Meadwestvaco (MWV) 10-Q 4 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'MWV	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MEADWESTVACO CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001159297	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	166,716,788

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Net sales	$1,468		$1,378		$4,257		$4,079
Cost of sales	1,135		1,095		3,359		3,363
Selling, general and administrative expenses	144		157		465		484
Interest expense	54		39		160		117
Other income, net	-13		-13		-27		-24
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	148		100		300		139
Income tax provision	41		39		89		30
Income from continuing operations	107		61		211		109
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	1		19		1		51
Net income	108		80		212		160
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, net of income taxes	2		0		2		-2
Net income attributable to the company	106		80		210		162
Income from continuing operations attributable to the company	$105		$61		$209		$111
Net income per share attributable to the company - basic:	'		'		'		'
Income from continuing operations	$0.62		$0.34		$1.23		$0.62
Income from discontinued operations	$0.01		$0.11		$0		$0.29
Net income attributable to the company	$0.63		$0.45		$1.23		$0.91
Net income per share attributable to the company - diluted:	'		'		'		'
Income from continuing operations	$0.60		$0.34		$1.22		$0.62
Income from discontinued operations	$0.01		$0.10		$0		$0.28
Net income attributable to the company	$0.61		$0.44		$1.22		$0.90
Shares used to compute net income per share attributable to the company:	'		'		'		'
Basic	168.8		178		169.2		177.3
Diluted	171.6		180.8		172		180.1
Cash dividends per share	$0.25	[1]	$0.25	[1]	$1.75	[1]	$0.75	[1]
[1]	Cash dividends per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include a special dividend of $1.00 per share paid on March 3, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (Special Dividend, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Special Dividend	'
Special dividend per share	$1
Dividend payment date	3-Mar-14

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income	$108	$80	$212	$160
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-123	26	-90	-64
Adjustments related to pension and other benefit plans	22	13	24	58
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	4	-2	5	2
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net	-97	37	-61	-4
Comprehensive income	11	117	151	156
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	2	0	2	-2
Comprehensive income attributable to the company	$9	$117	$149	$158

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$400	$1,057
Accounts receivable, net	784	625
Inventories	723	686
Other current assets	121	108
Current assets	2,028	2,476
Property, plant, equipment and forestlands, net	3,490	3,647
Prepaid pension asset	1,567	1,475
Goodwill	704	716
Restricted assets held by special purpose entities	1,258	1,258
Other assets	657	713
Total Assets	9,704	10,285
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	549	563
Accrued expenses	428	534
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	87	79
Current liabilities	1,064	1,176
Long-term debt	1,799	1,816
Non-recourse liabilities held by special purpose entities	1,112	1,112
Deferred income taxes	1,370	1,348
Other long-term obligations	688	734
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value Shares authorized: 600,000,000 Shares issued and outstanding: 2014 - 167,682,939 (2013 - 174,443,439)	2	2
Additional paid-in capital	2,896	3,172
Retained earnings	855	950
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-241	-180
Total shareholders' equity	3,512	3,944
Non-controlling interests	159	155
Total equity	3,671	4,099
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$9,704	$10,285

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, Shares issued	167,682,939	174,443,439
Common stock, Shares outstanding	167,682,939	174,443,439

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$212	$160
Discontinued operations	-1	-51
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	279	289
Deferred income taxes	24	7
Loss (gain) on sales of assets, net	15	-2
Pension income (excluding settlements, curtailments, and termination benefits)	-91	-74
Impairment of long-lived assets	14	13
Appreciation in cash surrender value insurance policies	-22	-28
Changes in working capital, excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions	-230	-164
Payment of alternative minimum taxes - forestlands sale	-98	0
Other, net	-19	14
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	83	164
Discontinued operations	1	96
Net cash provided by operating activities	84	260
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-214	-337
Treasury grant proceeds	39	0
Payments for acquired businesses, net of cash acquired	0	-2
Proceeds from dispositions of assets	41	42
Contributions to joint ventures	-5	-9
Other	3	-7
Discontinued operations	0	-2
Net cash used in investing activities	-136	-315
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt	-96	-56
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	77	8
Changes in notes payable and other short-term borrowings, net	10	24
Changes in bank overdrafts	2	-5
Dividends paid (including special dividend of $175 million paid in March 2014)	-302	-133
Stock repurchases	-345	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	45	46
Purchase of non-controlling interest	0	-13
Other	8	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-601	-129
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-4	-17
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-657	-201
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
At beginning of period	1,057	663
At end of period	$400	$462

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Special dividend	$175

Basis_of_presentation

Basis of presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of presentation	'
	1	Basis of presentation
	MeadWestvaco Corporation (“MeadWestvaco”, “MWV”, or the “company”) is a global packaging company providing innovative solutions to the world’s most admired brands in the healthcare, beauty and personal care, food, beverage, home and garden, tobacco, and agricultural industries. The company also produces specialty chemicals for the automotive, energy, and infrastructure industries and maximizes the value of its development land holdings in the Charleston, South Carolina region. MeadWestvaco is a Delaware corporation, incorporated in 2001 and the successor to Westvaco Corporation and The Mead Corporation. MWV’s reporting segments are (i) Food & Beverage, (ii) Home, Health & Beauty, (iii) Industrial, (iv) Specialty Chemicals, and (v) Community Development and Land Management.
	These interim consolidated financial statements have not been audited. However, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been made. These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles and practices generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) applied consistently with those used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. Certain prior year amounts have been recast to conform to the current period’s presentation. The consolidated results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

New_accounting_guidance

New accounting guidance	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New accounting guidance	'
	2	New accounting guidance
	In January 2014, the company adopted new guidance regarding foreign currency matters. The new guidance clarifies existing guidance regarding circumstances when cumulative translation adjustments should be released into earnings. The impact of adoption did not have an effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2014, the company adopted new accounting guidance regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward exists. The new guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward, unless certain exceptions are met. The impact of adoption did not have an effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance regarding the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. The new guidance requires that a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The company has elected to early adopt the new provisions for disposals or classifications as held for sale in 2014. The impact of adoption did not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance regarding revenue recognition requirements. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including
	interim periods within that reporting period. The new guidance is to be applied retrospectively to each reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance at the date of initial application. The impact of adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance regarding accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The new guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the new guidance either prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The impact of adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance regarding management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and provide related footnote disclosures. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of adoption will not have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no other new accounting standards issued by the FASB that would have an impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair value measurements	'
	3	Fair value measurements
	The following information is presented for assets and liabilities that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis. There were no significant transfers of assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	In millions		September 30,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2014
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	9		$	0	$	9		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(4	)		0		(4	)		0
	Cash equivalents			306			306		0			0
	Non-recurring fair value measurements:
	Long-lived assets held for sale (5)		$	1		$	0	$	0		$	1
	In millions		December 31,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2013
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	2		$	0	$	2		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(3	)		0		(3	)		0
	Cash equivalents			943			943		0			0
	(1)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	(2)	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
	(3)	Significant unobservable inputs.
	(4)	Derivative instruments consist of hedge contracts on natural gas and foreign currencies. Natural gas hedge instruments are valued using models with market inputs such as New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) natural gas futures contract pricings. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using models with market inputs such as prices of instruments of a similar nature.
	(5)	The fair value of long-lived assets is determined using a combination of a market approach based on market participant inputs and an income approach based on estimates of future cash flows.
	Long-lived assets held for sale with a carrying value of $5 million were written down to their estimated fair value of $1 million, resulting in pre-tax impairment charges attributable to continuing operations of $1 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Additionally, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $10 million were written off for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to the discontinuance of certain projects. These pre-tax charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
	At September 30, 2014, the book value of debt was $1.8 billion and the fair value was estimated to be $2.2 billion. The difference between book value and fair value is derived from the difference between the period-end market interest rate and the stated fixed rate for the company’s long-term debt. The company estimates the fair values of these financial instruments using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current interest rates available to the company for debt of similar terms and maturities.

