Greif (GEF) 10-Q 1 Sep 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Aug. 29, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	GEF
Entity Registrant Name	GREIF INC
Entity Central Index Key	43,920
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,835,281
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,007,725

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 961.8	$ 845	$ 2,670.1	$ 2,456
Cost of products sold	774.7	668.5	2,137.8	1,954.5
Gross profit	187.1	176.5	532.3	501.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	92.6	92.6	286.2	280.3
Restructuring charges	3.9	10.2	8.7	17.9
Non-cash asset impairment charges	2	4.1	5.9	44.9
Pension settlement charge	1	0	25.6	0
Gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(1.1)	(0.7)	(3.9)	(9.5)
Gain on disposal of businesses, net	(0.8)	(1.3)	(2.2)	(4.1)
Operating profit	89.5	71.6	212	172
Interest expense, net	13.7	19.8	46.7	58.2
Other expense, net	1.4	2.7	8.2	7.4
Income before income tax expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net	74.4	49.1	157.1	106.4
Income tax expense	27.2	3.5	62	38.2
Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(0.3)	(0.8)	(0.3)	(0.8)
Net income	47.5	46.4	95.4	69
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3.6)	(0.3)	(10.1)	(2.6)
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 43.9	$ 46.1	$ 85.3	$ 66.4
Class A Common Stock
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ 1.45	$ 1.13
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.78	$ 1.45	$ 1.13
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	25,834,636	25,781,146	25,815,533	25,746,797
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	25,835,294	25,783,184	25,818,817	25,747,146
Cash dividends declared per common share:
Cash dividends declared per common share (usd per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 1.26	$ 1.26
Class B Common Stock
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	1.12	1.18	2.17	1.69
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 1.12	$ 1.18	$ 2.17	$ 1.69
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic (shares)	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,100,000
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,100,000
Cash dividends declared per common share:
Cash dividends declared per common share (usd per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.63	$ 1.88	$ 1.88

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 47.5	$ 46.4	$ 95.4	$ 69
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	30.5	(27.6)	31.7	(9.6)
Interest rate derivative	(0.8)	0	4	0
Minimum pension liabilities	0.4	2.9	29.8	3.5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	30.1	(24.7)	65.5	(6.1)
Comprehensive income	77.6	21.7	160.9	62.9
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4.2	(3.4)	8.4	(1.7)
Comprehensive income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 73.4	$ 25.1	$ 152.5	$ 64.6

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 94.6	$ 103.7
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $6.3 in 2017 and $8.8 in 2016	453.6	399.2
Inventories	336.8	277.4
Assets held for sale	77.6	3.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	162.4	128.2
Total current assets	1,125	912.3
Long-term assets
Goodwill	772.7	786.4
Other intangible assets, net of amortization	86.6	110.6
Deferred tax assets	9.3	9
Assets held by special purpose entities	50.9	50.9
Pension asset	28.6	22.2
Other long-term assets	95.1	89.7
Total long-term assets	1,043.2	1,068.8
Properties, plants and equipment
Timber properties, net of depletion	275.2	277.8
Land	100.1	99.5
Buildings	406.4	398.1
Machinery and equipment	1,488.6	1,484.8
Capital projects in progress	109	91.3
Properties, plants and equipment, gross	2,379.3	2,351.5
Accumulated depreciation	(1,210.8)	(1,179.6)
Properties, plants and equipment, net	1,168.5	1,171.9
Total assets	3,336.7	3,153
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	394.8	372
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	99.9	93.7
Restructuring reserves	7	10.4
Current portion of long-term debt	16.3	0
Short-term borrowings	18.3	51.6
Liabilities held for sale	14.5	0
Other current liabilities	168.3	131.5
Total current liabilities	719.1	659.2
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt	1,033.7	974.6
Deferred tax liabilities	202.9	193
Pension liabilities	159.9	179.8
Postretirement benefit obligations	13.3	13.7
Liabilities held by special purpose entities	43.3	43.3
Contingent liabilities and environmental reserves	6.9	6.8
Other long-term liabilities	85.1	92.9
Total long-term liabilities	1,545.1	1,504.1
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 18)	29.8	31.8
Equity
Common stock, without par value	144.2	141.4
Treasury stock, at cost	(135.6)	(135.6)
Retained earnings	1,355.2	1,340
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(236.8)	(270.2)
Interest rate derivative	4	0
Minimum pension liabilities	(98.4)	(128.2)
Total Greif, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,032.6	947.4
Noncontrolling interests	10.1	10.5
Total shareholders' equity	1,042.7	957.9
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,336.7	$ 3,153

