Meadwestvaco (MWV) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	MWV
Entity Registrant Name	MEADWESTVACO CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1159297
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		167,813,882

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales	$1,282		$1,322
Cost of sales	1,045		1,075
Selling, general and administrative expenses	159		161
Interest expense	52		53
Other income, net	-18		-13
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	44		46
Income tax provision	13		15
Income from continuing operations	31		31
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	2		0
Net income	33		31
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net of income taxes	0		0
Net income attributable to the company	33		31
Income from continuing operations attributable to the company	$31		$31
Net income per share attributable to the company - basic:
Income from continuing operations	$0.19		$0.18
Income from discontinued operations	$0.01		$0
Net income attributable to the company	$0.20		$0.18
Net income per share attributable to the company - diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$0.18		$0.18
Income from discontinued operations	$0.01		$0
Net income attributable to the company	$0.19		$0.18
Shares used to compute net income per share attributable to the company:
Basic	167.9		170.7
Diluted	170.8		173.5
Cash dividends per share	$0.25	[1]	$1.25	[1]
[1]	Cash dividends per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 include a special dividend of $1.00 per share paid on March 3, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$33	$31
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	-153	19
Adjustments related to pension and other benefit plans	3	1
Net unrealized income on derivative instruments	5	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-145	20
Comprehensive (loss) income	-112	51
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to the company	($112)	$51

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$262	$454
Accounts receivable, net	688	608
Inventories	681	673
Other current assets	139	135
Assets held for sale	93	104
Current assets	1,863	1,974
Property, plant, equipment and forestlands, net	3,306	3,422
Prepaid pension asset	1,401	1,374
Goodwill	680	692
Restricted assets held by special purpose entities	1,258	1,258
Other assets	625	644
Total Assets	9,133	9,364
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	519	540
Accrued expenses	322	388
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	74	82
Liabilities held for sale	22	19
Current liabilities	937	1,029
Long-term debt	1,810	1,790
Non-recourse liabilities held by special purpose entities	1,112	1,112
Deferred income taxes	1,319	1,330
Other long-term obligations	672	695
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par Shares authorized: 600,000,000 Shares issued and outstanding: 2015 - 167,806,112 (2014 - 167,198,221)	2	2
Additional paid-in capital	2,902	2,872
Retained earnings	857	866
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-631	-486
Total shareholders' equity	3,130	3,254
Non-controlling interests	153	154
Total equity	3,283	3,408
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$9,133	$9,364

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, Shares issued	167,806,112	167,198,221
Common stock, Shares outstanding	167,806,112	167,198,221

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$33	$31
Discontinued operations	-2	0
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	82	93
Deferred income taxes	3	7
Pension income (excluding curtailments)	-17	-30
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	13
Appreciation in cash surrender value insurance policies	-8	-6
Changes in working capital, excluding the effects of acquisitions and dispositions	-203	-213
Payment of alternative minimum taxes - forestlands sale	0	-98
Other, net	-1	-4
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations	-113	-207
Discontinued operations	0	-1
Net cash used in operating activities	-113	-208
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-65	-66
Proceeds from dispositions of assets	0	3
Other	0	3
Net cash used in investing activities	-65	-60
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	50	50
Repayment of long-term debt	-19	-20
Changes in notes payable and other short-term borrowings, net	-2	3
Changes in bank overdrafts	1	14
Dividends paid (including special dividend of $175 million paid in March 2014)	-42	-218
Stock repurchases	0	-305
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	12	13
Other	6	3
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6	-460
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-20	3
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-192	-725
Cash and cash equivalents:
At beginning of period	454	1,057
At end of period	$262	$332

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Special dividend	$175

Basis_of_presentation

Basis of presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of presentation	1. Basis of presentation and recent developments
	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, 2014.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. 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, 2014.
	On January 26, 2015, MWV announced it has entered into a Business Combination Agreement to merge with Rock-Tenn Company to create a leading global provider of consumer and corrugated packaging. The company expects this transaction to close in the second calendar quarter of 2015. Additional information about the Business Combination Agreement is set forth in the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015 and the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2015.
	On January 8, 2015, the company announced its Board of Directors has approved a plan to fully separate its Specialty Chemicals business from the rest of the company by the end of 2015. Additional information about this planned transaction is set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2015.