Restructuring_charges

Restructuring charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring charges	'
	4	Restructuring charges
	In January 2014, the company initiated a margin improvement program, which is expected to be largely completed by the end of 2014. Key elements of the program include implementing a leaner organization design, aligning the corporate infrastructure to the revenue base, reassessing participation within certain business lines and markets and prioritizing capital on the highest return projects. During 2013, the company initiated certain restructuring actions to reduce its overhead across its global operations. Restructuring charges incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were pursuant to these actions. Cumulative charges included in the results from continuing operations through September 30, 2014 since the inception of the 2014 program were $43 million. Although these charges related to individual segments, such amounts are included in Corporate and Other for segment reporting purposes.
	Restructuring charges attributable to individual segments and by nature of cost, as well as cost of sales (“COS”), selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) and Other income, net classification in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions		Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs and other costs										Total
			COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Other		Total			COS			SG&A			Other		Total
																	income,											income,
																	net											net
	Food & Beverage		$	(1	)	$	1		$	0		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	(1	)	$	1		$	0	$	0
	Home, Health & Beauty			1			0			1			(1	)		0		1		0			0			0			1		1
	Industrial			1			0			1			0			0		0		0			1			0			0		1
	Other			0			1			1			0			2		0		2			0			3			0		3
	Total charges		$	1		$	2		$	3		$	(1	)	$	2	$	1	$	2		$	0		$	4		$	1	$	5
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions		Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs							Total
												and other costs
			COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Total		COS			SG&A			Total
	Food & Beverage		$	1		$	2		$	3		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	1		$	2		$	3
	Home, Health & Beauty			1			0			1			1			0		1		2			0			2
	Industrial			(1	)		0			(1	)		0			0		0		(1	)		0			(1	)
	All other			0			1			1			0			0		0		0			1			1
	Total charges		$	1		$	3		$	4		$	1		$	0	$	1	$	2		$	3		$	5
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions		Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs and other costs										Total
			COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Other		Total			COS			SG&A			Other		Total
																	income,											income,
																	net											net
	Food & Beverage		$	(1	)	$	5		$	4		$	1		$	0	$	1	$	2		$	0		$	5		$	1	$	6
	Home, Health & Beauty			2			5			7			1			0		14		15			3			5			14		22
	Industrial			2			2			4			0			0		0		0			2			2			0		4
	All other			0			16			16			0			14		0		14			0			30			0		30
	Total charges		$	3		$	28		$	31		$	2		$	14	$	15	$	31		$	5		$	42		$	15	$	62
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions		Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs							Total
												and other costs
			COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Total		COS			SG&A			Total
	Food & Beverage		$	1		$	5		$	6		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	1		$	5		$	6
	Home, Health & Beauty			6			1			7			6			0		6		12			1			13
	Industrial			1			1			2			5			0		5		6			1			7
	Specialty Chemicals			0			0			0			6			0		6		6			0			6
	All other			0			5			5			0			0		0		0			5			5
	Total charges		$	8		$	12		$	20		$	17		$	0	$	17	$	25		$	12		$	37
	Activity in the restructuring reserve balances was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
	In millions		Employee related
			2014 program			Other actions			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	0		$	31		$	31
	Charges			27			1			28
	Payments			(22	)		(8	)		(30	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	5		$	24		$	29

Inventories_and_property_plant

Inventories and property, plant and equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories and property, plant and equipment	'
	5	Inventories and property, plant and equipment
	Inventories consist of:
	In millions		September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Raw materials		$	195	$	168
	Production materials, stores and supplies			115		104
	Finished and in-process goods			413		414
			$	723	$	686
	Property, plant and equipment is net of accumulated depreciation of:
	In millions		September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Accumulated depreciation		$	4,070	$	3,981
	In July 2014, the company received grant proceeds of $39 million as a result of its application for a U.S. Treasury Section 1603 Grant for Specified Energy property associated with the construction of a biomass boiler and a steam turbine generator at the company’s Covington, VA paperboard mill. These proceeds were recorded as a reduction to the book value of the biomass boiler and turbine generator and will be amortized ratably over the assets’ estimated useful lives.

Intangible_assets

Intangible assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Intangible assets	'
	6	Intangible assets
	The following table summarizes intangible assets subject to amortization included in other assets:
	In millions		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
			Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
			amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Trademarks and trade names		$	28	$	22	$	28	$	20
	Customer contracts and lists			258		122		264		112
	Patents			54		43		57		43
	Other – primarily licensing rights			14		10		14		9
			$	354	$	197	$	363	$	184
	Included in other assets are indefinite-lived intangible assets with carrying values of:
	In millions		September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Trademarks and trade names		$	92	$	95

Financial_instruments

Financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Financial instruments	'
	7	Financial instruments
	The company uses various derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage exposure to market risks associated with natural gas price fluctuations, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The risk of loss to the company in the event of non-performance by any counterparty under derivative financial instrument agreements is not significant. Although the derivative financial instruments expose the company to market risk, fluctuations in the value of the derivatives are generally offset in earnings by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.
	All derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities, measured at estimated fair values. Fair value estimates are based on relevant market information, including market rates and prices. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized, as incurred, in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument not designated as a qualifying hedge are recognized in earnings.
	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments, which excludes the offsetting impact of the hedged item and underlying exposures, in the consolidated statements of operations and accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
			Cash flow hedges													Fair value hedges				Derivatives not
																				designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency							Natural gas hedges						Interest rate swaps				Foreign currency
			hedges																	derivatives
			2014				2013			2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	9			$	(3	)	$	(2	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)		$	1			$	0		$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain recognized in earnings 1			0				0			0			0			0		0		(1	)		0
	Total Gain (loss) recognized in earnings2		$	1			$	0		$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	(1	)	$	0
	1	Amounts represent the ineffective portion or items excluded from effectiveness testing for all derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships or represent realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with interest rate swaps or those derivatives not designated as hedges.
	2	Gains and losses recognized in earnings are generally offset by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.
	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments, which excludes the offsetting impact of the hedged item and underlying exposures, in the consolidated statements of operations and accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
			Cash flow hedges													Fair value hedges				Derivatives not
																				designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency							Natural gas hedges						Interest rate swaps				Foreign currency
			hedges																	derivatives
			2014				2013			2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	9			$	(2	)	$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)	$	0		$	(3	)	$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings 1			0				0			0			0			5		0		(3	)		2
	Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings2		$	(1	)		$	(1	)	$	0		$	(3	)	$	5	$	0	$	(3	)	$	2
	1	Amounts represent the ineffective portion or items excluded from effectiveness testing for all derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships or represent realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with interest rate swaps or those derivatives not designated as hedges.
	2	Gains and losses recognized in earnings are generally offset by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.
	The fair values and the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below:
			September 30, 2014
	In millions		Gross amount of				Gross amount			Net amount of assets			Classification
			recognized assets				offset in the			(liabilities) presented
			(liabilities)				consolidated			in the consolidated
							balance sheet			balance sheet
	Assets
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	6			$	0		$	6		Other current assets
	Foreign currency derivatives			1				0			1		Other assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2				0			2		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	9			$	0		$	9
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	0			$	1		$	1		Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(1	)			0			(1	)	Accounts payable
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(5	)			1			(4	)	Accounts payable
	Total liabilities		$	(6	)		$	2		$	(4	)
	Total derivatives									$	5
			December 31, 2013
	In millions		Gross amount of				Gross amount			Net amount of assets			Classification
			recognized assets				offset in the			(liabilities) presented
			(liabilities)				consolidated			in the consolidated
							balance sheet			balance sheet
	Assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2				0			2		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	2			$	0		$	2
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges			(2	)			0			(2	)	Accounts payable
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(1	)			0			(1	)	Accounts payable
	Total liabilities		$	(3	)		$	0		$	(3	)
Total derivatives									$	(1	)
Natural gas
In order to better predict and control the future cost of natural gas consumed at the company’s mills and plants, the company engages in financial hedging of future gas purchase prices. Gas usage is relatively predictable month-by-month. The company hedges primarily with financial instruments that are priced based on NYMEX natural gas futures contracts. The company does not hedge basis (the effect of varying delivery points or locations) or transportation (the cost to transport the gas from the delivery point to a company location) under these transactions. The notional values of these contracts in Million British Thermal Units (“MMBTU’s”) at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
In MMBTU’s
September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	10				9
The effective portion of unrealized gains and losses on contracts maturing in future months are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss; the ineffective portion is charged or credited to earnings. Once a contract matures, the company has a realized gain or loss on the contract up to the quantities of natural gas in the forward hedge agreements for that particular period, which are charged or credited to earnings when the related hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of these cash flow hedges, as well as realized hedge gains and losses, are recorded within cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. The estimated pre-tax loss to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months is $1 million. As of September 30, 2014, the maximum remaining term of existing hedges was two years. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, no gains or losses were recognized in earnings due to the probability that forecasted transactions will not occur.
Foreign currency risk
The company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage some of the foreign currency exchange risks associated with short-term foreign inter-company loans, foreign currency sales and purchases of its international operations, and foreign sales of its U.S. operations.
The foreign currency forward contracts related to certain inter-company loans are short term in duration and are not designated as hedging instruments. Gains and losses related to these forward contracts are included in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
In millions		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – not designated as hedges		$	136			$	147
Other foreign currency forward contracts, which are for terms of approximately one year, are designated as cash flow hedges. These hedges are used to reduce the foreign currency exposure related to certain foreign and inter-company sales. For these hedges, realized hedge gains and losses are recorded in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations concurrent with the recognition of the hedged sales. The ineffective portion of these hedges is also recorded in net sales. The estimated pre-tax gain to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months is $7 million. As of September 30, 2014, the maximum remaining term of existing hedges was approximately one year. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, no amounts of gains or losses were recognized in earnings due to the probability that forecasted transactions will not occur. The notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
In millions		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – designated as hedges		$	188			$	76
Interest rate risk
The company has developed a targeted mix of fixed- and variable-rate debt as part of an overall strategy to maintain an appropriate level of exposure to interest-rate fluctuations. To efficiently manage this mix, the company utilizes interest-rate swap agreements. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, there were no interest-rate swap agreements outstanding. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company terminated its interest-rate swaps on its fixed-rate debt and realized $4 million in net cash proceeds. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the interest-rate swaps were an effective hedge and, therefore, required no charge to earnings due to ineffectiveness. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no interest-rate swap agreements outstanding. For these fair value hedges, changes in fair value of both the hedge instruments and hedged items are recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Employee_retirement_and_postre

