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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 FVmevKh+IT+IxnHXYr9wYw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000908662-07-000172.txt : 20070404
<SEC-HEADER>0000908662-07-000172.hdr.sgml : 20070404
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070404161103
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000908662-07-000172
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070402
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070404
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070404

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ates Steven L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001395241

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10033
		FILM NUMBER:		07748927

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		803-835-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		521 CORPORATE CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1041
		CITY:			FORT MILL
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29715

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WELLMAN INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000812708
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTIC MAIL, SYNTH RESIN/RUBBER, CELLULOS (NO GLASS) [2820]
		IRS NUMBER:				041671740
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		595 SHREWSBURY AVENUE
		CITY:			SHREWSBURY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07702
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(732)212-3300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 31331
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28231
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-04-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000812708</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WELLMAN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WLM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001395241</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ates Steven L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O WELLMAN, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>521 CORPORATE CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 1041</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT MILL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29715</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>See Foonote (3)</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-04-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42550</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All these shares are restricted and subject to vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Of the 42,550 shares of direct ownership reported on this form, 36,100 shares are restricted stock and subject to vesting provisions.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>(3)  Mr. Ates is Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Wellman, Inc.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Heather L. Duval as attorney-in-fact for Steven L. Ates</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-04-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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