A. Schulman (SLMNP) 10-Q 28 Jun 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Jun. 23, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SCHULMAN A INC
Entity Central Index Key	87,565
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,464,720

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 645,795	$ 650,439	$ 1,814,473	$ 1,891,419
Cost of sales	547,368	540,965	1,525,845	1,587,192
Selling, general and administrative expenses	65,266	73,641	203,608	222,482
Restructuring expense	939	4,245	12,361	8,005
Operating income (loss)	32,222	31,588	72,659	73,740
Interest expense	13,179	13,557	39,450	40,965
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	(68)	392	1,575	2,071
Other (income) expense, net	(682)	(311)	(1,138)	(529)
Income (loss) before taxes	19,793	17,950	32,772	31,233
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	3,695	312	8,157	4,076
Net income (loss)	16,098	17,638	24,615	27,157
Noncontrolling interests	(320)	(241)	(868)	(1,075)
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	15,778	17,397	23,747	26,082
Convertible special stock dividends	1,875	1,875	5,625	5,625
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	$ 13,903	$ 15,522	$ 18,122	$ 20,457
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	29,421	29,339	29,392	29,284
Diluted	29,530	29,474	29,496	29,459
Basic earnings per share available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders
Basic	$ 0.47	$ 0.53	$ 0.62	$ 0.70
Diluted earnings per share available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders
Diluted	0.47	0.53	0.61	0.69
Cash dividends per common share	0.205	0.205	0.615	0.615
Cash dividends per share of convertible special stock	$ 15	$ 15	$ 45	$ 45

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ 16,098	$ 17,638	$ 24,615	$ 27,157
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)		14,482	8,155	3,316	(11,864)
Defined benefit retirement plans, net of tax		609	421	1,813	1,586
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	15,091	8,576	5,129	(10,278)
Comprehensive income (loss)		31,189	26,214	29,744	16,879
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		273	370	777	481
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.		$ 30,916	$ 25,844	$ 28,967	$ 16,398
[1]	(1) All amounts presented are net of tax. All tax amounts are related to pension and other retiree benefits.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 50,130	$ 35,260
Restricted cash		1,068	8,143
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,415 at May 31, 2017 and $11,341 at August 31, 2016		411,004	376,786
Inventories		297,104	263,617
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		38,783	40,263
Assets held for sale		6,586	0
Total current assets		804,675	724,069
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and improvements		31,218	32,957
Buildings and leasehold improvements		177,468	184,291
Machinery and equipment		450,250	447,932
Furniture and fixtures		34,361	34,457
Construction in progress		28,674	20,431
Gross property, plant and equipment		721,971	720,068
Accumulated depreciation		425,486	405,246
Net property, plant and equipment		296,485	314,822
Other assets:
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets		87,141	88,161
Goodwill		260,768	257,773
Intangible assets, net		338,304	362,614
Total assets		1,787,373	1,747,439
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		339,566	280,060
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable		3,783	8,985
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits		44,458	47,569
Other accrued liabilities		69,661	67,704
Short-term debt		21,453	25,447
Total current liabilities		478,921	429,765
Long-term debt		910,132	919,349
Pension plans		147,017	145,108
Deferred income taxes		49,873	59,013
Other long-term liabilities		24,270	25,844
Total liabilities		1,610,213	1,579,079
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Convertible special stock, no par value		120,289	120,289
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized - 75,000 shares, issued - 48,529 shares at May 31, 2017 and 48,510 shares at August 31, 2016		48,529	48,510
Additional paid-in capital		277,867	275,115
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(115,501)	(120,721)
Retained earnings		219,032	219,039
Treasury stock, at cost, 19,064 shares at May 31, 2017 and 19,069 shares at August 31, 2016		(382,871)	(382,963)
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity		167,345	159,269
Noncontrolling interests		9,815	9,091
Total equity		177,160	168,360
Total liabilities and equity		$ 1,787,373	$ 1,747,439
[1]	(1) All amounts presented are net of tax. All tax amounts are related to pension and other retiree benefits.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (U5

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 10,415	$ 11,341
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000	75,000
Common stock, shares issued	48,529	48,510
Treasury stock, shares	19,064	19,069

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 24,615	$ 27,157
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation	32,455	37,347
Amortization	26,381	30,163
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	(9,539)	(2,395)
Pension, postretirement benefits and other compensation	5,302	3,161
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(32,841)	2,574
Inventories	(32,694)	19,900
Accounts payable	64,795	(8,145)
Income taxes	(5,122)	(9,955)
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	(1,131)	2,583
Other assets and long-term liabilities	1,345	(6,718)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	73,566	95,672
Investing activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(30,719)	(34,618)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	2,750	1,184
Other investing activities	125	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(27,844)	(33,434)
Financing activities
Cash dividends paid to special stockholders	(5,625)	(5,625)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(18,129)	(18,012)
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(2,283)	2,780
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	283,943	124,671
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(228,973)	(112,470)
Repayments of other long-term debt and capital leases	(66,735)	(97,978)
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	(53)	0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	143	213
Redemptions of common stock	(711)	(1,077)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(38,423)	(107,498)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	496	(2,186)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	7,795	(47,446)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	43,403	96,872
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$ 51,198	$ 49,426

Consolidated Statements of Cas7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Reconciliation - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,130	$ 35,260	$ 47,019
Restricted cash	1,068	8,143	2,407
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$ 51,198	$ 43,403	$ 49,426	$ 96,872

General

General	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
General [Abstract]
GENERAL	GENERAL The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included for A. Schulman, Inc. (the “Company”) reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017 . The accounting policies for the periods presented are the same as described in Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . Restricted Cash Restricted cash of $1.1 million as of May 31, 2017 represents cash and cash equivalents held in an escrow account for the future cash settlement of a commitment to a local government. The cash will be paid over the next 12 months. Restricted cash of $8.1 million as of August 31, 2016 included proceeds from tax return refunds for certain Citadel acquisition entities for periods prior to the Company's ownership. These tax refunds were repaid to the seller during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Assets Held for Sale During fiscal 2017, the Company began actively marketing for sale certain properties and machinery and equipment at recently closed plants in the U.S. and Europe. As of May 31, 2017 , the Company has $6.6 million of assets held for sale classified on the consolidated balance sheet that represents the net book value of these properties along with certain machinery and equipment. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company sold one facility in Evansville, Indiana for $2.2 million and recognized a gain of $0.2 million . We expect the sale of those assets to be completed within the next twelve months and have, accordingly, presented the held for sale assets as current. Proceeds from the sale of the assets will be used for general Corporate purposes. Based on the present real estate market and discussions with the Company's real estate adviser, no impairment of the recorded amounts has occurred as of May 31, 2017 . Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2017 presentation.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [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 USCAN LATAM APAC EC Total (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 54,031 $ 116,369 $ 11,928 $ 936 $ 74,509 $ 257,773 Translation 1,695 — 1,150 (27 ) 177 2,995 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 55,726 $ 116,369 $ 13,078 $ 909 $ 74,686 $ 260,768 During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the operating results of the USCAN Performance Materials reporting unit ("USCAN PM") significantly declined below originally forecasted results primarily due to ongoing plant consolidation complexities and related higher plant operational costs. The manufacturing operational challenges included higher levels of manufacturing scrap, as well as related higher overtime and temporary labor costs. The decline in actual operating results led the Company to reorganize its USCAN PM manufacturing leadership during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company concluded that the financial performance and manufacturing leadership changes were a triggering event for review of goodwill for potential impairment. Accordingly, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment review for USCAN PM as of May 1, 2017. Upon completion of the interim impairment review, the Company noted no impairment. The Company is not aware of any triggering events that would require a goodwill impairment test for other reporting units as of May 31, 2017 . The following table summarizes intangible assets with finite useful lives by major category: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount (In thousands) Customer related $ 359,398 $ (86,861 ) $ 272,537 $ 359,713 $ (67,207 ) $ 292,506 Developed technology 72,749 (17,354 ) 55,395 72,657 (13,864 ) 58,793 Registered trademarks and tradenames 17,995 (7,623 ) 10,372 18,097 (6,782 ) 11,315 Total finite-lived intangible assets $ 450,142 $ (111,838 ) $ 338,304 $ 450,467 $ (87,853 ) $ 362,614 Amortization expense of intangible assets was $8.0 million and $24.0 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 , respectively, and $9.3 million and $27.9 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 , respectively.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arran

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS The following table summarizes short-term and long-term debt: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 (In thousands) Notes payable and other, due within one year $ 7,953 $ 10,333 Current portion of long-term debt 13,500 15,114 Short-term debt $ 21,453 $ 25,447 Revolving credit facility, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2020 $ 71,942 $ 17,279 Term Loan A, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2020 170,000 177,500 U.S. Term Loan B, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2022 298,963 341,407 Euro Term Loan B, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2022 — 14,678 Senior notes, 6.875%, due June 2023 375,000 375,000 Capital leases and other long-term debt 3,340 3,727 Unamortized debt issuance costs (9,113 ) (10,242 ) Long-term debt $ 910,132 $ 919,349 On May 26, 2015, the Company issued $375.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) in a private transaction initially exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). In connection with the sale of the Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the representatives of the initial purchasers of the Notes (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) that, among other things, obligated the Company to complete an offer to exchange the Notes for a new issue of substantially identical exchange notes (the “Exchange Offer”) registered under the Securities Act. The interest rate on the Notes temporarily increased in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement during the period between November 17, 2016 to, but not including, the date of the completion of the Exchange Offer on March 21, 2017. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. For a detailed discussion of the Company's long-term debt and credit arrangements, refer to Note 5 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . The Company is in compliance with its debt covenants as of May 31, 2017 . The Company prepaid $56.0 million on its term debt, in addition to normal required payments of $10.1 million , during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 .

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [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: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Assets recorded at fair value: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,052 $ — $ 1,052 $ — $ 487 $ — $ 487 $ — Liabilities recorded at fair value: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 277 $ — $ 277 $ — $ 951 $ — $ 951 $ — 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 fair value of the Company’s long-term fixed-rate debt, based on quoted market prices, was $399.0 million as of May 31, 2017 . The fair value of the Company's long-term fixed-rate debt, estimated using prevailing market interest rates on debt with similar creditworthiness, terms and maturities, was $378.8 million as of August 31, 2016 . The carrying value of this debt was $375.0 million as of May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 , respectively. 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 $75.7 million and $115.9 million as of May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 , 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 creditworthy 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 May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 . For a discussion of the Company’s fair value measurement policies under the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 1 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . The Company has not changed its valuation techniques for measuring the fair value of any financial assets or liabilities during fiscal 2017 , 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 period presented. Additionally, the Company remeasures certain assets to fair value, using Level 3 measurements, as a result of the occurrence of triggering events. There were no significant assets or liabilities that were remeasured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the period presented.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES The effective tax rate was 18.7% and 24.9% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 , respectively, and 1.7% and 13.1% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 , respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2017 as compared with the same period last year is primarily related to adjustments for prior year taxes for the three months ended May 31, 2016 and earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2017 as compared with the same period last year is primarily related to an increase in uncertain tax positions, earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates and a benefit recorded in the prior period for the extension of certain expired tax provisions. We record quarterly taxes based on overall estimated annual effective tax rates. The difference between our effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate in the current year is primarily attributable to our overall foreign rate being less than the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate partially offset by an increase in the amount of uncertain tax positions recorded. As of May 31, 2017 , the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled $3.6 million . If recognized, $2.7 million of the total unrecognized tax benefits would favorably affect the Company's effective tax rate. The uncertain tax positions decreased by $1.0 million during the three months ended May 31, 2017 related to a settlement reached with a taxing authority and subsequent payment of tax. 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. The Company reports interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of May 31, 2017 , the Company had $1.3 million of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s statute of limitations is open in various jurisdictions as follows: Germany - from 2005 onward, France - from 2010 onward, U.S. - from 2013 onward, Belgium - from 2014 onward, other foreign jurisdictions - from 2011 onward.