New_accounting_guidance

New accounting guidance	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New accounting guidance	2. New accounting guidance
	In January 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance that eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The new guidance may be applied prospectively or retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The impact of adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance regarding the consolidation analysis for certain legal entities. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The impact of adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, measured on a 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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	In millions		March 31, 2015			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	14		$	0	$	14		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(5	)		0		(5	)		0
	Cash equivalents			174			174		0			0
	In millions		December 31,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2014
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	8		$	0	$	8		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(4	)		0		(4	)		0
	Cash equivalents			369			369		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 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.
	At March 31, 2015, the book value of debt was $1.9 billion and the fair value was estimated to be $2.3 billion. The difference between book value and fair value is derived from the difference between the period-end market interest rates and the stated fixed rates for the company’s long-term debt. The company estimates the fair values of 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring charges	4. Restructuring charges
	At times the company initiates certain restructuring actions to reduce its overhead related to its global and domestic operations. In January 2014, the company initiated a margin improvement program, which was largely complete at 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. Restructuring charges incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were pursuant to these actions. Cumulative charges included in the results from continuing operations through March 31, 2015 since the inception of the 2014 program were $47 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”) and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) classification in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	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	$	0		$	0	$	0		$	(1	)	$	0	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	0	$	(1	)
	Home, Health & Beauty All		5			0		5			1			0		1			6			0		6
	Total charges	$	5		$	0	$	5		$	0		$	0	$	0		$	5		$	0	$	5
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	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	$	0		$	3	$	3		$	1		$	0	$	1		$	1		$	3	$	4
	Home, Health & Beauty All		1			4		5			1			0		1			2			4		6
	Industrial		1			1		2			0			0		0			1			1		2
	All other		0			15		15			0			12		12			0			27		27
	Total charges	$	2		$	23	$	25		$	2		$	12	$	14		$	4		$	35	$	39
	Activity in the restructuring reserve balances was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	In millions	Employee related
		2014 program			Other actions		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4		$	22	$	26
	Charges		0			5		5
	Payments		(2	)		0		(2	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2		$	27	$	29

Inventories_and_property_plant

Inventories and property, plant and equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories and property, plant and equipment	5. Inventories and property, plant and equipment
	Inventories consist of:
	In millions	March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	165	$	162
	Production materials, stores and supplies		108		113
	Finished and in-process goods		408		398
		$	681	$	673
	Property, plant and equipment is net of accumulated depreciation of:
	In millions	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accumulated depreciation	$	3,912	$	3,910

Intangible_assets

Intangible assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible assets	6. Intangible assets
	The following table summarizes intangible assets subject to amortization included in other assets:
	In millions	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Trademarks and trade names	$	27	$	23	$	27	$	22
	Customer contracts and lists		246		124		255		125
	Patents		51		41		53		43
	Other – primarily licensing rights		14		11		14		10
		$	338	$	199	$	349	$	200
	Included in other assets are indefinite-lived intangible assets with carrying values of:
	In millions	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Trademarks and trade names	$	87	$	91

Financial_instruments

Financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 income 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 income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
			Cash flow hedges											Derivatives not
														designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency						Natural gas hedges					Foreign currency
			hedges											derivatives
			2015			2014			2015			2014		2015			2014
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	15		$	(1	)	$	(4	)	$	1	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	6		$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	1	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain recognized in earnings (1)			0			0			0			0		(2	)		2
	Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings (2)		$	6		$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	1	$	(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 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below:
			March 31, 2015
	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 hedges			17			0			17		Other current assets
	Natural gas hedges		$	0		$	(4	)	$	(4	)	Other current assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2			(1	)		1		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	19		$	(5	)	$	14
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges			0			3			3		Accounts payable
	Natural gas hedges		$	(4	)	$	0		$	(4	)	Accounts payable
	Natural gas hedges			(1	)		0			(1	)	Other long-term obligations
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(6	)		3			(3	)
	Total liabilities		$	(11	)	$	6		$	(5	)
	Total derivatives								$	9
			December 31, 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 hedges		$	9		$	0		$	9		Other current assets
	Natural gas						(2	)		(2	)	Other current assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			3			(2	)		1		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	12		$	(4	)	$	8
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges		$	0		$	2		$	2		Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(5	)		0			(5	)	Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(1	)		0			(1	)	Other long-term obligations
	Total liabilities		$	(6	)	$	2		$	(4	)
	Total derivatives								$	4
	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 New York Mercantile Exchange (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 (“MMBTUs”) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
	In MMBTUs
	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	12		10
	Unrealized gains and losses on contracts maturing in future months are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are charged or credited to earnings for the ineffective portion of the hedge. 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 is $8 million during the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2015, the maximum remaining term of existing hedges was two years. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 cash deposits, foreign currency sales and purchases of its international operations, and foreign sales of its U.S. operations. These contracts are used to hedge the variability of exchange rates on the company’s cash flows and foreign cash deposits.
The foreign currency forward contracts related to certain inter-company loans and foreign cash deposits 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
In millions		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – not designated as hedges		$	102		$	112
Other foreign currency forward contracts, which are for terms of up to 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 $20 million. As of March 31, 2015, the maximum remaining term of existing hedges was one year. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, no significant 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
In millions		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – designated as hedges		$	113		$	150