Condensed Consolidated Balance5

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance of trade accounts receivable	$ 6.3	$ 8.8

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 95.4	$ 69
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	89.4	95.8
Non-cash asset impairment charges	5.9	44.9
Pension settlement charge	25.6	0
Gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(3.9)	(9.5)
Gain on disposals of businesses, net	(2.2)	(4.1)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss	4.5	4.1
Deferred income tax benefit	(8.8)	(2.8)
Other, net	0.5	0
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(55.6)	(29.5)
Inventories	(60.5)	(3.6)
Deferred purchase price on sold receivables	(30.8)	(20.2)
Accounts payable	20	7.3
Restructuring reserves	(3.7)	(6.4)
Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities	(4.1)	(1.6)
Other, net	33.4	14.6
Net cash provided by operating activities	105.1	158
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	0	(0.4)
Collection of subordinated note receivable	0	44.2
Purchases of properties, plants, and equipment	(65.1)	(71.4)
Purchases of and investments in timber properties	(7.3)	(4.7)
Purchases of properties, plants and equipment with insurance proceeds	0	(4.4)
Proceeds from the sale of properties, plants, equipment and other assets	9.3	10.9
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	4.5	23.8
Proceeds from insurance recoveries	0.4	6.6
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(58.2)	4.6
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,101.6	919.5
Payments on long-term debt	(1,189)	(937.5)
Proceeds (payments) on short-term borrowings, net	(30.8)	8.5
Proceeds from trade accounts receivable credit facility	203.6	58.5
Payments on trade accounts receivable credit facility	(53.6)	(131)
Long-term debt and credit facility financing fees paid	(4.5)	0
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders	(73.9)	(74)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(4.1)	(4.8)
Acquisitions of treasury stock	0	(5.2)
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	(6)
Cash contribution from noncontrolling interest holder	0	0.8
Net cash used in financing activities	(50.7)	(171.2)
Reclassification of cash to assets held for sale	(5.5)	0
Effects of exchange rates on cash	0.2	(3.3)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(9.1)	(11.9)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	103.7	106.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 94.6	$ 94.3

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The Company’s fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references to the year 2017 or 2016 , or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ended in that year. The information filed herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 of Greif, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Greif, Inc., all wholly-owned and consolidated subsidiaries and investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which it has controlling influence or is the primary beneficiary. Non-majority owned entities include investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company does not have controlling influence and are accounted for using either the equity or cost method, as appropriate. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) 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 its fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 (the “ 2016 Form 10-K”). Newly Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting interest model and eliminates the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, included in ASU 2010-10, for certain investment funds. All reporting entities that hold a variable interest in other legal entities were required to re-evaluate their consolidation conclusions as well as disclosure requirements. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2016, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows or disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350),” which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350 by eliminating the step 2 requirement to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of assets and liabilities in order to calculate goodwill impairment based on the implied fair value of goodwill. This amendment modifies the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The Company elected to adopt the new guidance beginning on February 1, 2017 using a prospective approach, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows or disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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 ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting the new revenue standards, but anticipates that the impact of adoption will be limited to expanded disclosures with no material impact on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flow. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which amends the lease accounting and disclosure requirements in ASC 840, "Leases". The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about lease arrangements. This ASU will require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Equity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740)," which improves the accounting for income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted, including any interim period. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)," which provides additional guidance in ASC 715 for the presentation of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. This ASU will require the reporting of the service cost component to be in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees. Also, the other components of net benefit cost will be required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. This update also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 using a retrospective approach for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit in assets. The Company plans to early adopt ASU 2017-07 on November 1, 2017 and expects the update to have an immaterial impact on the results of operations and disclosures.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Divestitures	ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES During the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company completed one divestiture, completed no acquisitions, deconsolidated two nonstrategic businesses, and liquidated one non-U.S. nonstrategic business. The Company completed one material divestiture in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment during the third quarter of 2017. The Company deconsolidated one nonstrategic business in the Flexible Products & Services segment during the first quarter of 2017, and one nonstrategic business in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment during the second quarter of 2017. The Company liquidated one non-U.S. nonstrategic business in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment during the second quarter of 2017. The gain on disposal of businesses was $2.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 . Proceeds from divestitures were $3.7 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 . Proceeds from divestitures that were completed in fiscal year 2015 and collected during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 were $0.8 million . The Company has $3.8 million of notes receivable recorded from the sale of businesses, ranging in remaining terms from two months to seventeen months. The Company completed four divestitures and no material acquisitions for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 . The divestitures were of nonstrategic businesses, three in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment and one in the Flexible Products & Services segment. The gain on disposal of businesses was $4.1 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 , and proceeds from divestitures were $25.2 million .