Pension and Postretirement Bene

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans are shown below: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Defined benefit pension plans: Service cost $ 1,370 $ 1,306 $ 4,109 $ 3,875 Interest cost 581 1,056 1,738 3,160 Expected return on plan assets (374 ) (484 ) (1,117 ) (1,473 ) Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) 981 726 2,939 2,162 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,558 $ 2,604 $ 7,669 $ 7,724 Other postretirement benefit plan: Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ 3 $ 3 Interest cost 63 97 189 291 Prior service cost (credit) (135 ) (149 ) (406 ) (447 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (71 ) $ (51 ) $ (214 ) $ (153 )

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity is as follows: Convertible Special Stock Common Stock ($1 par value) Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Non-controlling Interests Total Equity (In thousands, except per share data) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 120,289 $ 48,510 $ 275,115 $ (120,721 ) $ 219,039 $ (382,963 ) $ 9,091 $ 168,360 Comprehensive income (loss) 5,220 23,747 777 29,744 Cash dividends paid on convertible special stock, $45.00 per share (5,625 ) (5,625 ) Cash dividends paid on common stock, $0.615 per share (18,129 ) (18,129 ) Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests (53 ) (53 ) Issuance of treasury stock 51 92 143 Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures 41 (41 ) — Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings (22 ) (689 ) (711 ) Share-based compensation plans 3,431 3,431 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 120,289 $ 48,529 $ 277,867 $ (115,501 ) $ 219,032 $ (382,871 ) $ 9,815 $ 177,160 For a detailed discussion of the Company's convertible special stock, refer to Note 9 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . There have been no fundamental changes in the Company's convertible special stock as of May 31, 2017 or August 31, 2016 .

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Disclosure of Reclassification Amount [Text Block]	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (1) : Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of February 28, 2017 $ (80,840 ) $ (49,800 ) $ (130,640 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,482 — 14,482 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 609 (2) 609 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 14,482 609 15,091 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (48 ) — (48 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 14,530 609 15,139 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ (66,310 ) $ (49,191 ) $ (115,501 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ (69,717 ) $ (51,004 ) $ (120,721 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 3,316 — 3,316 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 1,813 (2) 1,813 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 3,316 1,813 5,129 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (91 ) — (91 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 3,407 1,813 5,220 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ (66,310 ) $ (49,191 ) $ (115,501 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of February 29, 2016 $ (68,858 ) $ (32,733 ) $ (101,591 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 8,155 — 8,155 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 421 (2) 421 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 8,155 421 8,576 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to 129 — 129 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 8,026 421 8,447 Balance as of May 31, 2016 $ (60,832 ) $ (32,312 ) $ (93,144 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2015 $ (49,562 ) $ (33,898 ) $ (83,460 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (11,864 ) — (11,864 ) Amounts reclassified to earnings — 1,586 (2) 1,586 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (11,864 ) 1,586 (10,278 ) Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (594 ) — (594 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. (11,270 ) 1,586 (9,684 ) Balance as of May 31, 2016 $ (60,832 ) $ (32,312 ) $ (93,144 ) (1) All amounts presented are net of tax. All tax amounts are related to pension and other retiree benefits. (2) Amounts represent amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service costs and are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of sales and selling, general & administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. Refer to Note 6 of this Form 10-Q for further details.

Share-Based Incentive Compensat

Share-Based Incentive Compensation Plans	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017, the Company granted 234,620 and 227,220 shares of time-based and performance-based awards, respectively, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $29.47 and $32.55 per share, respectively. Vesting of the ultimate number of shares underlying a portion of these performance-based awards, if any, will be dependent upon the Company's return on invested capital ("ROIC") while vesting for the remaining performance-based awards, if any, will be dependent upon the Company's cumulative earnings per share ("Cumulative EPS"), both over a three-year performance period. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company granted 25,000 shares of unrestricted common stock to Joseph M. Gingo related to the terms and conditions of his new employment agreement as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. The Company also granted non-employee directors a total of 16,317 shares of unrestricted common stock in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Additionally, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company granted 173,200 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $32.55 and a weighted average fair value of $10.41 . The fair value of the stock options was estimated using a Black Scholes model with the following assumptions: Expected term: 6.5 years Risk-free rate: 2.22% Volatility: 39.1% Dividend yield: 2.52% There were no grants of share-based incentive compensation during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The following table summarizes the impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from share-based incentive compensation plans, which is primarily included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards (1) $ 775 $ (151 ) $ 2,122 $ 1,116 Stock options 130 — 198 — Unrestricted awards — — 1,253 564 Total share-based incentive compensation $ 905 $ (151 ) $ 3,573 $ 1,680 (1) The benefit related to the performance-based restricted stock awards for the three months ended May 31, 2016 reflects reduced attainment percentages. Total unrecognized compensation cost, including a provision for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements as of May 31, 2017 was $6.9 million . This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. As of May 31, 2017 , there were 259,011 shares of common stock available for grant pursuant to the Company's 2010 Rewards Plan and 703,521 shares of common stock available for grant pursuant to the Company's 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. For further discussion of the Company's share-based incentive compensation plans, refer to Note 11 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
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 as well as the impact of restricted stock awards expected to vest, which combined would then share in the earnings of the Company. Dividends on convertible special stock that an issuer has paid or intends to pay are deducted from net income or added to the amount of a net loss in computing income available to common stockholders. The difference between basic and diluted weighted-average shares results from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, calculated using the treasury stock method, and the inclusion of the convertible special stock dividends, calculated using the if-converted method. The Company computes income available to common stockholders by deducting dividends accumulated on the convertible special stock from net income attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. The convertible special stock does not impact the denominator of basic EPS. The dilutive effect of convertible special stock is reflected in diluted EPS by application of the if-converted method. In applying the if-converted method, conversion shall not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted EPS if the effect would be anti-dilutive. The convertible special stock is anti-dilutive whenever the amount of the dividend declared in or accumulated for the current period per share on conversion exceeds basic EPS. For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 , the accumulated dividend per share on conversion exceeded basic EPS, therefore the 2,388,913 shares related to the convertible special stock were considered anti-dilutive. The following table presents the number of incremental weighted-average shares used in computing diluted per share amounts: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic 29,421 29,339 29,392 29,284 Incremental shares from equity awards 109 135 104 175 Incremental shares from convertible special stock — — — — Diluted 29,530 29,474 29,496 29,459 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 excludes 173,200 and 89,455 shares, respectively, related to equity awards, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 excludes 1,132 and 5,264 shares, respectively, related to equity awards, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The increase in diluted weighted average shares outstanding which have been excluded for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 is related to the stock options which were granted in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [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 current reportable segments: Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), United States & Canada (“USCAN”), Latin America (“LATAM”), Asia Pacific (“APAC”), and Engineered Composites ("EC"). The CODM uses net sales to unaffiliated customers, segment gross profit and segment operating income 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 and related costs 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. The following table summarizes net sales to unaffiliated customers by segment: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 318,026 $ 322,368 $ 891,000 $ 940,794 USCAN 167,881 183,338 476,217 532,437 LATAM 47,408 43,377 129,286 126,738 APAC 53,228 46,880 152,879 137,635 EC 59,252 54,476 165,091 153,815 Total net sales to unaffiliated customers $ 645,795 $ 650,439 $ 1,814,473 $ 1,891,419 Below the Company presents gross profit by segment: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 42,509 $ 49,852 $ 126,297 $ 136,489 USCAN 21,844 32,560 66,420 90,095 LATAM 9,928 9,055 28,940 27,226 APAC 9,155 8,080 27,189 24,153 EC 15,331 13,746 42,130 37,941 Total segment gross profit 98,767 113,293 290,976 315,904 Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related costs (236 ) (2,930 ) (2,101 ) (7,311 ) Costs related to acquisitions and integrations — (423 ) (57 ) (2,522 ) Lucent costs (1) (104 ) (466 ) (190 ) (1,844 ) Total gross profit $ 98,427 $ 109,474 $ 288,628 $ 304,227 Below is a reconciliation of segment operating income to operating income (loss) and income (loss) before taxes: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 19,712 $ 23,382 $ 56,006 $ 59,147 USCAN 6,474 15,576 20,416 38,166 LATAM 6,189 4,748 17,083 14,581 APAC 5,260 4,540 15,174 13,517 EC 6,759 5,031 15,981 10,583 Total segment operating income 44,394 53,277 124,660 135,994 Corporate (7,273 ) (7,489 ) (25,151 ) (23,661 ) Costs related to acquisitions and integrations — (1,443 ) (605 ) (7,570 ) Restructuring and related costs (2) (2,932 ) (9,520 ) (21,176 ) (19,959 ) Accelerated depreciation (237 ) (1,286 ) (1,060 ) (4,796 ) Lucent costs (1) (1,730 ) (1,951 ) (3,135 ) (6,268 ) Asset impairment — — (678 ) — CEO transition costs — — (196 ) — Operating income (loss) 32,222 31,588 72,659 73,740 Interest expense (13,179 ) (13,557 ) (39,450 ) (40,965 ) Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) 68 (392 ) (1,575 ) (2,071 ) Other income (expense), net 682 311 1,138 529 Income (loss) before taxes $ 19,793 $ 17,950 $ 32,772 $ 31,233 (1) Refer to Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional discussion on this matter. Lucent costs in cost of sales include additional product and manufacturing operational costs for reworking inventory. Lucent costs in selling, general and administrative expenses include legal and investigative costs. In addition, in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 , Lucent costs in SG&A also include dedicated internal personnel costs that would have otherwise been focused on normal operations. (2) Restructuring related costs for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 of $2.0 million and $8.8 million , respectively, and for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016 of $5.3 million and $12.0 million , respectively, primarily included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s statements of operations, are costs associated with professional fees for outside strategic consultants regarding actions to improve the profitability of the organization and efficiency of its operations, and costs associated with reorganizations of the legal entity structure of the Company. The remaining restructuring expenses are those included in restructuring expense in the Company’s statements of operations as permitted under ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Obligations, such as severance costs, outplacement services and contract termination costs. Globally, the Company operates in three product families: Engineered Composites, Custom Concentrates and Services, and Performance Materials. The amount and percentage of consolidated net sales for these product families are as follows: Three months ended May 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except for %'s) Engineered Composites $ 59,252 9 % $ 54,476 8 % Custom Concentrates and Services 296,917 46 300,391 47 Performance Materials 289,626 45 295,572 45 Total consolidated net sales $ 645,795 100 % $ 650,439 100 % Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except for %'s) Engineered Composites $ 165,091 9 % $ 153,815 8 % Custom Concentrates and Services 832,424 46 864,685 46 Performance Materials 816,958 45 872,919 46 Total consolidated net sales $ 1,814,473 100 % $ 1,891,419 100 %

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	RESTRUCTURING Fiscal 2017 Restructuring Plans USCAN Plan During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company approved plans to close its facility in Fontana, California and shift production to other U.S. facilities. The Company plans to reduce headcount by approximately 10 as a result of this plan upon the closure of the facility in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company recorded $0.6 million of pre-tax employee-related costs during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 , substantially all of which was recorded during the second quarter. The Company expects to incur minimal pre-tax employee-related costs and other charges during the remainder of fiscal 2017 for this plan and has a balance of $0.4 million accrued for this plan as of May 31, 2017 . Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2017 as the plan is completed. Global Product Family Simplification Plan During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company announced plans to reduce middle management and consolidate the number of product families from six to three. This action simplified the management structure and processes of the product families and allowed the Company to refocus on the priority of sales growth. The Company eliminated approximately 60 positions during fiscal 2017, primarily in EMEA and USCAN. The Company recorded $6.4 million of pre-tax employee-related costs during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 , a majority of which was recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. As of May 31, 2017 , the company has a balance of $1.4 million accrued for this plan. The Company does not expect any additional charges related to this plan. Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2017 as the plan is completed. EMEA Plans During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company announced plans to close its facility in L'Arbresle, France and shift production to other EMEA facilities. The Company reduced headcount in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 by approximately 20 as a result of this plan. The Company recorded $1.6 million of pre-tax employee-related costs during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 , the majority of these charges were recorded during the second quarter. The Company expects to incur minimal charges during the remainder of fiscal 2017 for this plan and has a balance of $1.2 million accrued for this plan as of May 31, 2017 . Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2018 as the plan is completed. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company approved plans to further streamline EMEA operations and back-office functions. The Company reduced headcount in EMEA by approximately 30 as a result of this plan. During the nine months ended May 31, 2017 , the Company recorded $1.8 million of pre-tax employee-related costs, the majority of which was recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company expects to incur minimal charges during the remainder of fiscal 2017 for this plan and has a balance of $0.5 million accrued for this plan as of May 31, 2017 . Cash payments associated with this plan are expected to occur through fiscal 2017 as the plan is completed. For discussion of the Company's previous restructuring plans, refer to Note 16 in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s restructuring plans: Employee-related Costs Other Costs Total Restructuring Costs (In thousands) Accrual balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 3,542 $ 402 $ 3,944 Fiscal 2017 charges 11,317 1,044 12,361 Fiscal 2017 payments (10,527 ) (1,423 ) (11,950 ) Translation 160 16 176 Accrual balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 4,492 $ 39 $ 4,531 Restructuring expenses are excluded from segment operating income but are attributable to the reportable segments as follows: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 832 $ 1,383 $ 9,676 $ 3,353 USCAN 90 1,699 2,370 2,423 LATAM — 49 59 213 APAC 11 79 103 110 EC 6 401 153 1,272 Corporate — 634 — 634 Total restructuring expense $ 939 $ 4,245 $ 12,361 $ 8,005