Employee_retirement_and_postre

Employee retirement and postretirement benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 post retirement plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period		$	16		$	10		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			30			31			1			1
	Expected return on plan assets			(71	)		(73	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			1			1			(3	)		0
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			7			1			0			0
	Curtailments (1)			0			2			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(17	)	$	(28	)	$	(1	)	$	2
	(1)	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the company recorded within restructuring charges a curtailment loss of approximately $2 million.
	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. Accordingly, no contributions were made to these plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015. However, the company expects to contribute $2 million to the funded non-U.S. plans in 2015.

Income_per_common_share

Income per common share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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. 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.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In millions	2015		2014
	Anti-dilutive shares		0.2		1.3

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity	10. Equity
	Changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015		Shareholders’ equity															Non-controlling			Total
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			interests			equity
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2014			167.2		$	2		$	2,872		$	866		$	(486	)	$	154		$	3,408
	Net income			0			0			0			33			0			0			33
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			(145	)		0			(145	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(42	)		0			0			(42	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(3	)		(3	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			2			2
	Share-based employee compensation			0.1			0			14			0			0			0			14
	Exercises of stock options			0.5			0			16			0			0			0			16
	Balance at March 31, 2015			167.8		$	2		$	2,902		$	857		$	(631	)	$	153		$	3,283
	Three months ended March 31, 2014		Shareholders’ equity															Non-controlling			Total
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			interests			equity
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013			174.4		$	2		$	3,172		$	950		$	(180	)	$	155		$	4,099
	Net income			0			0			0			31			0			0			31
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			20			0			20
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(220	)		0			0			(220	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(1	)		(1	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			5			5
	Stock repurchases			(7.5	)		0			(300	)		0			0			0			(300	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.2			0			10			0			0			0			10
	Exercises of stock options			0.7			0			15			0			0			0			15
	Balance at March 31, 2014			167.8		$	2		$	2,897		$	761		$	(160	)	$	159		$	3,659
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation(1)			benefit plans(1)			instruments(1)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(234	)	$	(254)		$	2		$	(486	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(153	)		0			7			(146	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3			(2	)		1
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(153	)		3			5			(145	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(387	)	$	(251	)	$	7		$	(631	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	In millions
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(60	)	$	(119	)	$	(1	)	$	(180	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			19			0			0			19
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
	Other comprehensive income, net			19			1			0			20
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(41	)	$	(118	)	$	(1	)	$	(160	)
	(1)	All amounts are net of tax.
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Derivative instruments
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	6		$	(1	)	Net sales
	Natural gas cash flow hedges			(3	)		1		Cost of sales
	Total before tax			3			0
	Tax benefit			(1	)		0
	Total, net of tax		$	2		$	0
	Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
	Prior service income (cost)		$	2		$	(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Net actuarial loss			(7	)		(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Total before tax			(5	)		(2	)
	Tax benefit			2			1
Total, net of tax		$	(3	)	$	(1	)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)

Segment_information

Segment information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 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 94,000 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 alternative fuel mixture credits, restructuring charges, pension income and curtailment gains and losses, interest expense and income, non-controlling interest income and losses, certain legal settlements, gains and losses on certain asset sales and other items.
	Segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit
	Food & Beverage	$	739	$	6	$	745	$	57
	Home, Health & Beauty		180		0		180		19
	Industrial		121		0		121		23
	Specialty Chemicals		239		0		239		49
	Community Development and Land Management		3		0		3		(3	)
	Total	$	1,282	$	6	$	1,288		145
	Corporate and Other								(101	)
	Consolidated totals							$	44
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit
	Food & Beverage	$	756	$	7	$	763	$	55
	Home, Health & Beauty		204		1		205		12
	Industrial		128		0		128		16
	Specialty Chemicals		232		0		232		51
	Community Development and Land Management		2		0		2		(3	)
	Total	$	1,322	$	8	$	1,330		131
	Corporate and Other								(85	)
	Consolidated totals							$	46

Environmental_and_legal_matter

Environmental and legal matters	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, 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 March 31, 2015, there were about 700 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 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 March 31, 2015, the company had recorded litigation liabilities of approximately $22 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other income, net	13. Other income, net
	Other income, net is comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
	In millions		Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015		2014
	Interest income (1)		$	14	$	13
	Foreign currency exchange losses			0		(2	)
	Other			4		2
			$	18	$	13
	(1)	Interest income for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 includes $11 million related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.

