Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Jun. 24, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SCHULMAN A INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000087565
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,429,382