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 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, financial position or cash flows 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 it is 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. There were no material changes to the Company’s future contractual obligations as previously reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . Lucent Matter As previously reported by the Company in its filings with the SEC, on June 1, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Citadel and its subsidiaries, including its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Lucent Polymers, Inc. In August 2015, the Company discovered discrepancies between laboratory data and certifications provided by Lucent to customers and also discovered inaccuracies in materials and information provided by Lucent employees to an independent certification organization. The Company took immediate decisive actions following its initial discoveries, including, but not limited to, remediation measures, notifications to affected customers, and notification to Underwriter Laboratories. The Company also commenced an internal investigation, which revealed that the discrepancies and inaccuracies initially identified were due to practices at Lucent under its prior ownership. As a result, the Company has reformulated and rebranded its products and ceased the use of certain tradenames associated with Citadel, which resulted in the impairment of certain finite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. In addition, the Engineered Plastics business, which is now part of the Performance Materials product family, did not meet volume and revenue expectations in fiscal 2016 and the product had lower margins than planned due primarily to the remediation and changes in business practices undertaken to address the Lucent quality matter. The deterioration of results due to the aforementioned factors and economic conditions soon after the acquisition resulted in the impairment of the acquired goodwill during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. For a discussion of the goodwill and intangible asset impairments, refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. To date, no customers or other parties have initiated recalls or have made material claims against the Company. Although to date, no significant customers have terminated their relationships with the Company or its subsidiaries because of the Lucent quality matter, the matter has resulted in decreased volume and revenue, including reductions by certain significant customers. As no customer or other parties have initiated recalls, or have made material claims against the Company or its subsidiaries from the date we identified this issue in August 2015 through the date of filing, we are currently unable to conclude that losses related to recalls or claims are probable or to estimate the potential range of losses. The Company is currently unable to determine whether such issues will have any future material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations. In addition, the Company previously provided a written claim notice to the sellers and to the escrow agent with respect to the indemnity escrow established in connection with the stock purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired Citadel and its subsidiaries. As of May 31, 2017 , approximately $31.0 million remained in such indemnity escrow. As Lucent was effectively acquired by Citadel in December of 2013, the Company also submitted written claim notices pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 6, 2013, among The Matrixx Group, Incorporated, LPI Merger Sub, Inc., LPI Holding Company, River Associates Investments, LLC and certain stockholders of LPI Holding Company, pursuant to which Citadel initially acquired Lucent. The Company also submitted written claim notices pursuant to a $3.8 million representations and warranties insurance policy issued in connection with that acquisition. In June 2016, the Company filed a complaint in the Delaware Chancery Court against Citadel Plastics (the “Citadel Complaint”), as well as certain funds affiliated with the sellers and other former executives of Citadel and Lucent (the “Citadel Defendants”). In January 2017, the Court denied the defendants motion to dismiss seventeen of twenty claims. The Court's ruling sustained claims for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, civil conspiracy and violations of blue sky laws in Illinois, Ohio, California and Indiana. On February 16, 2017, the Court entered a stipulated order establishing an equitable lien over all pre-closing tax refunds payable by the Company to Citadel Plastics under the stock purchase agreement until resolution of litigation. The funds currently subject to the equitable lien are $7.5 million . The Company is seeking rescission, damages, rescissory damages, disgorgement or any other remedy deemed proper for the alleged violations as well as seeking attorneys’ fees for bringing suit. In November 2016, the Company, through its Matrixx subsidiary, filed a separate Complaint in the Delaware Chancery Court against River Associates (the “River Complaint”), as well as certain funds affiliated with the sellers and other former executives of Lucent (the “River Defendants”). In general, the River Complaint alleges similar theories (except securities violations) and seeks similar relief (except rescission) and the River Defendants have filed a similar motion to dismiss as in the Citadel litigation.

Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Accounting Standards Adopted In The Current Period In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update removing step two from the goodwill impairment test. If a reporting unit fails the quantitative impairment test, impairment expense is immediately recorded as the difference between the reporting unit's fair value and carrying value. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and is applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard effective March 1, 2017. In November 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash would be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This amendment is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard effective December 1, 2016. The Company has $1.1 million and $8.1 million of restricted cash on its consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 , respectively, whose cash flow statement classification changed to align with the new guidance. In April 2015, and as subsequently updated, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a deduction from the carrying amounts of that debt liability. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line of credit arrangements will continue to be presented as an asset. Previous guidance classified all debt issuance costs as an asset. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2016 and applied it retrospectively. The amount of debt issuance costs related to term notes retrospectively reclassified from the deferred charges and other noncurrent assets line to the long-term debt line in the consolidated balance sheet was $10.2 million at August 31, 2016. In August 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance regarding how a company considers its ability to continue as a going concern, regardless of the Company's performance or financial position. In connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity's management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2016 and noted no additional disclosures. Accounting Standards Issued, To Be Adopted By The Company In Future Periods In March 2017, the FASB issued an accounting standard update requiring that an employer report the pension service cost component in the same line items as compensation costs, but report all other components of net periodic pension cost in a line below operating income. This amendment is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company had pension service cost of $4.1 million and $3.9 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Total net periodic pension cost was $7.7 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The Company plans to adopt this standard on September 1, 2018. In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification on the statement of cash flows, and accounting for forfeitures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, and plans to adopt this standard on September 1, 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires companies to recognize a lease liability and right-of-use asset on the balance sheet for operating leases with a term greater than one year. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. The Company regularly enters into operating leases which previously did not require recognition on the balance sheet. The Company is currently evaluating the effects this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and plans to adopt this standard September 1, 2019. In May 2014, and as subsequently updated, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that creates a single revenue recognition model, while clarifying the principles for recognizing revenue. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods. The Company will adopt the new guidance on September 1, 2018. The new revenue standard may be applied using either of the following transition methods: (1) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (2) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the standard recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Company preliminarily expects to use the modified retrospective method. However, the Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the standard, and the planned adoption method is subject to change. Currently, the Company is in the process of reviewing historical sales contracts to analyze the impact that the adoption of the standard may have, if any, on the consolidated financial statements. No other new accounting pronouncements issued or with effective dates during fiscal 2017 had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Consolidating Financial Informa

Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Certain of our subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the $375.0 million outstanding principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due June 2023 (the "Notes"). The following presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately for: (i) A. Schulman Inc. (“Parent”), the issuer of the guaranteed obligations; (ii) Guarantor subsidiaries (“Guarantors”), on a combined basis, as specified in the indentures related to the Company’s obligations under the Notes; (iii) Non-guarantor subsidiaries (“Non-Guarantors”), on a combined basis; (iv) Eliminations representing adjustments to (a) eliminate intercompany transactions between or among Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors and (b) eliminate the investments in our subsidiaries; (v) A. Schulman, Inc. and Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (“Consolidated”). Each Guarantor is 100% owned by Parent for each period presented. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each Guarantor. The guarantees of the Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions. Each entity in the consolidating financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, except for the use by Parent and Guarantors of the equity method of accounting to reflect ownership interests in subsidiaries which are eliminated upon consolidation. Changes in intercompany receivables and payables related to operations, such as intercompany sales or service charges, are included in cash flows from operating activities. Intercompany transactions reported as investing or financing activities include the sale of the capital stock of various subsidiaries, loans and other capital transactions between members of the consolidated group. Certain Non-Guarantors are limited in their ability to remit funds to Parent by means of dividends, advances or loans due to required foreign government and/or currency exchange board approvals or limitations in credit agreements or other debt instruments of those subsidiaries. Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 435 $ — $ 49,695 $ — $ 50,130 Restricted cash — — 1,068 — 1,068 Accounts receivable, net 44,067 63,540 303,397 — 411,004 Accounts receivable, intercompany 32,213 17,290 25,912 (75,415 ) — Inventories 41,249 47,042 208,813 — 297,104 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,663 2,439 27,681 — 38,783 Assets held for sale 2,879 3,030 677 — 6,586 Total current assets 129,506 133,341 617,243 (75,415 ) 804,675 Net property, plant and equipment 45,443 69,920 181,122 — 296,485 Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets 90,048 4,053 62,973 (69,933 ) 87,141 Intercompany loans receivable 2,593 31,214 — (33,807 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 852,419 245,036 — (1,097,455 ) — Goodwill 26,862 110,289 123,617 — 260,768 Intangible assets, net 28,300 191,582 118,422 — 338,304 Total assets $ 1,175,171 $ 785,435 $ 1,103,377 $ (1,276,610 ) $ 1,787,373 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 42,600 $ 49,226 $ 247,740 $ — $ 339,566 Accounts payable, intercompany 17,734 42,420 15,261 (75,415 ) — U.S. and foreign income taxes payable — 306 3,477 — 3,783 Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits 7,258 7,054 30,146 — 44,458 Other accrued liabilities 26,033 6,514 37,114 — 69,661 Short-term debt 13,669 29 7,755 — 21,453 Total current liabilities 107,294 105,549 341,493 (75,415 ) 478,921 Long-term debt 884,580 48 25,504 — 910,132 Intercompany debt — — 33,807 (33,807 ) — Pension plans 2,347 1,336 143,334 — 147,017 Deferred income taxes — 72,148 47,658 (69,933 ) 49,873 Other long-term liabilities 13,605 1,040 9,625 — 24,270 Total liabilities 1,007,826 180,121 601,421 (179,155 ) 1,610,213 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Convertible special stock, no par value 120,289 — — — 120,289 Common stock 48,529 — — — 48,529 Other equity (1,473 ) 605,314 492,141 (1,097,455 ) (1,473 ) Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity 167,345 605,314 492,141 (1,097,455 ) 167,345 Noncontrolling interests — — 9,815 — 9,815 Total equity 167,345 605,314 501,956 (1,097,455 ) 177,160 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,175,171 $ 785,435 $ 1,103,377 $ (1,276,610 ) $ 1,787,373 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet August 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 35,260 $ — $ 35,260 Restricted cash 4,400 — 3,743 — 8,143 Accounts receivable, net 40,017 56,995 279,774 — 376,786 Accounts receivable, intercompany 16,245 9,906 26,839 (52,990 ) — Inventories 33,702 41,895 188,020 — 263,617 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,874 4,006 29,383 — 40,263 Total current assets 101,238 112,802 563,019 (52,990 ) 724,069 Net property, plant and equipment 52,653 77,800 184,369 — 314,822 Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets 74,463 4,205 66,038 (56,545 ) 88,161 Intercompany loans receivable 2,593 33,015 200 (35,808 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 871,441 245,202 — (1,116,643 ) — Goodwill 36,533 110,289 110,951 — 257,773 Intangible assets, net 30,316 204,026 128,272 — 362,614 Total assets $ 1,169,237 $ 787,339 $ 1,052,849 $ (1,261,986 ) $ 1,747,439 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 36,671 $ 36,157 $ 207,232 $ — $ 280,060 Accounts payable, intercompany 17,886 20,050 15,054 (52,990 ) — U.S. and foreign income taxes payable 1,242 100 7,643 — 8,985 Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits 10,326 5,980 31,263 — 47,569 Other accrued liabilities 17,684 14,195 35,825 — 67,704 Short-term debt 13,626 — 11,821 — 25,447 Total current liabilities 97,435 76,482 308,838 (52,990 ) 429,765 Long-term debt 894,441 — 24,908 — 919,349 Intercompany debt — 200 35,608 (35,808 ) — Pension plans 2,444 1,450 141,214 — 145,108 Deferred income taxes — 77,507 38,051 (56,545 ) 59,013 Other long-term liabilities 15,648 1,037 9,159 — 25,844 Total liabilities 1,009,968 156,676 557,778 (145,343 ) 1,579,079 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Convertible special stock, no par value 120,289 — — — 120,289 Common stock 48,510 — — — 48,510 Other equity (9,530 ) 630,663 485,980 (1,116,643 ) (9,530 ) Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity 159,269 630,663 485,980 (1,116,643 ) 159,269 Noncontrolling interests — — 9,091 — 9,091 Total equity 159,269 630,663 495,071 (1,116,643 ) 168,360 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,169,237 $ 787,339 $ 1,052,849 $ (1,261,986 ) $ 1,747,439 Consolidating Statement of Operations Three months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 83,124 $ 112,617 $ 460,972 $ (10,918 ) $ 645,795 Cost of sales 68,269 102,472 387,545 (10,918 ) 547,368 Selling, general and administrative expenses 9,325 13,940 42,001 — 65,266 Restructuring expense 91 6 842 — 939 Operating income (loss) 5,439 (3,801 ) 30,584 — 32,222 Interest expense 12,326 2 1,095 (244 ) 13,179 Intercompany charges 112 — 1,810 (1,922 ) — Intercompany income (589 ) (1,254 ) (79 ) 1,922 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses (1,476 ) (5 ) 1,413 — (68 ) Other (income) expense, net (66 ) (395 ) (465 ) 244 (682 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (16,111 ) (2,746 ) — 18,857 — Income (loss) before taxes 11,243 597 26,810 (18,857 ) 19,793 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (4,535 ) 259 7,971 — 3,695 Net income (loss) 15,778 338 18,839 (18,857 ) 16,098 Noncontrolling interests — — (320 ) — (320 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 15,778 338 18,519 (18,857 ) 15,778 Convertible special stock dividends 1,875 — — — 1,875 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 13,903 $ 338 $ 18,519 $ (18,857 ) $ 13,903 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 30,916 $ 264 $ 34,142 $ (34,133 ) $ 31,189 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 273 — 273 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 30,916 $ 264 $ 33,869 $ (34,133 ) $ 30,916 Consolidating Statement of Operations Three months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 83,317 $ 125,374 $ 454,276 $ (12,528 ) $ 650,439 Cost of sales 66,108 108,181 379,204 (12,528 ) 540,965 Selling, general and administrative expenses 10,976 15,789 46,876 — 73,641 Restructuring expense 1,969 496 1,780 — 4,245 Operating income (loss) 4,264 908 26,416 — 31,588 Interest expense 12,214 — 1,701 (358 ) 13,557 Intercompany charges 8 — 2,832 (2,840 ) — Intercompany income (1,621 ) (1,214 ) (5 ) 2,840 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 1,471 4 (1,083 ) — 392 Other (income) expense, net 31 (385 ) (315 ) 358 (311 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (15,794 ) 245 — 15,549 — Income (loss) before taxes 7,955 2,258 23,286 (15,549 ) 17,950 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (9,442 ) 133 9,621 — 312 Net income (loss) 17,397 2,125 13,665 (15,549 ) 17,638 Noncontrolling interests — — (241 ) — (241 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 17,397 2,125 13,424 (15,549 ) 17,397 Convertible special stock dividends 1,875 — — — 1,875 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 15,522 $ 2,125 $ 13,424 $ (15,549 ) $ 15,522 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 25,844 $ 2,128 $ 22,067 $ (23,825 ) $ 26,214 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 370 — 370 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 25,844 $ 2,128 $ 21,697 $ (23,825 ) $ 25,844 Consolidating Statement of Operations Nine months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 237,394 $ 314,222 $ 1,296,852 $ (33,995 ) $ 1,814,473 Cost of sales 196,290 283,540 1,080,010 (33,995 ) 1,525,845 Selling, general and administrative expenses 31,240 43,376 128,992 — 203,608 Restructuring expense 1,849 563 9,949 — 12,361 Operating income (loss) 8,015 (13,257 ) 77,901 — 72,659 Interest expense 36,309 28 3,879 (766 ) 39,450 Intercompany charges 120 — 6,706 (6,826 ) — Intercompany income (3,046 ) (3,687 ) (93 ) 6,826 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 532 (10 ) 1,053 — 1,575 Other (income) expense, net (413 ) (957 ) (534 ) 766 (1,138 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (34,046 ) (5,937 ) — 39,983 — Income (loss) before taxes 8,559 (2,694 ) 66,890 (39,983 ) 32,772 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (15,188 ) (5,638 ) 28,983 — 8,157 Net income (loss) 23,747 2,944 37,907 (39,983 ) 24,615 Noncontrolling interests — — (868 ) — (868 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 23,747 2,944 37,039 (39,983 ) 23,747 Convertible special stock dividends 5,625 — — — 5,625 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 18,122 $ 2,944 $ 37,039 $ (39,983 ) $ 18,122 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 28,967 $ 2,604 $ 43,284 $ (45,111 ) $ 29,744 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 777 — 777 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 28,967 $ 2,604 $ 42,507 $ (45,111 ) $ 28,967 Consolidating Statement of Operations Nine months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 243,718 $ 357,304 $ 1,326,593 $ (36,196 ) $ 1,891,419 Cost of sales 198,532 311,628 1,113,228 (36,196 ) 1,587,192 Selling, general and administrative expenses 35,901 49,335 137,246 — 222,482 Restructuring expense 2,542 1,518 3,945 — 8,005 Operating income (loss) 6,743 (5,177 ) 72,174 — 73,740 Interest expense 36,129 5 6,131 (1,300 ) 40,965 Intercompany charges 21 64 8,665 (8,750 ) — Intercompany income (5,234 ) (3,509 ) (7 ) 8,750 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 2,206 (113 ) (22 ) — 2,071 Other (income) expense, net (21 ) (727 ) (1,081 ) 1,300 (529 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (44,421 ) 1,413 — 43,008 — Income (loss) before taxes 18,063 (2,310 ) 58,488 (43,008 ) 31,233 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (8,019 ) 528 11,567 — 4,076 Net income (loss) 26,082 (2,838 ) 46,921 (43,008 ) 27,157 Noncontrolling interests — — (1,075 ) — (1,075 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 26,082 (2,838 ) 45,846 (43,008 ) 26,082 Convertible special stock dividends 5,625 — — — 5,625 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 20,457 $ (2,838 ) $ 45,846 $ (43,008 ) $ 20,457 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 16,398 $ (3,702 ) $ 36,075 $ (31,892 ) $ 16,879 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 481 — 481 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 16,398 $ (3,702 ) $ 35,594 $ (31,892 ) $ 16,398 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Operating activities: Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities $ 38,871 $ 3,544 $ 76,573 $ (45,422 ) $ 73,566 Investing activities Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (7,082 ) (4,687 ) (18,950 ) — (30,719 ) Proceeds from the sale of assets 104 2,226 420 — 2,750 Other investing activities — 125 — — 125 Intercompany investments (228 ) (1,166 ) — 1,394 — Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities (7,206 ) (3,502 ) (18,530 ) 1,394 (27,844 ) Financing activities: Cash dividends paid to common stockholders (18,129 ) — — — (18,129 ) Cash dividends paid to special stockholders (5,625 ) — — — (5,625 ) Intercompany dividends paid — — (45,422 ) 45,422 — Increase (decrease) in short-term debt — — (2,283 ) — (2,283 ) Borrowings on long-term debt 153,200 — 130,743 — 283,943 Repayments on long-term debt including current portion (164,508 ) (42 ) (131,158 ) — (295,708 ) Noncontrolling interests' distributions — — (53 ) — (53 ) Issuances of stock, common and treasury 143 — — — 143 Redemptions of common stock (711 ) — — — (711 ) Intercompany equity contributions received — — 1,394 (1,394 ) — Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities (35,630 ) (42 ) (46,779 ) 44,028 (38,423 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — — 496 — 496 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (3,965 ) — 11,760 — 7,795 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 4,400 — 39,003 — 43,403 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 435 $ — $ 50,763 $ — $ 51,198 Cash and cash equivalents $ 435 $ — $ 49,695 $ — $ 50,130 Restricted cash — — 1,068 — 1,068 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 435 $ — $ 50,763 $ — $ 51,198 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Operating activities: Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities $ 14,489 $ 5,244 $ 76,695 $ (756 ) $ 95,672 Investing activities Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (8,930 ) (5,399 ) (20,289 ) — (34,618 ) Proceeds from the sale of assets 263 155 766 — 1,184 Intercompany investments (140 ) — — 140 — Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities (8,807 ) (5,244 ) (19,523 ) 140 (33,434 ) Financing activities: Cash dividends paid to common stockholders (18,012 ) — — — (18,012 ) Cash dividends paid to special stockholders (5,625 ) — — — (5,625 ) Intercompany dividends paid — — (756 ) 756 — Increase (decrease) in short-term debt — — 2,780 — 2,780 Borrowings on long-term debt 92,200 — 32,471 — 124,671 Repayments on long-term debt including current portion (89,935 ) — (120,513 ) — (210,448 ) Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments) 11,081 — (11,081 ) — — Issuances of stock, common and treasury 213 — — — 213 Redemptions of common stock (1,077 ) — — — (1,077 ) Intercompany equity contributions received — — 140 (140 ) — Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities (11,155 ) — (96,959 ) 616 (107,498 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — — (2,186 ) — (2,186 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (5,473 ) — (41,973 ) — (47,446 ) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 7,090 — 89,782 — 96,872 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 1,617 $ — $ 47,809 $ — $ 49,426 Cash and cash equivalents — — 47,019 — 47,019 Restricted cash 1,617 — 790 — 2,407 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 1,617 — 47,809 — 49,426

General (Policies)

General (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
General [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting	The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included for A. Schulman, Inc. (the “Company”) reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . The results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017 . The accounting policies for the periods presented are the same as described in Note 1 – Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016 . Restricted Cash Restricted cash of $1.1 million as of May 31, 2017 represents cash and cash equivalents held in an escrow account for the future cash settlement of a commitment to a local government. The cash will be paid over the next 12 months. Restricted cash of $8.1 million as of August 31, 2016 included proceeds from tax return refunds for certain Citadel acquisition entities for periods prior to the Company's ownership. These tax refunds were repaid to the seller during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Assets Held for Sale During fiscal 2017, the Company began actively marketing for sale certain properties and machinery and equipment at recently closed plants in the U.S. and Europe. As of May 31, 2017 , the Company has $6.6 million of assets held for sale classified on the consolidated balance sheet that represents the net book value of these properties along with certain machinery and equipment. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company sold one facility in Evansville, Indiana for $2.2 million and recognized a gain of $0.2 million . We expect the sale of those assets to be completed within the next twelve months and have, accordingly, presented the held for sale assets as current. Proceeds from the sale of the assets will be used for general Corporate purposes. Based on the present real estate market and discussions with the Company's real estate adviser, no impairment of the recorded amounts has occurred as of May 31, 2017 .