Employee retirement and postretirement benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee retirement and postretirement benefits	'
	8	Employee retirement and postretirement benefits
	The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s retirement and postretirement plans for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
			Three months ended September 30,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$	10		$	10		$	0		$	1
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			31			29			1			1
	Expected return on plan assets			(73	)		(72	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			1			1			(1	)		0
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			1			2			0			0
	Termination benefits			0			0			0			0
	Settlement loss			0			1			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(30	)	$	(29	)	$	0		$	2
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost – continuing operations		$	(30	)	$	(29	)	$	0		$	2
	The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s retirement and postretirement plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
			Nine months ended September 30,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$	31		$	31		$	2		$	3
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			92			91			4			4
	Expected return on plan assets			(219	)		(216	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			2			3			(2	)		(1	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			3			17			0			0
	Termination benefits			1			0			0			0
	Curtailment loss 1			2			0			0			0
	Settlement loss			0			18			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(88	)	$	(56	)	$	4		$	6
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost – continuing operations		$	(88	)	$	(56	)	$	4		$	6
	1	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded within restructuring charges a curtailment loss of approximately $2 million.
	Settlement recognition
	In 2013, the company completed a program that allowed vested former employees who terminated service with the company on or before November 30, 2012 the option to receive their pension benefit in a single lump sum which was funded from assets included in the U.S. qualified plans. A pre-tax settlement charge of $18 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Plan amendment recognition
	Pursuant to the company’s announcement of changes to certain U.S. retiree benefits, plan liabilities were re-measured at July 1, 2014 and September 1, 2014 using a discount rate of 3.95% and 3.70%, respectively, resulting in a net decrease to the plan’s funded status for which the company recorded an after-tax gain of $21 million in other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Employer contributions
	The company does not anticipate any required contributions to its U.S. qualified retirement plans in the foreseeable future as the plans do not require any minimum regulatory funding contribution. However, the company expects to contribute $2 million to the funded non-U.S. plans in 2014.

Income_per_common_share

Income per common share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income per common share	'
	9	Income per common share
	Basic net income per share for all the periods presented has been calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding. In computing diluted net income per share, incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and other share-based compensation awards are included in the weighted average shares outstanding, if dilutive. Presented below is the number of potentially dilutive shares not included in the calculation of diluted net income per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.
	In millions		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Anti-dilutive shares			0.2		0.4		0.6		0.4

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity	'
	10	Equity
	Changes in equity for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Three months ended September 30, 2014		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at June 30, 2014			168.4		$	2		$	2,925		$	750		$	(144	)	$	157		$	3,690
	Net income			0			0			0			106			0			2			108
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			(97	)		0			(97	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(1	)		0			0			(1	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(4	)		(4	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			4			4
	Stock repurchases			(1.1	)		0			(44	)		0			0			0			(44	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.1			0			5			0			0			0			5
	Exercises of stock options			0.3			0			10			0			0			0			10
	Balance at September 30, 2014			167.7		$	2		$	2,896		$	855		$	(241	)	$	159		$	3,671
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the company purchased and retired 1.1 million of its common shares for $44 million.
	Three months ended September 30, 2013		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at June 30, 2013			177.4		$	2		$	3,275		$	237		$	(225	)	$	9		$	3,298
	Net income			0			0			0			80			0			0			80
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			37			0			37
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			0			0			0			0
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(5	)		(5	)
	Sale of non-controlling interest			0			0			0			0			0			(2	)		(2	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0			0			5			0			0			0			5
	Exercises of stock options			0.4			0			11			0			0			0			11
	Balance at September 30, 2013			177.8		$	2		$	3,291		$	317		$	(188	)	$	2		$	3,424
	Changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013			174.4		$	2		$	3,172		$	950		$	(180	)	$	155		$	4,099
	Net income			0			0			0			210			0			2			212
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			(61	)		0			(61	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(305	)		0			0			(305	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(7	)		(7	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			9			9
	Stock repurchases			(9.0	)		0			(351	)		0			0			0			(351	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.3			0			21			0			0			0			21
	Exercises of stock options			2			0			54			0			0			0			54
	Balance at September 30, 2014			167.7		$	2		$	2,896		$	855		$	(241	)	$	159		$	3,671
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company repurchased and retired 9.0 million of its common shares for $351 million through a combination of an accelerated share repurchase program and open market repurchases. In October 2014, the company purchased and retired an additional 1.0 million of its common shares for $43 million which completed the 2014 repurchase program. These purchases were made pursuant to a $394 million repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2014 and funded by proceeds from the sale of its U.S. forestlands and related assets to Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (“Plum Creek”) in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2012			175.4		$	2		$	3,234		$	288		$	(184	)	$	18		$	3,358
	Net income			0			0			0			162			0			(2	)		160
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			(4	)		0			(4	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(133	)		0			0			(133	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(7	)		(7	)
	Purchase of non-controlling interest			0			0			(8	)		0			0			(5	)		(13	)
	Sale of non-controlling interest			0			0			0			0			0			(2	)		(2	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.2			0			11			0			0			0			11
	Exercises of stock options			2.2			0			54			0			0			0			54
Balance at September 30, 2013			177.8		$	2		$	3,291		$	317		$	(188	)	$	2		$	3,424
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Three months ended September 30, 2014
In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
		translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
Balance as of June 30, 2014		$	(27	)	$	(117	)	$	0		$	(144	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(123	)		21			4			(98	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(123	)		22			4			(97	)
Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	(150	)	$	(95	)	$	4		$	(241	)
Three months ended September 30, 2013
In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
		translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
Balance as of June 30, 2013		$	(65	)	$	(160	)	$	0		$	(225	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			26			12			(2	)		36
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net			26			13			(2	)		37
Balance as of September 30, 2013		$	(39	)	$	(147	)	$	(2	)	$	(188	)
1	All amounts are net of tax.
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
		translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(60	)	$	(119	)	$	(1	)	$	(180	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(90	)		21			4			(65	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3			1			4
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(90	)		24			5			(61	)
Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	(150	)	$	(95	)	$	4		$	(241	)
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
		translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
Balance as of December 31, 2012		$	25		$	(205	)	$	(4	)	$	(184	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(64	)		35			(1	)		(30	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			23			3			26
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(64	)		58			2			(4	)
Balance as of September 30, 2013		$	(39	)	$	(147	)	$	(2	)	$	(188	)
1	All amounts are net of tax.
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Details about accumulated other		Amounts reclassified from						Affected line item in the consolidated
comprehensive income components		accumulated other comprehensive loss						statements of operations
		Three months ended
In millions		September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013
Derivative instruments
Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	1		$	0		Net sales
Natural gas cash flow hedges			(1	)		0		Cost of sales
Total before tax			0			0
Tax benefit			0			0
Total, net of tax		$	0		$	0
Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
Prior service cost			0			(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
Net actuarial loss			(1	)		(3	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
Total before tax			(1	)		(4	)
Tax benefit			0			3
Total, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Details about accumulated other		Amounts reclassified from						Affected line item in the consolidated
comprehensive income components		accumulated other comprehensive loss						statements of operations
		Nine months ended
In millions		September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013
Derivative instruments
Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	Net sales
Natural gas cash flow hedges			0			(3	)	Cost of sales
Total before tax			(1	)		(4	)
Tax benefit			0			1
Total, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(3	)
Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
Prior service cost		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
Net actuarial loss			(3	)		(35	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
Total before tax			(4	)		(37	)
Tax benefit			1			14
Total, net of tax		$	(3	)	$	(23	)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(4	)	$	(26	)

