A. Schulman (SLMNP) 10-K 24 Oct 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Oct. 14, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SCHULMAN A INC
Entity Central Index Key	87565
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Aug-13
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-23
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,121,126
Entity Public Float			$895

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Net sales	$2,133,402		$2,081,272		$2,159,053
Cost of sales	1,856,168		1,805,930		1,872,561
Selling, general and administrative expenses	201,425		189,601		202,305
Restructuring expense	10,500		9,256		4,547
Asset impairment	1,873		3,392		8,150
Curtailment (gains) losses	333		-310		0
Operating income	63,103		73,403		71,490
Interest expense	7,657		8,351		6,430
Interest income	-495		-676		-832
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	2,426		243		1,474
Other (income) expense, net	-217		-1,342		-1,721
Income from continuing operations before taxes	53,732		66,827		66,139
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	19,733		13,918		15,764
Income from continuing operations	33,999		52,909		50,375
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-6,671		-860		-8,690
Net income	27,328		52,049		41,685
Noncontrolling interests	-1,229		-1,162		-689
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$26,099		$50,887		$40,996
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,260		29,389		30,978
Diluted	29,337		29,549		31,141
Basic earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	$1.12	[1]	$1.76	[1]	$1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	($0.23)	[1]	($0.03)	[1]	($0.28)
Net income	$0.89	[1]	$1.73	[1]	$1.32
Diluted earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	$1.12	[1]	$1.75	[1]	$1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	($0.23)	[1]	($0.03)	[1]	($0.28)
Net Income	$0.89	[1]	$1.72	[1]	$1.32
Cash dividends per common share	$0.78		$0.72		$0.62
[1]	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Net income	$27,328	$52,049	$41,685
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	4,174	-46,647	42,550
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	6,448	-56,018	56,285
Comprehensive income (loss)	33,776	-3,969	97,970
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,074	1,072	689
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	32,702	-5,041	97,281
Net Change in Net Actuarial Gains (Losses) [Member]
Unrecognized net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service costs (credits), net of tax	2,710	-6,200	11,703
Net Change in Prior Service (Costs) Credit [Member]
Unrecognized net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service costs (credits), net of tax	($436)	($3,171)	$2,032

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Net Change in Net Actuarial Gains (Losses) [Member]
Net change in tax on pension and other postretirement benefit plans	($55)	($4,204)	$4,178
Net Change in Prior Service (Costs) Credit [Member]
Net change in tax on pension and other postretirement benefit plans	$0	$0	$0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$134,054	$124,031
Accounts receivable, net	310,749	304,698
Inventories, average cost or market, whichever is lower	261,658	247,222
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	41,224	32,403
Total current assets	747,685	708,354
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and improvements	27,954	28,739
Buildings and leasehold improvements	146,647	156,951
Machinery and equipment	356,144	363,811
Furniture and fixtures	39,065	39,404
Construction in progress	7,149	14,320
Gross property, plant and equipment	576,959	603,225
Accumulated depreciation and investment grants of $441 in 2013 and $579 in 2012	366,438	377,349
Net property, plant and equipment	210,521	225,876
Other assets:
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	48,723	41,146
Goodwill	139,526	128,353
Intangible assets	91,887	90,038
Total other assets	280,136	259,537
Total assets	1,238,342	1,193,767
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	265,477	248,069
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	6,423	4,268
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	43,072	42,275
Other accrued liabilities	48,689	37,282
Short-term debt	8,373	35,411
Total current liabilities	372,034	367,305
Long-term debt	207,435	174,466
Pension plans	98,599	92,581
Other long-term liabilities	24,657	29,324
Deferred income taxes	20,873	22,402
Total liabilities	723,598	686,078
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized - 75,000 shares, issued - 48,094 shares in 2013 and 47,958 shares in 2012	48,094	47,958
Additional paid-in capital	263,158	259,253
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	682	-5,921
Retained earnings	574,370	571,205
Treasury stock, at cost, 18,940 shares in 2013 and 18,649 shares in 2012	-378,927	-371,099
Total A. Schulman, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	507,377	501,396
Noncontrolling interests	7,367	6,293
Total equity	514,744	507,689
Total liabilities and equity	$1,238,342	$1,193,767

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investment grants	$441	$579
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000	75,000
Common stock, shares issued	48,094	47,958
Treasury stock, shares issued	18,940	18,649

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	$493,140	$47,690	$249,734	($6,278)	$519,649	($322,777)	$5,122
Comprehensive income (loss)	97,970			56,285	40,996		689
Cash dividends paid	-19,389				-19,389
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	-700						-700
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests	690						690
Purchase of treasury stock	-22,154					-22,154
Issuance of treasury stock	199		27			172
Stock options exercised	969	52	917
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures	0	121	-121
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings	-1,043	-47	-996
Amortization of restricted stock	4,623		4,623
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	554,305	47,816	254,184	50,007	541,256	-344,759	5,801
Comprehensive income (loss)	-3,969			-55,928	50,887		1,072
Cash dividends paid	-20,938				-20,938
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	-580						-580
Purchase of treasury stock	-26,752					-26,752
Issuance of treasury stock	432		20			412
Stock options exercised	915	51	864
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures	0	108	-108
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings	-382	-17	-365
Amortization of restricted stock	4,658		4,658
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	507,689	47,958	259,253	-5,921	571,205	-371,099	6,293
Comprehensive income (loss)	33,776			6,603	26,099		1,074
Cash dividends paid	-22,934				-22,934
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	0
Purchase of treasury stock	-8,091					-8,091
Issuance of treasury stock	356		93			263
Stock options exercised	1,205	64	1,141
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures	0	93	-93
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings	-396	-21	-375
Amortization of restricted stock	3,139		3,139
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$514,744	$48,094	$263,158	$682	$574,370	($378,927)	$7,367

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash dividends per common share	$0.78	$0.72	$0.62
Number of treasury stock shares acquired	304	1,463	1,011

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Operating from continuing and discontinued operations:
Net income	$27,328	$52,049	$41,685
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	29,982	29,176	32,342
Amortization	11,469	9,608	7,932
Deferred Tax Provision	-1,401	-14,733	1,261
Pension, postretirement benefits and other deferred compensation	6,489	10,276	-909
Asset impairment	5,873	3,392	8,150
Curtailment (gains) losses	333	-310	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	1,790	16,788	-28,564
Inventories	-6,376	-6,222	-27,269
Accounts payable	8,924	9,584	32,803
Income taxes	-320	-4,832	9,052
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	7,728	-11,563	-1,463
Other assets and long-term liabilities	-8,106	6,284	-6,074
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	83,713	99,497	68,946
Investing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-26,568	-34,003	-26,359
Proceeds from the sale of assets	13,886	1,581	10,041
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-36,805	-64,918	-15,944
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-49,487	-97,340	-32,262
Financing from continuing and discontinued operations:
Cash dividends paid	-22,934	-20,938	-19,389
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	3,324	-6,339	-2,196
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	264,350	188,730	250,268
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	-231,350	-155,669	-218,768
Borrowings on long-term debt	558	102	3,499
Repayments on long-term debt and note	-33,263	-3,654	-3,614
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	0	-2,220
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	-580	-700
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	1,561	1,347	1,168
Redemptions of common stock	-396	-382	-1,043
Purchases of treasury stock	-8,091	-26,752	-22,154
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	-26,241	-24,135	-15,149
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,038	-9,744	11,464
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,023	-31,722	32,999
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,031	155,753	122,754
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	134,054	124,031	155,753
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	5,487	7,472	5,737
Income taxes	$15,598	$26,964	$10,402

Business_and_Summary_of_Signif

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Business
	A. Schulman, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins. The Company's customers span a wide range of markets such as packaging, mobility, building and construction, electronics and electrical, agricultural, personal care and hygiene, custom services, and sports, leisure and home, among others. The Company employs approximately 3,200 people and has 33 manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia Pacific (“APAC”).
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Noncontrolling interests represent a 49% equity position of Alta Plastica S.A. in an Argentinean venture with the Company and a 35% equity position of P.T. Prima Polycon Indah in an Indonesian joint venture with the Company. Effective December 31, 2011, the Company’s partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical MKV Company, which held a 30% equity position, was dissolved by a vote of the partners.
	The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are generally measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each reporting period end. Income statement accounts are translated each month at the average rate of exchange during the month. Other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity include translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period.
	Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation, including discontinued operations. Refer to Note 19 of this Form 10-K for further discussion of discontinued operations.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include the value of purchase consideration, valuation of accounts receivables, inventories, goodwill, other intangible assets, other long-lived assets, contingencies, and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, pension and other postretirement benefits, stock-based compensation, restructuring, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors. Management monitors any factors which may have an impact and adjusts such estimates and assumptions when required. Changes in those estimates are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of change.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company’s accounting policy regarding revenue recognition is to recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence of a sales agreement, the delivery of goods has occurred where both title and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of related billings is reasonably assured. A provision for payment discounts is recorded as a reduction of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized.
	The Company provides tolling services for a fee for processing of material provided and owned by customers. While providing these services, the Company may provide certain amounts of its materials, such as additives. These materials are charged to the customer as an addition to the tolling fees. The Company records revenues from tolling services and related materials when such services are performed.
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales is primarily comprised of direct materials and supplies consumed in the manufacturing, distribution and tolling of product, as well as related labor, depreciation and overhead expense necessary to acquire and convert the purchased materials and supplies into finished products. Cost of sales also includes freight, packaging and warehousing.
	Restructuring
	The Company records restructuring costs related to the actions implemented to reduce excess and high-cost manufacturing capacity, and to reduce associate headcount. Employee-related costs include severance, supplemental unemployment compensation and benefits, medical benefits, pension curtailments, postretirement benefits, and other termination benefits. For ongoing benefit arrangements, a liability is recognized when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These conditions are generally met when the restructuring plan is approved by management. For one-time benefit arrangements, a liability is incurred and accrued at the date the plan is communicated to employees, unless they will be retained beyond a minimum retention period. In this case, the liability is calculated at the date the plan is communicated to employees and is accrued ratably over the future service period. Other costs generally include non-cancelable lease costs, contract terminations, and relocation costs. A liability for these costs is recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. Restructuring charges related to accelerated depreciation and asset impairments are recorded separately within the consolidated statement of operations. See Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on restructuring charges.
	Asset Impairment
	Long-lived assets, except goodwill, are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows estimated by the Company to be generated by such asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. See Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on asset impairments.
	Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes income taxes during the period in which transactions enter into the determination of financial statement income. Accordingly, deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. No taxes are provided on certain foreign earnings which are permanently reinvested. Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with accounting rules related to uncertainty in income taxes. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. See Note 7 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on income taxes.
	Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents are diversified with numerous financial institutions which management believes to have acceptable credit ratings. These cash equivalents are primarily money-market funds and short-term time deposits. The money-market funds are rated primarily A or higher by third parties. Management monitors the placement of its cash given the current credit market. The recorded amount of these cash equivalents approximates fair value. Investments with maturities between three and twelve months are considered to be short-term investments. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not hold any short-term investments.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Management records an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the current and projected credit quality of the Company’s customers, customer payment history and other factors that affect collectability. Changes in these factors or changes in economic circumstances could result in changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts on a periodic basis. Trade accounts receivables are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines it is probable the account receivable will not be collected. Trade accounts receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts, reflect the net realizable value of receivables, and approximate fair value. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet exposure related to its customers. See Note 3 of this Form 10-K for discussion on the allowance for doubtful accounts.
	Inventories
	The Company generally does not distinguish between raw materials and finished goods because numerous products that can be sold as finished goods are also used as raw materials in the production of other inventory items. Management establishes an estimated excess and obsolete inventory reserve based on historical experience and amounts expected to be realized for slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The cost of renewals and betterments is capitalized in the property accounts.
	It is the Company’s policy to depreciate the cost of property, plant and equipment over the estimated useful lives of the assets, and for leasehold improvements over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset, using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives used in the computation of depreciation are as follows:
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	7	to	40	years
	Machinery and equipment	5	to	10	years
	Furniture and fixtures	5	to	10	years
	Estimated useful lives are reviewed when certain events or operating conditions change and when appropriate, changes are made prospectively.
	The cost of assets sold or otherwise disposed of is eliminated from the related accounts. Gains or losses are recognized when sales or disposals occur. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.
	Purchase Accounting, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires the Company to record assets and liabilities of the business acquired at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses valuation specialists to perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities.
	Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of June 1 for all reporting units. If circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value, the Company would test goodwill for impairment during interim periods between annual tests. The fair value used in the analysis is established using a combination of the income and market approaches. These valuation methodologies use estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the determination of appropriate market comparables, projected future cash flows (including timing and profitability), discount rate, perpetual growth rate, and projected future economic and market conditions.
	Other amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of registered trademarks and tradenames, customer related intangibles, and developed technology, are amortized over their estimated useful lives on either a straight-line or double-declining basis, reflective of the pattern of economic benefits consumed. The estimated useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets are:
	Registered trademarks and tradenames	3	to	20	years
	Customer related intangibles	9	to	20	years
	Developed technology	10	to	15	years
	See Note 4 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on goodwill and other intangible assets.
	Retirement Plans
	The Company has several defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, covering certain employees in the U.S. and in foreign countries. For certain plans in the U.S., pension funding is based on an amount paid to funds held in trust at an agreed rate for each hour for which employees are paid. Generally, the defined benefit pension plans accrue the current and prior service costs annually and funding is not required for all plans. See Note 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on retirement plans.
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company accounts for its derivative instruments in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance which requires all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, to be recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts are adjusted to their fair market value through the consolidated statement of operations. Gains or losses on foreign exchange forward contracts that hedge specific transactions are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations offsetting the underlying foreign currency gains or losses. Currently, the Company does not designate any of these contracts as hedges. See Note 6 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on derivative instruments and hedging activities.
	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards granted in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The fair value of awards with service and performance conditions is based on quoted market prices of the Company’s stock on the respective grant date. The fair value of awards that include market conditions for vesting is estimating using the Monte Carlo valuation model.
	The Monte Carlo valuation model requires assumptions based on management’s judgment regarding the volatility of the Company’s stock, the correlation between the Company’s stock price and that of its peer companies and the expected rates of interest. The Company uses historical data, corresponding to the vesting period, to determine all of the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo valuation model. The expected volatility assumption is based on historical volatility. The Company used the daily stock prices in fiscal 2013 and weekly stock prices in fiscal 2012 and 2011 to determine historical volatility. The correlation between the Company’s stock price and each of the peer companies is determined based on historical daily stock prices of the Company and each of the peer companies. The risk-free interest rate is based on zero coupon treasury bond rates corresponding to the expected life of the awards.
	Awards that are expected to settle through the issuance of the Company’s common stock are accounted for as equity-classified awards and related compensation expense is recognized based on grant date fair value over the related service period, to the extent such awards are expected to ultimately vest. Awards that may be settled in cash, at the election of the recipient, are accounted for as liability-classified awards, the fair value of such awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period and expense is recognized over the requisite service period. The Company uses an estimate of expected forfeitures in the recognition of all stock-based compensation expense that is based on historical experience.
	See Note 10 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on stock-based compensation.
	Fair Value Measurement
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance.
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value as follows:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
	•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs which reflect an entity’s own assumptions.
	See Note 6 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on fair value measurements.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income in consolidated financial statements. The new accounting guidance requires the presentation of the components of net income and other comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement, or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. The accounting standard eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. This standard was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, including interim periods. The Company adopted this standard for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
	No other new accounting pronouncements issued or with effective dates during fiscal 2013 had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
	Elian SAS
	On January 31, 2012, the Company acquired all of the issued share capital of Elian SAS (“Elian”), a French portfolio company of British Vita plc, for $66.5 million, which included the repayment of $4.3 million in Elian debt. The results of Elian’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
	Elian provides specialty formulated color concentrates to over 1,000 customers in end markets such as packaging, cosmetics, personal hygiene, healthcare, and pipes and tubing products that require demanding specifications. Elian offers superior quality, technology and responsiveness to its diversified customer base. The acquisition of Elian moved the Company into France’s color masterbatch market and improved the Company's product mix in the EMEA region.
	The information included herein has been prepared based on the allocation of the purchase price using estimates of the fair value and useful lives of assets acquired and liabilities assumed which were determined with the assistance of independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market multiple approaches, quoted market prices and estimates made by management.
	The following table presents the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
			(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,624
	Accounts receivable		6,897
	Inventories		3,427
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		434
	Property, plant and equipment		5,111
	Intangible assets		27,779
	Other long-term assets		20
	Total assets acquired		$	45,292
	Accounts payable		4,907
	Other accrued liabilities		3,106
	Deferred income taxes		10,598
	Pension plans		711
	Other long-term liabilities		143
	Total liabilities assumed		$	19,465
	Net identifiable assets acquired		$	25,827
	Goodwill		40,718
	Net assets acquired		$	66,545
	The Company recorded acquired intangible assets of $27.8 million. These intangible assets include customer related intangibles of $18.3 million with estimated useful lives of 9 years, developed technology of $8.6 million with estimated useful lives of 10 years, and trademarks and tradenames of $0.9 million with estimated useful lives of 5 years. In addition, the fair value of accounts receivable acquired was $6.9 million with the gross contractual amount being $7.3 million.
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the acquisition, and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The amount allocated to goodwill associated with the Elian acquisition is primarily the result of anticipated synergies and market expansion. Goodwill associated with this transaction was included in the EMEA segment and none of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
	Net sales, income before taxes and net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. from Elian included in the Company’s results since the January 31, 2012 acquisition are as follows:
		January 31, 2012 to August 31, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	20,306
	Income before taxes	$	640
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	402
	Income before taxes for Elian from January 31, 2012 to August 31, 2012 includes pretax depreciation and amortization costs of $2.3 million due to the increased value of fixed assets and intangibles, and $0.7 million of pretax purchase accounting inventory step-up charges.
	The following pro forma information represents the consolidated results of the Company as if the acquisition of Elian occurred as of September 1, 2010:
		For the Years Ended August 31,
		2012				2011
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	2,097,043			$	2,198,814
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	52,423			$	43,376
	Net income per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. - diluted	$	1.77			$	1.39
	The pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense on assets acquired from Elian resulting from the valuation of assets acquired, increased interest expense due to additional borrowings to fund the acquisition of Elian partially offset by the repayment of Elian debt, and decreased interest income from lower cash levels which were also used to fund the acquisition. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies or other effects of the planned integration of Elian. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed as of September 1, 2010, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the consolidated Company.
	Other Business Transactions
	The following table summarizes the Company's other business transactions for the periods presented as well as the Perrite Group acquisition completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2014:
	Transaction Description	Date of Transaction		Purchase				Segment
				Consideration
				(In millions)
	Mash Indústria e Comércio de Compostos Plásticos LTDA	3-Nov-10		$	15.2			Americas
	A Brazilian masterbatch additive producer and engineered plastics compounder whose products are used in end markets such as film and packaging, automotive and appliances
	Surplast S.A.	30-Jun-11		$	1.1			Americas
	A 51% ownership interest in an Argentinean venture, further expanding the Company’s specialty powders presence in South America
	ECM Plastics, Inc.	4-Sep-12		$	36.8			Americas
	A Massachusetts producer of custom color, specialty additive masterbatch and niche engineered plastics products, with a strong presence in personal care and cosmetics
	The Perrite Group	2-Sep-13		$	51.3			EMEA and APAC
	A thermoplastics manufacturer with business in the custom performance colors and engineered plastics product families with operations in Malaysia, the United Kingdom and France