Disposition

Disposition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disposition	14. Disposition
	On January 22, 2015, the company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its European tobacco folding carton business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded restructuring charges of $30 million related to asset write-downs within the consolidated statement of operations. Assets of $84 million and liabilities of $22 million at March 31, 2015 and assets of $92 million and liabilities of $19 million at December 31, 2014 were classified as assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. The change in the fair value of the assets and liabilities held for sale is primarily due to foreign currency exchange. The transaction closed on April 30, 2015. This business is reported within the Food & Beverage segment.
	The following table shows the major categories of assets and liabilities that are classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	In millions	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accounts receivable, net	$	17	$	19
	Inventories		20		20
	Other current assets		4		3
	Current assets		41		42
	Property, plant, equipment and forestlands, net		43		50
	Accounts payable		11		7
	Accrued expenses		5		5
	Current liabilities		16		12
	Other long-term liabilities		6		7
	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 $35 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income taxes	15. Income taxes
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the effective tax rates, including discrete items, attributable to continuing operations were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Effective tax rate provision		30	%		33	%
	The differences in the effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 compared to statutory rates are primarily due to the mix and levels between domestic and foreign earnings, as well as from discrete items.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no significant changes to the company’s uncertain tax positions.

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, measured on a 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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	In millions		March 31, 2015			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	14		$	0	$	14		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(5	)		0		(5	)		0
	Cash equivalents			174			174		0			0
	In millions		December 31,			Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)			Level 3 (3)
			2014
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Derivatives-assets (4)		$	8		$	0	$	8		$	0
	Derivatives-liabilities (4)			(4	)		0		(4	)		0
	Cash equivalents			369			369		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 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.

Restructuring_charges_Tables

Restructuring charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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”) and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) classification in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	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	$	0		$	0	$	0		$	(1	)	$	0	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	0	$	(1	)
	Home, Health & Beauty All		5			0		5			1			0		1			6			0		6
	Total charges	$	5		$	0	$	5		$	0		$	0	$	0		$	5		$	0	$	5
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	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	$	0		$	3	$	3		$	1		$	0	$	1		$	1		$	3	$	4
	Home, Health & Beauty All		1			4		5			1			0		1			2			4		6
	Industrial		1			1		2			0			0		0			1			1		2
	All other		0			15		15			0			12		12			0			27		27
	Total charges	$	2		$	23	$	25		$	2		$	12	$	14		$	4		$	35	$	39
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve	Activity in the restructuring reserve balances was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	In millions	Employee related
		2014 program			Other actions		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4		$	22	$	26
	Charges		0			5		5
	Payments		(2	)		0		(2	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2		$	27	$	29

Inventories_and_property_plant1

Inventories and property, plant and equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories consist of:
	In millions	March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Raw materials	$	165	$	162
	Production materials, stores and supplies		108		113
	Finished and in-process goods		408		398
		$	681	$	673
Schedule of Accumulated Depreciation	Property, plant and equipment is net of accumulated depreciation of:
	In millions	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accumulated depreciation	$	3,912	$	3,910

Intangible_assets_Tables

Intangible assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summarized Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	The following table summarizes intangible assets subject to amortization included in other assets:
	In millions	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Gross carrying		Accumulated		Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization		amount		amortization
	Trademarks and trade names	$	27	$	23	$	27	$	22
	Customer contracts and lists		246		124		255		125
	Patents		51		41		53		43
	Other – primarily licensing rights		14		11		14		10
		$	338	$	199	$	349	$	200
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	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Trademarks and trade names	$	87	$	91