Sale of Non-United States Accou

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable	SALE OF NON-UNITED STATES ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE On April 27, 2012, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. (the “Main SPV”) and Greif Coordination Center BVBA, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc. (“Seller”), entered into the Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Purchase Agreement (the “European RPA”) with affiliates of a major international bank (the “Purchasing Bank Affiliates”). On April 18, 2017, the Main SPV and Seller amended and extended the term of the existing European RPA. Under the European RPA, as amended, the maximum amount of receivables that may be sold and outstanding under the European RPA at any time is €100.0 million ( $116.7 million as of July 31, 2017 ). Under the terms of the European RPA, the Company has the ability to loan excess cash to the Purchasing Bank Affiliates in the form of a subordinated loan receivable. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company collected $44.2 million that had been loaned to the Purchasing Bank Affiliates, as excess cash at the end of fiscal 2015. Under the terms of the European RPA, the Company has agreed to sell trade receivables meeting certain eligibility requirements that the Seller had purchased from other indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company under a factoring agreement. The structure of the transactions provide for a legal true sale, on a revolving basis, of the receivables transferred from the Company's various subsidiaries to the respective Purchasing Bank Affiliates. The purchaser funds an initial purchase price of a certain percentage of eligible receivables based on a formula, with the initial purchase price approximating 75 percent to 90 percent of eligible receivables. The remaining deferred purchase price is settled upon collection of the receivables. At the balance sheet reporting dates, the Company removes from accounts receivable the amount of proceeds received from the initial purchase price since they meet the applicable criteria of ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” and the Company continues to recognize the deferred purchase price in prepaid expenses and other current assets or other current liabilities. The receivables are sold on a non-recourse basis with the total funds in the servicing collection accounts pledged to the banks between settlement dates. In October 2007, Greif Singapore Pte. Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Greif, Inc., entered into the Singapore Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “Singapore RPA”) with a major international bank. The maximum amount of aggregate receivables that may be financed under the Singapore RPA is 15.0 million Singapore Dollars ( $11.0 million as of July 31, 2017 ). Under the terms of the Singapore RPA, the Company has agreed to sell trade receivables in exchange for an initial purchase price of approximately 90 percent of the eligible receivables. The remaining deferred purchase price is settled upon collection of the receivables. The table below contains certain information related to the Company’s accounts receivable sales programs: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 European RPA Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 192.2 $ 160.0 $ 506.3 $ 463.3 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs 170.0 140.7 448.2 409.2 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 22.2 19.3 58.1 53.7 Loss associated with the programs 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 Expenses associated with the programs — — — — Singapore RPA Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 12.4 $ 11.4 $ 37.4 $ 32.5 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program 10.3 11.4 32.0 32.5 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 2.2 — 5.4 — Loss associated with the program — — — — Expenses associated with the program — — — — Total RPAs and Agreements Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 204.6 $ 171.4 $ 543.7 $ 495.8 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program 180.3 152.1 480.2 441.7 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 24.4 19.3 63.5 53.7 Loss associated with the program 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 Expenses associated with the program — — — — The table below contains certain information related to the Company’s accounts receivable sales programs and the impact it has on the condensed consolidated balance sheets: (in millions) July 31, October 31, European RPA Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 147.8 $ 106.7 Deferred purchase price asset (liability) related to accounts receivable sold 32.7 (0.4 ) Singapore RPA Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 3.5 $ 4.0 Deferred purchase price asset related to accounts receivable sold 0.8 0.5 Total RPAs and Agreements Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 151.3 $ 110.7 Deferred purchase price asset related to accounts receivable sold 33.5 0.1 The deferred purchase price related to the accounts receivable sold is reflected as prepaid expenses and other current assets or other current liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and was initially recorded at an amount which approximates its fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The cash received initially and the deferred purchase price relate to the sale or ultimate collection of the underlying receivables and are not subject to significant other risks given their short nature; therefore, the Company reflects all cash flows under the accounts receivable sales programs as operating cash flows on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. Additionally, the Company performs collections and administrative functions on the receivables sold, similar to the procedures it uses for collecting all of its receivables, including receivables that are not sold under the European RPA and the Singapore RPA. The servicing liability for these receivables is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	INVENTORIES Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are summarized as follows: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Raw materials $ 231.4 $ 185.4 Work-in-process 12.2 12.2 Finished goods 93.2 79.8 $ 336.8 $ 277.4