Segment_information

Segment information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment information	'
	11	Segment information
	MWV’s segments are (i) Food & Beverage, (ii) Home, Health & Beauty (iii) Industrial, (iv) Specialty Chemicals, and (v) Community Development and Land Management.
	The Food & Beverage segment produces packaging materials, and designs and produces packaging solutions primarily for the global food, food service, beverage, dairy and tobacco end markets, as well as paperboard for commercial printing. For the global food market, the segment develops and produces materials and innovative solutions that are used to package frozen food, dry goods, ready-to-eat meals, hot and cold drinks, and various shelf-stable dairy products. For the global beverage market, the segment has a fully integrated business model, including high-performance paperboard, carton design and converting operations, as well as beverage packaging machinery. For the global tobacco market, the segment produces high performance paperboard, and designs and produces cartons for the world’s leading tobacco brand owners. The segment’s materials are manufactured in the U.S. and converted into packaging solutions at plants located in North America, Europe and Asia.
	The Home, Health & Beauty segment designs and produces packaging solutions for the global personal care, fragrance, home care, lawn and garden, prescription drug and healthcare end markets. For the global beauty and personal care market, the segment produces pumps for fragrances, lotions, creams and soaps, flip-top and applicator closures for bath and body products and lotions, and paperboard and plastic packaging for hair and skin care products. For the global home and garden market, the segment produces trigger sprayers for surface cleaners and fabric care, aerosol actuators for air fresheners, hose-end sprayers for lawn and garden maintenance, and spouted and applicator closures for a variety of other home and garden products. For the global healthcare market, the segment produces secondary packages designed to enhance patient adherence for prescription drugs, as well as healthcare dispensing systems, paperboard packaging and closures for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Paperboard and plastic materials are converted into packaging solutions at plants located in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
	The Industrial segment designs and produces corrugated packaging solutions, primarily for produce, meat, consumer products and bulk goods. In Brazil, where most of this business is based, the integrated business includes forestlands, paperboard mills and corrugated box plants. This segment also includes operations in India, which develop corrugated packaging materials as well as corrugated packaging solutions for Indian fresh produce. In Brazil, the segment manufactures high-quality virgin kraftliner and recycled material medium paperboards, and converts the board to corrugated packaging at four box plants across the country. In India, the segment converts raw materials to corrugated packaging at its facility in Pune and manufactures containerboard at two mills in Vapi and Morai.
	The Specialty Chemicals segment manufactures, markets and distributes specialty chemicals derived from sawdust and other byproducts of the papermaking process in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Products include performance chemicals derived from pine chemicals used in printing inks, asphalt paving and adhesives as well as in the agricultural, paper and petroleum industries. This segment also produces activated carbon products used in gas vapor emission control systems for automobiles and trucks, as well as applications for air, water and food purification.
	The Community Development and Land Management segment is responsible for maximizing the value of 108,000 development acres in the Charleston, South Carolina region through a land development partnership with Plum Creek. The segment develops real estate including (i) selling development property, (ii) entitling and improving high-value tracts, and (iii) master planning of select landholdings. The earnings of this segment exclude the non-controlling interest attributable to Plum Creek.
	Corporate and Other includes expenses associated with corporate support staff services, as well as income and expense items not directly associated with ongoing segment operations, such as restructuring charges, pension income and curtailment gains and losses, interest expense and income, non-controlling interest income and losses, certain legal settlements, including $27 million of income recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to a favorable insurance settlement regarding litigation claims, gains and losses on certain asset sales and other items.
	Segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Three months ended September 30, 2014		Sales						Segment
	In millions		External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage		$	848	$	6	$	854	$	107
	Home, Health & Beauty			179		4		183		12
	Industrial			150		0		150		26
	Specialty Chemicals			283		0		283		69
	Community Development and Land Management			8		0		8		(1	)
	Total		$	1,468	$	10	$	1,478		213
	Corporate and Other									(67	)
	Non-controlling interests									2
	Consolidated total								$	148
	Three months ended September 30, 2013		Sales						Segment
	In millions		External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage		$	795	$	1	$	796	$	86
	Home, Health & Beauty			185		0		185		6
	Industrial			132		0		132		16
	Specialty Chemicals			260		0		260		66
	Community Development and Land Management			6		0		6		(3	)
	Total		$	1,378	$	1	$	1,379		171
	Corporate and Other									(71	)
	Non-controlling interests									0
	Consolidated total								$	100
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014		Sales						Segment
	In millions		External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage		$	2,444	$	19	$	2,463	$	255
	Home, Health & Beauty			580		10		590		41
	Industrial			420		1		421		59
	Specialty Chemicals			800		0		800		189
	Community Development and Land Management			13		0		13		(7	)
	Total		$	4,257	$	30	$	4,287		537
	Corporate and Other									(239	)
	Non-controlling interests									2
	Consolidated total								$	300
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013		Sales						Segment
	In millions		External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage		$	2,357	$	2	$	2,359	$	178
	Home, Health & Beauty			561		0		561		17
	Industrial			401		1		402		47
	Specialty Chemicals			746		0		746		176
	Community Development and Land Management			14		0		14		(10	)
	Total		$	4,079	$	3	$	4,082		408
	Corporate and Other									(267	)
	Non-controlling interests									(2	)
	Consolidated total								$	139

Environmental_and_legal_matter

Environmental and legal matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Environmental and legal matters	'
	12	Environmental and legal matters
	The company has been notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or by various state or local governments that it may be liable under federal environmental laws or under applicable state or local laws with respect to the cleanup of hazardous substances at sites previously operated or used by the company. The company is currently named as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”), or has received third-party requests for contribution under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and similar state or local laws with respect to numerous sites. There are other sites which may contain contamination or which may be potential Superfund sites, but for which MeadWestvaco has not received any notice or claim. The potential liability for all these sites will depend upon several factors, including the extent of contamination, the method of remediation, insurance coverage and contribution by other PRPs. The company regularly evaluates its potential liability at these various sites. At September 30, 2014, MeadWestvaco had recorded liabilities of approximately $4 million for estimated potential cleanup costs based upon its close monitoring of ongoing activities and its past experience with these matters. The company believes that it is reasonably possible that costs associated with these sites may exceed amounts of recorded liabilities by an amount that could range from an insignificant amount to as much as $2 million. This estimate is less certain than the estimate upon which the environmental liabilities were based. After consulting with legal counsel and after considering established liabilities, it is our judgment that the resolution of pending litigation and proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. In any given period or periods, however, it is possible such proceedings or matters could have a material effect on the results of operations.
	As with numerous other large industrial companies, the company has been named a defendant in asbestos-related personal injury litigation. Typically, these suits also name many other corporate defendants. To date, the costs resulting from the litigation, including settlement costs, have not been significant. As of September 30, 2014, there were about 570 lawsuits. Management believes that the company has substantial indemnification protection and insurance coverage, subject to applicable deductibles and policy limits, with respect to asbestos claims. Management believes that the company has valid defenses to these claims and intends to continue to defend them vigorously. Additionally, based on its historical experience in asbestos cases and an analysis of the current cases, the company believes that it has adequate amounts accrued for potential settlements and judgments in asbestos-related litigation. At September 30, 2014, the company had recorded litigation liabilities of approximately $21 million, a significant portion of which relates to asbestos. Should the volume of litigation grow substantially, it is possible that the company could incur significant costs resolving these cases. After consulting with legal counsel and after considering established liabilities, it is our judgment that the resolution of pending litigation and proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. In any given period or periods, however, it is possible such proceedings or matters could have a material effect on the results of operations.
	MeadWestvaco is involved in various other litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the currently expected outcome of any matter, lawsuit or claim that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial condition or liquidity. In any given period or periods, however, it is possible such proceedings or matters could have a material effect on the results of operations.

Other_income_net

Other income, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other income, net	'
	13	Other income, net
	Other income, net is comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	In millions		Three months ended					Nine months ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Interest income1		$	15		$	4	$	42		$	8
	Foreign currency exchange losses			0			0		(4	)		(3	)
	Insurance settlements			0			5		0			8
	Other2			(2	)		4		(11	)		11
			$	13		$	13	$	27		$	24
	1	Interest income includes $11 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.
	2	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Other income, net includes income of $4 million pursuant to certain value-added tax matters related to the fourth quarter of 2012. The aforementioned adjustment attributable to periods prior to 2013 was deemed to be immaterial to the company’s consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012.

Dispositions

Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Dispositions	'
	14	Dispositions
	On June 1, 2014, the company completed the sale of its beauty and personal care folding carton packaging business in Europe for net cash proceeds of $11 million. The sale resulted in a pre-tax loss of $1 million and $14 million recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, which is included within Corporate and Other for segment reporting purposes and reported in other income, net within the consolidated statements of operations.
	On December 6, 2013, the company completed the sale of its U.S. forestlands and related assets to Plum Creek. The company received total consideration of $934 million, of which approximately $74 million was paid in cash and $860 million was in the form of a ten-year term installment note. The results of the forestry and certain minerals-related businesses are reported in discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. These businesses were previously reported within the Community Development and Land Management segment.
	The following table shows the major categories for discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	In millions, except per share amounts		Three months ended					Nine months ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net sales		$	0		$	55	$	0		$	133
	Cost of sales			0			18		0			49
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			(1	)		2		(1	)		(2	)
	Interest expense			0			1		0			2
	Other expense (income), net			0			0		0			0
	Income before income taxes			1			34		1			84
	Income tax provision (benefit)			0			15		0			33
	Net (loss) income		$	1		$	19	$	1		$	51
	Net (loss) income per share
	Basic		$	0.01		$	0.11	$	0		$	0.29
	Diluted			0.01			0.1		0			0.28
	There were no assets or liabilities classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	In connection with certain business dispositions, MeadWestvaco has provided certain guarantees and indemnities to the respective buyers and other parties. These obligations include both potential environmental matters as well as certain contracts with third parties. The total aggregate exposure to the company for these matters could be up to $40 million. The company has evaluated the fair value of these guarantees and indemnifications which did not result in a material impact to the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income taxes	'
	15	Income taxes
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the effective tax rates attributable to continuing operations were as follows:
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Effective tax rate			28	%		39	%		30	%		22	%
	The differences in the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 compared to statutory rates are primarily from the mix and levels between domestic and foreign earnings as well as discrete items. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the discrete items include a $4 million benefit pursuant to an adjustment recorded to deferred taxes related to periods prior to 2013. The aforementioned adjustment attributable to periods prior to 2013 is deemed to be immaterial to the company’s consolidated financial statements for the current period and periods prior to 2013. In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $15 million and $33 million, respectively, of income taxes have been allocated to discontinued operations primarily related to the sale of the company’s U.S. forestlands and related assets to Plum Creek in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no significant changes to the company’s uncertain tax positions.