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses [Text Block]	ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
	The changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
		For the Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	9,190		$	9,475		$	13,205
	Provision	2,441			1,724			(1,495		)
	Write-offs, net of recoveries	(1,481		)	(1,007		)	(3,396		)
	Translation effect	284			(1,002		)	1,161
	Ending balance	$	10,434		$	9,190		$	9,475
	The provision in 2011 was primarily impacted by the improvement of a certain customer's financial situation in fiscal 2011, for which the Company had recorded a charge in fiscal 2010.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes in the Company’s carrying value of goodwill are as follows:
		EMEA			Americas			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	30,949		$	60,804		$	91,753
	Acquisitions	40,718			—			40,718
	Translation and other	(3,127		)	(991		)	(4,118		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	68,540			59,813			128,353
	Acquisitions	—			9,921			9,921
	Translation and other	1,726			(474		)	1,252
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	70,266		$	69,260		$	139,526
	The increase in goodwill during fiscal 2013 is due to the acquisition of ECM Plastics, Inc. Goodwill associated with this transaction is deductible for income tax purposes. Additionally, the increase in goodwill during fiscal 2012 is primarily due to the acquisition of Elian and is not deductible for income tax purposes.
	The Company completed its annual impairment review of goodwill as of June 1, 2013 and noted no impairment. The Company is not aware of any triggers which would require a goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2013.
	The following table summarizes intangible assets with determinable useful lives by major category:
		2013									2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Carrying			Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Carrying			Amortization			Amount			Carrying		Amortization			Amount
		Amount									Amount
		(In thousands)
	Customer related	$	85,129		$	(19,605	)	$	65,524		$	74,039	$	(13,263	)	$	60,776
	Developed technology	19,641			(5,156		)	14,485			19,189		(3,258		)	15,931
	Registered trademarks	15,991			(4,113		)	11,878			16,344		(3,013		)	13,331
	and tradenames
	Total finite-lived	$	120,761		$	(28,874	)	$	91,887		$	109,572	$	(19,534	)	$	90,038
	intangible assets
	Amortization expense of intangible assets was $10.3 million, $8.7 million and $7.5 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The weighted-average useful life of our finite-lived intangible assets as of August 31, 2013 is 12.4 years.
	Estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows:
		Estimated Future
		Amortization Expense
		(In thousands)
	Year ended August 31,
	2014	$	9,327
	2015	8,920
	2016	8,470
	2017	8,097
	2018	7,781

LongTerm_Debt_and_Credit_Arran

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS [Abstract]
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
	The following table summarizes short-term and long-term debt obligations outstanding:
		As of August 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Senior notes, LIBOR plus 80 bps, due 2013	$	—	$	30,000
	Notes payable and other, due within one year	8,373		5,411
	Short-term debt	$	8,373	$	35,411
	Revolving credit loan, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due 2016	$	150,000	$	117,000
	Euro notes, 4.485%, due 2016	56,626		57,130
	Capital leases and other long-term debt	809		336
	Long-term debt	$	207,435	$	174,466
	On September 24, 2013, the Company entered into a new $500 million Credit Agreement. Refer to Note 20 of this Form 10-K for further details.
	Prior to entering into the new $500 million Credit Agreement, the Company operated under a Credit Agreement entered into on January 7, 2011 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement was between the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Berhad, each as global agent, and other lenders, and had a maturity date of January 7, 2016.
	The Credit Agreement provided an aggregate revolving loan facility (the “Revolving Facility”) not to exceed $300 million, comprised of a foreign tranche revolving loan of up to the U.S. dollar equivalent of $45 million, a Malaysian tranche revolving loan available in Malaysian ringgits of up to the U.S. dollar equivalent of $5 million and the remaining availability as a U.S. tranche revolving loan. The foreign tranche could be drawn in either Euros or Australian dollars. The Credit Agreement contained certain covenants that, among other things, restricted the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness and grant liens other than certain types of permitted indebtedness and permitted liens. The Company was also required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio and could not exceed a maximum net debt leverage ratio. As of August 31, 2013, the Company was not in violation of any of its covenants relating to the Revolving Facility. The Company was well within compliance with these covenants and does not believe a subsequent covenant violation was reasonably possible as of August 31, 2013. The Revolving Facility was to mature on January 7, 2016 and contained an accordion feature that would allow the Company to increase its total debt commitment by $150 million with the same original terms and conditions, pending required approval and funding. Outstanding borrowings under this Credit Agreement are classified as long-term debt as of August 31, 2013.
	Interest rates on the Revolving Facility were based on LIBOR, KLIBOR or EURIBOR (depending on the borrowing currency) plus a spread determined by the Company’s total leverage ratio. As of August 31, 2013, the interest rate on the Revolving Facility was 1.9%. The Company was also required to pay a facility fee on the commitments, whether used or unused. The Revolving Facility allowed for a provision which provided a portion of the funds available as a short-term swing-line loan. The swing-line loan interest rate varied based on a mutually agreed upon rate between the bank and the Company. As of August 31, 2013, the amount available under the Revolving Facility was reduced by outstanding letters of credit of $1.0 million and borrowings of $150.0 million. Outstanding letters of credit and borrowings as of August 31, 2012 were $1.7 million and $117.0 million, respectively.
	On March 1, 2006, the Company issued senior guaranteed notes (“Senior Notes”) in the private placement market consisting of the following:
	•	$30.0 million of Senior Notes in the United States, maturing on March 1, 2013, with a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 80 bps (“Dollar Notes”). The Dollar Notes are classified as short-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2012. The Company repaid its Dollar Notes upon maturity with existing capacity under the Revolving Facility.
	•	€50.3 million of Senior Notes in Germany, maturing on March 1, 2016, with a fixed interest rate of 4.485% (“Euro Notes”). The carrying value of the Euro Notes approximate €45.3 million, or $60.0 million, as of August 31, 2013. Repayment of the Euro Notes prior to maturity would cost approximately $8.7 million in early termination fees as of August 31, 2013.
	The Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and contain covenants substantially identical to those in the $300 million Revolving Facility. As of August 31, 2013, the Company was not in violation of any of its covenants relating to the Senior Notes. The Company was well within compliance with these covenants and does not believe a subsequent covenant violation is reasonably possible as of August 31, 2013.
	Both the Revolving Facility and the Senior Notes are supported by guaranties of certain material domestic subsidiaries and pledges of up to 65% of the capital stock of certain of the Company’s directly owned foreign subsidiaries.
	The Company’s interest bearing short-term debt of $8.4 million as of August 31, 2013 had a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 10.1%. Interest bearing short-term debt as of August 31, 2012 was $35.4 million with a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 1.8%. The weighted-average interest rate as of August 31, 2012 was substantially lower due to a low interest rate on the Dollar Notes that matured and were repaid during fiscal 2013.
	Below summarizes the Company’s available funds:
		As of August 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Existing capacity:
	Credit Facility	$	300,000	$	300,000
	Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	56,178		48,098
	Total gross available funds from credit lines and notes	$	356,178	$	348,098
	Availability:
	Credit Facility	$	149,024	$	181,299
	Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	49,302		43,752
	Total net available funds from credit lines and notes	$	198,326	$	225,051
	Total net available funds from credit lines and notes represents the total gross available funds from credit lines and notes less outstanding borrowings of $156.9 million and $121.3 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and issued letters of credit of $1.0 million and $1.7 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Aggregate maturities of debt, including capital lease obligations, subsequent to August 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal 2014	$	8,373
	2015	3,982
	2016	203,359
	2017	51
	2018	43