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The changes in the Company's carrying value of goodwill are as follows: EMEA USCAN LATAM APAC EC Total (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 54,031 $ 116,369 $ 11,928 $ 936 $ 74,509 $ 257,773 Translation 1,695 — 1,150 (27 ) 177 2,995 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 55,726 $ 116,369 $ 13,078 $ 909 $ 74,686 $ 260,768
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes intangible assets with finite useful lives by major category: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount (In thousands) Customer related $ 359,398 $ (86,861 ) $ 272,537 $ 359,713 $ (67,207 ) $ 292,506 Developed technology 72,749 (17,354 ) 55,395 72,657 (13,864 ) 58,793 Registered trademarks and tradenames 17,995 (7,623 ) 10,372 18,097 (6,782 ) 11,315 Total finite-lived intangible assets $ 450,142 $ (111,838 ) $ 338,304 $ 450,467 $ (87,853 ) $ 362,614

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arr25

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements Schedule of Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes short-term and long-term debt: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 (In thousands) Notes payable and other, due within one year $ 7,953 $ 10,333 Current portion of long-term debt 13,500 15,114 Short-term debt $ 21,453 $ 25,447 Revolving credit facility, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2020 $ 71,942 $ 17,279 Term Loan A, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2020 170,000 177,500 U.S. Term Loan B, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2022 298,963 341,407 Euro Term Loan B, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2022 — 14,678 Senior notes, 6.875%, due June 2023 375,000 375,000 Capital leases and other long-term debt 3,340 3,727 Unamortized debt issuance costs (9,113 ) (10,242 ) Long-term debt $ 910,132 $ 919,349

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [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: May 31, 2017 August 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Assets recorded at fair value: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 1,052 $ — $ 1,052 $ — $ 487 $ — $ 487 $ — Liabilities recorded at fair value: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 277 $ — $ 277 $ — $ 951 $ — $ 951 $ —

Pension and Postretirement Be27

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans are shown below: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Defined benefit pension plans: Service cost $ 1,370 $ 1,306 $ 4,109 $ 3,875 Interest cost 581 1,056 1,738 3,160 Expected return on plan assets (374 ) (484 ) (1,117 ) (1,473 ) Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) 981 726 2,939 2,162 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,558 $ 2,604 $ 7,669 $ 7,724 Other postretirement benefit plan: Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ 3 $ 3 Interest cost 63 97 189 291 Prior service cost (credit) (135 ) (149 ) (406 ) (447 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) $ (71 ) $ (51 ) $ (214 ) $ (153 )

Consolidated Statement of Sto28

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity is as follows: Convertible Special Stock Common Stock ($1 par value) Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Non-controlling Interests Total Equity (In thousands, except per share data) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 120,289 $ 48,510 $ 275,115 $ (120,721 ) $ 219,039 $ (382,963 ) $ 9,091 $ 168,360 Comprehensive income (loss) 5,220 23,747 777 29,744 Cash dividends paid on convertible special stock, $45.00 per share (5,625 ) (5,625 ) Cash dividends paid on common stock, $0.615 per share (18,129 ) (18,129 ) Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests (53 ) (53 ) Issuance of treasury stock 51 92 143 Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures 41 (41 ) — Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings (22 ) (689 ) (711 ) Share-based compensation plans 3,431 3,431 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 120,289 $ 48,529 $ 277,867 $ (115,501 ) $ 219,032 $ (382,871 ) $ 9,815 $ 177,160

Reclassification Out of Accumul

Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (1) : Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of February 28, 2017 $ (80,840 ) $ (49,800 ) $ (130,640 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,482 — 14,482 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 609 (2) 609 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 14,482 609 15,091 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (48 ) — (48 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 14,530 609 15,139 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ (66,310 ) $ (49,191 ) $ (115,501 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2016 $ (69,717 ) $ (51,004 ) $ (120,721 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 3,316 — 3,316 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 1,813 (2) 1,813 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 3,316 1,813 5,129 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (91 ) — (91 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 3,407 1,813 5,220 Balance as of May 31, 2017 $ (66,310 ) $ (49,191 ) $ (115,501 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of February 29, 2016 $ (68,858 ) $ (32,733 ) $ (101,591 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 8,155 — 8,155 Amounts reclassified to earnings — 421 (2) 421 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 8,155 421 8,576 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to 129 — 129 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 8,026 421 8,447 Balance as of May 31, 2016 $ (60,832 ) $ (32,312 ) $ (93,144 ) Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2015 $ (49,562 ) $ (33,898 ) $ (83,460 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (11,864 ) — (11,864 ) Amounts reclassified to earnings — 1,586 (2) 1,586 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (11,864 ) 1,586 (10,278 ) Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to (594 ) — (594 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. (11,270 ) 1,586 (9,684 ) Balance as of May 31, 2016 $ (60,832 ) $ (32,312 ) $ (93,144 )

Share-Based Incentive Compens30

Share-Based Incentive Compensation Plans Share-Based Incentive Compensation Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the impact to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from share-based incentive compensation plans, which is primarily included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards (1) $ 775 $ (151 ) $ 2,122 $ 1,116 Stock options 130 — 198 — Unrestricted awards — — 1,253 564 Total share-based incentive compensation $ 905 $ (151 ) $ 3,573 $ 1,680

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the number of incremental weighted-average shares used in computing diluted per share amounts: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic 29,421 29,339 29,392 29,284 Incremental shares from equity awards 109 135 104 175 Incremental shares from convertible special stock — — — — Diluted 29,530 29,474 29,496 29,459

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes net sales to unaffiliated customers by segment: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 318,026 $ 322,368 $ 891,000 $ 940,794 USCAN 167,881 183,338 476,217 532,437 LATAM 47,408 43,377 129,286 126,738 APAC 53,228 46,880 152,879 137,635 EC 59,252 54,476 165,091 153,815 Total net sales to unaffiliated customers $ 645,795 $ 650,439 $ 1,814,473 $ 1,891,419 Below the Company presents gross profit by segment: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 42,509 $ 49,852 $ 126,297 $ 136,489 USCAN 21,844 32,560 66,420 90,095 LATAM 9,928 9,055 28,940 27,226 APAC 9,155 8,080 27,189 24,153 EC 15,331 13,746 42,130 37,941 Total segment gross profit 98,767 113,293 290,976 315,904 Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related costs (236 ) (2,930 ) (2,101 ) (7,311 ) Costs related to acquisitions and integrations — (423 ) (57 ) (2,522 ) Lucent costs (1) (104 ) (466 ) (190 ) (1,844 ) Total gross profit $ 98,427 $ 109,474 $ 288,628 $ 304,227 Below is a reconciliation of segment operating income to operating income (loss) and income (loss) before taxes: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 19,712 $ 23,382 $ 56,006 $ 59,147 USCAN 6,474 15,576 20,416 38,166 LATAM 6,189 4,748 17,083 14,581 APAC 5,260 4,540 15,174 13,517 EC 6,759 5,031 15,981 10,583 Total segment operating income 44,394 53,277 124,660 135,994 Corporate (7,273 ) (7,489 ) (25,151 ) (23,661 ) Costs related to acquisitions and integrations — (1,443 ) (605 ) (7,570 ) Restructuring and related costs (2) (2,932 ) (9,520 ) (21,176 ) (19,959 ) Accelerated depreciation (237 ) (1,286 ) (1,060 ) (4,796 ) Lucent costs (1) (1,730 ) (1,951 ) (3,135 ) (6,268 ) Asset impairment — — (678 ) — CEO transition costs — — (196 ) — Operating income (loss) 32,222 31,588 72,659 73,740 Interest expense (13,179 ) (13,557 ) (39,450 ) (40,965 ) Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) 68 (392 ) (1,575 ) (2,071 ) Other income (expense), net 682 311 1,138 529 Income (loss) before taxes $ 19,793 $ 17,950 $ 32,772 $ 31,233
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	Three months ended May 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except for %'s) Engineered Composites $ 59,252 9 % $ 54,476 8 % Custom Concentrates and Services 296,917 46 300,391 47 Performance Materials 289,626 45 295,572 45 Total consolidated net sales $ 645,795 100 % $ 650,439 100 % Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except for %'s) Engineered Composites $ 165,091 9 % $ 153,815 8 % Custom Concentrates and Services 832,424 46 864,685 46 Performance Materials 816,958 45 872,919 46 Total consolidated net sales $ 1,814,473 100 % $ 1,891,419 100 %

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s restructuring plans: Employee-related Costs Other Costs Total Restructuring Costs (In thousands) Accrual balance as of August 31, 2016 $ 3,542 $ 402 $ 3,944 Fiscal 2017 charges 11,317 1,044 12,361 Fiscal 2017 payments (10,527 ) (1,423 ) (11,950 ) Translation 160 16 176 Accrual balance as of May 31, 2017 $ 4,492 $ 39 $ 4,531
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs by Segment [Table Text Block]	Restructuring expenses are excluded from segment operating income but are attributable to the reportable segments as follows: Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) EMEA $ 832 $ 1,383 $ 9,676 $ 3,353 USCAN 90 1,699 2,370 2,423 LATAM — 49 59 213 APAC 11 79 103 110 EC 6 401 153 1,272 Corporate — 634 — 634 Total restructuring expense $ 939 $ 4,245 $ 12,361 $ 8,005