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis	'
	The following information is presented for assets and liabilities that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, measured on a recurring and non-recurring basis. There were no significant transfers of assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	In millions		September 30,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2014
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	9		$	0	$	9		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(4	)		0		(4	)		0
	Cash equivalents			306			306		0			0
	Non-recurring fair value measurements:
	Long-lived assets held for sale (5)		$	1		$	0	$	0		$	1
	In millions		December 31,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2013
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	2		$	0	$	2		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(3	)		0		(3	)		0
	Cash equivalents			943			943		0			0
	(1)	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	(2)	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
	(3)	Significant unobservable inputs.
	(4)	Derivative instruments consist of hedge contracts on natural gas and foreign currencies. Natural gas hedge instruments are valued using models with market inputs such as New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) natural gas futures contract pricings. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using models with market inputs such as prices of instruments of a similar nature.
	(5)	The fair value of long-lived assets is determined using a combination of a market approach based on market participant inputs and an income approach based on estimates of future cash flows.

Restructuring_charges_Tables

Restructuring charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Restructuring Charges Attributable to Individual Segments	'
	Restructuring charges attributable to individual segments and by nature of cost, as well as cost of sales (“COS”), selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) and Other income, net classification in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions	Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs and other costs										Total
		COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Other		Total			COS			SG&A			Other		Total
																income,											income,
																net											net
	Food & Beverage	$	(1	)	$	1		$	0		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	(1	)	$	1		$	0	$	0
	Home, Health & Beauty		1			0			1			(1	)		0		1		0			0			0			1		1
	Industrial		1			0			1			0			0		0		0			1			0			0		1
	Other		0			1			1			0			2		0		2			0			3			0		3
	Total charges	$	1		$	2		$	3		$	(1	)	$	2	$	1	$	2		$	0		$	4		$	1	$	5
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions	Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs							Total
											and other costs
		COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Total		COS			SG&A			Total
	Food & Beverage	$	1		$	2		$	3		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	1		$	2		$	3
	Home, Health & Beauty		1			0			1			1			0		1		2			0			2
	Industrial		(1	)		0			(1	)		0			0		0		(1	)		0			(1	)
	All other		0			1			1			0			0		0		0			1			1
	Total charges	$	1		$	3		$	4		$	1		$	0	$	1	$	2		$	3		$	5
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions	Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs and other costs										Total
		COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Other		Total			COS			SG&A			Other		Total
																income,											income,
																net											net
	Food & Beverage	$	(1	)	$	5		$	4		$	1		$	0	$	1	$	2		$	0		$	5		$	1	$	6
	Home, Health & Beauty		2			5			7			1			0		14		15			3			5			14		22
	Industrial		2			2			4			0			0		0		0			2			2			0		4
	All other		0			16			16			0			14		0		14			0			30			0		30
	Total charges	$	3		$	28		$	31		$	2		$	14	$	15	$	31		$	5		$	42		$	15	$	62
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions	Employee-related costs									Asset write-downs							Total
											and other costs
		COS			SG&A			Total			COS			SG&A		Total		COS			SG&A			Total
	Food & Beverage	$	1		$	5		$	6		$	0		$	0	$	0	$	1		$	5		$	6
	Home, Health & Beauty		6			1			7			6			0		6		12			1			13
	Industrial		1			1			2			5			0		5		6			1			7
	Specialty Chemicals		0			0			0			6			0		6		6			0			6
	All other		0			5			5			0			0		0		0			5			5
	Total charges	$	8		$	12		$	20		$	17		$	0	$	17	$	25		$	12		$	37
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve	'
	Activity in the restructuring reserve balances was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
	In millions	Employee related
		2014 program			Other actions			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	0		$	31		$	31
	Charges		27			1			28
	Payments		(22	)		(8	)		(30	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	5		$	24		$	29

Inventories_and_property_plant1

Inventories and property, plant and equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Inventories	'
	Inventories consist of:
	In millions	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	195	$	168
	Production materials, stores and supplies		115		104
	Finished and in-process goods		413		414
		$	723	$	686
Schedule of Accumulated Depreciation	'
	Property, plant and equipment is net of accumulated depreciation of:
	In millions	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accumulated depreciation	$	4,070	$	3,981

Intangible_assets_Tables

Intangible assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summarized Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	'
	The following table summarizes intangible assets subject to amortization included in other assets:
	In millions	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Trademarks and trade names	$	28	$	22	$	28	$	20
	Customer contracts and lists		258		122		264		112
	Patents		54		43		57		43
	Other – primarily licensing rights		14		10		14		9
		$	354	$	197	$	363	$	184
Schedule of Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Included in Other Assets	'
	Included in other assets are indefinite-lived intangible assets with carrying values of:
	In millions	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Trademarks and trade names	$	92	$	95

Financial_instruments_Tables

Financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Pre-Tax Effect of Derivative Instruments	'
	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments, which excludes the offsetting impact of the hedged item and underlying exposures, in the consolidated statements of operations and accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
			Cash flow hedges													Fair value hedges				Derivatives not
																				designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency							Natural gas hedges						Interest rate swaps				Foreign currency
			hedges																	derivatives
			2014				2013			2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	9			$	(3	)	$	(2	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)		$	1			$	0		$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain recognized in earnings 1			0				0			0			0			0		0		(1	)		0
	Total Gain (loss) recognized in earnings2		$	1			$	0		$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	(1	)	$	0
	1	Amounts represent the ineffective portion or items excluded from effectiveness testing for all derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships or represent realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with interest rate swaps or those derivatives not designated as hedges.
	2	Gains and losses recognized in earnings are generally offset by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.
	The pre-tax effect of derivative instruments, which excludes the offsetting impact of the hedged item and underlying exposures, in the consolidated statements of operations and accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
			Cash flow hedges													Fair value hedges				Derivatives not
																				designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency							Natural gas hedges						Interest rate swaps				Foreign currency
			hedges																	derivatives
			2014				2013			2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	9			$	(2	)	$	(1	)	$	0		$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)	$	0		$	(3	)	$	0	$	0	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) recognized in earnings 1			0				0			0			0			5		0		(3	)		2
	Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings2		$	(1	)		$	(1	)	$	0		$	(3	)	$	5	$	0	$	(3	)	$	2
	1	Amounts represent the ineffective portion or items excluded from effectiveness testing for all derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships or represent realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with interest rate swaps or those derivatives not designated as hedges.
	2	Gains and losses recognized in earnings are generally offset by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.
Fair Values and Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The fair values and the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below:
			September 30, 2014
	In millions		Gross amount of				Gross amount			Net amount of assets			Classification
			recognized assets				offset in the			(liabilities) presented
			(liabilities)				consolidated			in the consolidated
							balance sheet			balance sheet
	Assets
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	6			$	0		$	6		Other current assets
	Foreign currency derivatives			1				0			1		Other assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2				0			2		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	9			$	0		$	9
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	0			$	1		$	1		Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(1	)			0			(1	)	Accounts payable
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(5	)			1			(4	)	Accounts payable
	Total liabilities		$	(6	)		$	2		$	(4	)
	Total derivatives									$	5
			December 31, 2013
	In millions		Gross amount of				Gross amount			Net amount of assets			Classification
			recognized assets				offset in the			(liabilities) presented
			(liabilities)				consolidated			in the consolidated
							balance sheet			balance sheet
	Assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2				0			2		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	2			$	0		$	2
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges			(2	)			0			(2	)	Accounts payable
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(1	)			0			(1	)	Accounts payable
	Total liabilities		$	(3	)		$	0		$	(3	)
	Total derivatives									$	(1	)
Natural gas hedges	'
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions	'
	The notional values of these contracts in Million British Thermal Units (“MMBTU’s”) at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
	In MMBTU’s
	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		10				9
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges	'
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions	'
	The notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
	In millions		September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – not designated as hedges		$	136			$	147
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges	'
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions	'
	The notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented below.
	In millions		September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – designated as hedges		$	188			$	76

Employee_retirement_and_postre1

Employee retirement and postretirement benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Income) Cost	'
	The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s retirement and postretirement plans for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
			Three months ended September 30,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$	10		$	10		$	0		$	1
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			31			29			1			1
	Expected return on plan assets			(73	)		(72	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			1			1			(1	)		0
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			1			2			0			0
	Termination benefits			0			0			0			0
	Settlement loss			0			1			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(30	)	$	(29	)	$	0		$	2
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost – continuing operations		$	(30	)	$	(29	)	$	0		$	2
	The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s retirement and postretirement plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below.
			Nine months ended September 30,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost - benefits earned during the period		$	31		$	31		$	2		$	3
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			92			91			4			4
	Expected return on plan assets			(219	)		(216	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			2			3			(2	)		(1	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			3			17			0			0
	Termination benefits			1			0			0			0
	Curtailment loss 1			2			0			0			0
	Settlement loss			0			18			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(88	)	$	(56	)	$	4		$	6
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost – continuing operations		$	(88	)	$	(56	)	$	4		$	6
	1	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded within restructuring charges a curtailment loss of approximately $2 million.