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
	The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
		2013								2012
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets recorded at fair value:
	Foreign exchange	$	151	$	—	$	151	$	—	$	92	$	—	$	92	$	—
	forward contracts
	Liabilities recorded at fair value:
	Foreign exchange	$	1,224	$	—	$	1,224	$	—	$	69	$	—	$	69	$	—
	forward contracts
	Liabilities not recorded at fair value:
	Long-term fixed-rate	$	63,460	$	—	$	63,460	$	—	$	65,210	$	—	$	65,210	$	—
	debt
	Cash and cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. Additionally, the carrying value of the Company's variable-rate debt approximates fair value.
	The Company measures the fair value of its foreign exchange forward contracts using an internal model. The model maximizes the use of Level 2 market observable inputs including interest rate curves, currency forward and spot prices, and credit spreads. The total contract value of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding was $138.0 million and $43.0 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding as of the end of the period is indicative of the exposure of current balances and the forecasted change in exposures for the following quarter. Any gains or losses associated with these contracts as well as the offsetting gains or losses from the underlying assets or liabilities are included in the foreign currency transaction (gains) losses line in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts is recognized in other current assets or other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets based on the net settlement value. The foreign exchange forward contracts are entered into with credit-worthy financial institutions, generally have a term of three months or less, and the Company does not hold or issue foreign exchange forward contracts for trading purposes. There were no foreign exchange forward contracts designated as hedging instruments as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Long-term fixed-rate debt issued in Euros is recorded at cost and is presented at fair value for disclosure purposes as shown in the table above. The Level 2 fair value of the Company's long-term fixed-rate debt was estimated using prevailing market interest rates on debt with similar creditworthiness, terms and maturities. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying value of the Company's long-term fixed-rate debt recorded on the consolidated balance sheets was $60.0 million and $60.3 million, respectively.
	The Company has not changed its valuation techniques for measuring the fair value of any financial assets or liabilities during fiscal 2013, and transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy, if any, are recognized at the end of each quarter. There were no transfers between levels during the years presented.
	Additionally, the Company remeasures assets to fair value, using Level 3 measurements, as a result of the occurrence of triggering events. During fiscal 2013, the Company remeasured the carrying value of certain facilities to fair value using comparable prices for similar assets in conjunction with restructuring initiatives. For further discussion on asset impairments, refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K.
	There were no additional significant assets or liabilities that were remeasured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the periods presented.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes is as follows:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S.	$	(8,334	)	$	(4,637	)		$	(20,564	)
	Foreign	62,066			71,464				86,703
	Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	53,732		$	66,827			$	66,139
	The provisions for U.S. and foreign income taxes consist of the following:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Current taxes:
	U.S.	$	214		$	228			$	(414	)
	Foreign	23,210			22,927				19,902
	Total current tax expense (benefit)	23,424			23,155				19,488
	Deferred taxes:
	U.S.	213			16				(65		)
	Foreign	(3,904		)	(9,253		)		(3,659		)
	Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	(3,691		)	(9,237		)		(3,724		)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	19,733		$	13,918			$	15,764
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate with the effective tax rates of 36.7% in 2013, 20.8% in 2012, and 23.8% in 2011 is as follows:
		2013						2012						2011
		Amount			% of			Amount				% of		Amount			% of
					Pretax							Pretax					Pretax
					Income							Income					Income
		(In thousands, except for %s)
	Statutory U.S. tax rate	$	18,806		35	%		$	23,389			35	%	$	23,149		35	%
	Amount of foreign taxes at less than U.S.	(9,189		)	(17.1	)		(11,373		)		(17.0	)	(14,581		)	(22.1	)
	statutory tax rate
	U.S. and foreign losses with no tax benefit	5,826			10.8			1,291				1.9		4,026			6.1
	U.S. restructuring and other U.S. unusual	1,704			3.2			1,029				1.5		3,871			5.8
	charges with no benefit
	Valuation allowance charges	2,361			4.4			(2,380		)		(3.6	)	—			—
	Establishment (resolution) of uncertain tax	(84		)	(0.2	)		1,718				2.6		(221		)	(0.3	)
	positions
	Other	309			0.6			244				0.4		(480		)	(0.7	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	19,733		36.7	%		$	13,918			20.8	%	$	15,764		23.8	%
	Deferred tax assets and (liabilities) consist of the following:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Pensions	$	12,751		$	11,761
	Inventory reserves	1,136			713
	Bad debt reserves	1,040			1,334
	Accruals	4,831			6,499
	Postretirement benefits other than pensions	5,293			6,489
	Depreciation	2,036			1,789
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	14,396			14,311
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards	28,111			32,104
	Alternative minimum tax carryforwards	4,452			4,452
	Interest carryforwards	10,113			12,919
	Other	13,898			9,657
	Gross deferred tax assets	98,057			102,028
	Valuation allowance	(23,252		)	(50,478		)
	Total deferred tax assets	74,805			51,550
	Depreciation	(17,232		)	(18,382		)
	Intangibles	(25,465		)	(28,046		)
	Unremitted foreign earnings	(26,050		)	(751		)
	Other	(1,245		)	(1,265		)
	Gross deferred tax liabilities	(69,992		)	(48,444		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	4,813		$	3,106
	The valuation allowance covers benefits which are not likely to be utilized for foreign tax credit carryforwards and other deferred tax assets primarily in the United States, Brazil and Germany. The reduction in the valuation allowance during the year ended August 31, 2013 includes approximately $25.5 million related to the expected utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards against the planned fiscal 2014 foreign distribution tax liability which was also recorded at August 31, 2013. Accordingly, this reduction in the valuation allowance had no net impact on net income in the year ended August 31, 2013.
	As of August 31, 2013, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $45.6 million resulting in a deferred tax asset of $14.4 million, primarily from countries with unlimited carryforward periods.
	The Company has $31.1 million in foreign tax credit carryforwards that will expire in periods from 2014 to 2019. The amount of foreign tax credit carryforwards shown in the table above has been reduced by unrealized stock compensation attributes of $3.0 million.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company established a valuation allowance against the net operating loss deferred tax asset of its Brazilian entity due to the uncertainty in the realization of this asset. The recording of the valuation allowance resulted in a non-cash charge of approximately $2.4 million.
In recent years, the Company’s U.S. operations have generated federal tax net operating losses, before considering dividend income from foreign subsidiaries. Such net operating losses are offset against the foreign dividend income, which would otherwise generate U.S. taxable income. The dividend income from foreign subsidiaries also generates foreign tax credits, which either partially offset the tax on any U.S. taxable income remaining after the offset of the net operating losses, or are carried forward. The net effect of foreign dividends received from foreign countries is to place the Company into a position in which it does not generate net operating loss carryforwards for its U.S. operating losses.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded a non-cash tax benefit of approximately $9.4 million to reserve a valuation allowance against a deferred tax asset in Germany relating to excess interest carryforward. Because of German tax legislation enacted during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 it was more-likely-than-not that this deferred tax asset would be realized causing a reversal of the valuation allowance. During fiscal 2014, the Company now expects to complete certain legal entity restructuring steps, which would cause a forfeiture of the interest carryforward under German tax law. Because of the expected forfeiture of the interest carryforward, it is no longer more-likely-than-not that the Company will realize a benefit for this deferred tax asset. This resulted in the re-establishment of valuation allowance against the interest carryforward in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.
The tax effect of temporary differences included in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $5.7 million and $10.0 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Deferred charges included $22.0 million and $17.5 million from the tax effect of temporary differences at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The tax effect of temporary differences included in other accrued liabilities was $1.7 million and $2.0 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
As of August 31, 2013, the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $5.0 million. If recognized, $3.7 million of the total unrecognized tax benefits would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company elects to report interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. At August 31, 2013, the Company had $1.0 million of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.
The Company is open to potential income tax examinations in Germany from fiscal 2005 onward, in the U.S. from fiscal 2010 onward and in Belgium from fiscal 2011 onward. The Company is open to potential examinations from fiscal 2008 onward for most other foreign jurisdictions.
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is expected to change in the next 12 months; however, the change is not expected to have a significant impact on the financial position of the Company.
A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	2013			2012				2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	6,877		$	4,716			$	2,614
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(1,165		)	(390		)		(31		)
Increases related to prior year tax positions	11			2,360				1,346
Increases related to current year tax positions	308			627				677
Settlements	(1,077		)	—				(101		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(228		)	4				(161		)
Foreign currency impact	260			(440		)		372
Ending balance	$	4,986		$	6,877			$	4,716
As of August 31, 2013, no taxes have been provided on the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries amounting to $389.2 million because the Company intends to permanently reinvest these earnings. Quantification of the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings is not practicable.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company has defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, primarily health care and life insurance. Benefits for the defined benefit pension plans are based primarily on years of service and qualifying compensation during the final years of employment. The measurement date for all plans is August 31.
	A supplemental non-qualified, non-funded pension plan for certain retired officers was adopted as of January 1, 2004. Charges to earnings are provided to meet the projected benefit obligation. The pension cost for this plan is based on substantially the same actuarial methods and economic assumptions as those used for the defined benefit pension plans. In connection with this plan, the Company owns and is the beneficiary of life insurance policies that cover the estimated total cost of this plan. The cash surrender value of this insurance was $3.8 million and $3.4 million as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Postretirement health care and life insurance benefits are provided to certain U.S. employees that have met certain age and length of service requirements while working for the Company. The U.S. postretirement health care and life insurance ("OPEB") plan is closed to new participants.
	Components of the plan obligations and assets, the recorded liability and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") are as follows:
		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		2013				2012				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	(124,948	)		$	(113,204	)		$	(13,556	)	$	(13,929	)
	Service cost	(3,838		)		(2,759		)		(14		)	(28		)
	Interest cost	(4,779		)		(5,099		)		(450		)	(607		)
	Participant contributions	(246		)		(253		)		(105		)	(91		)
	Actuarial gain (loss)	448				(18,921		)		1,994			2,819
	Benefits paid	3,921				3,354				1,059			768
	Business combinations	—				(710		)		—			—
	Curtailment gain (loss)	—				310				(358		)	—
	Contractual termination benefits	—				(79		)		—			—
	Plan amendments	(459		)		—				58			(2,488		)
	Translation adjustment	(3,965		)		12,413				—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	(133,866	)		$	(124,948	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	30,190			$	26,090			$	—		$	—
	Actual return on assets	1,043				4,518				—			—
	Employer contributions	4,601				4,619				954			677
	Participant contributions	246				253				105			91
	Benefits paid	(3,921		)		(3,354		)		(1,059		)	(768		)
	Translation adjustment	258				(1,936		)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	32,417			$	30,190			$	—		$	—
	Underfunded	$	(101,449	)		$	(94,758	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Classification of net amount recognized:
	Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	$	(2,850	)		$	(2,177	)		$	(880	)	$	(780	)
	Long-term liabilities	(98,599		)		(92,581		)		(10,492		)	(12,776		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(101,449	)		$	(94,758	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Amounts recognized in AOCI:
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	29,434			$	30,134			$	(1,368	)	$	602
	Net prior service cost (credit)	323				355				(2,523		)	(3,006		)
	Net amount recognized in AOCI	$	29,757			$	30,489			$	(3,891	)	$	(2,404	)
	Change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI:
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	(101	)		$	15,394			$	(1,994	)	$	(2,819	)
	Prior service cost (credit)	459				—				(58		)	2,488
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	(1,438		)		(468		)		—			(171		)
	Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	(505		)		(48		)		540			731
	Settlement/curtailment gain (loss)	—				310				25			—
	Translation adjustment	853				(1,841		)		—			—
	Total change in AOCI	$	(732	)		$	13,347			$	(1,487	)	$	229
	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Pension Benefits											Other Postretirement Benefits
		2013				2012				2011			2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	3,838			$	2,759			$	3,521		$	14		$	28		$	30
	Interest cost	4,779				5,099				4,820			450			607			746
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,485		)		(1,298		)		(1,219		)	—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	505				48				29			(540		)	(731		)	(542		)
	Recognized gains due to plan settlements	—				—				(24		)	—			—			—
	Contractual termination benefits	—				79				—			—			—			—
	Recognized (gains) losses due to plan curtailments	—				(310		)		22			333			—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss	1,438				468				1,658			—			171			198
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	9,075			$	6,845			$	8,807		$	257		$	75		$	432
	Amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI and included in total net periodic benefit cost during the year ended August 31, 2014, are as follows:
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement
						Benefits
		(In thousands)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	1,334			$	(18	)
	Prior service cost (credit)	28				(541		)
	Total	$	1,362			$	(559	)
Selected information regarding the Company’s pension and OPEB plans is as follows:
	2013				2012
	(In thousands)
Pension Plans:
All plans:
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	119,761			$	113,055
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	133,806			$	124,887
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	119,717			$	113,011
Fair value of plan assets	$	32,353			$	30,125
Plans with projected benefit obligations less than plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	60			$	61
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	44			$	44
Fair value of plan assets	$	64			$	65
OPEB Plan:
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
Fair value of plan assets	$	—			$	—
The underfunded position of the pension plans is primarily related to the Company’s German and United Kingdom pension plans. As of August 31, 2013, the Company’s German and United Kingdom pension plans are underfunded by $83.0 million and $8.5 million, respectively. In Germany, there are no statutory requirements for funding while in the United Kingdom there are certain statutory minimum funding requirements.
Actuarial assumptions used in the calculation of the recorded liability are as follows:
Weighted — Average Assumptions as of August 31 :	2013			2012			2011
Discount rate on pension plans	4	%		3.8	%		4.9	%
Discount rate on postretirement obligation	4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.4	%		2.2	%		2.5	%
Actuarial assumptions used in the calculation of the recorded benefit expense are as follows:
Weighted — Average Assumptions as of August 31 :	2013			2012			2011
Discount rate on pension plans	3.8	%		4.9	%		4	%
Discount rate on postretirement obligation	3.5	%		4.5	%		4.5	%
Return on pension plan assets	5.1	%		6.4	%		5.8	%
Rate of compensation increase	2.2	%		2.5	%		2.4	%
Projected health care cost trend rate	7.5	%		8	%		8	%
Ultimate health care rate	5	%		5	%		5	%
Year ultimate health care trend rate is achieved	2019			2019			2019
The Company, in consultation with its actuaries, annually, or as needed for interim remeasurements, reviews and selects the discount rates to be used in connection with its defined benefit pension plans. The discount rates used by the Company are based on the yields of various corporate bond indices with the plans' actual maturity dates that approximate the estimated benefit payment streams of the related pension plans. For countries in which there are no deep corporate bond markets, discount rates used by the Company are based on yields of various government bond indices with varying maturity dates. The discount rates are also reviewed in comparison with current benchmark indices, economic market conditions and the movement in the benchmark yield since the previous fiscal year.
The Company, in consultation with its actuaries, annually, or as needed for interim remeasurements, reviews and selects the discount rate to be used in connection with its postretirement obligation. When selecting the discount rate the Company uses a model that considers the Company’s demographics of the participants and the resulting expected benefit payment stream over the participants’ lifetime.
For fiscal 2014, the Company, in consultation with its actuaries, has selected a weighted-average discount rate of 4.0%, expected long-term return on plan assets of 5.2% and rate of compensation increase of 2.4% for its defined benefit pension plans. For its postretirement benefit plan, the Company has selected a discount rate of 4.5% for fiscal 2014.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the OPEB plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects as of August 31, 2013:
	One-Percentage -				One-Percentage -
	Point Increase				Point Decrease
	(In thousands)
Effect on aggregate of service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	50			$	(43	)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	1,044			$	(911	)
The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocation and target allocation, by asset category are as follows:
	Plan Assets						Target
							Allocation
Asset Category	2013			2012			2013			2012
Equity securities	25	%		27	%		23	%		22	%
Debt securities	15	%		21	%		13	%		13	%
Fixed insurance contracts	39	%		40	%		31	%		43	%
Cash	21	%		12	%		33	%		22	%
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
The Company’s principal objective is to ensure that sufficient funds are available to provide benefits as and when required under the terms of the plans. The Company utilizes investments that provide benefits and maximizes the long-term investment performance of the plans without taking on undue risk while complying with various legal funding requirements. The Company, through its investment advisors, has developed detailed asset and liability models to aid in implementing optimal asset allocation strategies. The equity securities are invested in equity indexed funds, which minimizes concentration risk while offering market returns. The debt securities are invested in a long-term bond indexed fund which provides a stable low risk return. The fixed insurance contracts allow the Company to closely match a portion of the liability to the expected payout of benefit with little risk. The Company, in consultation with its actuaries, analyzes current market trends, the current plan performance and expected market performance of both the equity and bond markets to arrive at the expected return on each asset category over the long term. The Company’s plan assets which are invested in equity and debt securities are valued utilizing Level 1 inputs while plan assets invested in fixed insurance contracts are valued utilizing Level 3 inputs which are unobservable and reflect the Company’s own assumptions. The Company believes there is not a significant concentration of risk within its plan assets.
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets, all of which are for foreign plans, are as follows:
	2013														2012
	Total				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Equity securities	$	8,080			$	8,080			$	—		$	—		$	8,217		$	8,217		$	—	$	—
Debt securities	5,007				5,007				—			—			6,388			6,388			—		—
Fixed insurance contracts	12,435				—				—			12,435			11,946			—			—		11,946
Cash	6,822				6,822				—			—			3,572			3,572			—		—
Other	73				—				—			73			67			—			—		67
Total	$	32,417			$	19,909			$	—		$	12,508		$	30,190		$	18,177		$	—	$	12,013
The change in fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets classified as Level 3, all of which are for foreign plans, is as follows:
	2013				2012
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of fiscal year	$	12,013			$	9,669
Actual return on plan assets	(533		)		3,007
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net	440				743
Foreign currency translation	588				(1,406		)
Balance, end of fiscal year	$	12,508			$	12,013
The Company expects to contribute $4.9 million for its pension obligations and $0.9 million to its other postretirement plan in 2014. The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are as follows:
	Pension				OPEB
	Benefits				Benefits
	(In thousands)
2014	$	3,957			$	898
2015	4,165				884
2016	4,398				867
2017	5,048				862
2018	4,957				834
Years 2019 — 2023	27,880				4,071
The Company has agreements with two retired individuals under which it is making annual payments of $0.1 million each to the two individuals or their beneficiaries through the end of fiscal 2018. A portion of the liability required for these agreements is included in current liabilities and the remainder is included in other long-term liabilities as of August 31, 2013 and 2012. In connection with these agreements, the Company owns and is the beneficiary of life insurance policies amounting to $2.0 million.
The Company maintains several defined contribution plans that cover domestic and foreign employees. The plan in which each employee is eligible to participate depends upon the subsidiary for which the employee works. Certain plans have eligibility requirements related to age and period of service with the Company. Certain plans have salary deferral features that enable participating employees to contribute up to a certain percentage of their earnings, subject to statutory limits and certain foreign plans require the Company to match employee contributions in cash. Employee contributions to the Company’s U.S. 401(k) plans have matching features whereas the Company will match a participant’s contribution up to a pre-approved amount of the participant’s annual salary. The total expense for defined contribution plans was $2.7 million, $3.3 million and $2.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Comprehensive_Income_Loss_and_

Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrecognized			Total
		Currency			Gains (Losses) and			Accumulated Other
		Translation			Prior Service (Costs)			Comprehensive
		Gain (Loss)			Credits, Net			Income (Loss)
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2010	$	17,390		$	(23,668	)	$	(6,278	)
	Current period change	42,550			13,735			56,285
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	59,940			(9,933		)	50,007
	Current period change	(46,557		)	(9,371		)	(55,928		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	13,383			(19,304		)	(5,921		)
	Current period change	4,329			2,274			6,603
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	17,712		$	(17,030	)	$	682
	The increase in accumulated other comprehensive income in 2013 was primarily due to the increase in the value of the Euro and other currencies against the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency translation gains or losses do not have a tax effect, as such gains or losses are considered permanently reinvested. Other comprehensive income (loss) related to pensions and other postretirement benefit plans are recorded net of tax using the applicable effective tax rate.

Incentive_Stock_Plans

Incentive Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
INCENTIVE STOCK PLANS [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS
	On December 7, 2006, the Company adopted the 2006 Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of various stock-based incentive compensation awards. Upon adoption of the 2006 Incentive Plan, all remaining shares eligible for award under a previous plan were added to the 2006 Incentive Plan. On December 9, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the A. Schulman, Inc. 2010 Value Creation Rewards Plan (“2010 Rewards Plan”) which also provides for similar grants. It has been the Company’s practice to issue new shares of common stock upon stock option exercise and the vesting of other awards in these plans. As of August 31, 2013, there were 461,025 shares and 388,990 shares of common stock available for grant pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Rewards Plan, respectively.
	Restricted stock awards under the 2006 and 2010 plans earn dividends throughout the vesting period which are subject to the same vesting terms as the underlying stock award. The restricted stock awards outstanding under these plans have service vesting periods of three years following the date of grant. Also, certain of these awards have market or performance vesting conditions.
	The following table summarizes the activity of time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards:
		Awards Outstanding					Weighted-Average
							Fair Market Value
							(per share)
		Time-		Performance-			Time-				Performance-
		Based		Based			Based				Based
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012	118,395		1,010,743			$	22.15			$	16.9
	Granted	57,990		348,030			$	29.18			$	29.08
	Vested	(35,621	)	(7,210	)		$	21.9			$	14.03
	Forfeited	(7,405	)	(269,978	)		$	23.43			$	18.61
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013	133,359		1,081,585			$	25.2			$	20.41
	Restrictions on the time-based restricted stock awards lapse at the end of a three-year period, and the awards are valued at the fair market value on the date of grant. Time-based awards have voting rights and earn dividends throughout the vesting period which are subject to the same vesting terms as the underlying restricted stock awards. The weighted-average grant date fair value of time-based awards granted during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $29.18, $22.64 and $21.46, respectively.
	Performance-based awards vest based on market or performance conditions and do not have voting rights. Included in the outstanding performance-based awards as of August 31, 2013 are 506,734 performance-based awards, which earn dividends throughout the vesting period, and the remaining performance-based awards which do not earn dividends. Earned dividends are subject to the same vesting terms as the underlying performance-based wards.
	The performance-based awards in the table above include 533,376 shares which vest based on market conditions and are valued based upon a Monte Carlo valuation model. Vesting of the ultimate number of shares underlying such performance-based awards, if any, will be dependent upon the Company’s total stockholder return in relation to the total stockholder return of a select group of peer companies over a three-year period. The probability of meeting the market criteria was considered when calculating the estimated fair market value using a Monte Carlo valuation model. The awards granted prior to fiscal 2013 are accounted for as equity awards with market conditions given that recipients receive shares of stock upon vesting, and expense for these awards is recognized over the service period regardless of whether the market condition is achieved and the awards ultimately vest. Awards granted in fiscal 2013 provide recipients an option to receive cash or shares of common stock upon vesting. As such, the fiscal 2013 awards are accounted for as liability awards with a market condition, and the Company will remeasure these awards at fair value on a quarterly basis over the service period.
	The fair values of the performance-based awards granted during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model using the following assumptions:
		2013(a)		2012(b)			2011(b)
	Dividend yield	—	%	3	%		2.91	%
	Expected volatility	35	%	43	%		47	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77	%	0.42	%		1.05	%
	Correlation	56	%	61	%		60	%
	(a) Assumptions as of August 31, 2013 related to liability classified awards
	(b) Weighted average grant date assumptions related to equity classified awards
	The fair value of the remaining 548,209 performance-based awards in the table above is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Vesting of the ultimate number of shares underlying such performance-based awards, if any, will be dependent upon the Company's return on invested capital ("ROIC") in relation to an internal targeted ROIC over a three-year period.
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance-based awards granted in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $29.08, $17.71 and $14.84 per share, respectively.
	A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
		Outstanding Shares		Weighted-Average
		Under Option		Exercise Price
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012	86,955		$	18.61
	Granted	—		$	—
	Exercised	(64,453	)	$	18.71
	Forfeited and expired	(3,500	)	$	13.99
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013	19,002		$	19.13
	Exercisable at August 31, 2013	19,002		$	19.13
	The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The total intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of August 31, 2013 was $0.1 million with a remaining term for options outstanding and exercisable of 1.3 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised as of August 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. All outstanding and exercisable stock options are fully vested as of August 31, 2013. The Company did not grant stock options in fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Total unrecognized compensation cost, including a provision for estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements as of August 31, 2013 was $6.9 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
	The Company made cash payments of $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $2.5 million for cash-settled restricted stock units and cash-based awards during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	During fiscal 2013 and 2012, the Company granted non-employee directors 27,860 shares and 37,300 shares of unrestricted common stock, respectively.
	The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) whereby employees may purchase Company stock through a payroll deduction plan. Purchases are made from the plan and credited to each participant’s account at the end of each calendar quarter (the “Investment Date”). The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the fair market value on the Investment Date. The plan is compensatory and the 15% discount is expensed ratably over the three month offering period. All employees, including officers, are eligible to participate in this plan. An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan. The Company recorded minimal expense related to the ESPP during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. It is the Company’s current practice to use treasury shares for the share settlement on the Investment Date.
	The following table summarizes the impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from long-term incentive compensation plans, which is primarily included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Time-based awards and performance-based awards	$	2,454		$	3,813			$	3,832
	Board of Directors unrestricted awards	850			845				791
	Cash-settled restricted stock units	—			—				817
	Total long-term incentive compensation	$	3,304		$	4,658			$	5,440

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if common stock equivalents are exercised and also the impact of restricted stock awards expected to vest, which combined would then share in the earnings of the Company.
	The difference between basic and diluted weighted-average shares results from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and grants of restricted stock, calculated using the treasury stock method. The following presents the number of incremental weighted-average shares used in computing diluted per share amounts:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013	2012	2011
		(In thousands)
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic	29,260	29,389	30,978
	Incremental shares from equity awards	77	160	163
	Diluted	29,337	29,549	31,141
	In fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 there were 21,000, 36,000, and 118,000, respectively, of equivalent shares related to stock-based compensation arrangements that were excluded from diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
	The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 1,000,000 shares of special stock. The Board of Directors may designate these shares of special stock with special designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions prior to issuance. As of August 31, 2013, no shares of special stock are outstanding.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	LEASES
	The Company leases certain equipment, buildings, transportation vehicles and computer equipment. Total rental expense was $12.7 million in 2013, $10.4 million in 2012 and $9.7 million in 2011. The approximate future minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable operating leases, excluding obligations for taxes and insurance are as follows:
	Year Ended August 31,	Minimum Rental
		Commitments
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	8,489
	2015	6,501
	2016	4,276
	2017	3,517
	2018	2,865
	2019 and thereafter	17,526
	Total minimum rental commitments	$	43,174