Financial_instruments_Tables

Financial instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
			Cash flow hedges											Derivatives not
														designated as hedges
	In millions		Foreign currency						Natural gas hedges					Foreign currency
			hedges											derivatives
			2015			2014			2015			2014		2015			2014
	Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	15		$	(1	)	$	(4	)	$	1	$	0		$	0
	Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive income (effective portion)		$	6		$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	1	$	0		$	0
	(Loss) gain recognized in earnings (1)			0			0			0			0		(2	)		2
	Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings (2)		$	6		$	(1	)	$	(3	)	$	1	$	(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 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below:
			March 31, 2015
	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 hedges			17			0			17		Other current assets
	Natural gas hedges		$	0		$	(4	)	$	(4	)	Other current assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			2			(1	)		1		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	19		$	(5	)	$	14
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges			0			3			3		Accounts payable
	Natural gas hedges		$	(4	)	$	0		$	(4	)	Accounts payable
	Natural gas hedges			(1	)		0			(1	)	Other long-term obligations
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			(6	)		3			(3	)
	Total liabilities		$	(11	)	$	6		$	(5	)
	Total derivatives								$	9
			December 31, 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 hedges		$	9		$	0		$	9		Other current assets
	Natural gas						(2	)		(2	)	Other current assets
	Derivatives not designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency derivatives			3			(2	)		1		Other current assets
	Total assets		$	12		$	(4	)	$	8
	Liabilities
	Derivatives designated as hedges:
	Foreign currency hedges		$	0		$	2		$	2		Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(5	)		0			(5	)	Accounts payable
	Natural gas			(1	)		0			(1	)	Other long-term obligations
	Total liabilities		$	(6	)	$	2		$	(4	)
	Total derivatives								$	4
Natural gas hedges
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions	The notional values of these contracts in Million British Thermal Units (“MMBTUs”) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
	In MMBTUs
	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	12		10
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
	In millions		March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – not designated as hedges		$	102		$	112
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below.
	In millions		March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts – designated as hedges		$	113		$	150

Employee_retirement_and_postre1

Employee retirement and postretirement benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Income) Cost	The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s retirement and post retirement plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	In millions		Pension benefits						Postretirement benefits
			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period		$	16		$	10		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			30			31			1			1
	Expected return on plan assets			(71	)		(73	)		0			0
	Amortization of prior service cost (income)			1			1			(3	)		0
	Amortization of net actuarial loss			7			1			0			0
	Curtailments (1)			0			2			0			0
	Net periodic benefit (income) cost		$	(17	)	$	(28	)	$	(1	)	$	2
	(1)	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the company recorded within restructuring charges a curtailment loss of approximately $2 million.

Income_per_common_share_Tables

Income per common share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Dilutive Shares Not Included In Calculation of Diluted Net Income Per Share	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.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	In millions	2015		2014
	Anti-dilutive shares		0.2		1.3

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes In Equity	Changes in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015		Shareholders’ equity															Non-controlling			Total
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			interests			equity
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2014			167.2		$	2		$	2,872		$	866		$	(486	)	$	154		$	3,408
	Net income			0			0			0			33			0			0			33
	Other comprehensive loss			0			0			0			0			(145	)		0			(145	)
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(42	)		0			0			(42	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(3	)		(3	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			2			2
	Share-based employee compensation			0.1			0			14			0			0			0			14
	Exercises of stock options			0.5			0			16			0			0			0			16
	Balance at March 31, 2015			167.8		$	2		$	2,902		$	857		$	(631	)	$	153		$	3,283
	Three months ended March 31, 2014		Shareholders’ equity															Non-controlling			Total
	In millions		Outstanding			Common			Additional			Retained			Accumulated			interests			equity
			shares			stock			paid-in			earnings			other
									capital						comprehensive
															loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013			174.4		$	2		$	3,172		$	950		$	(180	)	$	155		$	4,099
	Net income			0			0			0			31			0			0			31
	Other comprehensive income			0			0			0			0			20			0			20
	Dividends declared			0			0			0			(220	)		0			0			(220	)
	Non-controlling interests distribution			0			0			0			0			0			(1	)		(1	)
	Non-controlling interest contribution			0			0			0			0			0			5			5
	Stock repurchases			(7.5	)		0			(300	)		0			0			0			(300	)
	Share-based employee compensation			0.2			0			10			0			0			0			10
	Exercises of stock options			0.7			0			15			0			0			0			15
	Balance at March 31, 2014			167.8		$	2		$	2,897		$	761		$	(160	)	$	159		$	3,659
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	In millions		Foreign currency			Pension and other			Derivative			Total
			translation(1)			benefit plans(1)			instruments(1)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		$	(234	)	$	(254)		$	2		$	(486	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			(153	)		0			7			(146	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			3			(2	)		1
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net			(153	)		3			5			(145	)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(387	)	$	(251	)	$	7		$	(631	)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	In millions
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(60	)	$	(119	)	$	(1	)	$	(180	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			19			0			0			19
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0			1			0			1
	Other comprehensive income, net			19			1			0			20
	Balance as of March 31, 2014		$	(41	)	$	(118	)	$	(1	)	$	(160	)
	(1)	All amounts are net of tax.
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
	Derivative instruments
	Foreign currency cash flow hedges		$	6		$	(1	)	Net sales
	Natural gas cash flow hedges			(3	)		1		Cost of sales
	Total before tax			3			0
	Tax benefit			(1	)		0
	Total, net of tax		$	2		$	0
	Amortization of pension and other benefit plan items
	Prior service income (cost)		$	2		$	(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Net actuarial loss			(7	)		(1	)	Cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses
	Total before tax			(5	)		(2	)
	Tax benefit			2			1
	Total, net of tax		$	(3	)	$	(1	)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(1	)	$	(1	)

