General	9 Months Ended
May 31, 2016
General [Abstract]
GENERAL	GENERAL The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included for A. Schulman, Inc. (the “Company”) reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2016. The accounting policies for the periods presented are the same as described in Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. Restricted Cash At May 31, 2016, restricted cash represents proceeds from tax return refunds for certain Citadel acquisition entities for periods prior to the Company's ownership. These proceeds are payable to the seller per the terms of the stock purchase agreement, and the liability is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet within other accrued liabilities as of May 31, 2016. Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2016 presentation.

General

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2016

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included for A. Schulman, Inc. (the “Company”) reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2016.

The accounting policies for the periods presented are the same as described in Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

Restricted Cash

At May 31, 2016, restricted cash represents proceeds from tax return refunds for certain Citadel acquisition entities for periods prior to the Company's ownership. These proceeds are payable to the seller per the terms of the stock purchase agreement, and the liability is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet within other accrued liabilities as of May 31, 2016.

Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2016 presentation.