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company considers its operating structure and the types of information subject to regular review by its President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), to identify reportable segments. The CODM makes decisions, assesses performance and allocates resources by the following regions, which are also the Company’s reportable segments: EMEA, the Americas, and APAC.
	The CODM uses net sales to unaffiliated customers, gross profit and operating income before certain items in order to make decisions, assess performance and allocate resources to each segment. Segment operating income does not include items such as interest income or expense, other income or expense, foreign currency transaction gains or losses, restructuring related expenses including accelerated depreciation, asset impairments, or costs and inventory step-up charges related to business acquisitions. Corporate expenses include the compensation of certain personnel, certain audit expenses, Board of Directors related costs, certain insurance costs, costs associated with being a publicly traded entity and other miscellaneous legal and professional fees.
	Below the Company presents net sales to unaffiliated customers by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	1,405,882		$	1,403,151			$	1,533,993
	Americas	600,824			558,910				516,814
	APAC	126,696			119,211				108,246
	Total net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	2,133,402		$	2,081,272			$	2,159,053
	Below the Company presents gross profit by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	175,297		$	171,768			$	197,171
	Americas	81,315			84,282				71,698
	APAC	22,345			19,969				18,230
	Total segment gross profit	278,957			276,019				287,099
	Inventory step-up	(138		)	(677		)		(607		)
	Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related	(1,585		)	—				—
	Total gross profit	$	277,234		$	275,342			$	286,492
	Below is a reconciliation of segment operating income to operating income and income from continuing operations before taxes:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	67,320		$	71,849			$	86,663
	Americas	28,351			28,872				14,032
	APAC	12,108			10,908				10,617
	Total segment operating income	107,779			111,629				111,312
	Corporate and other	(24,926		)	(23,786		)		(25,106		)
	Costs related to acquisitions	(2,661		)	(1,425		)		(1,412		)
	Restructuring related	(13,687		)	(9,256		)		(4,547		)
	Accelerated depreciation	(1,058		)	—				—
	Asset impairment	(1,873		)	(3,392		)		(8,150		)
	Curtailment gain (loss)	(333		)	310				—
	Inventory step-up	(138		)	(677		)		(607		)
	Operating income	63,103			73,403				71,490
	Interest expense, net	(7,162		)	(7,675		)		(5,598		)
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(2,426		)	(243		)		(1,474		)
	Other income (expense), net	217			1,342				1,721
	Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	53,732		$	66,827			$	66,139
	The following table summarizes identifiable assets by segment:
		As of August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	735,684		$	677,066			$	737,698
	Americas	413,438			426,963				408,714
	APAC	89,220			89,738				93,575
	Total identifiable assets	$	1,238,342		$	1,193,767			$	1,239,987
	The following tables summarize depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	EMEA	$	18,072		$	17,534			$	18,522
	Americas	19,481			17,531				17,810
	APAC	3,898			3,719				3,942
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	41,451		$	38,784			$	40,274
	Capital expenditures:
	EMEA	$	9,157		$	11,383			$	12,541
	Americas	15,038			17,725				12,328
	APAC	2,373			4,895				1,490
	Total capital expenditures	$	26,568		$	34,003			$	26,359
Below is a summary of net sales by point of origin and long-lived assets by location:
	Year Ended August 31,
	2013			2012				2011
	(In thousands)
Net sales:
United States	$	383,964		$	358,376			$	337,423
Germany	536,833			571,876				617,266
France	221,521			196,103				204,878
Other international	991,084			954,917				999,486
Total net sales	$	2,133,402		$	2,081,272			$	2,159,053
	As of August 31,
	2013			2012				2011
	(In thousands)
Long lived assets:
United States	$	70,197		$	76,699			$	74,102
Germany	23,316			23,020				27,680
France	21,854			22,832				21,744
Other international	95,154			103,325				110,774
Total long lived assets	$	210,521		$	225,876			$	234,300
Globally, the Company operates primarily in five product families: (1) masterbatch solutions, (2) engineered plastics, (3) distribution services, (4) specialty powders and (5) custom performance colors. The amount and percentage of consolidated net sales for these product families are as follows:
	2013						2012						2011
	(In thousands, except for %’s)
Masterbatch solutions	$	745,237		35	%		$	750,531			36	%	$	766,078	35	%
Engineered plastics	557,364			26			547,090				26		546,964		25
Distribution services	359,376			17			343,091				16		393,225		18
Specialty powders	311,699			15			314,965				16		338,458		17
Custom performance colors	159,726			7			125,595				6		114,328		5
Total consolidated net sales	$	2,133,402		100	%		$	2,081,272			100	%	$	2,159,053	100	%

Research_and_Development

Research and Development	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Research and Development [Abstract]
Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block]	RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
	The research and development of new products and the improvement of existing products are important to the Company to continuously improve its product offerings. New product innovation is a term used to describe the new product development process, beginning with the generation of new innovative ideas through their development into new products which we will commercialize into the market. The Company has a team of individuals with varied backgrounds to lead its new product innovation, putting an aggressive global focus on the Company’s research and development activities. New product innovation is a key component of the Company's growth strategy. Research and development expenditures were $5.3 million, $2.7 million and $2.4 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company continues to invest in research and development activities as management believes it is important to the future of the Company.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
RESTRUCTURING [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	RESTRUCTURING
	Fiscal 2013 Restructuring Plans
	Americas Reorganization Plan
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company conducted restructuring activities primarily in Mexico and Grand Junction, Tennessee to better align capacity with demand. As part of this restructuring, the Company planned to reduce headcount in the Americas by approximately 85, of which the majority of reductions occurred during the year ended August 31, 2013. The Company recorded $1.5 million of pretax employee-related restructuring costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, of which $0.6 million remain accrued as of August 31, 2013. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2014 as the plan is completed.
	Brazil Consolidation Plan
	During fiscal 2013, the Company initiated restructuring activities to consolidate two of its three existing leased manufacturing facilities in Brazil. Manufacturing activities at the existing two facilities in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil will be relocated by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014 to a new facility. The Company offered eligible associates the ability to transfer from the two existing manufacturing facilities to the new facility. As a result of this consolidation, the Company reduced headcount in Brazil by approximately 55 in fiscal 2013. Partially offsetting this reduction of headcount will be the addition of approximately 35 associates at the Company's new Brazil manufacturing facility, including associate transfers and new hires. During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded $1.6 million of pretax employee-related restructuring costs, of which $0.2 million remain accrued as of August 31, 2013. Additionally, the Company recorded $0.7 million of accelerated depreciation included in cost of sales during the year ended August 31, 2013. The Company expects to recognize additional pretax employee-related and other cash charges of approximately $1.0 million during fiscal 2014. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2014 as the plan is completed.
	EMEA Reorganization Plan
	In fiscal 2013, the Company executed restructuring activities to better reflect its current business footprint and customer needs in the challenging economic environment in Europe. As part of this restructuring, the EMEA regional team planned to reduce headcount by approximately 45, of which the majority of the reductions occurred during the year ended August 31, 2013. The Company recorded $6.4 million of pretax employee-related restructuring costs during fiscal 2013. As of August 31, 2013, the Company has a balance of $2.8 million accrued for employee-related costs related to this plan. The Company expects to recognize additional pretax employee-related cash charges of approximately $0.3 million during fiscal 2014. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through the second quarter of fiscal 2016 as the plan is completed.
	Bellevue, Ohio Facility Plan
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company sold its Bellevue, Ohio facility to continue its focus on higher-value technical products. As part of this sale, the Company recorded $0.3 million of pretax employee-related costs and other restructuring expenses during the year ended August 31, 2013. Additionally, the Company recorded $0.4 million of accelerated depreciation associated with this plan during fiscal 2013. The Company expects no further charges and has no remaining accrual as of August 31, 2013 related to this plan as it is considered complete.
	Fiscal 2012 Restructuring Plans
	Masterbatch Reorganization Plan
	Effective September 1, 2012 the masterbatch product family was split into two separate product families, Custom Performance Colors and Masterbatch Solutions. As a result, the Company reduced headcount in the EMEA and APAC segments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The Company recorded minimal charges related to this plan during fiscal 2013 and $2.3 million of pretax employee-related restructuring costs in fiscal 2012, of which the majority was related to the EMEA segment. As of August 31, 2013, the Company has a balance of $1.3 million accrued related to the EMEA segment for employee-related costs and expects minimal charges related to this plan to be recognized in fiscal 2014. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2016 as the plan is completed.
	EMEA Operations and Back-Office Plan
	In November 2011, the Company initiated a restructuring plan of EMEA’s operations and back-office functions to better leverage savings from its Shared Service Center located in Belgium. As part of this plan, the Company reduced headcount in EMEA by approximately 50, and the majority of the reductions occurred in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2012. The Company recorded $0.3 million and $4.7 million of pretax employee-related restructuring costs during fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of August 31, 2013, the Company has a balance of $0.2 million accrued for employee-related costs related to this plan. The Company expects minimal employee-related charges related to this plan during fiscal 2014. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2014 as the plan is completed.
	Fiscal 2011 Restructuring Plans
	Americas Engineered Plastics Plan
	On August 25, 2011, the Company announced that it would close the Nashville, Tennessee facility and move production to existing facilities in order to optimize the use of capacity and capitalize on growth opportunities. As of the end of February 2012, the Nashville facility ceased production and the Company reduced headcount by approximately 70, with the majority of the reductions occurring in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The Company recorded minimal charges during fiscal 2013 and $1.6 million and $1.1 million of pretax employee-related restructuring expense during fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of August 31, 2013, the Company has a balance of $0.1 million accrued for employee-related costs related to this plan. The Company expects minimal charges related to this plan to be recognized into fiscal 2014. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through early fiscal 2014 as the plan is completed. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company sold the Nashville, Tennessee facility which resulted in a minimal impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.
	Italy Plan
	On February 8, 2011, the Company announced that it is relocating its operations from its manufacturing facility in Verolanuova, Italy to its existing facility in Gorla Maggiore, Italy. Production lines at the Verolanuova facility were relocated in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to the Gorla facility. As a result of this relocation, the Company reduced headcount by approximately 30 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
	The Company recorded pretax restructuring expense of $0.5 million during fiscal 2012 primarily related to other restructuring costs. In fiscal 2011, the Company recorded pretax restructuring expense of $2.4 million primarily for employee-related and other restructuring costs. The Company had no charges in fiscal 2013 and has no remaining accrual as of August 31, 2013 related to this plan as it is considered complete.
	Consolidated Restructuring Summary
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s restructuring plans:
		Accrual							Accrual								Accrual
		Balance August 31, 2011		Fiscal 2012		Fiscal 2012			Balance August 31, 2012			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2013			Balance August 31, 2013
				Charges		Paid						Charges		Paid
		(In thousands)
	Employee-related costs	$	3,322	$	7,581	$	(7,379	)	$	3,524		$	8,669	$	(6,747	)	$	5,446
	Other costs	403		1,675		(1,697		)	381			1,831		(1,812		)	400
	Translation effect	70		—		—			(539		)	—		—			(497		)
	Restructuring charges	$	3,795	$	9,256	$	(9,076	)	$	3,366		$	10,500	$	(8,559	)	$	5,349
	Restructuring costs are excluded from segment operating income but are attributable to the reportable segments as follows:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	6,704	$	7,531	$	2,834
	Americas	3,616		1,603		1,713
	APAC	180		122		—
	Total	$	10,500	$	9,256	$	4,547

Asset_Impairments

Asset Impairments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]	ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
	The Company recorded $1.9 million, $3.4 million and $8.1 million in pretax asset impairment charges during the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	During fiscal 2013, the Company recorded $0.4 million in asset impairments related to the reduction of the carrying value of its facility in Oyonnax, France at estimated fair value of $0.7 million, which is held for sale as of August 31, 2013. The disposal value of this facility was determined as the estimated sales value of the facility less the estimated costs to sell based on information provided by a third-party real estate valuation source using the market approach.
	Additionally in fiscal 2013, the Company reduced the carrying value of its facility in Verolanuova, Italy, which is held for sale as of August 31, 2013, at estimated fair value of $1.3 million, resulting in a pretax impairment charge of $1.4 million. The estimated fair value was determined based on a third-party purchase offer less associated costs to sell. In addition, the Company recorded a pretax impairment charge of $2.7 million in fiscal 2012 related to the Verolanuova, Italy facility.
	In fiscal 2012, as a result of the Americas Engineered Plastics restructuring initiative, the Company reduced the carrying value of its facility, machinery and equipment in Nashville, Tennessee to its combined fair value of $3.8 million. The disposal value of the facility was determined as the estimated sales value of the assets less the costs to sell based on information provided by a third-party real estate valuation source. The disposal value of machinery and equipment to be sold or disposed of was determined based on estimated salvage value. The Company recorded pretax impairment charges of $0.5 million and $6.2 million in fiscal 2012 and 2011, respectively, primarily related to real estate, machinery and equipment at the Nashville, Tennessee facility. During fiscal 2013, the Company sold the Nashville, Tennessee facility which resulted in a minimal impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.
	In fiscal 2011, a long-lived asset related to the closure of the Polybatch Color Center located in Sharon Center, Ohio was written down to its then estimated fair value of $2.0 million resulting in an asset impairment charge of $1.9 million. The estimated fair value was determined based on a third-party purchase offer less associated costs to sell.
	Refer to Note 19 of this Form 10-K for the discussion on impairment charges included in discontinued operations.

Contingencies_and_Claims

Contingencies and Claims	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Contingencies and Claims
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	CONTINGENCIES AND CLAIMS
	In the normal course of business, the Company is at times subject to pending and threatened legal actions, some for which the relief or damages sought may be substantial. Although the Company is not able to predict the outcome of such legal actions, after reviewing all pending and threatened legal actions with counsel and based on information currently available, management believes that the outcome of such actions, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of such matters, if unfavorable, may be material to the results of operations in a particular future period as the time and amount of any resolution of such legal actions and its relationship to the future results of operations are not currently known.
	Reserves are established for legal claims only when losses associated with the claims are judged to be probable, and the loss can be reasonably estimated. In many lawsuits and arbitrations, it is not considered probable that a liability has been incurred or not possible to estimate the ultimate or minimum amount of that liability until the case is close to resolution, in which case no reserve would be recognized until that time.
	In August 2011, the Company incurred a pretax charge of $3.0 million related to a settlement involving a business relationship. This settlement satisfied all threatened claims. The charge was included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations in fiscal 2011 and related to the Americas segment.

Share_Repurchase_Program

Share Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock [Text Block]	SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	On April 1, 2011, the Board of Directors approved a three-year share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and other conditions (“2011 Repurchase Program”). The 2011 Repurchase Program replaces the Company’s previous share repurchase program which was approved in fiscal 2008.
	As part of the 2011 Repurchase Program, on May 12, 2011, the Company entered into a one-year $30 million share repurchase plan established under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Repurchase Plan”). As of October 10, 2011 the Company fulfilled the Repurchase Plan by repurchasing a cumulative 1,603,979 shares of its common at an average price of $18.70 per share.
	On November 28, 2011, the Company entered into a new 18-month $30 million share repurchase plan established under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Repurchases under this plan are subject to specific parameters and contain certain price and volume constraints. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company increased this share repurchase plan to $70 million, the remaining amount under the 2011 Repurchase Program, and also repurchased 244,597 shares of common stock at an average price of $21.56 per share. In fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased 303,709 shares of common stock at an average price of $26.84 per share for a total cost of $8.1 million.
	Since the inception of the 2011 Repurchase Program, the Company has acquired 2,152,285 shares at an average price of $20.20 per share. Shares valued at $56.6 million remained authorized for repurchase as of August 31, 2013.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 19 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In May 2013, the Company announced plans to sell its rotational compounding business in Australia. The Company completed the sale of all of the fixed and intangible assets for $3.0 million on September 3, 2013. The operating results for this business were previously included in the Company's specialty powders product family within the APAC segment and have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all of the periods presented. Additionally, the assets and liabilities of this business are classified as held for sale in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2013 and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other accrued liabilities, respectively.
	The following summarizes select financial information included in net earnings from discontinued operations:
		Year ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	30,009		$	25,482		$	33,394
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(6,671	)	$	(860	)	$	(8,690	)
	The results for fiscal 2013 include an impairment charge of $4.0 million which represented the difference between the estimated fair market value and the carrying value of the net assets. The estimated fair value was determined based on the expected sale price. The results for fiscal 2011 include restructuring charges of $3.6 million.
	Income taxes were minimal for all periods presented. Additionally, assets and liabilities of discontinued operations were not considered significant.

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	NOTE 20 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	The Perrite Group Acquisition
	On September 2, 2013, the Company acquired the Perrite Group ("Perrite"), a thermoplastics manufacturing business with operations in Malaysia, the United Kingdom and France for $51.3 million, net of cash. Perrite has manufactured and distributed thermoplastic compounds for the electrical, automotive and industrial markets for more than 35 years, offering a broad portfolio of standard and custom compounded polymer products. Perrite employs approximately 220 people among the three facilities. Additionally, Perrite holds leading positions in attractive target markets such as electronics, appliances and niche automotive, and offers well-established and respected brands and global customers while maintaining a strong track record of profitable growth. The acquisition of the Perrite Group provides the opportunity to expand the custom performance colors and engineered plastics business in the APAC region and the manufacturing facility in Malaysia will enhance the Company's ability to serve key customers in the region, as well as globally. Additionally, the acquisition provides an opportunity to leverage the Company's broader portfolio of products through our successful color and niche engineered plastics business in the EMEA region.
	Credit Facility
	On September 24, 2013 the Company entered into a new $500 million Credit Agreement with certain relationship banks. The agreement consists of a $300 million credit facility and a $200 million term loan, replacing a previous $300 million revolving credit facility which was scheduled to expire in January 2016. The new credit facility includes improved terms and covenants and a 50 basis point interest rate reduction over the previous revolving credit facility and expires in September 2018.