Segment_information_Tables

Segment information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Segment Results by Segment	Segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit
	Food & Beverage	$	739	$	6	$	745	$	57
	Home, Health & Beauty		180		0		180		19
	Industrial		121		0		121		23
	Specialty Chemicals		239		0		239		49
	Community Development and Land Management		3		0		3		(3	)
	Total	$	1,282	$	6	$	1,288		145
	Corporate and Other								(101	)
	Consolidated totals							$	44
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Sales						Segment
	In millions	External		Inter-segment		Total		profit
	Food & Beverage	$	756	$	7	$	763	$	55
	Home, Health & Beauty		204		1		205		12
	Industrial		128		0		128		16
	Specialty Chemicals		232		0		232		51
	Community Development and Land Management		2		0		2		(3	)
	Total	$	1,322	$	8	$	1,330		131
	Corporate and Other								(85	)
	Consolidated totals							$	46

Other_income_net_Tables

Other income, net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Other Income, Net	Other income, net is comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
	In millions		Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015		2014
	Interest income (1)		$	14	$	13
	Foreign currency exchange losses			0		(2	)
	Other			4		2
			$	18	$	13
	(1)	Interest income for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 includes $11 million related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.

Disposition_Tables

Disposition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Balance Sheet	The following table shows the major categories of assets and liabilities that are classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	In millions	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accounts receivable, net	$	17	$	19
	Inventories		20		20
	Other current assets		4		3
	Current assets		41		42
	Property, plant, equipment and forestlands, net		43		50
	Accounts payable		11		7
	Accrued expenses		5		5
	Current liabilities		16		12
	Other long-term liabilities		6		7

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule of Effective Tax Rates, Including Discrete Items, Attributable to Continuing Operations	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the effective tax rates, including discrete items, attributable to continuing operations were as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Effective tax rate provision		30	%		33	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2	$0	$0
Transfers of liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2	0	0
Book value of debt	1,900,000,000
Estimated fair value of debt	$2,300,000,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_on_Rec

Fair Value Measurements on Recurring and Non-Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives-assets	$14		$8
Derivatives-liabilities	-5		-4
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives-assets	14	[1]	8	[1]
Derivatives-liabilities	-5	[1]	-4	[1]
Cash equivalents	174		369
Level 1 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives-assets	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Derivatives-liabilities	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Cash equivalents	174	[2]	369	[2]
Level 2 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives-assets	14	[1],[3]	8	[1],[3]
Derivatives-liabilities	-5	[1],[3]	-4	[1],[3]
Cash equivalents	0	[3]	0	[3]
Level 3 | Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives-assets	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Derivatives-liabilities	0	[1],[4]	0	[1],[4]
Cash equivalents	$0	[4]	$0	[4]
[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 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]	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
[3]	Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
[4]	Significant unobservable inputs.

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (2014 program, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
2014 program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative restructuring charge	$47

Schedule_of_Restructuring_Char

Schedule of Restructuring Charges Attributable to Individual Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$5	$39
Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	-1	4
Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	6	6
Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		2
All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		27
COS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	4
COS | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	-1	1
COS | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	6	2
COS | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1
COS | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
SG&A
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	35
SG&A | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	3
SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	4
SG&A | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1
SG&A | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		27
Employee Related Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	25
Employee Related Costs | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	3
Employee Related Costs | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	5
Employee Related Costs | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		2
Employee Related Costs | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		15
Employee Related Costs | COS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	2
Employee Related Costs | COS | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	0
Employee Related Costs | COS | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	5	1
Employee Related Costs | COS | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1
Employee Related Costs | COS | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
Employee Related Costs | SG&A
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	23
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	3
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	4
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1
Employee Related Costs | SG&A | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		15
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	14
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	-1	1
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1	1
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		12
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	2
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	-1	1
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1	1
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | COS | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	12
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Food & Beverage
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Home, Health & Beauty
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | Industrial
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		0
Asset Write Downs and Other Costs | SG&A | All Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$12

Schedule_of_Restructuring_Rese

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve (Detail) (Employee Related Costs, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$26
Charges	5
Payments	-2
Ending Balance	29
2014 program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	4
Charges	0
Payments	-2
Ending Balance	2
Other actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	22
Charges	5
Payments	0
Ending Balance	$27