Consolidating Financial Infor34

Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 435 $ — $ 49,695 $ — $ 50,130 Restricted cash — — 1,068 — 1,068 Accounts receivable, net 44,067 63,540 303,397 — 411,004 Accounts receivable, intercompany 32,213 17,290 25,912 (75,415 ) — Inventories 41,249 47,042 208,813 — 297,104 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,663 2,439 27,681 — 38,783 Assets held for sale 2,879 3,030 677 — 6,586 Total current assets 129,506 133,341 617,243 (75,415 ) 804,675 Net property, plant and equipment 45,443 69,920 181,122 — 296,485 Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets 90,048 4,053 62,973 (69,933 ) 87,141 Intercompany loans receivable 2,593 31,214 — (33,807 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 852,419 245,036 — (1,097,455 ) — Goodwill 26,862 110,289 123,617 — 260,768 Intangible assets, net 28,300 191,582 118,422 — 338,304 Total assets $ 1,175,171 $ 785,435 $ 1,103,377 $ (1,276,610 ) $ 1,787,373 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 42,600 $ 49,226 $ 247,740 $ — $ 339,566 Accounts payable, intercompany 17,734 42,420 15,261 (75,415 ) — U.S. and foreign income taxes payable — 306 3,477 — 3,783 Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits 7,258 7,054 30,146 — 44,458 Other accrued liabilities 26,033 6,514 37,114 — 69,661 Short-term debt 13,669 29 7,755 — 21,453 Total current liabilities 107,294 105,549 341,493 (75,415 ) 478,921 Long-term debt 884,580 48 25,504 — 910,132 Intercompany debt — — 33,807 (33,807 ) — Pension plans 2,347 1,336 143,334 — 147,017 Deferred income taxes — 72,148 47,658 (69,933 ) 49,873 Other long-term liabilities 13,605 1,040 9,625 — 24,270 Total liabilities 1,007,826 180,121 601,421 (179,155 ) 1,610,213 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Convertible special stock, no par value 120,289 — — — 120,289 Common stock 48,529 — — — 48,529 Other equity (1,473 ) 605,314 492,141 (1,097,455 ) (1,473 ) Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity 167,345 605,314 492,141 (1,097,455 ) 167,345 Noncontrolling interests — — 9,815 — 9,815 Total equity 167,345 605,314 501,956 (1,097,455 ) 177,160 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,175,171 $ 785,435 $ 1,103,377 $ (1,276,610 ) $ 1,787,373 Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet August 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 35,260 $ — $ 35,260 Restricted cash 4,400 — 3,743 — 8,143 Accounts receivable, net 40,017 56,995 279,774 — 376,786 Accounts receivable, intercompany 16,245 9,906 26,839 (52,990 ) — Inventories 33,702 41,895 188,020 — 263,617 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,874 4,006 29,383 — 40,263 Total current assets 101,238 112,802 563,019 (52,990 ) 724,069 Net property, plant and equipment 52,653 77,800 184,369 — 314,822 Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets 74,463 4,205 66,038 (56,545 ) 88,161 Intercompany loans receivable 2,593 33,015 200 (35,808 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 871,441 245,202 — (1,116,643 ) — Goodwill 36,533 110,289 110,951 — 257,773 Intangible assets, net 30,316 204,026 128,272 — 362,614 Total assets $ 1,169,237 $ 787,339 $ 1,052,849 $ (1,261,986 ) $ 1,747,439 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 36,671 $ 36,157 $ 207,232 $ — $ 280,060 Accounts payable, intercompany 17,886 20,050 15,054 (52,990 ) — U.S. and foreign income taxes payable 1,242 100 7,643 — 8,985 Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits 10,326 5,980 31,263 — 47,569 Other accrued liabilities 17,684 14,195 35,825 — 67,704 Short-term debt 13,626 — 11,821 — 25,447 Total current liabilities 97,435 76,482 308,838 (52,990 ) 429,765 Long-term debt 894,441 — 24,908 — 919,349 Intercompany debt — 200 35,608 (35,808 ) — Pension plans 2,444 1,450 141,214 — 145,108 Deferred income taxes — 77,507 38,051 (56,545 ) 59,013 Other long-term liabilities 15,648 1,037 9,159 — 25,844 Total liabilities 1,009,968 156,676 557,778 (145,343 ) 1,579,079 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Convertible special stock, no par value 120,289 — — — 120,289 Common stock 48,510 — — — 48,510 Other equity (9,530 ) 630,663 485,980 (1,116,643 ) (9,530 ) Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity 159,269 630,663 485,980 (1,116,643 ) 159,269 Noncontrolling interests — — 9,091 — 9,091 Total equity 159,269 630,663 495,071 (1,116,643 ) 168,360 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,169,237 $ 787,339 $ 1,052,849 $ (1,261,986 ) $ 1,747,439
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Consolidating Statement of Operations Three months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 83,124 $ 112,617 $ 460,972 $ (10,918 ) $ 645,795 Cost of sales 68,269 102,472 387,545 (10,918 ) 547,368 Selling, general and administrative expenses 9,325 13,940 42,001 — 65,266 Restructuring expense 91 6 842 — 939 Operating income (loss) 5,439 (3,801 ) 30,584 — 32,222 Interest expense 12,326 2 1,095 (244 ) 13,179 Intercompany charges 112 — 1,810 (1,922 ) — Intercompany income (589 ) (1,254 ) (79 ) 1,922 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses (1,476 ) (5 ) 1,413 — (68 ) Other (income) expense, net (66 ) (395 ) (465 ) 244 (682 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (16,111 ) (2,746 ) — 18,857 — Income (loss) before taxes 11,243 597 26,810 (18,857 ) 19,793 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (4,535 ) 259 7,971 — 3,695 Net income (loss) 15,778 338 18,839 (18,857 ) 16,098 Noncontrolling interests — — (320 ) — (320 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 15,778 338 18,519 (18,857 ) 15,778 Convertible special stock dividends 1,875 — — — 1,875 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 13,903 $ 338 $ 18,519 $ (18,857 ) $ 13,903 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 30,916 $ 264 $ 34,142 $ (34,133 ) $ 31,189 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 273 — 273 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 30,916 $ 264 $ 33,869 $ (34,133 ) $ 30,916 Consolidating Statement of Operations Three months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 83,317 $ 125,374 $ 454,276 $ (12,528 ) $ 650,439 Cost of sales 66,108 108,181 379,204 (12,528 ) 540,965 Selling, general and administrative expenses 10,976 15,789 46,876 — 73,641 Restructuring expense 1,969 496 1,780 — 4,245 Operating income (loss) 4,264 908 26,416 — 31,588 Interest expense 12,214 — 1,701 (358 ) 13,557 Intercompany charges 8 — 2,832 (2,840 ) — Intercompany income (1,621 ) (1,214 ) (5 ) 2,840 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 1,471 4 (1,083 ) — 392 Other (income) expense, net 31 (385 ) (315 ) 358 (311 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (15,794 ) 245 — 15,549 — Income (loss) before taxes 7,955 2,258 23,286 (15,549 ) 17,950 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (9,442 ) 133 9,621 — 312 Net income (loss) 17,397 2,125 13,665 (15,549 ) 17,638 Noncontrolling interests — — (241 ) — (241 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 17,397 2,125 13,424 (15,549 ) 17,397 Convertible special stock dividends 1,875 — — — 1,875 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 15,522 $ 2,125 $ 13,424 $ (15,549 ) $ 15,522 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 25,844 $ 2,128 $ 22,067 $ (23,825 ) $ 26,214 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 370 — 370 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 25,844 $ 2,128 $ 21,697 $ (23,825 ) $ 25,844 Consolidating Statement of Operations Nine months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 237,394 $ 314,222 $ 1,296,852 $ (33,995 ) $ 1,814,473 Cost of sales 196,290 283,540 1,080,010 (33,995 ) 1,525,845 Selling, general and administrative expenses 31,240 43,376 128,992 — 203,608 Restructuring expense 1,849 563 9,949 — 12,361 Operating income (loss) 8,015 (13,257 ) 77,901 — 72,659 Interest expense 36,309 28 3,879 (766 ) 39,450 Intercompany charges 120 — 6,706 (6,826 ) — Intercompany income (3,046 ) (3,687 ) (93 ) 6,826 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 532 (10 ) 1,053 — 1,575 Other (income) expense, net (413 ) (957 ) (534 ) 766 (1,138 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (34,046 ) (5,937 ) — 39,983 — Income (loss) before taxes 8,559 (2,694 ) 66,890 (39,983 ) 32,772 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (15,188 ) (5,638 ) 28,983 — 8,157 Net income (loss) 23,747 2,944 37,907 (39,983 ) 24,615 Noncontrolling interests — — (868 ) — (868 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 23,747 2,944 37,039 (39,983 ) 23,747 Convertible special stock dividends 5,625 — — — 5,625 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 18,122 $ 2,944 $ 37,039 $ (39,983 ) $ 18,122 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 28,967 $ 2,604 $ 43,284 $ (45,111 ) $ 29,744 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 777 — 777 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 28,967 $ 2,604 $ 42,507 $ (45,111 ) $ 28,967 Consolidating Statement of Operations Nine months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Net sales $ 243,718 $ 357,304 $ 1,326,593 $ (36,196 ) $ 1,891,419 Cost of sales 198,532 311,628 1,113,228 (36,196 ) 1,587,192 Selling, general and administrative expenses 35,901 49,335 137,246 — 222,482 Restructuring expense 2,542 1,518 3,945 — 8,005 Operating income (loss) 6,743 (5,177 ) 72,174 — 73,740 Interest expense 36,129 5 6,131 (1,300 ) 40,965 Intercompany charges 21 64 8,665 (8,750 ) — Intercompany income (5,234 ) (3,509 ) (7 ) 8,750 — Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses 2,206 (113 ) (22 ) — 2,071 Other (income) expense, net (21 ) (727 ) (1,081 ) 1,300 (529 ) (Gain) loss on intercompany investments (44,421 ) 1,413 — 43,008 — Income (loss) before taxes 18,063 (2,310 ) 58,488 (43,008 ) 31,233 Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes (8,019 ) 528 11,567 — 4,076 Net income (loss) 26,082 (2,838 ) 46,921 (43,008 ) 27,157 Noncontrolling interests — — (1,075 ) — (1,075 ) Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. 26,082 (2,838 ) 45,846 (43,008 ) 26,082 Convertible special stock dividends 5,625 — — — 5,625 Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders $ 20,457 $ (2,838 ) $ 45,846 $ (43,008 ) $ 20,457 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 16,398 $ (3,702 ) $ 36,075 $ (31,892 ) $ 16,879 Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 481 — 481 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc. $ 16,398 $ (3,702 ) $ 35,594 $ (31,892 ) $ 16,398
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine months ended May 31, 2017 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Operating activities: Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities $ 38,871 $ 3,544 $ 76,573 $ (45,422 ) $ 73,566 Investing activities Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (7,082 ) (4,687 ) (18,950 ) — (30,719 ) Proceeds from the sale of assets 104 2,226 420 — 2,750 Other investing activities — 125 — — 125 Intercompany investments (228 ) (1,166 ) — 1,394 — Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities (7,206 ) (3,502 ) (18,530 ) 1,394 (27,844 ) Financing activities: Cash dividends paid to common stockholders (18,129 ) — — — (18,129 ) Cash dividends paid to special stockholders (5,625 ) — — — (5,625 ) Intercompany dividends paid — — (45,422 ) 45,422 — Increase (decrease) in short-term debt — — (2,283 ) — (2,283 ) Borrowings on long-term debt 153,200 — 130,743 — 283,943 Repayments on long-term debt including current portion (164,508 ) (42 ) (131,158 ) — (295,708 ) Noncontrolling interests' distributions — — (53 ) — (53 ) Issuances of stock, common and treasury 143 — — — 143 Redemptions of common stock (711 ) — — — (711 ) Intercompany equity contributions received — — 1,394 (1,394 ) — Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities (35,630 ) (42 ) (46,779 ) 44,028 (38,423 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — — 496 — 496 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (3,965 ) — 11,760 — 7,795 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 4,400 — 39,003 — 43,403 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 435 $ — $ 50,763 $ — $ 51,198 Cash and cash equivalents $ 435 $ — $ 49,695 $ — $ 50,130 Restricted cash — — 1,068 — 1,068 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 435 $ — $ 50,763 $ — $ 51,198 Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Nine months ended May 31, 2016 Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated (In thousands) Operating activities: Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities $ 14,489 $ 5,244 $ 76,695 $ (756 ) $ 95,672 Investing activities Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (8,930 ) (5,399 ) (20,289 ) — (34,618 ) Proceeds from the sale of assets 263 155 766 — 1,184 Intercompany investments (140 ) — — 140 — Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities (8,807 ) (5,244 ) (19,523 ) 140 (33,434 ) Financing activities: Cash dividends paid to common stockholders (18,012 ) — — — (18,012 ) Cash dividends paid to special stockholders (5,625 ) — — — (5,625 ) Intercompany dividends paid — — (756 ) 756 — Increase (decrease) in short-term debt — — 2,780 — 2,780 Borrowings on long-term debt 92,200 — 32,471 — 124,671 Repayments on long-term debt including current portion (89,935 ) — (120,513 ) — (210,448 ) Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments) 11,081 — (11,081 ) — — Issuances of stock, common and treasury 213 — — — 213 Redemptions of common stock (1,077 ) — — — (1,077 ) Intercompany equity contributions received — — 140 (140 ) — Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities (11,155 ) — (96,959 ) 616 (107,498 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash — — (2,186 ) — (2,186 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (5,473 ) — (41,973 ) — (47,446 ) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 7,090 — 89,782 — 96,872 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 1,617 $ — $ 47,809 $ — $ 49,426 Cash and cash equivalents — — 47,019 — 47,019 Restricted cash 1,617 — 790 — 2,407 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 1,617 — 47,809 — 49,426

General (Details)

General (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016
General [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 1,068	$ 8,143	$ 2,407
Assets held for sale	6,586	$ 0
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	2,200
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	$ 200

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		$ 257,773,000
Translation		2,995,000
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$ 260,768,000	260,768,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
EMEA [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		54,031,000
Translation		1,695,000
Balance as of May 31, 2017	55,726,000	55,726,000
USCAN [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		116,369,000
Translation		0
Balance as of May 31, 2017	116,369,000	116,369,000
LATAM [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		11,928,000
Translation		1,150,000
Balance as of May 31, 2017	13,078,000	13,078,000
APAC [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		936,000
Translation		(27,000)
Balance as of May 31, 2017	909,000	909,000
EC [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016		74,509,000
Translation		177,000
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$ 74,686,000	$ 74,686,000

Intangible Assets (Details)

Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 450,142		$ 450,142		$ 450,467
Accumulated Amortization	(111,838)		(111,838)		(87,853)
Net Carrying Amount	338,304		338,304		362,614
Amortization of Intangible Assets	8,000	$ 9,300	24,000	$ 27,900
Customer Related Intangibles [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	359,398		359,398		359,713
Accumulated Amortization	(86,861)		(86,861)		(67,207)
Net Carrying Amount	272,537		272,537		292,506
Developed Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	72,749		72,749		72,657
Accumulated Amortization	(17,354)		(17,354)		(13,864)
Net Carrying Amount	55,395		55,395		58,793
Trademarks and Tradenames [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	17,995		17,995		18,097
Accumulated Amortization	(7,623)		(7,623)		(6,782)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 10,372		$ 10,372		$ 11,315

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arr38

Long-Term Debt and Credit Arrangements (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 26, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other, due within one year	$ 7,953,000	$ 10,333,000
Current portion of long-term debt	13,500,000	15,114,000
Short-term debt	21,453,000	25,447,000
Senior notes, 6.875%, due June 2023	375,000,000	375,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Capital leases and other long-term debt	3,340,000	3,727,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(9,113,000)	(10,242,000)
Long-term debt	910,132,000	919,349,000
Repayments of Debt	10,100,000
2015 Revolver, due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, LIBOR plus applicable spread, due June 2020	71,942,000	17,279,000
2015 Credit Facility Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loans	170,000,000	177,500,000
2015 Credit Facility Term Loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loans	298,963,000	341,407,000
Repayments of Debt	56,000,000
2015 Credit Facility Term Loan B Euro [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loans	$ 0	$ 14,678,000