Assets and Liabilities Held for

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Disposals of Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Disposals of Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net	ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE AND DISPOSALS OF PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, NET The following table presents assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : (in millions) July 31, October 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 5.5 $ — Trade accounts receivable, less allowance 5.7 — Inventories 2.6 — Properties, plants and equipment, net 16.1 3.8 Goodwill 29.4 — Other intangibles assets, net 17.0 — Other assets 1.3 — Assets held for sale $ 77.6 $ 3.8 Accounts payable $ 2.7 $ — Other current liabilities 1.5 — Other long-term liabilities 10.3 — Liabilities held for sale $ 14.5 $ — As of July 31, 2017 , there were four asset groups within the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment classified as assets and liabilities held for sale. The assets held for sale are being marketed for sale, and it is the Company’s intention to complete the sales of these assets within the next twelve months. As of July 31, 2017, one asset group in the Flexible Products & Services segment classified as assets and liabilities held for sale as of October 31, 2016, was reclassified into held and used as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016. As of October 31, 2016 , there was one asset group in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment and one asset group in the Flexible Products & Services segment classified as assets and liabilities held for sale. For the three months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company recorded a gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net of $1.1 million . This included disposals of assets in the Flexible Products & Services segment that resulted in gains of $0.7 million and special use property sales that resulted in gains of $0.6 million in the Land Management segment, offset by disposals of assets in the Paper Packaging segment that resulted in a loss of $0.2 million . For the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company recorded a gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net of $3.9 million . This included disposals of assets in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment that resulted in gains of $0.8 million , disposals of assets in the Flexible Products & Services segment that resulted in gains of $0.8 million , special use property sales that resulted in gains of $2.4 million in the Land Management segment, offset by disposals of assets in the Paper Packaging segment that resulted in a loss of $0.1 million . For the three months ended July 31, 2016 , the Company recorded a gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net of $0.7 million . This included disposals of assets in the Flexible Products & Services segment classified as held for sale that resulted in gains of $0.4 million , insurance recoveries that resulted in gains of $0.2 million in the Paper Packaging segment, other net gains totaling $0.3 million , offset by disposals of an asset in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment classified as held for sale that resulted in a loss of $0.2 million . For the nine months ended July 31, 2016 , the Company recorded a gain on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net of $9.5 million . This included insurance recoveries that resulted in gains of $6.4 million in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment, disposals of assets in the Flexible Products & Services segment classified as held for sale that resulted in gains of $1.3 million , sales of surplus properties in the Land Management segment that resulted in gains of $0.9 million , insurance recoveries that resulted in gains of $0.2 million in the Paper Packaging segment, and other net gains totaling an additional $0.7 million .