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$165	$162
Production materials, stores and supplies	108	113
Finished and in-process goods	408	398
Total inventories	$681	$673

Schedule_of_Accumulated_Deprec

Schedule of Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	$3,912	$3,910

Summary_of_Intangible_Assets_S

Summary of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$338	$349
Accumulated amortization	199	200
Trademarks and tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	27	27
Accumulated amortization	23	22
Customer contracts and lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	246	255
Accumulated amortization	124	125
Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	51	53
Accumulated amortization	41	43
Other - primarily licensing rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	14	14
Accumulated amortization	$11	$10

Schedule_of_Indefinite_Lived_I

Schedule of Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Included in Other Assets (Detail) (Trademarks and tradenames, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Trademarks and tradenames
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$87	$91

Schedule_of_Pre_Tax_Effect_of_

Schedule of Pre Tax Effect of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Currency Hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	$15		($1)
Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive income (effective portion)	6		-1
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	6	[2]	-1	[2]
Cash Flow Hedging | Natural gas hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (effective portion)	-4		1
Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive income (effective portion)	-3		1
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	-3	[2]	1	[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
Gain (loss) reclassified to earnings from accumulated comprehensive income (effective portion)	0		0
(Loss) gain recognized in earnings	-2	[1]	2	[1]
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	($2)	[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 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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized assets	$19	$12
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	-5	-4
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	14	8
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-11	-6
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	6	2
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-5	-4
Total derivatives	9	4
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized assets	17	9
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	0
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	17	9
Derivatives designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Accounts payable
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	0	0
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	3	2
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	3	2
Derivatives designated as hedges | Natural gas hedges | Other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized assets	0
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	-4	-2
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-4	-2
Derivatives designated as hedges | Natural gas hedges | Accounts payable
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-4	-5
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	0
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-4	-5
Derivatives designated as hedges | Natural gas hedges | Other long-term obligations
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-1	-1
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	0	0
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-1	-1
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized (liabilities)	-6
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	3
Net amount of (liabilities) presented in the consolidated balance sheet	-3
Derivatives not designated as hedges | Foreign Currency Hedges | Other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gross amount of recognized assets	2	3
Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheet	-1	-2
Net amount of assets presented in the consolidated balance sheet	$1	$1

Schedule_of_Notional_Amounts_o

Schedule of Notional Amounts of Contracts in Million British Thermal Units (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	MMBTU	MMBTU
Derivative [Line Items]
Hedged natural gas consumption, Million Metric British Thermal Units	12	10

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Estimated pre-tax gain (loss) to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months, natural gas	($8,000,000)
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
Estimated pre-tax gain (loss) to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months, foreign currency	20,000,000
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

Schedule_Of_Notional_Value_Of_

Schedule Of Notional Value Of Outstanding Currency Forward Contracts (Detail) (Foreign Currency Hedges, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives not designated as hedges
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative	$102,000,000	$112,000,000
Derivatives designated as hedges
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative	$113,000,000	$150,000,000

Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben

Components of Net Periodic Benefit or Income Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$16		$10
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	30		31
Expected return on plan assets	-71		-73
Amortization of prior service cost (income)	1		1
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	7		1
Curtailments	0	[1]	2	[1]
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	-17		-28
Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	1		1
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	1		1
Expected return on plan assets	0		0
Amortization of prior service cost (income)	-3		0
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	0		0
Curtailments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net periodic benefit (income) cost	($1)		$2
[1]	For the three months ended March 31, 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) (Other actions, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Other actions
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Curtailment loss	$2

Recovered_Sheet1

Employee Retirement and Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (Foreign Pension Plan, Defined Benefit, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
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
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares	0.2	1.3

