Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014
Net sales	$ 649,219,000	$ 615,053,000
Cost of sales	544,290,000	528,209,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	77,237,000	60,547,000
Restructuring expense	1,546,000	5,219,000
Operating income	26,146,000	21,078,000
Interest expense	13,618,000	2,359,000
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	729,000	1,099,000
Other (income) expense, net	71,000	(254,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	11,728,000	17,874,000
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	4,251,000	4,486,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,477,000	13,388,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	20,000	(10,000)
Net income (loss)	7,497,000	13,378,000
Noncontrolling interests	(404,000)	(220,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	7,093,000	13,158,000
Convertible special stock dividends	1,875,000	0
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	$ 5,218,000	$ 13,158,000
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,223	29,017
Diluted	29,462	29,468
Basic earnings per share available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.18	$ 0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0.00	0.00
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	0.18	0.45
Diluted earnings per share available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations	0.18	0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0.00	0.00
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	0.18	0.45
Cash dividends per common share	0.205	0.205
Cash dividends per share of convertible special stock	$ 15.00	$ 0.00