A. Schulman Plast Fair Exhibit To Showcase Latest Product Innovations And Investments In Its European Specialty Powders Business

AKRON, Ohio, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A. Schulman, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: SHLM), a leading global supplier of engineered plastics, masterbatches, specialty powders and distribution services, will present its latest product innovations for the European market at the Plast 2012 to be held May 8-12 in Milan, Italy.

Maurizio Moretto, A. Schulman's Managing Director for Italy, and his team will present the latest specialty powders solutions of A. Schulman's ICO Polymers division, as well as all of the Company's innovations in masterbatch, engineered plastics and distribution.

As announced in 2011, A. Schulman has been optimizing its ICO Polymers facilities in Europe to improve efficiency and enhance its technology capabilities. It has completed the relocation of the specialty powders facility in Verolanuova, Italy, to its upgraded plant in Gorla, Italy, where specialty powders production is now operating at full capacity in addition to masterbatch production. The Company also invested in two new compounding lines and a cryogenic milling line.

"Our consolidation of our manufacturing footprint and new investments in our European facilities will improve our productivity and allow us to better serve our customers' needs while weathering the current economic headwind in Europe," said Bernard Rzepka, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of A. Schulman, Europe, Middle East, Africa.  "Because the production of masterbatches requires ICO powders, restructuring and optimizing the ICO production capabilities in Gorla has created new synergies that will result in faster response times and greater efficiency."

The Gorla plant upgrade includes a euro 3 million installation of powder production lines and the addition of a state-of-the-art Leistritz twin screw compounding line. "These enhancements not only will enable us to provide the latest in specialty powder solutions and support for our customers, but also will strengthen our position as a leader in the development of new technology to meet the changing needs of the marketplace," said Heinrich Lingnau, Business Unit Leader of Specialty Powders.

Visitors to the Plast 2012 can find the A. Schulman and ICO Polymers exhibit located at Stand Number B62, Hall 9.

About A. Schulman, Inc.
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins.  The Company's customers span a wide range of markets such as packaging, consumer products, industrial and automotive, among others.  The Company employs about 3,100 people and has 36 manufacturing facilities globally.  A. Schulman reported net sales of $2.2 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.  Additional information about A. Schulman can be found at www.aschulman.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
A number of the matters discussed in this document that are not historical or current facts deal with potential future circumstances and developments and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and relate to future events and expectations. Forward-looking statements contain such words as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which management is unable to predict or control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company's future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• worldwide and regional economic, business and political conditions, including continuing economic uncertainties in some or all of the Company's major product markets or countries where the Company has operations;
• the effectiveness of the Company's efforts to improve operating margins through sales growth, price increases, productivity gains, and improved purchasing techniques;
• competitive factors, including intense price competition;
• fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates;
• volatility of prices and availability of the supply of energy and raw materials that are critical to the manufacture of the Company's products, particularly plastic resins derived from oil and natural gas;
• changes in customer demand and requirements;
• effectiveness of the Company to achieve the level of cost savings, productivity improvements, growth and other benefits anticipated from acquisitions and restructuring initiatives;
• escalation in the cost of providing employee health care;
• uncertainties regarding the resolution of pending and future litigation and other claims;
• the performance of the global automotive market; and
• further adverse changes in economic or industry conditions, including global supply and demand conditions and prices for products.

The risks and uncertainties identified above are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risk factors that could affect the Company's performance are set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011. In addition, risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that it believes to be immaterial also may adversely affect the Company. Should any known or unknown risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, these developments could have material adverse effects on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

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SOURCE A. Schulman, Inc.