Changes_in_Equity_Detail

Changes in Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Beginning Balance (in shares)	167,198,221
Beginning Balance	$3,408	$4,099
Net income	33	31
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-145	20
Dividends declared	-42	-220
Non-controlling interests distribution	-3	-1
Non-controlling interest contribution	2	5
Stock repurchases		-300
Share-based employee compensation	14	10
Exercises of stock options	16	15
Ending Balance (in shares)	167,806,112
Ending Balance	3,283	3,659
Common Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares)	167,200,000	174,400,000
Beginning Balance	2	2
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	0
Stock repurchases (in Shares)		-7,500,000
Stock repurchases		0
Share-based employee compensation (in shares)	100,000	200,000
Share-based employee compensation	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	500,000	700,000
Exercises of stock options	0	0
Ending Balance (in shares)	167,800,000	167,800,000
Ending Balance	2	2
Additional Paid-in Capital
Beginning Balance	2,872	3,172
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	0
Stock repurchases		-300
Share-based employee compensation	14	10
Exercises of stock options	16	15
Ending Balance	2,902	2,897
Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance	866	950
Net income	33	31
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Dividends declared	-42	-220
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	0
Stock repurchases		0
Share-based employee compensation	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0
Ending Balance	857	761
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning Balance	-486	-180
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-145	20
Dividends declared	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	0	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	0
Stock repurchases		0
Share-based employee compensation	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0
Ending Balance	-631	-160
Non-Controlling Interests
Beginning Balance	154	155
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Dividends declared	0	0
Non-controlling interests distribution	-3	-1
Non-controlling interest contribution	2	5
Stock repurchases		0
Share-based employee compensation	0	0
Exercises of stock options	0	0
Ending Balance	$153	$159

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	($486)		($180)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-146		19
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	1		1
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-145		20
Ending balance	-631		-160
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	-234	[1]	-60	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-153	[1]	19	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-153	[1]	19	[1]
Ending balance	-387	[1]	-41	[1]
Pension and Other Benefit Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	-254	[1]	-119	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	0	[1]	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3	[1]	1	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	3	[1]	1	[1]
Ending balance	-251	[1]	-118	[1]
Derivative Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	2	[1]	-1	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	7	[1]	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2	[1]	0	[1]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	5	[1]	0	[1]
Ending balance	$7	[1]	($1)	[1]
[1]	All amounts are net of tax.

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$1,282	$1,322
Cost of sales	-1,045	-1,075
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	44	46
Tax benefit	-13	-15
Total, net of tax	31	31
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total, net of tax	-1	-1
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	3	0
Tax benefit	-1	0
Total, net of tax	2	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Derivative Instruments | Foreign Currency Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	6	-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	-3	1
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	-5	-2
Tax benefit	2	1
Total, net of tax	-3	-1
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 income (cost)	2	-1
Net actuarial loss	($7)	($1)

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	acre
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Area of land development	94,000
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
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	$44	$46
Net sales	1,282	1,322
Food & Beverage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	739	756
Home, Health & Beauty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	180	204
Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	121	128
Specialty Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	239	232
Community Development And Land Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3	2
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	-101	-85
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	-6	-8
Intersegment Elimination | Food & Beverage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	-6	-7
Intersegment Elimination | Home, Health & Beauty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	-1
Intersegment Elimination | Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Intersegment Elimination | Specialty Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Intersegment Elimination | Community Development And Land Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	145	131
Net sales	1,288	1,330
Operating Segments | Food & Beverage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	57	55
Net sales	745	763
Operating Segments | Home, Health & Beauty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	19	12
Net sales	180	205
Operating Segments | Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	23	16
Net sales	121	128
Operating Segments | Specialty Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	49	51
Net sales	239	232
Operating Segments | Community Development And Land Management
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	-3	-3
Net sales	$3	$2

Recovered_Sheet2

Environmental and Legal Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
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	700
Litigation liabilities	$22

Schedule_of_Other_Income_Net_D

Schedule of Other Income Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income, Net [Line Items]
Interest income	$14	[1]	$13	[1]
Foreign currency exchange losses	0		-2
Other	4		2
Other income, net	$18		$13
[1]	Interest income for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 include $11 million related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.

Schedule_of_Other_Income_Net_P

Schedule of Other Income Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Other Income, Net [Line Items]
Interest income	$14	[1]	$13	[1]
Plum Creek Transaction | Long-term note receivable
Other Income, Net [Line Items]
Interest income	$11		$11
[1]	Interest income for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 include $11 million related to a long-term note receivable from the 2013 transaction with Plum Creek.

Dispositions_Additional_Inform

Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	$93	$104
Liabilities held for sale	22	19
European Tobacco Folding Carton Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Business disposal agreement date	22-Jan-15
Restructuring charges		30
Assets held for sale	84	92
Liabilities held for sale	22	19
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total aggregate exposure for guarantees and indemnifications	$35

Discontinued_Operations_in_Con

Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$17	$19
Inventories	20	20
Other current assets	4	3
Property, plant, equipment and forestlands, net	43	50
Accounts payable	11	7
Accrued expenses	5	5
Other long-term liabilities	6	7
Current Assets Held For Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current assets	41	42
Current Liabilities Held For Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Current liabilities	$16	$12

Schedule_of_Effective_Tax_Rate

Schedule of Effective Tax Rates, Including Discrete Items, Attributable to Continuing Operations (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate provision	30.00%	33.00%