Quarterly_Financial_Highlights

Quarterly Financial Highlights (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
		Quarter Ended												Year Ended
		Nov 30,			Feb 28,			May 31,			Aug 31,			31-Aug-13
		2012			2013			2013			2013
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	532,085		$	515,440		$	548,589		$	537,288		$	2,133,402
	Gross profit	$	70,189		$	61,992		$	72,823		$	72,230		$	277,234
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	12,142		$	12,306		$	10,313		$	(762	)	$	33,999
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	3			(282		)	(4,821		)	(1,571		)	(6,671		)
	Net income (loss)	12,145			12,024			5,492			(2,333		)	27,328
	Noncontrolling interests	(366		)	(239		)	(275		)	(349		)	(1,229		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	11,779		$	11,785		$	5,217		$	(2,682	)	$	26,099
	Basic earnings (losses) per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(a)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.41		$	0.34		$	(0.04	)	$	1.12
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			(0.01		)	(0.16		)	(0.05		)	(0.23		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.4		$	0.4		$	0.18		$	(0.09	)	$	0.89
	Diluted earnings (losses) per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(a)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.41		$	0.34		$	(0.04	)	$	1.12
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			(0.01		)	(0.16		)	(0.05		)	(0.23		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.4		$	0.4		$	0.18		$	(0.09	)	$	0.89
	Certain items included in income from continuing operations, net of tax are as follows:
	Asset write-downs(b)	$	626		$	404		$	1,386		$	367		$	2,783
	Costs related to acquisitions(c)	312			642			890			691			2,535
	Restructuring related costs(d)	1,762			1,320			2,472			5,577			11,131
	Inventory step-up(e)	138			—			—			—			138
	Tax charges (benefits)(f)	—			(6,160		)	(17		)	10,595			4,418
	Total	$	2,838		$	(3,794	)	$	4,731		$	17,230		$	21,005
	(a)	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.
	(b)	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Oyonnax, France and the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during fiscal 2013. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
	(c)	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of ECM, the Perrite Group and other potential acquisitions.
	(d)	Restructuring related costs include items such as employee severance charges, lease termination charges, curtailment gains/losses, other employee termination costs and charges related to the reorganization of the legal entity structure. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
	(e)	Inventory step-up relates to the ECM acquisition.
	(f)	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the German and Brazilian valuation allowances in fiscal 2013.
		Quarter Ended												Year Ended
		Nov 30,			Feb 29,			May 31,			Aug 31,			31-Aug-12
		2011			2012			2012			2012
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	510,276		$	490,241		$	563,071		$	517,684		$	2,081,272
	Gross profit	$	68,758		$	64,071		$	76,055		$	66,458		$	275,342
	Income from continuing operations	$	13,993		$	9,458		$	17,568		$	11,890		$	52,909
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(30		)	(168		)	(320		)	(342		)	(860		)
	Net income	13,963			9,290			17,248			11,548			52,049
	Noncontrolling interests	(381		)	(217		)	(252		)	(312		)	(1,162		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	13,582		$	9,073		$	16,996		$	11,236		$	50,887
	Basic earnings per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(g)
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	1.76
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(0.01		)	(0.01		)	(0.03		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.58		$	0.38		$	1.73
	Diluted earnings per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(g)
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	1.75
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.01		)	(0.03		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.57		$	0.38		$	1.72
	Certain items included in income from continuing operations, net of tax are as follows:
	Asset write-downs(h)	$	—		$	—		$	1,917		$	613		$	2,530
	Costs related to acquisitions(i)	190			615			147			359			1,311
	Restructuring related costs(j)	2,280			1,068			1,556			1,767			6,671
	Inventory step-up(k)	—			398			53			—			451
	Tax charges (benefits)(l)	(747		)	40			(260		)	100			(867		)
Total	$	1,723		$	2,121		$	3,413		$	2,839		$	10,096
(g)	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.
(h)	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and the facility in Nashville, Tennessee during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
(i)	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of Elian, ECM and other potential acquisitions.
(j)	Restructuring includes charges related to the EMEA operations and back-office plan, the Masterbatch reorganization plan, the Americas engineered plastics plan, and the Italy plan. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
(k)	Inventory step-up relates to the Elian SAS acquisition.
(l)	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the Italian valuation allowance in fiscal 2012.

Business_and_Summary_of_Signif1

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Noncontrolling interests represent a 49% equity position of Alta Plastica S.A. in an Argentinean venture with the Company and a 35% equity position of P.T. Prima Polycon Indah in an Indonesian joint venture with the Company. Effective December 31, 2011, the Company’s partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical MKV Company, which held a 30% equity position, was dissolved by a vote of the partners.
Foreign Currency Translation	The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are generally measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each reporting period end. Income statement accounts are translated each month at the average rate of exchange during the month. Other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity include translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include the value of purchase consideration, valuation of accounts receivables, inventories, goodwill, other intangible assets, other long-lived assets, contingencies, and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, pension and other postretirement benefits, stock-based compensation, restructuring, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors. Management monitors any factors which may have an impact and adjusts such estimates and assumptions when required. Changes in those estimates are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of change.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	The Company’s accounting policy regarding revenue recognition is to recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence of a sales agreement, the delivery of goods has occurred where both title and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of related billings is reasonably assured. A provision for payment discounts is recorded as a reduction of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized.
	The Company provides tolling services for a fee for processing of material provided and owned by customers. While providing these services, the Company may provide certain amounts of its materials, such as additives. These materials are charged to the customer as an addition to the tolling fees. The Company records revenues from tolling services and related materials when such services are performed.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales is primarily comprised of direct materials and supplies consumed in the manufacturing, distribution and tolling of product, as well as related labor, depreciation and overhead expense necessary to acquire and convert the purchased materials and supplies into finished products. Cost of sales also includes freight, packaging and warehousing.
Restructuring	Restructuring
	The Company records restructuring costs related to the actions implemented to reduce excess and high-cost manufacturing capacity, and to reduce associate headcount. Employee-related costs include severance, supplemental unemployment compensation and benefits, medical benefits, pension curtailments, postretirement benefits, and other termination benefits. For ongoing benefit arrangements, a liability is recognized when it is probable that employees will be entitled to benefits and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These conditions are generally met when the restructuring plan is approved by management. For one-time benefit arrangements, a liability is incurred and accrued at the date the plan is communicated to employees, unless they will be retained beyond a minimum retention period. In this case, the liability is calculated at the date the plan is communicated to employees and is accrued ratably over the future service period. Other costs generally include non-cancelable lease costs, contract terminations, and relocation costs. A liability for these costs is recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. Restructuring charges related to accelerated depreciation and asset impairments are recorded separately within the consolidated statement of operations. See Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on restructuring charges.
Asset Impairment	Asset Impairment
	Long-lived assets, except goodwill, are reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows estimated by the Company to be generated by such asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. See Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on asset impairments.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes income taxes during the period in which transactions enter into the determination of financial statement income. Accordingly, deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. No taxes are provided on certain foreign earnings which are permanently reinvested. Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with accounting rules related to uncertainty in income taxes. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. See Note 7 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on income taxes.
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents are diversified with numerous financial institutions which management believes to have acceptable credit ratings. These cash equivalents are primarily money-market funds and short-term time deposits. The money-market funds are rated primarily A or higher by third parties. Management monitors the placement of its cash given the current credit market. The recorded amount of these cash equivalents approximates fair value. Investments with maturities between three and twelve months are considered to be short-term investments. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not hold any short-term investments.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Management records an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the current and projected credit quality of the Company’s customers, customer payment history and other factors that affect collectability. Changes in these factors or changes in economic circumstances could result in changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts on a periodic basis. Trade accounts receivables are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines it is probable the account receivable will not be collected. Trade accounts receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts, reflect the net realizable value of receivables, and approximate fair value. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet exposure related to its customers. See Note 3 of this Form 10-K for discussion on the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Inventories	Inventories
	The Company generally does not distinguish between raw materials and finished goods because numerous products that can be sold as finished goods are also used as raw materials in the production of other inventory items. Management establishes an estimated excess and obsolete inventory reserve based on historical experience and amounts expected to be realized for slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The cost of renewals and betterments is capitalized in the property accounts.
	It is the Company’s policy to depreciate the cost of property, plant and equipment over the estimated useful lives of the assets, and for leasehold improvements over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset, using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives used in the computation of depreciation are as follows:
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	7	to	40	years
	Machinery and equipment	5	to	10	years
	Furniture and fixtures	5	to	10	years
	Estimated useful lives are reviewed when certain events or operating conditions change and when appropriate, changes are made prospectively.
	The cost of assets sold or otherwise disposed of is eliminated from the related accounts. Gains or losses are recognized when sales or disposals occur. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.
Purchase Accounting, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Purchase Accounting, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. This method requires the Company to record assets and liabilities of the business acquired at their estimated fair market values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses valuation specialists to perform appraisals and assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require management to make estimates and assumptions that are critical in determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities.
	Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of June 1 for all reporting units. If circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value, the Company would test goodwill for impairment during interim periods between annual tests. The fair value used in the analysis is established using a combination of the income and market approaches. These valuation methodologies use estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the determination of appropriate market comparables, projected future cash flows (including timing and profitability), discount rate, perpetual growth rate, and projected future economic and market conditions.
	Other amortizable intangible assets, which consist primarily of registered trademarks and tradenames, customer related intangibles, and developed technology, are amortized over their estimated useful lives on either a straight-line or double-declining basis, reflective of the pattern of economic benefits consumed. The estimated useful lives for each major category of amortizable intangible assets are:
	Registered trademarks and tradenames	3	to	20	years
	Customer related intangibles	9	to	20	years
	Developed technology	10	to	15	years
	See Note 4 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on goodwill and other intangible assets.
Retirement Plans	Retirement Plans
	The Company has several defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, covering certain employees in the U.S. and in foreign countries. For certain plans in the U.S., pension funding is based on an amount paid to funds held in trust at an agreed rate for each hour for which employees are paid. Generally, the defined benefit pension plans accrue the current and prior service costs annually and funding is not required for all plans. See Note 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on retirement plans.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company accounts for its derivative instruments in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance which requires all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, to be recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts are adjusted to their fair market value through the consolidated statement of operations. Gains or losses on foreign exchange forward contracts that hedge specific transactions are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations offsetting the underlying foreign currency gains or losses. Currently, the Company does not designate any of these contracts as hedges. See Note 6 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards granted in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The fair value of awards with service and performance conditions is based on quoted market prices of the Company’s stock on the respective grant date. The fair value of awards that include market conditions for vesting is estimating using the Monte Carlo valuation model.
	The Monte Carlo valuation model requires assumptions based on management’s judgment regarding the volatility of the Company’s stock, the correlation between the Company’s stock price and that of its peer companies and the expected rates of interest. The Company uses historical data, corresponding to the vesting period, to determine all of the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo valuation model. The expected volatility assumption is based on historical volatility. The Company used the daily stock prices in fiscal 2013 and weekly stock prices in fiscal 2012 and 2011 to determine historical volatility. The correlation between the Company’s stock price and each of the peer companies is determined based on historical daily stock prices of the Company and each of the peer companies. The risk-free interest rate is based on zero coupon treasury bond rates corresponding to the expected life of the awards.
	Awards that are expected to settle through the issuance of the Company’s common stock are accounted for as equity-classified awards and related compensation expense is recognized based on grant date fair value over the related service period, to the extent such awards are expected to ultimately vest. Awards that may be settled in cash, at the election of the recipient, are accounted for as liability-classified awards, the fair value of such awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period and expense is recognized over the requisite service period. The Company uses an estimate of expected forfeitures in the recognition of all stock-based compensation expense that is based on historical experience.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance.
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value as follows:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
	•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs which reflect an entity’s own assumptions.
	See Note 6 of this Form 10-K for further discussion on fair value measurements.

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]
Results of Operations Since Acquisition Date [Table Text Block]	Net sales, income before taxes and net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. from Elian included in the Company’s results since the January 31, 2012 acquisition are as follows:
		January 31, 2012 to August 31, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	20,306
	Income before taxes	$	640
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	402
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
			(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,624
	Accounts receivable		6,897
	Inventories		3,427
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		434
	Property, plant and equipment		5,111
	Intangible assets		27,779
	Other long-term assets		20
	Total assets acquired		$	45,292
	Accounts payable		4,907
	Other accrued liabilities		3,106
	Deferred income taxes		10,598
	Pension plans		711
	Other long-term liabilities		143
	Total liabilities assumed		$	19,465
	Net identifiable assets acquired		$	25,827
	Goodwill		40,718
	Net assets acquired		$	66,545
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	The following pro forma information represents the consolidated results of the Company as if the acquisition of Elian occurred as of September 1, 2010:
		For the Years Ended August 31,
		2012				2011
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	2,097,043			$	2,198,814
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	52,423			$	43,376
	Net income per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. - diluted	$	1.77			$	1.39
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	Other Business Transactions
	The following table summarizes the Company's other business transactions for the periods presented as well as the Perrite Group acquisition completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2014:
	Transaction Description	Date of Transaction		Purchase				Segment
				Consideration
				(In millions)
	Mash Indústria e Comércio de Compostos Plásticos LTDA	3-Nov-10		$	15.2			Americas
	A Brazilian masterbatch additive producer and engineered plastics compounder whose products are used in end markets such as film and packaging, automotive and appliances
	Surplast S.A.	30-Jun-11		$	1.1			Americas
	A 51% ownership interest in an Argentinean venture, further expanding the Company’s specialty powders presence in South America
	ECM Plastics, Inc.	4-Sep-12		$	36.8			Americas
	A Massachusetts producer of custom color, specialty additive masterbatch and niche engineered plastics products, with a strong presence in personal care and cosmetics
	The Perrite Group	2-Sep-13		$	51.3			EMEA and APAC
	A thermoplastics manufacturer with business in the custom performance colors and engineered plastics product families with operations in Malaysia, the United Kingdom and France

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account1

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS [Abstract]
Schedule Of Changes In Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Table Text Block]	The changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
		For the Years Ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	9,190		$	9,475		$	13,205
	Provision	2,441			1,724			(1,495		)
	Write-offs, net of recoveries	(1,481		)	(1,007		)	(3,396		)
	Translation effect	284			(1,002		)	1,161
	Ending balance	$	10,434		$	9,190		$	9,475

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The changes in the Company’s carrying value of goodwill are as follows:
		EMEA			Americas			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	$	30,949		$	60,804		$	91,753
	Acquisitions	40,718			—			40,718
	Translation and other	(3,127		)	(991		)	(4,118		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	68,540			59,813			128,353
	Acquisitions	—			9,921			9,921
	Translation and other	1,726			(474		)	1,252
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	70,266		$	69,260		$	139,526
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes intangible assets with determinable useful lives by major category:
		2013									2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Carrying			Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Carrying			Amortization			Amount			Carrying		Amortization			Amount
		Amount									Amount
		(In thousands)
	Customer related	$	85,129		$	(19,605	)	$	65,524		$	74,039	$	(13,263	)	$	60,776
	Developed technology	19,641			(5,156		)	14,485			19,189		(3,258		)	15,931
	Registered trademarks	15,991			(4,113		)	11,878			16,344		(3,013		)	13,331
	and tradenames
	Total finite-lived	$	120,761		$	(28,874	)	$	91,887		$	109,572	$	(19,534	)	$	90,038
	intangible assets
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows:
		Estimated Future
		Amortization Expense
		(In thousands)
	Year ended August 31,
	2014	$	9,327
	2015	8,920
	2016	8,470
	2017	8,097
	2018	7,781

LongTerm_Debt_and_Credit_Arran1

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes short-term and long-term debt obligations outstanding:
		As of August 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Senior notes, LIBOR plus 80 bps, due 2013	$	—	$	30,000
	Notes payable and other, due within one year	8,373		5,411
	Short-term debt	$	8,373	$	35,411
	Revolving credit loan, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due 2016	$	150,000	$	117,000
	Euro notes, 4.485%, due 2016	56,626		57,130
	Capital leases and other long-term debt	809		336
	Long-term debt	$	207,435	$	174,466
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]	Below summarizes the Company’s available funds:
		As of August 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Existing capacity:
	Credit Facility	$	300,000	$	300,000
	Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	56,178		48,098
	Total gross available funds from credit lines and notes	$	356,178	$	348,098
	Availability:
	Credit Facility	$	149,024	$	181,299
	Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	49,302		43,752
	Total net available funds from credit lines and notes	$	198,326	$	225,051
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Aggregate maturities of debt, including capital lease obligations, subsequent to August 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal 2014	$	8,373
	2015	3,982
	2016	203,359
	2017	51
	2018	43

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
		2013								2012
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Assets recorded at fair value:
	Foreign exchange	$	151	$	—	$	151	$	—	$	92	$	—	$	92	$	—
	forward contracts
	Liabilities recorded at fair value:
	Foreign exchange	$	1,224	$	—	$	1,224	$	—	$	69	$	—	$	69	$	—
	forward contracts
	Liabilities not recorded at fair value:
	Long-term fixed-rate	$	63,460	$	—	$	63,460	$	—	$	65,210	$	—	$	65,210	$	—
	debt