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services Paper Packaging & Services Total Balance at October 31, 2016 $ 726.9 $ 59.5 $ 786.4 Goodwill allocated to divestitures and businesses held for sale (37.2 ) — (37.2 ) Currency translation 23.5 — 23.5 Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 713.2 $ 59.5 $ 772.7 As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , the accumulated goodwill impairment loss was $50.3 million in the Flexible Products & Services segment. The following table summarizes the carrying amount of net other intangible assets by class as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : (in millions) Gross Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible Assets July 31, 2017: Indefinite lived: Trademarks and patents $ 13.4 $ — $ 13.4 Definite lived: Customer relationships $ 147.0 $ 88.2 $ 58.8 Trademarks and patents 9.5 3.8 5.7 Non-compete agreements — — — Other 23.5 14.8 8.7 Total $ 193.4 $ 106.8 $ 86.6 October 31, 2016: Indefinite lived: Trademarks and patents $ 13.0 $ — $ 13.0 Definite lived: Customer relationships $ 167.6 $ 86.9 $ 80.7 Trademarks and patents 12.1 4.8 7.3 Non-compete agreements 1.0 0.9 0.1 Other 23.5 14.0 9.5 Total $ 217.2 $ 106.6 $ 110.6 Amortization expense for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.1 million and $4.2 million , respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 was $10.0 million and $12.7 million , respectively. Amortization expense for the next five years is expected to be $13.2 million in 2017, $12.2 million in 2018, $12.1 million in 2019, $11.5 million in 2020 and $10.0 million in 2021. Definite lived intangible assets for the periods presented are subject to amortization and are being amortized using the straight-line method over periods that are contractually, legally determined, or over the period a market participant would benefit from the asset.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	RESTRUCTURING CHARGES The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Employee Separation Costs Other Costs Total Balance at October 31, 2016 $ 9.2 $ 1.2 $ 10.4 Costs incurred and charged to expense 6.8 1.9 8.7 Costs paid or otherwise settled (10.0 ) (2.1 ) (12.1 ) Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 6.0 $ 1.0 $ 7.0 The focus for restructuring activities in 2017 is to continue to rationalize operations and close underperforming assets in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services and Flexible Products & Services segments. During the three months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3.9 million , as compared to $10.2 million of restructuring charges recorded during the three months ended July 31, 2016 . The restructuring activity for the three months ended July 31, 2017 consisted of $2.9 million in employee separation costs and $1.0 million in other restructuring costs. During the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company recorded restructuring charges of $8.7 million , which compares to $17.9 million of restructuring charges recorded during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 . The restructuring activity for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 consisted of $6.8 million in employee separation costs and $1.9 million in other restructuring costs. The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts expected to be incurred from approved restructuring plans or plans that are being formulated and have not been announced as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Remaining amounts expected to be incurred are $19.9 million as of July 31, 2017 compared to $16.1 million as of October 31, 2016 . The change was due to the formulations of new plans during the period. (in millions) Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred Amounts Incurred During the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 Amounts Remaining to be Incurred Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services Employee separation costs $ 21.1 $ 6.0 $ 15.1 Other restructuring costs 4.5 1.6 2.9 25.6 7.6 18.0 Flexible Products & Services Employee separation costs 1.2 0.5 0.7 Other restructuring costs 1.5 0.3 1.2 2.7 0.8 1.9 Paper Packaging & Services Employee separation costs 0.3 0.3 — Other restructuring costs — — — 0.3 0.3 — $ 28.6 $ 8.7 $ 19.9