Income_per_common_share_Tables

Income per common share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Dilutive Shares Not Included In Calculation of Diluted Net Income Per Share	'
	Presented below is the number of potentially dilutive shares not included in the calculation of diluted net income per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.
	In millions	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Anti-dilutive shares		0.2		0.4		0.6		0.4

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Changes In Equity	'
	Changes in equity for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Three months ended September 30, 2014		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at June 30, 2014			168.4		$	2		$	2,925		$	750		$	(144	)	$	157		$	3,690
	Net income			0			0			0			106			0			2			108
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			(97	)		0			(97	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(1	)		0			0			(1	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(4	)		(4	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			4			4
	Stock repurchases			(1.1	)		0			(44	)		0			0			0			(44	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.1			0			5			0			0			0			5
	Exercises of stock options			0.3			0			10			0			0			0			10
	Balance at September 30, 2014			167.7		$	2		$	2,896		$	855		$	(241	)	$	159		$	3,671
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the company purchased and retired 1.1 million of its common shares for $44 million.
	Three months ended September 30, 2013		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at June 30, 2013			177.4		$	2		$	3,275		$	237		$	(225	)	$	9		$	3,298
	Net income			0			0			0			80			0			0			80
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			37			0			37
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			0			0			0			0
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(5	)		(5	)
	Sale of non-controlling interest			0			0			0			0			0			(2	)		(2	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0			0			5			0			0			0			5
	Exercises of stock options			0.4			0			11			0			0			0			11
	Balance at September 30, 2013			177.8		$	2		$	3,291		$	317		$	(188	)	$	2		$	3,424
	Changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013			174.4		$	2		$	3,172		$	950		$	(180	)	$	155		$	4,099
	Net income			0			0			0			210			0			2			212
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			(61	)		0			(61	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(305	)		0			0			(305	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(7	)		(7	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			9			9
	Stock repurchases			(9.0	)		0			(351	)		0			0			0			(351	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.3			0			21			0			0			0			21
	Exercises of stock options			2			0			54			0			0			0			54
	Balance at September 30, 2014			167.7		$	2		$	2,896		$	855		$	(241	)	$	159		$	3,671
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company repurchased and retired 9.0 million of its common shares for $351 million through a combination of an accelerated share repurchase program and open market repurchases. In October 2014, the company purchased and retired an additional 1.0 million of its common shares for $43 million which completed the 2014 repurchase program. These purchases were made pursuant to a $394 million repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors on January 27, 2014 and funded by proceeds from the sale of its U.S. forestlands and related assets to Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (“Plum Creek”) in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013		Shareholders’ equity
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			Non-controlling			Total
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other			interests			equity
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2012			175.4		$	2		$	3,234		$	288		$	(184	)	$	18		$	3,358
	Net income			0			0			0			162			0			(2	)		160
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			(4	)		0			(4	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(133	)		0			0			(133	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(7	)		(7	)
	Purchase of non-controlling interest			0			0			(8	)		0			0			(5	)		(13	)
	Sale of non-controlling interest			0			0			0			0			0			(2	)		(2	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.2			0			11			0			0			0			11
	Exercises of stock options			2.2			0			54			0			0			0			54
	Balance at September 30, 2013			177.8		$	2		$	3,291		$	317		$	(188	)	$	2		$	3,424
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
	Balance as of June 30, 2014		$	(27	)	$	(117	)	$	0		$	(144	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(123	)		21			4			(98	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(123	)		22			4			(97	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	(150	)	$	(95	)	$	4		$	(241	)
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
	Balance as of June 30, 2013		$	(65	)	$	(160	)	$	0		$	(225	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			26			12			(2	)		36
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net			26			13			(2	)		37
	Balance as of September 30, 2013		$	(39	)	$	(147	)	$	(2	)	$	(188	)
	1	All amounts are net of tax.
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(60	)	$	(119	)	$	(1	)	$	(180	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(90	)		21			4			(65	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3			1			4
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(90	)		24			5			(61	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014		$	(150	)	$	(95	)	$	4		$	(241	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation1			benefit plans1			instruments1
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		$	25		$	(205	)	$	(4	)	$	(184	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(64	)		35			(1	)		(30	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			23			3			26
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(64	)		58			2			(4	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013		$	(39	)	$	(147	)	$	(2	)	$	(188	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Details about accumulated other		Amounts reclassified from						Affected line item in the consolidated
	comprehensive income components		accumulated other comprehensive loss						statements of operations
			Three months ended
	In millions		September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Derivative instruments
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	1		$	0		Net sales
	Natural gas cash flow hedges			(1	)		0		Cost of sales
	Total before tax			0			0
	Tax benefit			0			0
	Total, net of tax		$	0		$	0
	Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
	Prior service cost			0			(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Net actuarial loss			(1	)		(3	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Total before tax			(1	)		(4	)
	Tax benefit			0			3
	Total, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Details about accumulated other		Amounts reclassified from						Affected line item in the consolidated
	comprehensive income components		accumulated other comprehensive loss						statements of operations
			Nine months ended
	In millions		September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Derivative instruments
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	(1	)	$	(1	)	Net sales
	Natural gas cash flow hedges			0			(3	)	Cost of sales
	Total before tax			(1	)		(4	)
	Tax benefit			0			1
	Total, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(3	)
	Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
	Prior service cost		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Net actuarial loss			(3	)		(35	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Total before tax			(4	)		(37	)
	Tax benefit			1			14
	Total, net of tax		$	(3	)	$	(23	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(4	)	$	(26	)

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Segment Results by Segment	'
	Segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
	Three months ended September 30, 2014	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage	$	848	$	6	$	854	$	107
	Home, Health & Beauty		179		4		183		12
	Industrial		150		0		150		26
	Specialty Chemicals		283		0		283		69
	Community Development and Land Management		8		0		8		(1	)
	Total	$	1,468	$	10	$	1,478		213
	Corporate and Other								(67	)
	Non-controlling interests								2
	Consolidated total							$	148
	Three months ended September 30, 2013	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage	$	795	$	1	$	796	$	86
	Home, Health & Beauty		185		0		185		6
	Industrial		132		0		132		16
	Specialty Chemicals		260		0		260		66
	Community Development and Land Management		6		0		6		(3	)
	Total	$	1,378	$	1	$	1,379		171
	Corporate and Other								(71	)
	Non-controlling interests								0
	Consolidated total							$	100
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage	$	2,444	$	19	$	2,463	$	255
	Home, Health & Beauty		580		10		590		41
	Industrial		420		1		421		59
	Specialty Chemicals		800		0		800		189
	Community Development and Land Management		13		0		13		(7	)
	Total	$	4,257	$	30	$	4,287		537
	Corporate and Other								(239	)
	Non-controlling interests								2
	Consolidated total							$	300
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit (loss)
	Food & Beverage	$	2,357	$	2	$	2,359	$	178
	Home, Health & Beauty		561		0		561		17
	Industrial		401		1		402		47
	Specialty Chemicals		746		0		746		176
	Community Development and Land Management		14		0		14		(10	)
	Total	$	4,079	$	3	$	4,082		408
	Corporate and Other								(267	)
	Non-controlling interests								(2	)
	Consolidated total							$	139

Other_income_net_Tables

Other income, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Other Income, Net	'
	Other income, net is comprised of the following for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	In millions		Three months ended					Nine months ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2014			2013		2014			2013
	Interest income1		$	15		$	4	$	42		$	8
	Foreign currency exchange losses			0			0		(4	)		(3	)
	Insurance settlements			0			5		0			8
	Other2			(2	)		4		(11	)		11
			$	13		$	13	$	27		$	24
	1	Interest income includes $11 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.
	2	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Other income, net includes income of $4 million pursuant to certain value-added tax matters related to the fourth quarter of 2012. The aforementioned adjustment attributable to periods prior to 2013 was deemed to be immaterial to the company’s consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012.

Dispositions_Tables

Dispositions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Major Categories for Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statement of Operations	'
	The following table shows the major categories for discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	In millions, except per share amounts	Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Net sales	$	0		$	55	$	0		$	133
	Cost of sales		0			18		0			49
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		(1	)		2		(1	)		(2	)
	Interest expense		0			1		0			2
	Other expense (income), net		0			0		0			0
	Income before income taxes		1			34		1			84
	Income tax provision (benefit)		0			15		0			33
	Net (loss) income	$	1		$	19	$	1		$	51
	Net (loss) income per share
	Basic	$	0.01		$	0.11	$	0		$	0.29
	Diluted		0.01			0.1		0			0.28

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Effective Tax Rates, Attributable to Continuing Operations	'
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the effective tax rates attributable to continuing operations were as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Effective tax rate		28	%		39	%		30	%		22	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2	$0	$0	$0
Transfers of liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2	0	0	0
Impairment of long lived assets held for sale	1,000,000	4,000,000	'
Write off of long-lived assets held and used	'	10,000,000	'
Book value of debt	1,800,000,000	1,800,000,000	'
Estimated fair value of debt	2,200,000,000	2,200,000,000	'
Asset Impairment	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-lived assets held for sale, carrying value	'	5,000,000	'
Long-lived assets held for sale, fair value	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_on_Rec

Fair Value Measurements on Recurring and Non-Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivatives-assets	$9		$2
Derivatives-liabilities	-4		-3
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivatives-assets	9	[1]	2	[1]
Derivatives-liabilities	-4	[1]	-3	[1]
Cash equivalents	306		943
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets held for sale	1	[2]	'
Level 1 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivatives-assets	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Derivatives-liabilities	0	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Cash equivalents	306	[3]	943	[3]
Level 1 | Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets held for sale	0	[2],[3]	'
Level 2 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivatives-assets	9	[1],[4]	2	[1],[4]
Derivatives-liabilities	-4	[1],[4]	-3	[1],[4]
Cash equivalents	0	[4]	0	[4]
Level 2 | Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets held for sale	0	[2],[4]	'
Level 3 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Derivatives-assets	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Derivatives-liabilities	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Level 3 | Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Long-lived assets held for sale	$1	[2],[5]	'
[1]	Derivative instruments consist of hedge contracts on natural gas and foreign currencies. Natural gas hedge instruments are valued using models with market inputs such as New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") natural gas futures contract pricings. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued using models with market inputs such as prices of instruments of a similar nature.
[2]	The fair value of long-lived assets is determined using a combination of a market approach based on market participant inputs and an income approach based on estimates of future cash flows.
[3]	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
[4]	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
[5]	Significant unobservable inputs.