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Schedule of Income from Continuing Operations Before Taxes	Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes is as follows:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S.	$	(8,334	)	$	(4,637	)		$	(20,564	)
	Foreign	62,066			71,464				86,703
	Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	53,732		$	66,827			$	66,139
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The provisions for U.S. and foreign income taxes consist of the following:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Current taxes:
	U.S.	$	214		$	228			$	(414	)
	Foreign	23,210			22,927				19,902
	Total current tax expense (benefit)	23,424			23,155				19,488
	Deferred taxes:
	U.S.	213			16				(65		)
	Foreign	(3,904		)	(9,253		)		(3,659		)
	Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	(3,691		)	(9,237		)		(3,724		)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	19,733		$	13,918			$	15,764
Reconciliation of Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate with the effective tax rates of 36.7% in 2013, 20.8% in 2012, and 23.8% in 2011 is as follows:
		2013						2012						2011
		Amount			% of			Amount				% of		Amount			% of
					Pretax							Pretax					Pretax
					Income							Income					Income
		(In thousands, except for %s)
	Statutory U.S. tax rate	$	18,806		35	%		$	23,389			35	%	$	23,149		35	%
	Amount of foreign taxes at less than U.S.	(9,189		)	(17.1	)		(11,373		)		(17.0	)	(14,581		)	(22.1	)
	statutory tax rate
	U.S. and foreign losses with no tax benefit	5,826			10.8			1,291				1.9		4,026			6.1
	U.S. restructuring and other U.S. unusual	1,704			3.2			1,029				1.5		3,871			5.8
	charges with no benefit
	Valuation allowance charges	2,361			4.4			(2,380		)		(3.6	)	—			—
	Establishment (resolution) of uncertain tax	(84		)	(0.2	)		1,718				2.6		(221		)	(0.3	)
	positions
	Other	309			0.6			244				0.4		(480		)	(0.7	)
	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	19,733		36.7	%		$	13,918			20.8	%	$	15,764		23.8	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Deferred tax assets and (liabilities) consist of the following:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Pensions	$	12,751		$	11,761
	Inventory reserves	1,136			713
	Bad debt reserves	1,040			1,334
	Accruals	4,831			6,499
	Postretirement benefits other than pensions	5,293			6,489
	Depreciation	2,036			1,789
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	14,396			14,311
	Foreign tax credit carryforwards	28,111			32,104
	Alternative minimum tax carryforwards	4,452			4,452
	Interest carryforwards	10,113			12,919
	Other	13,898			9,657
	Gross deferred tax assets	98,057			102,028
	Valuation allowance	(23,252		)	(50,478		)
	Total deferred tax assets	74,805			51,550
	Depreciation	(17,232		)	(18,382		)
	Intangibles	(25,465		)	(28,046		)
	Unremitted foreign earnings	(26,050		)	(751		)
	Other	(1,245		)	(1,265		)
	Gross deferred tax liabilities	(69,992		)	(48,444		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	4,813		$	3,106
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	6,877		$	4,716			$	2,614
	Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(1,165		)	(390		)		(31		)
	Increases related to prior year tax positions	11			2,360				1,346
	Increases related to current year tax positions	308			627				677
	Settlements	(1,077		)	—				(101		)
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(228		)	4				(161		)
	Foreign currency impact	260			(440		)		372
	Ending balance	$	4,986		$	6,877			$	4,716

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben1

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Components of the plan obligations and assets, the recorded liability and accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") are as follows:
		Pension Benefits								Other Postretirement Benefits
		2013				2012				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	(124,948	)		$	(113,204	)		$	(13,556	)	$	(13,929	)
	Service cost	(3,838		)		(2,759		)		(14		)	(28		)
	Interest cost	(4,779		)		(5,099		)		(450		)	(607		)
	Participant contributions	(246		)		(253		)		(105		)	(91		)
	Actuarial gain (loss)	448				(18,921		)		1,994			2,819
	Benefits paid	3,921				3,354				1,059			768
	Business combinations	—				(710		)		—			—
	Curtailment gain (loss)	—				310				(358		)	—
	Contractual termination benefits	—				(79		)		—			—
	Plan amendments	(459		)		—				58			(2,488		)
	Translation adjustment	(3,965		)		12,413				—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	(133,866	)		$	(124,948	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	30,190			$	26,090			$	—		$	—
	Actual return on assets	1,043				4,518				—			—
	Employer contributions	4,601				4,619				954			677
	Participant contributions	246				253				105			91
	Benefits paid	(3,921		)		(3,354		)		(1,059		)	(768		)
	Translation adjustment	258				(1,936		)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	32,417			$	30,190			$	—		$	—
	Underfunded	$	(101,449	)		$	(94,758	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Classification of net amount recognized:
	Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	$	(2,850	)		$	(2,177	)		$	(880	)	$	(780	)
	Long-term liabilities	(98,599		)		(92,581		)		(10,492		)	(12,776		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(101,449	)		$	(94,758	)		$	(11,372	)	$	(13,556	)
	Amounts recognized in AOCI:
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	29,434			$	30,134			$	(1,368	)	$	602
	Net prior service cost (credit)	323				355				(2,523		)	(3,006		)
	Net amount recognized in AOCI	$	29,757			$	30,489			$	(3,891	)	$	(2,404	)
	Change in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in AOCI:
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	(101	)		$	15,394			$	(1,994	)	$	(2,819	)
	Prior service cost (credit)	459				—				(58		)	2,488
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	(1,438		)		(468		)		—			(171		)
	Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	(505		)		(48		)		540			731
	Settlement/curtailment gain (loss)	—				310				25			—
	Translation adjustment	853				(1,841		)		—			—
	Total change in AOCI	$	(732	)		$	13,347			$	(1,487	)	$	229
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
		Pension Benefits											Other Postretirement Benefits
		2013				2012				2011			2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Service cost	$	3,838			$	2,759			$	3,521		$	14		$	28		$	30
	Interest cost	4,779				5,099				4,820			450			607			746
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,485		)		(1,298		)		(1,219		)	—			—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	505				48				29			(540		)	(731		)	(542		)
	Recognized gains due to plan settlements	—				—				(24		)	—			—			—
	Contractual termination benefits	—				79				—			—			—			—
	Recognized (gains) losses due to plan curtailments	—				(310		)		22			333			—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss	1,438				468				1,658			—			171			198
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	9,075			$	6,845			$	8,807		$	257		$	75		$	432
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]	Amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI and included in total net periodic benefit cost during the year ended August 31, 2014, are as follows:
		Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement
						Benefits
		(In thousands)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	1,334			$	(18	)
	Prior service cost (credit)	28				(541		)
	Total	$	1,362			$	(559	)
Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]	Selected information regarding the Company’s pension and OPEB plans is as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Pension Plans:
	All plans:
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	119,761			$	113,055
	Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	133,806			$	124,887
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	119,717			$	113,011
	Fair value of plan assets	$	32,353			$	30,125
	Plans with projected benefit obligations less than plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	60			$	61
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	44			$	44
	Fair value of plan assets	$	64			$	65
	OPEB Plan:
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
	Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	11,372			$	13,556
	Fair value of plan assets	$	—			$	—
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Actuarial assumptions used in the calculation of the recorded liability are as follows:
	Weighted — Average Assumptions as of August 31 :	2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate on pension plans	4	%		3.8	%		4.9	%
	Discount rate on postretirement obligation	4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
	Rate of compensation increase	2.4	%		2.2	%		2.5	%
	Actuarial assumptions used in the calculation of the recorded benefit expense are as follows:
	Weighted — Average Assumptions as of August 31 :	2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate on pension plans	3.8	%		4.9	%		4	%
	Discount rate on postretirement obligation	3.5	%		4.5	%		4.5	%
	Return on pension plan assets	5.1	%		6.4	%		5.8	%
	Rate of compensation increase	2.2	%		2.5	%		2.4	%
	Projected health care cost trend rate	7.5	%		8	%		8	%
	Ultimate health care rate	5	%		5	%		5	%
	Year ultimate health care trend rate is achieved	2019			2019			2019
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]	Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the OPEB plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects as of August 31, 2013:
		One-Percentage -				One-Percentage -
		Point Increase				Point Decrease
		(In thousands)
	Effect on aggregate of service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	50			$	(43	)
	Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	1,044			$	(911	)
Pension Plan Weighted Average Investment Allocation [Table Text Block]	The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocation and target allocation, by asset category are as follows:
		Plan Assets						Target
								Allocation
	Asset Category	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Equity securities	25	%		27	%		23	%		22	%
	Debt securities	15	%		21	%		13	%		13	%
	Fixed insurance contracts	39	%		40	%		31	%		43	%
	Cash	21	%		12	%		33	%		22	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets, all of which are for foreign plans, are as follows:
		2013														2012
		Total				Level 1				Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Equity securities	$	8,080			$	8,080			$	—		$	—		$	8,217		$	8,217		$	—	$	—
	Debt securities	5,007				5,007				—			—			6,388			6,388			—		—
	Fixed insurance contracts	12,435				—				—			12,435			11,946			—			—		11,946
	Cash	6,822				6,822				—			—			3,572			3,572			—		—
	Other	73				—				—			73			67			—			—		67
	Total	$	32,417			$	19,909			$	—		$	12,508		$	30,190		$	18,177		$	—	$	12,013
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	The change in fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets classified as Level 3, all of which are for foreign plans, is as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance, beginning of fiscal year	$	12,013			$	9,669
	Actual return on plan assets	(533		)		3,007
	Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net	440				743
	Foreign currency translation	588				(1,406		)
	Balance, end of fiscal year	$	12,508			$	12,013
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	The Company expects to contribute $4.9 million for its pension obligations and $0.9 million to its other postretirement plan in 2014. The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are as follows:
		Pension				OPEB
		Benefits				Benefits
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	3,957			$	898
	2015	4,165				884
	2016	4,398				867
	2017	5,048				862
	2018	4,957				834
	Years 2019 — 2023	27,880				4,071

Comprehensive_Income_Loss_and_1

Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrecognized			Total
		Currency			Gains (Losses) and			Accumulated Other
		Translation			Prior Service (Costs)			Comprehensive
		Gain (Loss)			Credits, Net			Income (Loss)
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2010	$	17,390		$	(23,668	)	$	(6,278	)
	Current period change	42,550			13,735			56,285
	Balance as of August 31, 2011	59,940			(9,933		)	50,007
	Current period change	(46,557		)	(9,371		)	(55,928		)
	Balance as of August 31, 2012	13,383			(19,304		)	(5,921		)
	Current period change	4,329			2,274			6,603
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	17,712		$	(17,030	)	$	682

Incentive_Stock_Plans_Tables

Incentive Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
INCENTIVE STOCK PLANS [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity of time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards:
		Awards Outstanding					Weighted-Average
							Fair Market Value
							(per share)
		Time-		Performance-			Time-				Performance-
		Based		Based			Based				Based
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012	118,395		1,010,743			$	22.15			$	16.9
	Granted	57,990		348,030			$	29.18			$	29.08
	Vested	(35,621	)	(7,210	)		$	21.9			$	14.03
	Forfeited	(7,405	)	(269,978	)		$	23.43			$	18.61
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013	133,359		1,081,585			$	25.2			$	20.41
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	The fair values of the performance-based awards granted during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model using the following assumptions:
		2013(a)		2012(b)			2011(b)
	Dividend yield	—	%	3	%		2.91	%
	Expected volatility	35	%	43	%		47	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77	%	0.42	%		1.05	%
	Correlation	56	%	61	%		60	%
	(a) Assumptions as of August 31, 2013 related to liability classified awards
	(b) Weighted average grant date assumptions related to equity classified awards
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
		Outstanding Shares		Weighted-Average
		Under Option		Exercise Price
	Outstanding at August 31, 2012	86,955		$	18.61
	Granted	—		$	—
	Exercised	(64,453	)	$	18.71
	Forfeited and expired	(3,500	)	$	13.99
	Outstanding at August 31, 2013	19,002		$	19.13
	Exercisable at August 31, 2013	19,002		$	19.13
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from long-term incentive compensation plans, which is primarily included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Time-based awards and performance-based awards	$	2,454		$	3,813			$	3,832
	Board of Directors unrestricted awards	850			845				791
	Cash-settled restricted stock units	—			—				817
	Total long-term incentive compensation	$	3,304		$	4,658			$	5,440

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	The following presents the number of incremental weighted-average shares used in computing diluted per share amounts:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013	2012	2011
		(In thousands)
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic	29,260	29,389	30,978
	Incremental shares from equity awards	77	160	163
	Diluted	29,337	29,549	31,141

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	The approximate future minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable operating leases, excluding obligations for taxes and insurance are as follows:
	Year Ended August 31,	Minimum Rental
		Commitments
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	8,489
	2015	6,501
	2016	4,276
	2017	3,517
	2018	2,865
	2019 and thereafter	17,526
	Total minimum rental commitments	$	43,174

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Below the Company presents net sales to unaffiliated customers by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	1,405,882		$	1,403,151			$	1,533,993
	Americas	600,824			558,910				516,814
	APAC	126,696			119,211				108,246
	Total net sales to unaffiliated customers	$	2,133,402		$	2,081,272			$	2,159,053
	Below the Company presents gross profit by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	175,297		$	171,768			$	197,171
	Americas	81,315			84,282				71,698
	APAC	22,345			19,969				18,230
	Total segment gross profit	278,957			276,019				287,099
	Inventory step-up	(138		)	(677		)		(607		)
	Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related	(1,585		)	—				—
	Total gross profit	$	277,234		$	275,342			$	286,492
	Below is a reconciliation of segment operating income to operating income and income from continuing operations before taxes:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	67,320		$	71,849			$	86,663
	Americas	28,351			28,872				14,032
	APAC	12,108			10,908				10,617
	Total segment operating income	107,779			111,629				111,312
	Corporate and other	(24,926		)	(23,786		)		(25,106		)
	Costs related to acquisitions	(2,661		)	(1,425		)		(1,412		)
	Restructuring related	(13,687		)	(9,256		)		(4,547		)
	Accelerated depreciation	(1,058		)	—				—
	Asset impairment	(1,873		)	(3,392		)		(8,150		)
	Curtailment gain (loss)	(333		)	310				—
	Inventory step-up	(138		)	(677		)		(607		)
	Operating income	63,103			73,403				71,490
	Interest expense, net	(7,162		)	(7,675		)		(5,598		)
	Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(2,426		)	(243		)		(1,474		)
	Other income (expense), net	217			1,342				1,721
	Income from continuing operations before taxes	$	53,732		$	66,827			$	66,139
	The following table summarizes identifiable assets by segment:
		As of August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	735,684		$	677,066			$	737,698
	Americas	413,438			426,963				408,714
	APAC	89,220			89,738				93,575
	Total identifiable assets	$	1,238,342		$	1,193,767			$	1,239,987
	The following tables summarize depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures by segment:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	EMEA	$	18,072		$	17,534			$	18,522
	Americas	19,481			17,531				17,810
	APAC	3,898			3,719				3,942
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	41,451		$	38,784			$	40,274
	Capital expenditures:
	EMEA	$	9,157		$	11,383			$	12,541
	Americas	15,038			17,725				12,328
	APAC	2,373			4,895				1,490
	Total capital expenditures	$	26,568		$	34,003			$	26,359
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	Below is a summary of net sales by point of origin and long-lived assets by location:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Net sales:
	United States	$	383,964		$	358,376			$	337,423
	Germany	536,833			571,876				617,266
	France	221,521			196,103				204,878
	Other international	991,084			954,917				999,486
	Total net sales	$	2,133,402		$	2,081,272			$	2,159,053
		As of August 31,
		2013			2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Long lived assets:
	United States	$	70,197		$	76,699			$	74,102
	Germany	23,316			23,020				27,680
	France	21,854			22,832				21,744
	Other international	95,154			103,325				110,774
	Total long lived assets	$	210,521		$	225,876			$	234,300
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	The amount and percentage of consolidated net sales for these product families are as follows:
		2013						2012						2011
		(In thousands, except for %’s)
	Masterbatch solutions	$	745,237		35	%		$	750,531			36	%	$	766,078	35	%
	Engineered plastics	557,364			26			547,090				26		546,964		25
	Distribution services	359,376			17			343,091				16		393,225		18
	Specialty powders	311,699			15			314,965				16		338,458		17
	Custom performance colors	159,726			7			125,595				6		114,328		5
	Total consolidated net sales	$	2,133,402		100	%		$	2,081,272			100	%	$	2,159,053	100	%

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
RESTRUCTURING [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s restructuring plans:
		Accrual							Accrual								Accrual
		Balance August 31, 2011		Fiscal 2012		Fiscal 2012			Balance August 31, 2012			Fiscal 2013		Fiscal 2013			Balance August 31, 2013
				Charges		Paid						Charges		Paid
		(In thousands)
	Employee-related costs	$	3,322	$	7,581	$	(7,379	)	$	3,524		$	8,669	$	(6,747	)	$	5,446
	Other costs	403		1,675		(1,697		)	381			1,831		(1,812		)	400
	Translation effect	70		—		—			(539		)	—		—			(497		)
	Restructuring charges	$	3,795	$	9,256	$	(9,076	)	$	3,366		$	10,500	$	(8,559	)	$	5,349
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs by Segment [Table Text Block]	Restructuring costs are excluded from segment operating income but are attributable to the reportable segments as follows:
		Year Ended August 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	EMEA	$	6,704	$	7,531	$	2,834
	Americas	3,616		1,603		1,713
	APAC	180		122		—
	Total	$	10,500	$	9,256	$	4,547

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following summarizes select financial information included in net earnings from discontinued operations:
		Year ended August 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Net sales	$	30,009		$	25,482		$	33,394
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(6,671	)	$	(860	)	$	(8,690	)

