Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Income from continuing operations before income taxes [Abstract]
United States	$ (113,084)	$ 12,286	$ (194,816)
Foreign	(87,380)	2,696	(137,908)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(200,464)	14,982	(332,724)
Current [Abstract]
Federal	(11,275)	6,508	556
State	(84)	229	356
Foreign	732	177	764
Total current tax expense (benefit)	(10,627)	6,914	1,676
Deferred [Abstract]
Federal	(4,752)	(4,911)	(57,733)
State	2,805	880	(242)
Foreign	(41)	(301)	(644)
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	(1,988)	(4,332)	(58,619)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$ (12,615)	$ 2,582	$ (56,943)
Reconciliation of the difference between the federal statutory rate and the Company's effective tax rate [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	(35.00%)	35.00%
State taxes, net of credits	1.10%	2.50%	1.20%
Foreign income taxed at different rates	(7.70%)	8.60%	(3.50%)
Section 199 deduction	(0.00%)	5.30%	0.50%
Non-deductible officers’ compensation	(0.10%)	(2.00%)	(0.10%)
Noncontrolling interests	0.30%	8.70%	0.20%
Research and development credits	0.30%	0.80%	0.20%
Fixed asset tax basis adjustment	(0.00%)	15.30%	(0.00%)
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	(25.20%)	(10.20%)	(8.40%)
Unrecognized tax benefits	(0.60%)	(12.90%)	0.00%
Non-deductible goodwill	(2.50%)	(0.00%)	(7.10%)
Realized foreign investment basis	6.30%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	(0.60%)	1.70%	(0.90%)
Effective tax rate	6.30%	(17.20%)	17.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Changes to Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance and Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	33.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Realization of Foreign Investment Basis, Amount	$ 13,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Fixed Asset Tax Basis Adjustment, Amount		$ 2,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount		2,000	$ 29,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount		2,000
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Environmental liabilities	11,623	11,864
Employee benefit accruals	13,471	14,977
State income tax and other	4,601	3,119
Net operating loss carryforwards	20,485	10,692
State credit carryforwards	5,935	5,567
Inventory valuation methods	975	242
Amortizable goodwill and other intangibles	51,459	32,545
Valuation allowance	(78,304)	(30,265)
Total deferred tax assets	30,245	48,741
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Accelerated depreciation and basis differences	44,131	62,372
Prepaid expense acceleration	2,460	2,250
Total deferred tax liabilities	46,591	64,622
Net deferred tax liability	16,346	15,881
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits, as of the beginning of the year	2,780	526	491
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	1	0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	0	0	(31)
Additions for tax positions of the current year	1,571	2,253	66
Settlements with tax authorities	(381)	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, as of the end of the year	3,970	$ 2,780	$ 526
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 40,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Maximum
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	Aug. 31, 2035
Foreign Country
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 29,000
Foreign Country | Minimum
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	Aug. 31, 2022
Foreign Country | Maximum
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	Aug. 31, 2035
State and Local Jurisdiction | Minimum
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Aug. 31, 2016
State and Local Jurisdiction | Maximum
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Aug. 31, 2025