Fair Value Measurement (Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 26, 2015
Assets recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	$ 1,052,000	$ 487,000
Liabilities recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	277,000	951,000
Senior notes, 6.875%, due June 2023	375,000,000	375,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Contract value of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding	75,700,000	115,900,000
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0	0
Fair Value, Transfers Between Levels, Amount	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Liabilities recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	1,052,000	487,000
Liabilities recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	277,000	951,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Liabilities recorded at fair value:
Foreign exchange forward contracts	0	0
Senior Notes [Member]
Liabilities recorded at fair value:
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 399,000,000	$ 378,800,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes percentage	18.70%	1.70%	24.90%	13.10%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 3.6		$ 3.6
Total unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	2.7		2.7
Income Tax Examination, Increase (Decrease) in Liability from Prior Year	1
Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	$ 1.3		$ 1.3

Pension and Postretirement Be41

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,370	$ 1,306	$ 4,109	$ 3,875
Interest cost	581	1,056	1,738	3,160
Expected return on plan assets	(374)	(484)	(1,117)	(1,473)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	981	726	2,939	2,162
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit)	2,558	2,604	7,669	7,724
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1	1	3	3
Interest cost	63	97	189	291
Prior service cost (credit)	(135)	(149)	(406)	(447)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit)	$ (71)	$ (51)	$ (214)	$ (153)

Consolidated Statement of Sto42

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			$ 168,360
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 31,189	$ 26,214	29,744	$ 16,879
Cash dividends paid on convertible special stock, $45.00 per share	(1,875)	$ (1,875)	(5,625)	$ (5,625)
Cash dividends paid on common stock, $0.615 per share			(18,129)
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests			(53)
Issuance of treasury stock			143
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures			0
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings			(711)
Share-based compensation plans			3,431
Balance as of May 31, 2017	177,160		177,160
Convertible special stock, no par value [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			120,289
Balance as of May 31, 2017	120,289		120,289
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			48,510
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures			41
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings			(22)
Balance as of May 31, 2017	48,529		48,529
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			275,115
Issuance of treasury stock			51
Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures			(41)
Redemption of common stock to cover tax withholdings			(689)
Share-based compensation plans			3,431
Balance as of May 31, 2017	277,867		277,867
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			(120,721)
Comprehensive income (loss)			5,220
Balance as of May 31, 2017	(115,501)		(115,501)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			219,039
Comprehensive income (loss)			23,747
Cash dividends paid on convertible special stock, $45.00 per share			(5,625)
Cash dividends paid on common stock, $0.615 per share			(18,129)
Balance as of May 31, 2017	219,032		219,032
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			(382,963)
Issuance of treasury stock			92
Balance as of May 31, 2017	(382,871)		(382,871)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2016			9,091
Comprehensive income (loss)			777
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests			(53)
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$ 9,815		$ 9,815

Reclassification Out of Accum43

Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	$ (130,640)	$ (101,591)	$ (120,721)	$ (83,460)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	14,482	8,155	3,316	(11,864)
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1]	609	421	1,813	1,586
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	15,091	8,576	5,129	(10,278)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(48)	129	(91)	(594)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	15,139	8,447	5,220	(9,684)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(115,501)	(93,144)	(115,501)	(93,144)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(80,840)	(68,858)	(69,717)	(49,562)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	14,482	8,155	3,316	(11,864)
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1]	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	14,482	8,155	3,316	(11,864)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	(48)	129	(91)	(594)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	14,530	8,026	3,407	(11,270)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(66,310)	(60,832)	(66,310)	(60,832)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	(49,800)	(32,733)	(51,004)	(33,898)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	[1]	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified to earnings	[1],[2]	609	421	1,813	1,586
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	609	421	1,813	1,586
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	0	0	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	[1]	609	421	1,813	1,586
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	[1]	$ (49,191)	$ (32,312)	$ (49,191)	$ (32,312)
[1]	(1) All amounts presented are net of tax. All tax amounts are related to pension and other retiree benefits.
[2]	(2) Amounts represent amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service costs and are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of sales and selling, general & administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. These components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. Refer to Note 6 of this Form 10-Q for further details.

Share-Based Incentive Compansat

Share-Based Incentive Compansation Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		173,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 32.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 10.41
Share-based incentive compensation	$ 905			$ (151)	$ 3,573	$ 1,680
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	6,900				$ 6,900
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition					1 year 11 months
Time Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			234,620
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 29.47
Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		227,220
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 32.55
CEO Transition Awards [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			25,000
Time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards (1)
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based incentive compensation	775			(151)	$ 2,122	1,116
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term		6 years 6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate		2.22%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate		39.10%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate		2.52%
Share-based incentive compensation	130			0	198	0
Unrestricted awards
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Period Increase (Decrease)		16,317
Share-based incentive compensation	$ 0			$ 0	$ 1,253	$ 564
2010 Rewards Plan [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	259,011				259,011
2014 Equity incentive plan [Member]
Share-based Incentive Compensation Plans by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	703,521				703,521

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	29,421,000	29,339,000	29,392,000	29,284,000
Diluted	29,530,000	29,474,000	29,496,000	29,459,000
Equity Award [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	173,200	1,132	89,455	5,264
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Incremental shares from dilutive securities	109,000	135,000	104,000	175,000
Convertible special stock, no par value [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	2,388,913		2,388,913
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Incremental shares from dilutive securities	0	0	0	0

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		$ 645,795	$ 650,439	$ 1,814,473	$ 1,891,419
Total gross profit		98,427	109,474	288,628	304,227
Operating income (loss)		32,222	31,588	72,659	73,740
Interest expense		(13,179)	(13,557)	(39,450)	(40,965)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses)		68	(392)	(1,575)	(2,071)
Other income (expense), net		682	311	1,138	529
Income (loss) before taxes		19,793	17,950	32,772	31,233
Restructuring Related Costs		$ 2,000	$ 5,300	$ 8,800	$ 12,000
Net sales, percentage		100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation and restructuring related costs		$ (236)	$ (2,930)	$ (2,101)	$ (7,311)
Costs related to acquisitions and integrations in gross profit		0	(423)	(57)	(2,522)
Lucent costs in gross profit	[1]	(104)	(466)	(190)	(1,844)
Costs related to acquisitions and integrations in operating income		0	(1,443)	(605)	(7,570)
Restructuring and related costs		(2,932)	(9,520)	(21,176)	(19,959)
Accelerated depreciation		(237)	(1,286)	(1,060)	(4,796)
Lucent costs in operating income	[1]	(1,730)	(1,951)	(3,135)	(6,268)
Asset impairment		0	0	(678)	0
CEO transition costs		0	0	(196)	0
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit		98,767	113,293	290,976	315,904
Operating income (loss)		44,394	53,277	124,660	135,994
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate		(7,273)	(7,489)	(25,151)	(23,661)
EC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		$ 59,252	$ 54,476	$ 165,091	$ 153,815
Net sales, percentage		9.00%	8.00%	9.00%	8.00%
Custom Concentrates and Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		$ 296,917	$ 300,391	$ 832,424	$ 864,685
Net sales, percentage		46.00%	47.00%	46.00%	46.00%
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		$ 289,626	$ 295,572	$ 816,958	$ 872,919
Net sales, percentage		45.00%	45.00%	45.00%	46.00%
EMEA Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		$ 318,026	$ 322,368	$ 891,000	$ 940,794
Total segment gross profit		42,509	49,852	126,297	136,489
Total segment operating income		19,712	23,382	56,006	59,147
USCAN Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		167,881	183,338	476,217	532,437
Total segment gross profit		21,844	32,560	66,420	90,095
Total segment operating income		6,474	15,576	20,416	38,166
LATAM Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		47,408	43,377	129,286	126,738
Total segment gross profit		9,928	9,055	28,940	27,226
Total segment operating income		6,189	4,748	17,083	14,581
APAC [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers		53,228	46,880	152,879	137,635
Total segment gross profit		9,155	8,080	27,189	24,153
Total segment operating income		5,260	4,540	15,174	13,517
EC [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit		15,331	13,746	42,130	37,941
Total segment operating income		$ 6,759	$ 5,031	$ 15,981	$ 10,583
[1]	(1) Refer to Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for additional discussion on this matter. Lucent costs in cost of sales include additional product and manufacturing operational costs for reworking inventory. Lucent costs in selling, general and administrative expenses include legal and investigative costs. In addition, in the three and nine months ended May 31, 2016, Lucent costs in SG&A also include dedicated internal personnel costs that would have otherwise been focused on normal operations.

Restructuring (Details)

Restructuring (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016USD ($)
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	$ 939	$ 4,245	$ 12,361	$ 8,005
Restructuring reserve	4,531		4,531		$ 3,944
Fiscal 2017 payments			(11,950)
Translation			176
EMEA [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	832	1,383	9,676	3,353
USCAN [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	90	1,699	2,370	2,423
LATAM [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	0	49	59	213
APAC [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	11	79	103	110
EC [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	6	401	153	1,272
Corporate Segment [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	0	$ 634	0	$ 634
Employee Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense			11,317
Restructuring reserve	4,492		4,492		3,542
Fiscal 2017 payments			(10,527)
Translation			160
Other Restructuring Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense			1,044
Restructuring reserve	39		39		$ 402
Fiscal 2017 payments			(1,423)
Translation			$ 16
Fontana Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring and related cost, expected number of positions eliminated			10
Restructuring expense			$ 600
Restructuring reserve	400		400
Global Product Family Simplification Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense			6,400
Restructuring reserve	1,400		$ 1,400
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated			60
L'Arbresle Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense	1,600
Restructuring reserve	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated	20
EMEA FY2017 Manufacturing for Success Plan [Member]
Restructuring
Restructuring expense			1,800
Restructuring reserve	$ 500		$ 500
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated			30

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Citadel Acquisition [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Escrow Deposit	$ 31
Written claim notice on representations and warranties insurance policy	3.8
Lien on seller's bank account	$ 7.5

Accounting Pronouncements (Deta

Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 1,068	$ 8,143	$ 2,407
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 9,113	$ 10,242

Consolidating Financial Infor50

Consolidating Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 26, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, 6.875%, due June 2023	$ 375,000	$ 375,000	$ 375,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate			6.875%