Quarterly_Financial_Highlights1

Quarterly Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]
		Quarter Ended												Year Ended
		Nov 30,			Feb 28,			May 31,			Aug 31,			31-Aug-13
		2012			2013			2013			2013
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	532,085		$	515,440		$	548,589		$	537,288		$	2,133,402
	Gross profit	$	70,189		$	61,992		$	72,823		$	72,230		$	277,234
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	12,142		$	12,306		$	10,313		$	(762	)	$	33,999
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	3			(282		)	(4,821		)	(1,571		)	(6,671		)
	Net income (loss)	12,145			12,024			5,492			(2,333		)	27,328
	Noncontrolling interests	(366		)	(239		)	(275		)	(349		)	(1,229		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	11,779		$	11,785		$	5,217		$	(2,682	)	$	26,099
	Basic earnings (losses) per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(a)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.41		$	0.34		$	(0.04	)	$	1.12
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			(0.01		)	(0.16		)	(0.05		)	(0.23		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.4		$	0.4		$	0.18		$	(0.09	)	$	0.89
	Diluted earnings (losses) per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(a)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.4		$	0.41		$	0.34		$	(0.04	)	$	1.12
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			(0.01		)	(0.16		)	(0.05		)	(0.23		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.4		$	0.4		$	0.18		$	(0.09	)	$	0.89
	Certain items included in income from continuing operations, net of tax are as follows:
	Asset write-downs(b)	$	626		$	404		$	1,386		$	367		$	2,783
	Costs related to acquisitions(c)	312			642			890			691			2,535
	Restructuring related costs(d)	1,762			1,320			2,472			5,577			11,131
	Inventory step-up(e)	138			—			—			—			138
	Tax charges (benefits)(f)	—			(6,160		)	(17		)	10,595			4,418
	Total	$	2,838		$	(3,794	)	$	4,731		$	17,230		$	21,005
	(a)	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.
	(b)	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Oyonnax, France and the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during fiscal 2013. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
	(c)	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of ECM, the Perrite Group and other potential acquisitions.
	(d)	Restructuring related costs include items such as employee severance charges, lease termination charges, curtailment gains/losses, other employee termination costs and charges related to the reorganization of the legal entity structure. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
	(e)	Inventory step-up relates to the ECM acquisition.
	(f)	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the German and Brazilian valuation allowances in fiscal 2013.
		Quarter Ended												Year Ended
		Nov 30,			Feb 29,			May 31,			Aug 31,			31-Aug-12
		2011			2012			2012			2012
		Unaudited
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	510,276		$	490,241		$	563,071		$	517,684		$	2,081,272
	Gross profit	$	68,758		$	64,071		$	76,055		$	66,458		$	275,342
	Income from continuing operations	$	13,993		$	9,458		$	17,568		$	11,890		$	52,909
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(30		)	(168		)	(320		)	(342		)	(860		)
	Net income	13,963			9,290			17,248			11,548			52,049
	Noncontrolling interests	(381		)	(217		)	(252		)	(312		)	(1,162		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	13,582		$	9,073		$	16,996		$	11,236		$	50,887
	Basic earnings per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(g)
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	1.76
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(0.01		)	(0.01		)	(0.03		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.58		$	0.38		$	1.73
	Diluted earnings per share of common stock
	attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.(g)
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.59		$	0.39		$	1.75
	Loss from discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.01		)	(0.03		)
	Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$	0.46		$	0.31		$	0.57		$	0.38		$	1.72
	Certain items included in income from continuing operations, net of tax are as follows:
	Asset write-downs(h)	$	—		$	—		$	1,917		$	613		$	2,530
	Costs related to acquisitions(i)	190			615			147			359			1,311
	Restructuring related costs(j)	2,280			1,068			1,556			1,767			6,671
	Inventory step-up(k)	—			398			53			—			451
	Tax charges (benefits)(l)	(747		)	40			(260		)	100			(867		)
Total	$	1,723		$	2,121		$	3,413		$	2,839		$	10,096
(g)	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.
(h)	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and the facility in Nashville, Tennessee during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
(i)	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of Elian, ECM and other potential acquisitions.
(j)	Restructuring includes charges related to the EMEA operations and back-office plan, the Masterbatch reorganization plan, the Americas engineered plastics plan, and the Italy plan. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
(k)	Inventory step-up relates to the Elian SAS acquisition.
(l)	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the Italian valuation allowance in fiscal 2012.

Business_and_Summary_of_Signif2

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Aug. 31, 2013
BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Number of employees	3,200
Number of manufacturing facilities	33
Alta Plastica S.A. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest partner	49.00%
Mitsubishi Chemical M.K.V. Co. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest partner	30.00%
P.T. Prima Polycon Indah [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interest partner	35.00%

Business_and_Summary_of_Signif3

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years

Business_and_Summary_of_Signif4

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013
Trademarks and Tradenames [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	3 years
Trademarks and Tradenames [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	20 years
Customer Related Intangibles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	9 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	20 years
Developed Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	10 years
Developed Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	15 years

Business_Acquisitions_Details

Business Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended				7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						7 Months Ended		7 Months Ended		7 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 02, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Nov. 03, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 04, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
												ThePerriteGroup [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Mash Industria e Comercio de Compostos Plasticos L.T.D.A. [Member]	Surplast S.A. [Member]	E.C.M. Plastics Inc. [Member]	Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]	Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]	Developed Technology [Member]	Developed Technology [Member]	Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]	Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
																				Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Elian S.A.S. [Member]	Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]	Developed Technology [Member]	Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]
Business Acquisitions
Purchase consideration												$51,300,000				$66,545,000	$15,200,000	$1,100,000	$36,800,000
Repayment of debt of acquired entity included in purchase consideration																4,300,000
Cash and cash equivalents																1,624,000
Accounts receivable																6,897,000
Inventories																3,427,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets																434,000
Property, plant and equipment																5,111,000
Intangible assets																27,779,000					18,300,000		8,600,000		900,000
Other long-term assets																20,000
Total assets acquired																45,292,000
Accounts payable																4,907,000
Other accrued liabilities																3,106,000
Deferred income taxes																10,598,000
Pension plans																711,000
Other long-term liabilities																143,000
Total liabilities assumed																19,465,000
Net identifiable assets acquired																25,827,000
Goodwill	139,526,000				128,353,000				139,526,000	128,353,000	91,753,000					40,718,000
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life																				9 years		10 years		5 years		20 years	15 years	20 years
Gross contractual amount of acquired receivables																7,300,000
Net sales	537,288,000	548,589,000	515,440,000	532,085,000	517,684,000	563,071,000	490,241,000	510,276,000	2,133,402,000	2,081,272,000	2,159,053,000		20,306,000
Income before taxes									53,732,000	66,827,000	66,139,000		640,000
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	-2,682,000	5,217,000	11,785,000	11,779,000	11,236,000	16,996,000	9,073,000	13,582,000	26,099,000	50,887,000	40,996,000		402,000
Inventory step up adjustments before taxes									138,000	677,000	607,000		700,000
Additional costs from fixed and intangible assets from business combination													2,300,000
Net sales														2,097,043,000	2,198,814,000
Net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.														$52,423,000	$43,376,000
Net income per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. - diluted														$1.77	$1.39

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Provision	$2,441	$1,724	($1,495)
Write-offs, net of recoveries	-1,481	-1,007	-3,396
Translation effect	284	-1,002	1,161
Balance	$10,434	$9,190	$9,475	$13,205

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Goodwill
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$9,921	$40,718
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,252	-4,118
Goodwill	139,526	128,353	91,753
EMEA [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0	40,718
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,726	-3,127
Goodwill	70,266	68,540	30,949
Americas [Member]
Goodwill
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	9,921	0
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	-474	-991
Goodwill	$69,260	$59,813	$60,804

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$120,761,000	$109,572,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-28,874,000	-19,534,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	91,887,000	90,038,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	10,300,000	8,700,000	7,500,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	12 years 5 months 6 days
2014	9,327,000
2015	8,920,000
2016	8,470,000
2017	8,097,000
2018	7,781,000
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	85,129,000	74,039,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-19,605,000	-13,263,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	65,524,000	60,776,000
Developed Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	19,641,000	19,189,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-5,156,000	-3,258,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	14,485,000	15,931,000
Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	15,991,000	16,344,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-4,113,000	-3,013,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$11,878,000	$13,331,000

LongTerm_Debt_and_Credit_Arran2

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Foreign Tranche [Member]	Malaysian Ringgit Tranche [Member]	Outstanding Letters of Credit [Member]	Outstanding Letters of Credit [Member]	Borrowings [Member]	Borrowings [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Euro Notes [Member]	Stated Value [Member]	Reported Value Measurement [Member]	Reported Value Measurement [Member]	Subsequent Event Credit Agreement [Member]
			USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
Short-term and Long-term Debt and Credit Arrangements
Senior notes, LIBOR plus 80 bps, due 2013	$0	$30,000,000
Notes payable and other, due within one year	8,373,000	5,411,000
Short-term debt	8,373,000	35,411,000
Revolving credit loan, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due 2016	150,000,000	117,000,000
Euro notes, 4.485%, due 2016	56,626,000	57,130,000
Capital leases and other long-term debt	809,000	336,000
Long-term debt	207,435,000	174,466,000
Revolving Facility maximum borrowing capacity	300,000,000	300,000,000	45,000,000	5,000,000										500,000,000
Revolving Facility additional borrowing capacity	150,000,000
Variable interest rate on long-term debt									1.90%
Revolving Facility amount outstanding					1,000,000	1,700,000	150,000,000	117,000,000
Senior Notes variable interest rate	LIBOR plus 80 bps
Euro Senior Notes											50,300,000	60,000,000	45,300,000
Long-term debt, early termination fees										8,700,000
Fixed interest rate on long-term debt										4.49%
Pledge of subsidiary capital stock	65.00%
Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt	10.10%	1.80%
Short-term interest bearing debt	8,400,000	35,400,000
Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	56,178,000	48,098,000
Total gross available funds from credit lines and notes	356,178,000	348,098,000
Credit Facility	149,024,000	181,299,000
Foreign uncollateralized short-term lines of credit	49,302,000	43,752,000
Total net available funds from credit lines and notes	198,326,000	225,051,000
Credit lines and notes, amount outstanding less letters of credit	156,900,000	121,300,000
Fiscal 2014	8,373,000
2015	3,982,000
2016	203,359,000
2017	51,000
2018	$43,000

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, assets	$151,000	$92,000
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liabilities	1,224,000	69,000
Long-term fixed-rate debt	63,460,000	65,210,000
Derivative, Notional Amount	138,000,000	43,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, assets	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liabilities	0	0
Long-term fixed-rate debt	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, assets	151,000	92,000
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liabilities	1,224,000	69,000
Long-term fixed-rate debt	63,460,000	65,210,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, assets	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liabilities	0	0
Long-term fixed-rate debt	0	0
Euro Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable carrying value	$60,000,000	$60,300,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
					Tax Credit Carryforward to Expire in 2014 to 2019 [Member]	Tax Credit Carryforward Reduced by Unrealized Stock Compensation Attributes [Member]	Brazil Valuation Allowance [Member]	Italy Valuation Allowance [Member]	Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]	Germany Valuation Allowance [Member]	Brazil Valuation Allowance [Member]
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Line Items]
U.S.	($8,334,000)	($4,637,000)	($20,564,000)
Foreign	62,066,000	71,464,000	86,703,000
Income from continuing operations before taxes	53,732,000	66,827,000	66,139,000
U.S.	214,000	228,000	-414,000
Foreign	23,210,000	22,927,000	19,902,000
Total current tax expense (benefit)	23,424,000	23,155,000	19,488,000
U.S.	213,000	16,000	-65,000
Foreign	-3,904,000	-9,253,000	-3,659,000
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	-3,691,000	-9,237,000	-3,724,000
Total income tax expense (benefit)	19,733,000	13,918,000	15,764,000
Statutory U.S. tax rate	18,806,000	23,389,000	23,149,000
Statutory U.S. tax rate percentage	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Amount of foreign taxes at less than U.S. statutory tax rate	-9,189,000	-11,373,000	-14,581,000
Amount of foreign taxes at less than U.S. statutory tax rate percentage	-17.10%	-17.00%	-22.10%
U.S. and foreign losses with no tax benefit	5,826,000	1,291,000	4,026,000
U.S. and foreign losses with no tax benefit percentage	10.80%	1.90%	6.10%
U.S. restructuring and other U.S. unusual charges with no benefit	1,704,000	1,029,000	3,871,000
U.S. restructuring and other U.S. unusual charges with no benefit percentage	3.20%	1.50%	5.80%
Valuation allowance charges			0				-2,361,000	2,380,000		-9,400,000	2,400,000
Valuation allowance charges percentage			0.00%				4.40%	-3.60%
Establishment (resolution) of uncertain tax positions	-84,000	1,718,000	-221,000
Establishment (resolution) of uncertain tax positions percentage	-0.20%	2.60%	-0.30%
Other	309,000	244,000	-480,000
Other percentage	0.60%	0.40%	-0.70%
Total income tax expense (benefit) percentage	36.70%	20.80%	23.80%
Pensions	12,751,000	11,761,000
Inventory reserves	1,136,000	713,000
Bad debt reserves	1,040,000	1,334,000
Accruals	4,831,000	6,499,000
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	5,293,000	6,489,000
Depreciation	2,036,000	1,789,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	14,396,000	14,311,000
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	28,111,000	32,104,000			31,100,000	-3,000,000
Alternative minimum tax carryforwards	4,452,000	4,452,000
Interest carryforwards	10,113,000	12,919,000
Other	13,898,000	9,657,000
Gross deferred tax assets	98,057,000	102,028,000
Valuation allowance	-23,252,000	-50,478,000							25,500,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	45,600,000
Total deferred tax assets	74,805,000	51,550,000
Depreciation	-17,232,000	-18,382,000
Intangibles	-25,465,000	-28,046,000
Unremitted foreign earnings	-26,050,000	-751,000
Other	-1,245,000	-1,265,000
Gross deferred tax liabilities	-69,992,000	-48,444,000
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	4,813,000	3,106,000
Tax effect of temporary differences included in prepaid expense and other current assets	5,700,000	10,000,000
Tax effect of temporary differences included in deferred charges	22,000,000	17,500,000
Tax effect of temporary differences included in other accrued liabilities	1,700,000	2,000,000
Total unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	3,700,000
Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	1,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	4,986,000	6,877,000	4,716,000	2,614,000
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	-1,165,000	-390,000	-31,000
Increases related to prior year tax positions	11,000	2,360,000	1,346,000
Increases related to current year tax positions	308,000	627,000	677,000
Settlements	-1,077,000	0	-101,000
Lapse of statute of limitations	-228,000	4,000	-161,000
Foreign currency impact	260,000	-440,000	372,000
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$389,200,000

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben2

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		$3,800,000	$3,400,000
Fair value of plan assets		32,417,000	30,190,000
Recognized (gains) losses due to plan curtailments		333,000	-310,000	0
Rate of compensation increase		2.40%	2.20%	2.50%
Return on pension plan assets	5.20%	5.10%	6.40%	5.80%
Rate of compensation increase	2.40%	2.20%	2.50%	2.40%
Projected health care cost trend rate		7.50%	8.00%	8.00%
Ultimate health care rate		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Year ultimate health care trend rate is achieved		2019	2019	2019
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components		50,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components		43,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation		1,044,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation		911,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		100.00%	100.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		100.00%	100.00%
Individual agreement for annual retirement payments		100,000
Life insurance policy beneficiary amount		2,000,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		2,700,000	3,300,000	2,600,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		19,909,000	18,177,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		12,508,000	12,013,000	9,669,000
Actual return on assets		-533,000	3,007,000
Translation adjustment		588,000	-1,406,000
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net		440,000	743,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		8,080,000	8,217,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		25.00%	27.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		23.00%	22.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		8,080,000	8,217,000
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		5,007,000	6,388,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		15.00%	21.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		13.00%	13.00%
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		5,007,000	6,388,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Insurance Contract, Rights and Obligations [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		12,435,000	11,946,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		39.00%	40.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		31.00%	43.00%
Insurance Contract, Rights and Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Insurance Contract, Rights and Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Insurance Contract, Rights and Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		12,435,000	11,946,000
Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		6,822,000	3,572,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations		21.00%	12.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		33.00%	22.00%
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		6,822,000	3,572,000
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Cash [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Other Pension Plan Asset [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		73,000	67,000
Other Pension Plan Asset [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Other Pension Plan Asset [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Other Pension Plan Asset [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets		73,000	67,000
German Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Underfunded		83,000,000
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		-133,866,000	-124,948,000	-113,204,000
Service cost		-3,838,000	-2,759,000	-3,521,000
Interest cost		-4,779,000	-5,099,000	-4,820,000
Participant contributions		-246,000	-253,000
Actuarial gain (loss)		448,000	-18,921,000
Benefits paid		3,921,000	3,354,000
Business combinations		0	-710,000
Curtailment gain (loss)		0	310,000
Contractual termination benefits		0	79,000
Plan amendments		-459,000	0
Translation adjustment		-3,965,000	12,413,000
Fair value of plan assets		32,417,000	30,190,000	26,090,000
Actual return on assets		1,043,000	4,518,000
Employer contributions	4,900,000	4,601,000	4,619,000
Participant contributions		246,000	253,000
Translation adjustment		258,000	-1,936,000
Underfunded		101,449,000	94,758,000
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits		-2,850,000	-2,177,000
Long-term liabilities		-98,599,000	-92,581,000
Net amount recognized		-101,449,000	-94,758,000
Net actuarial (gain) loss		29,434,000	30,134,000
Net prior service cost (credit)		323,000	355,000
Net amount recognized in AOCI		29,757,000	30,489,000
Net actuarial (gain) loss		-101,000	15,394,000
Prior service cost (credit)		459,000	0
Amortization of net actuarial loss		-1,438,000	-468,000
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit		-505,000	-48,000
Settlement/curtailment gain (loss)		0	310,000
Translation adjustment		853,000	-1,841,000
Total change in AOCI		-732,000	13,347,000
Expected return on plan assets		-1,485,000	-1,298,000	-1,219,000
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		505,000	48,000	29,000
Recognized gains due to plan settlements		0	0	-24,000
Contractual termination benefits		0	79,000	0
Recognized (gains) losses due to plan curtailments		0	-310,000	22,000
Recognized net actuarial loss		1,438,000	468,000	1,658,000
Total net periodic benefit cost		9,075,000	6,845,000	8,807,000
Net actuarial loss (gain)		1,334,000
Prior service cost (credit)		28,000
Total amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI		1,362,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		119,761,000	113,055,000
Projected benefit obligation		133,806,000	124,887,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		119,717,000	113,011,000
Fair value of plan assets		32,353,000	30,125,000
Projected benefit obligation		60,000	61,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		44,000	44,000
Fair value of plan assets		64,000	65,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		4.00%	3.80%	4.90%
Discount rate on pension plans	4.00%	3.80%	4.90%	4.00%
2014		3,957,000
2015		4,165,000
2016		4,398,000
2017		5,048,000
2018		4,957,000
Years 2019 b 2023		27,880,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		-11,372,000	-13,556,000	-13,929,000
Service cost		-14,000	-28,000	-30,000
Interest cost		-450,000	-607,000	-746,000
Participant contributions		-105,000	-91,000
Actuarial gain (loss)		1,994,000	2,819,000
Benefits paid		1,059,000	768,000
Business combinations		0	0
Curtailment gain (loss)		-358,000	0
Contractual termination benefits		0	0
Plan amendments		58,000	-2,488,000
Translation adjustment		0	0
Fair value of plan assets		0	0	0
Actual return on assets		0	0
Employer contributions	900,000	954,000	677,000
Participant contributions		105,000	91,000
Translation adjustment		0	0
Underfunded		11,372,000	13,556,000
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits		-880,000	-780,000
Long-term liabilities		-10,492,000	-12,776,000
Net amount recognized		-11,372,000	-13,556,000
Net actuarial (gain) loss		-1,368,000	602,000
Net prior service cost (credit)		-2,523,000	-3,006,000
Net amount recognized in AOCI		-3,891,000	-2,404,000
Net actuarial (gain) loss		-1,994,000	-2,819,000
Prior service cost (credit)		-58,000	2,488,000
Amortization of net actuarial loss		0	-171,000
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit		540,000	731,000
Settlement/curtailment gain (loss)		25,000	0
Translation adjustment		0	0
Total change in AOCI		-1,487,000	229,000
Expected return on plan assets		0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		-540,000	-731,000	-542,000
Recognized gains due to plan settlements		0	0	0
Contractual termination benefits		0	0	0
Recognized (gains) losses due to plan curtailments		333,000	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss		0	171,000	198,000
Total net periodic benefit cost		257,000	75,000	432,000
Net actuarial loss (gain)		-18,000
Prior service cost (credit)		-541,000
Total amounts expected to be amortized from AOCI		-559,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		11,372,000	13,556,000
Projected benefit obligation		11,372,000	13,556,000
Accumulated benefit obligation		11,372,000	13,556,000
Fair value of plan assets		0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		4.50%	3.50%	4.50%
Discount rate on pension plans	4.50%	3.50%	4.50%	4.50%
2014		898,000
2015		884,000
2016		867,000
2017		862,000
2018		834,000
Years 2019 b 2023		4,071,000
United Kingdom Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Underfunded		$8,500,000

