Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 2,446,998		$ 2,133,402		$ 2,081,272
Cost of sales	2,116,990		1,852,223		1,802,029
Selling, general and administrative expenses	242,486		205,370		193,502
Restructuring expense	4,883		10,500		9,256
Asset impairment	104		1,873		3,392
Curtailment and settlement (gains) losses	214		333		(310)
Operating income	82,321		63,103		73,403
Interest expense	8,503		7,657		8,351
Interest income	(286)		(495)		(676)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	2,206		2,426		243
Other (income) expense, net	(434)		(217)		(1,342)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	72,332		53,732		66,827
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	18,542		19,733		13,918
Income from continuing operations	53,790		33,999		52,909
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	3,202		(6,671)		(860)
Net income	56,992		27,328		52,049
Noncontrolling interests	(799)		(1,229)		(1,162)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 56,193		$ 26,099		$ 50,887
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,061		29,260		29,389
Diluted	29,362		29,337		29,549
Basic earnings per share attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1.82	[1]	$ 1.12	[1]	$ 1.76
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.11	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 1.93	[1]	$ 0.89	[1]	$ 1.73
Diluted earnings per share attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1.80	[1]	$ 1.12	[1]	$ 1.75
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.11	[1]	$ (0.23)	[1]	$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ 1.91	[1]	$ 0.89	[1]	$ 1.72
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.80		$ 0.78		$ 0.72

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