243		1,474
Other (income) expense, net	(217)		(1,342)		(1,721)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	53,732		66,827		66,139
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	19,733		13,918		15,764
Income from continuing operations	33,999		52,909		50,375
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(6,671)		(860)		(8,690)
Net income	27,328		52,049		41,685
Noncontrolling interests	(1,229)		(1,162)		(689)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 26,099		$ 50,887		$ 40,996
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,260		29,389		30,978
Diluted	29,337		29,549		31,141
Basic earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.12	[1]	$ 1.76	[1]	$ 1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.28)
Net income	$ 0.89	[1]	$ 1.73	[1]	$ 1.32
Diluted earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.12	[1]	$ 1.75	[1]	$ 1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.28)
Net Income	$ 0.89	[1]	$ 1.72	[1]	$ 1.32
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.78		$ 0.72		$ 0.62

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