Consolidating Financial Infor51

Consolidating Financial Information Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,130	$ 35,260	$ 47,019
Restricted cash	1,068	8,143	2,407
Accounts receivable, net	411,004	376,786
Accounts receivable, intercompany	0	0
Inventories	297,104	263,617
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	38,783	40,263
Assets held for sale	6,586	0
Total current assets	804,675	724,069
Net property, plant and equipment	296,485	314,822
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	87,141	88,161
Intercompany loans receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	260,768	257,773
Intangible assets, net	338,304	362,614
Total assets	1,787,373	1,747,439
Accounts payable	339,566	280,060
Accounts payable, intercompany	0	0
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	3,783	8,985
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	44,458	47,569
Other accrued liabilities	69,661	67,704
Short-term debt	21,453	25,447
Total current liabilities	478,921	429,765
Long-term debt	910,132	919,349
Intercompany debt	0	0
Pension plans	147,017	145,108
Deferred income taxes	49,873	59,013
Other long-term liabilities	24,270	25,844
Total liabilities	1,610,213	1,579,079
Convertible special stock, no par value	120,289	120,289
Common stock	48,529	48,510
Other equity	(1,473)	(9,530)
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	167,345	159,269
Noncontrolling interests	9,815	9,091
Total equity	177,160	168,360
Total liabilities and equity	1,787,373	1,747,439
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	435	0	0
Restricted cash	0	4,400	1,617
Accounts receivable, net	44,067	40,017
Accounts receivable, intercompany	32,213	16,245
Inventories	41,249	33,702
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,663	6,874
Assets held for sale	2,879
Total current assets	129,506	101,238
Net property, plant and equipment	45,443	52,653
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	90,048	74,463
Intercompany loans receivable	2,593	2,593
Investment in subsidiaries	852,419	871,441
Goodwill	26,862	36,533
Intangible assets, net	28,300	30,316
Total assets	1,175,171	1,169,237
Accounts payable	42,600	36,671
Accounts payable, intercompany	17,734	17,886
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	0	1,242
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	7,258	10,326
Other accrued liabilities	26,033	17,684
Short-term debt	13,669	13,626
Total current liabilities	107,294	97,435
Long-term debt	884,580	894,441
Intercompany debt	0	0
Pension plans	2,347	2,444
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	13,605	15,648
Total liabilities	1,007,826	1,009,968
Convertible special stock, no par value	120,289	120,289
Common stock	48,529	48,510
Other equity	(1,473)	(9,530)
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	167,345	159,269
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	167,345	159,269
Total liabilities and equity	1,175,171	1,169,237
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	63,540	56,995
Accounts receivable, intercompany	17,290	9,906
Inventories	47,042	41,895
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,439	4,006
Assets held for sale	3,030
Total current assets	133,341	112,802
Net property, plant and equipment	69,920	77,800
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	4,053	4,205
Intercompany loans receivable	31,214	33,015
Investment in subsidiaries	245,036	245,202
Goodwill	110,289	110,289
Intangible assets, net	191,582	204,026
Total assets	785,435	787,339
Accounts payable	49,226	36,157
Accounts payable, intercompany	42,420	20,050
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	306	100
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	7,054	5,980
Other accrued liabilities	6,514	14,195
Short-term debt	29	0
Total current liabilities	105,549	76,482
Long-term debt	48	0
Intercompany debt	0	200
Pension plans	1,336	1,450
Deferred income taxes	72,148	77,507
Other long-term liabilities	1,040	1,037
Total liabilities	180,121	156,676
Convertible special stock, no par value	0	0
Common stock	0	0
Other equity	605,314	630,663
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	605,314	630,663
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	605,314	630,663
Total liabilities and equity	785,435	787,339
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	49,695	35,260	47,019
Restricted cash	1,068	3,743	790
Accounts receivable, net	303,397	279,774
Accounts receivable, intercompany	25,912	26,839
Inventories	208,813	188,020
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,681	29,383
Assets held for sale	677
Total current assets	617,243	563,019
Net property, plant and equipment	181,122	184,369
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	62,973	66,038
Intercompany loans receivable	0	200
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Goodwill	123,617	110,951
Intangible assets, net	118,422	128,272
Total assets	1,103,377	1,052,849
Accounts payable	247,740	207,232
Accounts payable, intercompany	15,261	15,054
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	3,477	7,643
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	30,146	31,263
Other accrued liabilities	37,114	35,825
Short-term debt	7,755	11,821
Total current liabilities	341,493	308,838
Long-term debt	25,504	24,908
Intercompany debt	33,807	35,608
Pension plans	143,334	141,214
Deferred income taxes	47,658	38,051
Other long-term liabilities	9,625	9,159
Total liabilities	601,421	557,778
Convertible special stock, no par value	0	0
Common stock	0	0
Other equity	492,141	485,980
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	492,141	485,980
Noncontrolling interests	9,815	9,091
Total equity	501,956	495,071
Total liabilities and equity	1,103,377	1,052,849
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	$ 0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Accounts receivable, intercompany	(75,415)	(52,990)
Inventories	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Assets held for sale	0
Total current assets	(75,415)	(52,990)
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets	(69,933)	(56,545)
Intercompany loans receivable	(33,807)	(35,808)
Investment in subsidiaries	(1,097,455)	(1,116,643)
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Total assets	(1,276,610)	(1,261,986)
Accounts payable	0	0
Accounts payable, intercompany	(75,415)	(52,990)
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable	0	0
Accrued payroll, taxes and related benefits	0	0
Other accrued liabilities	0	0
Short-term debt	0	0
Total current liabilities	(75,415)	(52,990)
Long-term debt	0	0
Intercompany debt	(33,807)	(35,808)
Pension plans	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(69,933)	(56,545)
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	(179,155)	(145,343)
Convertible special stock, no par value	0	0
Common stock	0	0
Other equity	(1,097,455)	(1,116,643)
Total A. Schulman, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	(1,097,455)	(1,116,643)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	(1,097,455)	(1,116,643)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (1,276,610)	$ (1,261,986)

Consolidating Financial Infor52

Consolidating Financial Information Consolidating Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 645,795	$ 650,439	$ 1,814,473	$ 1,891,419
Cost of sales	547,368	540,965	1,525,845	1,587,192
Selling, general and administrative expenses	65,266	73,641	203,608	222,482
Restructuring expense	939	4,245	12,361	8,005
Operating income (loss)	32,222	31,588	72,659	73,740
Interest expense	13,179	13,557	39,450	40,965
Intercompany charges	0	0	0	0
Intercompany income	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	(68)	392	1,575	2,071
Other (income) expense, net	(682)	(311)	(1,138)	(529)
(Gain) loss on intercompany investments	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	19,793	17,950	32,772	31,233
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	3,695	312	8,157	4,076
Net income (loss)	16,098	17,638	24,615	27,157
Noncontrolling interests	(320)	(241)	(868)	(1,075)
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	15,778	17,397	23,747	26,082
Convertible special stock dividends	1,875	1,875	5,625	5,625
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	13,903	15,522	18,122	20,457
Comprehensive income (loss)	31,189	26,214	29,744	16,879
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	273	370	777	481
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	30,916	25,844	28,967	16,398
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	83,124	83,317	237,394	243,718
Cost of sales	68,269	66,108	196,290	198,532
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,325	10,976	31,240	35,901
Restructuring expense	91	1,969	1,849	2,542
Operating income (loss)	5,439	4,264	8,015	6,743
Interest expense	12,326	12,214	36,309	36,129
Intercompany charges	112	8	120	21
Intercompany income	(589)	(1,621)	(3,046)	(5,234)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	(1,476)	1,471	532	2,206
Other (income) expense, net	(66)	31	(413)	(21)
(Gain) loss on intercompany investments	(16,111)	(15,794)	(34,046)	(44,421)
Income (loss) before taxes	11,243	7,955	8,559	18,063
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	(4,535)	(9,442)	(15,188)	(8,019)
Net income (loss)	15,778	17,397	23,747	26,082
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	15,778	17,397	23,747	26,082
Convertible special stock dividends	1,875	1,875	5,625	5,625
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	13,903	15,522	18,122	20,457
Comprehensive income (loss)	30,916	25,844	28,967	16,398
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	30,916	25,844	28,967	16,398
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	112,617	125,374	314,222	357,304
Cost of sales	102,472	108,181	283,540	311,628
Selling, general and administrative expenses	13,940	15,789	43,376	49,335
Restructuring expense	6	496	563	1,518
Operating income (loss)	(3,801)	908	(13,257)	(5,177)
Interest expense	2	0	28	5
Intercompany charges	0	0	0	64
Intercompany income	(1,254)	(1,214)	(3,687)	(3,509)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	(5)	4	(10)	(113)
Other (income) expense, net	(395)	(385)	(957)	(727)
(Gain) loss on intercompany investments	(2,746)	245	(5,937)	1,413
Income (loss) before taxes	597	2,258	(2,694)	(2,310)
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	259	133	(5,638)	528
Net income (loss)	338	2,125	2,944	(2,838)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	338	2,125	2,944	(2,838)
Convertible special stock dividends	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	338	2,125	2,944	(2,838)
Comprehensive income (loss)	264	2,128	2,604	(3,702)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	264	2,128	2,604	(3,702)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	460,972	454,276	1,296,852	1,326,593
Cost of sales	387,545	379,204	1,080,010	1,113,228
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,001	46,876	128,992	137,246
Restructuring expense	842	1,780	9,949	3,945
Operating income (loss)	30,584	26,416	77,901	72,174
Interest expense	1,095	1,701	3,879	6,131
Intercompany charges	1,810	2,832	6,706	8,665
Intercompany income	(79)	(5)	(93)	(7)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	1,413	(1,083)	1,053	(22)
Other (income) expense, net	(465)	(315)	(534)	(1,081)
(Gain) loss on intercompany investments	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	26,810	23,286	66,890	58,488
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	7,971	9,621	28,983	11,567
Net income (loss)	18,839	13,665	37,907	46,921
Noncontrolling interests	(320)	(241)	(868)	(1,075)
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	18,519	13,424	37,039	45,846
Convertible special stock dividends	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	18,519	13,424	37,039	45,846
Comprehensive income (loss)	34,142	22,067	43,284	36,075
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	273	370	777	481
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	33,869	21,697	42,507	35,594
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(10,918)	(12,528)	(33,995)	(36,196)
Cost of sales	(10,918)	(12,528)	(33,995)	(36,196)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Restructuring expense	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	(244)	(358)	(766)	(1,300)
Intercompany charges	(1,922)	(2,840)	(6,826)	(8,750)
Intercompany income	1,922	2,840	6,826	8,750
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	0	0	0	0
Other (income) expense, net	244	358	766	1,300
(Gain) loss on intercompany investments	18,857	15,549	39,983	43,008
Income (loss) before taxes	(18,857)	(15,549)	(39,983)	(43,008)
Provision (benefit) for U.S. and foreign income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	(18,857)	(15,549)	(39,983)	(43,008)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	(18,857)	(15,549)	(39,983)	(43,008)
Convertible special stock dividends	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to A. Schulman, Inc. common stockholders	(18,857)	(15,549)	(39,983)	(43,008)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(34,133)	(23,825)	(45,111)	(31,892)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to A. Schulman, Inc.	$ (34,133)	$ (23,825)	$ (45,111)	$ (31,892)

Consolidating Financial Infor53

Consolidating Financial Information Consolidating Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2016
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	$ 73,566	$ 95,672
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(30,719)	(34,618)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	2,750	1,184
Other investing activities	125	0
Intercompany investments	0	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(27,844)	(33,434)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(18,129)	(18,012)
Cash Dividend Paid on Convertible Special Stock	(5,625)	(5,625)
Intercompany dividends paid	0	0
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(2,283)	2,780
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	283,943	124,671
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	(295,708)	(210,448)
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	(53)	0
Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments)		0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	143	213
Redemptions of common stock	(711)	(1,077)
Intercompany equity contributions received	0	0
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(38,423)	(107,498)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	496	(2,186)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	7,795	(47,446)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	43,403	96,872
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	51,198	49,426
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	38,871	14,489
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(7,082)	(8,930)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	104	263
Other investing activities	0
Intercompany investments	(228)	(140)
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(7,206)	(8,807)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	(18,129)	(18,012)
Cash Dividend Paid on Convertible Special Stock	(5,625)	(5,625)
Intercompany dividends paid	0	0
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	0	0
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	153,200	92,200
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	(164,508)	(89,935)
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	0
Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments)		11,081
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	143	213
Redemptions of common stock	(711)	(1,077)
Intercompany equity contributions received	0	0
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(35,630)	(11,155)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(3,965)	(5,473)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	4,400	7,090
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	435	1,617
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	3,544	5,244
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(4,687)	(5,399)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	2,226	155
Other investing activities	125
Intercompany investments	(1,166)	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(3,502)	(5,244)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	0	0
Cash Dividend Paid on Convertible Special Stock	0	0
Intercompany dividends paid	0	0
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	0	0
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	0	0
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	(42)	0
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	0
Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments)		0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	0	0
Redemptions of common stock	0	0
Intercompany equity contributions received	0	0
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(42)	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	76,573	76,695
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(18,950)	(20,289)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	420	766
Other investing activities	0
Intercompany investments	0	0
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	(18,530)	(19,523)
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	0	0
Cash Dividend Paid on Convertible Special Stock	0	0
Intercompany dividends paid	(45,422)	(756)
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	(2,283)	2,780
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	130,743	32,471
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	(131,158)	(120,513)
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	(53)
Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments)		(11,081)
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	0	0
Redemptions of common stock	0	0
Intercompany equity contributions received	1,394	140
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	(46,779)	(96,959)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	496	(2,186)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	11,760	(41,973)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	39,003	89,782
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	50,763	47,809
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	(45,422)	(756)
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from the sale of assets	0	0
Other investing activities	0
Intercompany investments	1,394	140
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	1,394	140
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	0	0
Cash Dividend Paid on Convertible Special Stock	0	0
Intercompany dividends paid	45,422	756
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt	0	0
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	0	0
Repayments on long-term debt including current portion	0	0
Noncontrolling interests' distributions	0
Intercompany loan borrowings (repayments)		0
Issuances of stock, common and treasury	0	0
Redemptions of common stock	0	0
Intercompany equity contributions received	(1,394)	(140)
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	44,028	616
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidating Financial Infor54

Consolidating Financial Information Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 50,130	$ 35,260	$ 47,019
Restricted cash	1,068	8,143	2,407
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	51,198	43,403	49,426	$ 96,872
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	435	0	0
Restricted cash	0	4,400	1,617
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	435	4,400	1,617	7,090
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	0	0	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	49,695	35,260	47,019
Restricted cash	1,068	3,743	790
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	50,763	39,003	47,809	89,782
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0