Comprehensive_Income_Loss_and_2

Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$682	($5,921)	$50,007	($6,278)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	6,603	-55,928	56,285
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	6,448	-56,018	56,285
Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	17,712	13,383	59,940	17,390
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	4,329	-46,557	42,550
Unrecognized gains (losses) and prior service (costs) credits, net [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-17,030	-19,304	-9,933	-23,668
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	$2,274	($9,371)	$13,735

Incentive_Stock_Plans_Details

Incentive Stock Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	0.00%	[1]	3.00%	[2]	2.91%	[2]
Expected volatility	35.00%	[1]	43.00%	[2]	47.00%	[2]
Risk-free interest rate	0.77%	[1]	0.42%	[2]	1.05%	[2]
Correlation	56.00%	[1]	61.00%	[2]	60.00%	[2]
Stock options outstanding	19,002		86,955
Stock options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$19.13		$18.61
Stock options granted	0		0		0
Stock options granted, weighted average exercise price	$0
Stock options exercised	-64,453
Stock options exercised, weighted average exercise price	$18.71
Stock options forfeited and expired	-3,500
Stock options forfeited and expired, weighted average exercise price	$13.99
Stock options exercisable	19,002
Stock options exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$19.13
Stock options outstanding and exercisable, intrinsic value	$100,000
Remaining term for stock options outstanding and exercisable	1 year 3 months 16 days
Stock options exercised, intrinsic value	600,000		400,000		300,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost of nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements	6,900,000
Total unrecognized compensation costs of nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements, recognition period	1 year 5 months 6 days
Employee stock purchase plan, percent of fair market value	85.00%
Employee stock purchase plan, discount rate	15.00%
Stock-based compensation	3,304,000		4,658,000		5,440,000
Time Based and Percentage Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	2,454,000		3,813,000		3,832,000
Board of Directors Unrestricted Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	850,000		845,000		791,000
Time Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding	133,359		118,395
Awards outstanding, weighted average fair market value	$25.20		$22.15
Awards granted	57,990
Awards granted, weighted average fair market value	$29.18		$22.64		$21.46
Awards vested	-35,621
Awards vested, weighted average fair market value	$21.90
Awards forfeited	-7,405
Awards forfeited, weighted average fair market value	$23.43
Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding	1,081,585		1,010,743
Awards outstanding, weighted average fair market value	$20.41		$16.90
Awards granted	348,030
Awards granted, weighted average fair market value	$29.08		$17.71		$14.84
Awards vested	-7,210
Awards vested, weighted average fair market value	$14.03
Awards forfeited	-269,978
Awards forfeited, weighted average fair market value	$18.61
Cash Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash-based awards and Cash-settled restricted stock units, cash payments	200,000		300,000		2,500,000
Non-employee Director Unrestricted Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted	27,860		37,300
Cash Settled Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$0		$0		$817,000
Earn Dividends [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding	506,734
Monte Carlo Simulation [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding	533,376
Fair Value Based on Closing Price of Common Stock on Grant Date [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding	548,209
2006 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for grant	461,025
2010 Rewards Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for grant	388,990
[1]	(a) Assumptions as of August 31, 2013 related to liability classified awards
[2]	(b) Weighted average grant date assumptions related to equity classified awards

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Basic	29,260,000	29,389,000	30,978,000
Incremental shares from equity awards	77,000	160,000	163,000
Diluted	29,337,000	29,549,000	31,141,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	21,000	36,000	118,000
Special Stock Authorization Number Of Shares	1,000,000

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total rental expense	$12,700,000	$10,400,000	$9,700,000
2014	8,489,000
2015	6,501,000
2016	4,276,000
2017	3,517,000
2018	2,865,000
2019 and thereafter	17,526,000
Total minimum rental commitments	$43,174,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers	$537,288	$548,589	$515,440	$532,085	$517,684	$563,071	$490,241	$510,276	$2,133,402	$2,081,272	$2,159,053
Segment gross profit									278,957	276,019	287,099
Inventory step-up									-138	-677	-607
Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related									-1,585	0	0
Gross profit	72,230	72,823	61,992	70,189	66,458	76,055	64,071	68,758	277,234	275,342	286,492
Costs related to acquisitions									-2,661	-1,425	-1,412
Restructuring related									-13,687	-9,256	-4,547
Restructuring Reserve, Accelerated Depreciation									-1,058	0	0
Asset impairments									-1,873	-3,392	-8,150
Curtailment gain (loss)									-333	310	0
Operating income									63,103	73,403	71,490
Interest expense, net									-7,162	-7,675	-5,598
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)									-2,426	-243	-1,474
Other income (expense), net									217	1,342	1,721
Income from continuing operations before taxes									53,732	66,827	66,139
Identifiable assets	1,238,342				1,193,767				1,238,342	1,193,767	1,239,987
Depreciation and amortization expense									41,451	38,784	40,274
Capital expenditures									26,568	34,003	26,359
Long lived assets	210,521				225,876				210,521	225,876	234,300
Net sales, percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Custom Performance Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									159,726	125,595	114,328
Net sales, percentage									7.00%	6.00%	5.00%
Masterbatch Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									745,237	750,531	766,078
Net sales, percentage									35.00%	36.00%	35.00%
Engineered Plastics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									557,364	547,090	546,964
Net sales, percentage									26.00%	26.00%	25.00%
Specialty Powders [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									311,699	314,965	338,458
Net sales, percentage									15.00%	16.00%	17.00%
Distribution Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									359,376	343,091	393,225
Net sales, percentage									17.00%	16.00%	18.00%
France [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									221,521	196,103	204,878
Long lived assets	21,854				22,832				21,854	22,832	21,744
Germany [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									536,833	571,876	617,266
Long lived assets	23,316				23,020				23,316	23,020	27,680
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									383,964	358,376	337,423
Long lived assets	70,197				76,699				70,197	76,699	74,102
Other International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									991,084	954,917	999,486
Long lived assets	95,154				103,325				95,154	103,325	110,774
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									1,405,882	1,403,151	1,533,993
Segment gross profit									175,297	171,768	197,171
Segment operating income									67,320	71,849	86,663
Identifiable assets	735,684				677,066				735,684	677,066	737,698
Depreciation and amortization expense									18,072	17,534	18,522
Capital expenditures									9,157	11,383	12,541
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									600,824	558,910	516,814
Segment gross profit									81,315	84,282	71,698
Segment operating income									28,351	28,872	14,032
Identifiable assets	413,438				426,963				413,438	426,963	408,714
Depreciation and amortization expense									19,481	17,531	17,810
Capital expenditures									15,038	17,725	12,328
APAC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers									126,696	119,211	108,246
Segment gross profit									22,345	19,969	18,230
Segment operating income									12,108	10,908	10,617
Identifiable assets	89,220				89,738				89,220	89,738	93,575
Depreciation and amortization expense									3,898	3,719	3,942
Capital expenditures									2,373	4,895	1,490
Total Segments Excluding Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									107,779	111,629	111,312
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									($24,926)	($23,786)	($25,106)

Research_and_Development_Detai

Research and Development (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	$5.30	$2.70	$2.40

Restructuring_Details

Restructuring (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	$10,500,000	$9,256,000	$4,547,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation	1,058,000	0	0
Accrual for employee-related costs	5,349,000	3,366,000	3,795,000
Restructuring charges paid	-8,559,000	-9,076,000
EMEA [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	6,704,000	7,531,000	2,834,000
Americas [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	3,616,000	1,603,000	1,713,000
APAC [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	180,000	122,000	0
Employee Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	8,669,000	7,581,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	5,446,000	3,524,000	3,322,000
Restructuring charges paid	-6,747,000	-7,379,000
Other Restructuring Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	1,831,000	1,675,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	400,000	381,000	403,000
Restructuring charges paid	-1,812,000	-1,697,000
Translation Effect on Restructuring Reserve [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	0	0
Accrual for employee-related costs	-497,000	-539,000	70,000
Restructuring charges paid	0	0
Americas Reorganization Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated	85
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	1,500,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	600,000
Brazil Consolidation Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated	55
Restructuring Related Cost Number Of Additional Positions	35
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	1,600,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation	700,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	200,000
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs, expected costs	1,000,000
EMEA Reorganziation Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated	45
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	6,400,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	2,800,000
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs, expected costs	300,000
Bellevue, Ohio Facility Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	300,000
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation	400,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	0
Masterbatch Reorganization Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs		2,300,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	1,300,000
EMEA Operations and Back-Office Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	300,000	4,700,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	200,000
Reduction in headcount	50
Americas Engineered Plastics Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs		1,600,000	1,100,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	100,000
Reduction in headcount	70
Italy Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Pretax employee-related restructuring costs	0	500,000	2,400,000
Accrual for employee-related costs	$0
Reduction in headcount		30

Asset_Impairments_Details

Asset Impairments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset impairment	$1,873,000	$3,392,000	$8,150,000
Italy Plan [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset impairment	1,400,000	2,700,000
Fair value of property, plant and equipment	1,300,000
Americas Engineered Plastics Plan [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset impairment		500,000	6,200,000
Fair value of property, plant and equipment		3,800,000
Oyonnax, France [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset impairment	400,000
Fair value of property, plant and equipment	700,000
Polybatch Color Center [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset impairment			1,900,000
Fair value of property, plant and equipment			$2,000,000

Contingencies_and_Claims_Detai

Contingencies and Claims (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2011
Contingencies and Claims
Pretax charge related to settlement	$3,000

Share_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Share Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	21 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 10, 2011	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
				April 2011Three-Year Share Repurchase Progam [Member]	May 2011 One-Year Repurchase Plan [Member]	May 2011 One-Year Repurchase Plan [Member]	November 2011 18-Month Repurchase Plan [Member]	November 2011 18-Month Repurchase Plan [Member]	November 2011 18-Month Repurchase Plan [Member]	November 2011 Repurchase Plan Increased Amount Authorized [Member]
Share Repurchase Program
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount				$100,000,000		$30,000,000			$30,000,000	$70,000,000
Number of treasury stock shares acquired	304,000	1,463,000	1,011,000		1,603,979		244,597	303,709	2,152,285
Treasury stock shares acquired, average cost per share					$18.70		$21.56	$26.84	$20.20
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized amount								56,600,000
Total cost of repurchased common stock	$8,091,000	$26,752,000	$22,154,000					$8,100,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-12	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2011	Sep. 03, 2013
												Discontinued Operations, Australia [Member]	Discontinued Operations, Australia [Member]	Discontinued Operations, Australia [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses														$3,000,000
Net sales									30,009,000	25,482,000	33,394,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,571,000	4,821,000	282,000	-3,000	342,000	320,000	168,000	30,000	6,671,000	860,000	8,690,000
Impairments on assets held-for-sale												4,000,000
Restructuring expense									$10,500,000	$9,256,000	$4,547,000		$3,600,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Sep. 24, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013	Sep. 02, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Subsequent Event Credit Agreement [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Term Loan [Member]	ThePerriteGroup [Member]
				Subsequent Event Credit Agreement [Member]	Subsequent Event Credit Agreement [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Cost of Acquistion, Purchase Price						$51,300
Revolving Facility maximum borrowing capacity	$300,000	$300,000	$500,000	$300,000	$200,000

Quarterly_Financial_Highlights2

Quarterly Financial Highlights (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		31-May-13		Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012		31-May-12		Feb. 29, 2012		Nov. 30, 2011		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Net sales	$537,288		$548,589		$515,440		$532,085		$517,684		$563,071		$490,241		$510,276		$2,133,402		$2,081,272		$2,159,053
Gross profit	72,230		72,823		61,992		70,189		66,458		76,055		64,071		68,758		277,234		275,342		286,492
Income from continuing operations	-762		10,313		12,306		12,142		11,890		17,568		9,458		13,993		33,999		52,909		50,375
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,571		-4,821		-282		3		-342		-320		-168		-30		-6,671		-860		-8,690
Net income	-2,333		5,492		12,024		12,145		11,548		17,248		9,290		13,963		27,328		52,049		41,685
Noncontrolling interests	-349		-275		-239		-366		-312		-252		-217		-381		-1,229		-1,162		-689
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	-2,682		5,217		11,785		11,779		11,236		16,996		9,073		13,582		26,099		50,887		40,996
Basic earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	($0.04)	[1]	$0.34	[1]	$0.41	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.39	[1]	$0.59	[1]	$0.31	[1]	$0.46	[1]	$1.12	[1]	$1.76	[1]	$1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	($0.05)	[1]	($0.16)	[1]	($0.01)	[1]	$0	[1]	($0.01)	[1]	($0.01)	[1]	$0	[1]	$0	[1]	($0.23)	[1]	($0.03)	[1]	($0.28)
Net income	($0.09)	[1]	$0.18	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.38	[1]	$0.58	[1]	$0.31	[1]	$0.46	[1]	$0.89	[1]	$1.73	[1]	$1.32
Diluted earnings per share of common stock attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.
Income from continuing operations	($0.04)	[1]	$0.34	[1]	$0.41	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.39	[1]	$0.59	[1]	$0.31	[1]	$0.46	[1]	$1.12	[1]	$1.75	[1]	$1.60
Loss from discontinued operations	($0.05)	[1]	($0.16)	[1]	($0.01)	[1]	$0	[1]	($0.01)	[1]	($0.02)	[1]	$0	[1]	$0	[1]	($0.23)	[1]	($0.03)	[1]	($0.28)
Net Income	($0.09)	[1]	$0.18	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.40	[1]	$0.38	[1]	$0.57	[1]	$0.31	[1]	$0.46	[1]	$0.89	[1]	$1.72	[1]	$1.32
Certain items included in income from continuing operations, net of tax
Asset write-downs	367	[2]	1,386	[2]	404	[2]	626	[2]	613	[3]	1,917	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	2,783	[2]	2,530	[3]
Costs related to acquisitions	691	[4]	890	[4]	642	[4]	312	[4]	359	[5]	147	[5]	615	[5]	190	[5]	2,535	[4]	1,311	[5]
Restructuring related costs	5,577	[6]	2,472	[6]	1,320	[6]	1,762	[6]	1,767	[7]	1,556	[7]	1,068	[7]	2,280	[7]	11,131	[6]	6,671	[7]
Inventory step-up	0	[8]	0	[8]	0	[8]	138	[8]	0	[9]	53	[9]	398	[9]	0	[9]	138	[8]	451	[9]
Tax charges (benefits)	10,595	[10]	-17	[10]	-6,160	[10]	0	[10]	100	[11]	-260	[11]	40	[11]	-747	[11]	4,418	[10]	-867	[11]
Total	$17,230		$4,731		($3,794)		$2,838		$2,839		$3,413		$2,121		$1,723		$21,005		$10,096
[1]	The sum of the four quarters does not equal the earnings per share amount calculated for the year due to rounding.
[2]	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Oyonnax, France and the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during fiscal 2013. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
[3]	Asset write-downs include charges primarily related to the write-down of the facility in Verolanuova, Italy during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and the facility in Nashville, Tennessee during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Refer to Note 16 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
[4]	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of ECM, the Perrite Group and other potential acquisitions.
[5]	Costs related to acquisitions include professional, legal and other expenses associated with the acquisitions of Elian, ECM and other potential acquisitions.
[6]	Restructuring related costs include items such as employee severance charges, lease termination charges, curtailment gains/losses, other employee termination costs and charges related to the reorganization of the legal entity structure. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
[7]	Restructuring includes charges related to the EMEA operations and back-office plan, the Masterbatch reorganization plan, the Americas engineered plastics plan, and the Italy plan. Refer to Note 15 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
[8]	Inventory step-up relates to the ECM acquisition.
[9]	Inventory step-up relates to the Elian SAS acquisition.
[10]	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the German and Brazilian valuation allowances in fiscal 2013.
[11]	Tax charges (benefits) include the effect of the adjustment to the Italian valuation allowance in fiscal 2012.