Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	$ (93,152)	$ (41,946)	$ (83,460)	$ (16,691)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	(9,243)	(32,491)	(20,019)	(58,106)
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1]	150	599	1,165	935
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(9,093)	(31,892)	(18,854)	(57,171)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(654)	(37)	(723)	(61)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	(8,439)	(31,855)	(18,131)	(57,110)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(101,591)	(73,801)	(101,591)	(73,801)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(60,269)	(2,805)	(49,562)	22,786
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	(9,243)	(32,491)	(20,019)	(58,106)
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1]	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(9,243)	(32,491)	(20,019)	(58,106)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(654)	(37)	(723)	(61)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	(8,589)	(32,454)	(19,296)	(58,045)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(68,858)	(35,259)	(68,858)	(35,259)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(32,883)	(39,141)	(33,898)	(39,477)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1],[2]	150	599	1,165	935
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	150	599	1,165	935
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	0	0	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	150	599	1,165	935
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	$ (32,733)	$ (38,542)	$ (32,733)	$ (38,542)

[1] (1) All amounts presented are net of tax. All tax amounts are related to pension and other retiree benefits.

[2] (2) Amounts represent amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service costs and are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of sales and selling, general & administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. Refer to Note 7 of this Form 10-Q for further details.