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (2014 program, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
2014 program	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Cumulative restructuring charge	$43

Schedule_of_Restructuring_Char

Schedule of Restructuring Charges Attributable to Individual Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$5	$5	$62	$37
Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	3	6	6
Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	2	22	13
Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	-1	4	7
All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	3	1	30	5
Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	6
COS	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	2	5	25
COS | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-1	1	0	1
COS | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	2	3	12
COS | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	-1	2	6
COS | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
COS | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	6
SG&A	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	4	3	42	12
SG&A | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	2	5	5
SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	5	1
SG&A | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	2	1
SG&A | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	3	1	30	5
SG&A | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	0
Other Income, net	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	'	15	'
Other Income, net | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	'	1	'
Other Income, net | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	'	14	'
Other Income, net | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	'	0	'
Other Income, net | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	'	0	'
Employee Related Costs	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	3	4	31	20
Employee Related Costs | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	3	4	6
Employee Related Costs | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	1	7	7
Employee Related Costs | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	-1	4	2
Employee Related Costs | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	1	16	5
Employee Related Costs | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	0
Employee Related Costs | COS	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	1	3	8
Employee Related Costs | COS | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-1	1	-1	1
Employee Related Costs | COS | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	1	2	6
Employee Related Costs | COS | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	-1	2	1
Employee Related Costs | COS | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Employee Related Costs | COS | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	0
Employee Related Costs | SG&A	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	3	28	12
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	2	5	5
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	5	1
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	2	1
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	1	16	5
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	1	31	17
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	2	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	1	15	6
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	5
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	0	14	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	6
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-1	1	2	17
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	1	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-1	1	1	6
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	5
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	6
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	0	14	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	0	14	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Other Income, net	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	'	15	'
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Other Income, net | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	'	1	'
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Other Income, net | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1	'	14	'
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Other Income, net | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	0	'	0	'
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Other Income, net | All Other	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$0	'	$0	'

Schedule_of_Restructuring_Rese

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve (Detail) (Employee Related Costs, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	$31
Charges	28
Payments	-30
Ending Balance	29
2014 program	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	0
Charges	27
Payments	-22
Ending Balance	5
Other actions	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	31
Charges	1
Payments	-8
Ending Balance	$24

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$195	$168
Production materials, stores and supplies	115	104
Finished and in-process goods	413	414
Total inventories	$723	$686

Schedule_of_Accumulated_Deprec

Schedule of Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated depreciation	$4,070	$3,981

Recovered_Sheet1

Inventories and Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Treasury grant proceeds	$39	$39	$0

Summary_of_Intangible_Assets_S

Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$354	$363
Accumulated amortization	197	184
Trademarks and tradenames	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	28	28
Accumulated amortization	22	20
Customer contracts and lists	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	258	264
Accumulated amortization	122	112
Patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	54	57
Accumulated amortization	43	43
Other - primarily licensing rights	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	14	14
Accumulated amortization	$10	$9

Schedule_of_Indefinite_Lived_I

Schedule of Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Included in Other Assets (Detail) (Trademarks and tradenames, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Trademarks and tradenames	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$92	$95

Schedule_of_Pre_Tax_Effect_of_

Schedule of Pre Tax Effect of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Currency Hedges	'		'		'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	$9		($3)		$9		($2)
(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)	1		0		-1		-1
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings	1	[2]	0	[2]	-1	[2]	-1	[2]
Cash Flow Hedging | Natural gas hedges	'		'		'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	-2		0		-1		0
(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)	-1		0		0		-3
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings	-1	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	-3	[2]
Fair Value Hedging | Interest Rate Swaps	'		'		'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	0		0		0		0
(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)	0		0		0		0
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[1]	0	[1]	5	[1]	0	[1]
Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[2]	0	[2]	5	[2]	0	[2]
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges	'		'		'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	0		0		0		0
(Loss) gain reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive loss (effective portion)	0		0		0		0
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	-1	[1]	0	[1]	-3	[1]	2	[1]
Total (loss) gain recognized in earnings	($1)	[2]	$0	[2]	($3)	[2]	$2	[2]
[1]	Amounts represent the ineffective portion or items excluded from effectiveness testing for all derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships or represent realized and unrealized gains (losses) associated with interest rate swaps or those derivatives not designated as hedges.
[2]	Gains and losses recognized in earnings are generally offset by the recognition of the hedged item in earnings or the earnings impact from the underlying exposures.

Fair_Values_and_Effect_of_Deri

Fair Values and Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized assets	$9	$2
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	0
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	9	2
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-6	-3
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	2	0
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-4	-3
Total derivatives	5	-1
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Other current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized assets	6	'
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	'
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	6	'
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Other assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized assets	1	'
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	'
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	1	'
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Accounts payable	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	0	-2
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	1	0
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	1	-2
Derivatives designated as hedges | Natural gas hedges | Accounts payable	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-1	'
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	'
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-1	'
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Other current assets	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized assets	2	2
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	0
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	2	2
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Accounts payable	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-5	-1
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	1	0
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	($4)	($1)

Schedule_of_Notional_Amounts_o

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Contracts in Million British Thermal Units (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	MMBTU	MMBTU
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Hedged natural gas consumption, Million Metric British Thermal Units	10	9

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	Derivative	Derivative	Derivative	Derivative
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Estimated pre-tax gain (loss) to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months, natural gas	($1,000,000)	'	($1,000,000)	'
Maximum remaining term of existing hedges, years	'	'	'2 years	'
Gains or losses recognized in earnings due to probability that forecasted transactions will not occur, natural gas	0	0	0	0
Estimated pre-tax gain (loss) to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months, foreign currency	7,000,000	'	7,000,000	'
Maximum remaining term of existing hedges, years	'1 year	'	'	'
Gains or losses recognized in earnings due to probability that forecasted transactions will not occur, foreign currency	0	0	0	0
Number of interest-rate swap agreements outstanding	0	0	0	0
Net cash proceeds realized	'	'	$4,000,000	'

Schedule_Of_Notional_Value_Of_

Schedule Of Notional Value Of Outstanding Currency Forward Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Hedges, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives not designated as hedges	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount of derivative	$136	$147
Derivatives designated as hedges	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount of derivative	$188	$76

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit or Income Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Settlement loss	'	'	'		$18
Curtailment loss	-21	'	-21		'
Pension Benefits	'	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	10	10	31		31
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	31	29	92		91
Expected return on plan assets	-73	-72	-219		-216
Amortization of prior service cost (income)	1	1	2		3
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) Loss	1	2	3		17
Termination benefits	0	0	1		0
Settlement loss	0	1	0		18
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	-30	-29	-88		-56
Curtailment loss	'	'	2	[1]	0	[1]
Pension Benefits | Continuing Operations	'	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	-30	-29	-88		-56
Postretirement Benefits	'	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	0	1	2		3
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1	1	4		4
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0		0
Amortization of prior service cost (income)	-1	0	-2		-1
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) Loss	0	0	0		0
Termination benefits	0	0	0		0
Settlement loss	0	0	0		0
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	0	2	4		6
Curtailment loss	'	'	0	[1]	0	[1]
Postretirement Benefits | Continuing Operations	'	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	$0	$2	$4		$6
[1]	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company recorded within restructuring charges a curtailment loss of approximately $2 million.

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben1

Components of Net Periodic Benefit or Income Cost (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Curtailment loss	($21)	($21)
Restructuring Charges	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Curtailment loss	'	$2

Recovered_Sheet2

Employee Retirement and Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 01, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax settlement charge	'	'	$18	'	'
Discount rate used to measure planned liabilities	'	'	'	3.70%	3.95%
After tax gain recorded for net decrease to the plan's funded status	21	21	'	'	'
Foreign Pension Plan, Defined Benefit	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected employer contributions	'	$2	'	'	'

Dilutive_Shares_Not_Included_I

Dilutive Shares Not Included In Calculation of Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive shares	0.2	0.4	0.6	0.4

Changes_in_Equity_Detail

Changes in Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Beginning Balance (in shares)	'	'	174,443,439	'
Beginning Balance	$3,690	$3,298	$4,099	$3,358
Net income	108	80	212	160
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-97	37	-61	-4
Dividends declared	-1	0	-305	-133
Non-controlling interests distribution	-4	-5	-7	-7
Non-controlling interest contribution	4	'	9	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-13
Stock repurchases (in Shares)	-1,100,000	'	-9,000,000	'
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	-2	'	-2
Stock repurchases	-44	'	-351	'
Share-based employee compensation	5	5	21	11
Exercises of stock options	10	11	54	54
Ending Balance (in shares)	167,682,939	'	167,682,939	'
Ending Balance	3,671	3,424	3,671	3,424
Common Stock	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance (in shares)	168,400,000	177,400,000	174,400,000	175,400,000
Beginning Balance	2	2	2	2
Net income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	'	0	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	0
Stock repurchases (in Shares)	-1,100,000	'	-9,000,000	'
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	0	'	0
Stock repurchases	0	'	0	'
Share-based employee compensation (in shares)	100,000	0	300,000	200,000
Share-based employee compensation	0	0	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	300,000	400,000	2,000,000	2,200,000
Exercises of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance (in shares)	167,700,000	177,800,000	167,700,000	177,800,000
Ending Balance	2	2	2	2
Additional Paid-in Capital	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	2,925	3,275	3,172	3,234
Net income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	'	0	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-8
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	0	'	0
Stock repurchases	-44	'	-351	'
Share-based employee compensation	5	5	21	11
Exercises of stock options	10	11	54	54
Ending Balance	2,896	3,291	2,896	3,291
Retained Earnings	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	750	237	950	288
Net income	106	80	210	162
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	-1	0	-305	-133
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	'	0	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	0
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	0	'	0
Stock repurchases	0	'	0	'
Share-based employee compensation	0	0	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	855	317	855	317
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-144	-225	-180	-184
Net income	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-97	37	-61	-4
Dividends declared	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	'	0	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	0
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	0	'	0
Stock repurchases	0	'	0	'
Share-based employee compensation	0	0	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	-241	-188	-241	-188
Non-Controlling Interests	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	157	9	155	18
Net income	2	0	2	-2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	-4	-5	-7	-7
Non-controlling interest contribution	4	'	9	'
Purchase of non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-5
Sale of non-controlling interest	'	-2	'	-2
Stock repurchases	0	'	0	'
Share-based employee compensation	0	0	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$159	$2	$159	$2

Equity_Additional_Information_

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 27, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
				Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchase plan, shares repurchased and retired	1.1	9	'	1
Stock repurchases	$44	$351	'	$43
Board of Directors approved repurchase program amount	'	'	$394	'

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	($144)		($225)		($180)		($184)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-98		36		-65		-30
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1		1		4		26
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net	-97		37		-61		-4
Ending balance	-241		-188		-241		-188
Foreign Currency Translation	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	-27	[1]	-65	[1]	-60	[1]	25	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-123	[1]	26	[1]	-90	[1]	-64	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net	-123	[1]	26	[1]	-90	[1]	-64	[1]
Ending balance	-150	[1]	-39	[1]	-150	[1]	-39	[1]
Pension and Other Benefit Plans	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	-117	[1]	-160	[1]	-119	[1]	-205	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	21	[1]	12	[1]	21	[1]	35	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1	[1]	1	[1]	3	[1]	23	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net	22	[1]	13	[1]	24	[1]	58	[1]
Ending balance	-95	[1]	-147	[1]	-95	[1]	-147	[1]
Derivative Instruments	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Beginning balance	0	[1]	0	[1]	-1	[1]	-4	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	4	[1]	-2	[1]	4	[1]	-1	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	[1]	0	[1]	1	[1]	3	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net	4	[1]	-2	[1]	5	[1]	2	[1]
Ending balance	$4	[1]	($2)	[1]	$4	[1]	($2)	[1]
[1]	All amounts are net of tax.

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,468	$1,378	$4,257	$4,079
Cost of sales	-1,135	-1,095	-3,359	-3,363
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	148	100	300	139
Tax benefit	-41	-39	-89	-30
Total, net of tax	105	61	209	111
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total, net of tax	-1	-1	-4	-26
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Instruments	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	0	0	-1	-4
Tax benefit	0	0	0	1
Total, net of tax	0	0	-1	-3
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Instruments | Foreign Currency Hedges	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1	0	-1	-1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Instruments | Natural gas hedges	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-1	0	0	-3
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension and Other Benefit Plans	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	-1	-4	-4	-37
Tax benefit	0	3	1	14
Total, net of tax	-1	-1	-3	-23
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Pension and Other Benefit Plans | Cost of Sales and General & Administrative Costs	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost	0	-1	-1	-2
Net actuarial loss	($1)	($3)	($3)	($35)

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	acre
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Area of land development	108,000
Corporate and Other	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Income recognized related to favorable insurance settlement	27
Brazil	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of corrugated packaging box plants	4
India	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of container board manufacturing facility	2

Schedule_of_Segment_Results_by

Schedule of Segment Results by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,468	$1,378	$4,257	$4,079
Segment profit (loss)	148	100	300	139
Non-Controlling Interests	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment profit (loss)	2	0	2	-2
Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	848	795	2,444	2,357
Segment profit (loss)	107	86	255	178
Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	179	185	580	561
Segment profit (loss)	12	6	41	17
Industrial	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	150	132	420	401
Segment profit (loss)	26	16	59	47
Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	283	260	800	746
Segment profit (loss)	69	66	189	176
Community Development And Land Management	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	8	6	13	14
Segment profit (loss)	-1	-3	-7	-10
Total Operating Segments	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,468	1,378	4,257	4,079
Segment profit (loss)	213	171	537	408
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment profit (loss)	-67	-71	-239	-267
Intersegment Elimination | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-6	-1	-19	-2
Intersegment Elimination | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-4	0	-10	0
Intersegment Elimination | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	0	-1	-1
Intersegment Elimination | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination | Community Development And Land Management	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination | Total Operating Segments	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-10	-1	-30	-3
Operating Segments | Food & Beverage	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	854	796	2,463	2,359
Operating Segments | Home, Health & Beauty	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	183	185	590	561
Operating Segments | Industrial	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	150	132	421	402
Operating Segments | Specialty Chemicals	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	283	260	800	746
Operating Segments | Community Development And Land Management	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	8	6	13	14
Operating Segments | Total Operating Segments	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,478	$1,379	$4,287	$4,082

Recovered_Sheet3

Environmental and Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	LegalMatter
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Estimated potential cleanup costs	$4
Estimate of maximum costs in excess of reserve	2
Asbestos-related lawsuits	570
Litigation liabilities	$21

Schedule_of_Other_Income_Net_D

Schedule of Other Income Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest income	$15	[1]	$4	[1]	$42	[1]	$8	[1]
Foreign currency exchange losses	0		0		-4		-3
Insurance settlements	0		5		0		8
Other	-2	[2]	4	[2]	-11	[2]	11	[2]
Other income, net	$13		$13		$27		$24
[1]	Interest income includes $11 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.
[2]	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Other income, net includes income of $4 million pursuant to certain value-added tax matters related to the fourth quarter of 2012. The aforementioned adjustment attributable to periods prior to 2013 was deemed to be immaterial to the company's consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012.

Schedule_of_Other_Income_Net_P

Schedule of Other Income Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest income	$15	[1]	$4	[1]	$42	[1]	$8	[1]
Other	-2	[2]	4	[2]	-11	[2]	11	[2]
Value added tax	'		'		'		'
Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Other	'		'		'		4
Plum Creek Transaction | Long-term note receivable	'		'		'		'
Other Income, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest income	$11		'		$34		'
[1]	Interest income includes $11 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.
[2]	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Other income, net includes income of $4 million pursuant to certain value-added tax matters related to the fourth quarter of 2012. The aforementioned adjustment attributable to periods prior to 2013 was deemed to be immaterial to the company's consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2012.

Dispositions_Additional_Inform

Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 01, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 06, 2013	Dec. 06, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
	Personal Care Products	Personal Care Products	Personal Care Products	Plum Creek Transaction	Plum Creek Transaction	Discontinued Operations
	Europe	Europe	Europe
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash proceeds from the sale of business	$11	'	'	$74	'	'
Charges before tax	'	-1	-14	'	'	'
Total purchase price of land and related assets and noncash consideration received	'	'	'	'	934	'
Note receivables received from sale of business	'	'	'	860	'	'
Note receivable payment term	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Total aggregate exposure for guarantees and indemnifications	'	'	'	'	'	$40

Income_from_Discontinued_Opera

Income from Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations, Net of Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$0	$55	$0	$133
Cost of sales	0	18	0	49
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-1	2	-1	-2
Interest expense	0	1	0	2
Other expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	1	34	1	84
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	15	0	33
Net (loss) income	$1	$19	$1	$51
Net (loss) income per share	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.01	$0.11	$0	$0.29
Diluted	$0.01	$0.10	$0	$0.28

Schedule_of_Effective_Tax_Rate

Schedule of Effective Tax Rates, Including Discrete Items, Attributable to Continuing Operations (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	28.00%	39.00%	30.00%	22.00%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Effective Tax Rate Reconciling Items [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Discrete items	'	'	'	$4
Income tax for discontinued operations	0	15	0	33
U.S. forestlands and related assets	'	'	'	'
Effective Tax Rate Reconciling Items [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax for discontinued operations	'	$15	'	$33