Consolidation of Variable Inter

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities	CONSOLIDATION OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES The Company evaluates whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) whenever reconsideration events occur and performs reassessments of all VIEs quarterly to determine if the primary beneficiary status is appropriate. The Company consolidates VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary and an ownership interest is held, the VIE is accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting, as appropriate. When assessing the determination of the primary beneficiary, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including: the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and the obligation to absorb the expected losses and/or the right to receive the expected returns of the VIE. Significant Nonstrategic Timberland Transactions In 2005, the Company sold certain timber properties to Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. (“Plum Creek”) in a series of transactions that included the creation of two separate legal entities that are now consolidated as separate VIEs. One is an indirect subsidiary of Plum Creek (the “Buyer SPE”), and the other is STA Timber LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“STA Timber”). As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , consolidated assets of the Buyer SPE consisted of $50.9 million of restricted bank financial instruments which are expected to be held to maturity. For both of the three month periods ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , Buyer SPE recorded interest income of $0.6 million . For both of the nine month periods ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , Buyer SPE recorded interest income of $1.8 million . As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , STA Timber had consolidated long-term debt of $43.3 million . For both of the three month periods ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , STA Timber recorded interest expense of $0.5 million . For both of the nine month periods ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , STA Timber recorded interest expense of $1.7 million . The intercompany borrowing arrangement between the two VIEs is eliminated in consolidation. STA Timber is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by an issuer of a deed of guarantee in the transaction. Flexible Packaging Joint Venture On September 29, 2010, Greif, Inc. and one of its indirect subsidiaries formed a joint venture (referred to herein as the “Flexible Packaging JV” or “FPS VIE”) with Dabbagh Group Holding Company Limited and one of its subsidiaries, originally National Scientific Company Limited and now Gulf Refined Packaging for Industrial Packaging Company LTD. The Flexible Packaging JV owns the operations in the Flexible Products & Services segment. The Flexible Packaging JV has been consolidated into the operations of the Company as of its formation date of September 29, 2010. The Flexible Packaging JV is deemed to be a VIE since the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. The major factors that led to the conclusion that the Company was the primary beneficiary of this VIE was that (1) the Company has the power to direct the most significant activities due to its ability to direct the operating decisions of the FPS VIE, which power is derived from the significant CEO discretion over the operations of the FPS VIE combined with the Company’s sole and exclusive right to appoint the CEO of the FPS VIE, and (2) the significant variable interest through the Company’s equity interest in the FPS VIE. All entities contributed to the Flexible Packaging JV were existing businesses acquired by one of the Company's subsidiaries that were reorganized under Greif Flexibles Asset Holding B.V. and Greif Flexibles Trading Holding B.V. The following table presents the Flexible Packaging JV total net assets: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 14.3 $ 15.2 Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $2.3 in 2017 and $2.8 in 2016 50.9 43.3 Inventories 51.1 50.9 Properties, plants and equipment, net 31.6 25.0 Other assets 28.0 37.3 Total Assets $ 175.9 $ 171.7 Accounts payable $ 31.8 $ 30.7 Other liabilities 35.2 43.7 Total Liabilities $ 67.0 $ 74.4 Net (income) losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the Flexible Packaging JV for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 were $(1.5) million and $1.9 million , respectively; and for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , net (income) losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest were $(3.3) million and $4.5 million , respectively. Non-United States Accounts Receivable VIE As further described in Note 3, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. is a party to the European RPA. Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. is deemed to be a VIE since this entity is not able to satisfy its liabilities without the financial support from the Company. While this entity is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Company and no ownership interest in this entity is held by the Company, the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As a result, Cooperage Receivables Finance B.V. has been consolidated into the operations of the Company.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt is summarized as follows: (in millions) July 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 2017 Credit Agreement $ 418.9 $ — Prior Credit Agreement — 201.2 Senior Notes due 2017 — 300.1 Senior Notes due 2019 247.7 247.0 Senior Notes due 2021 232.1 216.6 Receivables Facility 150.0 — Other debt 8.2 9.7 1,056.9 974.6 Less current portion 16.3 — Less deferred financing costs 6.9 — Long-term debt $ 1,033.7 $ 974.6 2017 Credit Agreement On November 3, 2016, the Company and certain of its international subsidiaries entered into a new senior secured credit agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of financial institutions. The 2017 Credit Agreement replaced in its entirety the $1.0 billion senior secured credit agreement entered into on December 19, 2012, by the Company and two of its international subsidiaries ("Prior Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of financial institutions. The total available borrowing under the 2017 Credit Agreement was $661.7 million as of July 31, 2017 , which has been reduced by $11.9 million for outstanding letters of credit, all of which was then available without violating covenants. The 2017 Credit Agreement provides for an $800.0 million revolving multicurrency credit facility expiring November 3, 2021, and a $300.0 million term loan, with quarterly principal installments that commenced on April 30, 2017, through maturity on November 3, 2021, both with an option to add an aggregate of $550.0 million to the facilities with the agreement of the lenders. The Company used the term loan on February 1, 2017, to repay the principal of the Company’s $300.0 million 6.75% Senior Notes that matured on that date. The revolving credit facility is available to fund ongoing working capital and capital expenditure needs, for general corporate purposes, and to finance acquisitions. Interest is based on either a Eurodollar rate or a base rate that resets periodically plus a calculated margin amount. On November 3, 2016, a total of approximately $208.0 million was used to pay the obligations outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement in full and certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with the 2017 Credit Agreement. The financing costs associated with the 2017 Credit Agreement totaled $6.0 million as of July 31, 2017 , and are recorded as a direct deduction from the long-term debt liability. The 2017 Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, which include financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a certain leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The leverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter the Company will not permit the ratio of (a) its total consolidated indebtedness, to (b) the Company's net income plus depreciation, depletion, and amortization, interest expense (including capitalized interest), and income taxes, minus certain extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains (or plus certain extraordinary losses and non-recurring losses) and plus or minus certain other items for the preceding twelve months ("adjusted EBITDA") to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00 (or 3.75 to 1.00 , during any collateral release period). The interest coverage ratio generally requires that at the end of any fiscal quarter the Company will not permit the ratio of (a) adjusted EBITDA, to (b) the consolidated interest expense to the extent paid or payable, to be less than 3.00 to 1.00 , during the applicable preceding twelve month period. As of July 31, 2017 , $418.9 million was outstanding under the 2017 Credit Agreement. The current portion of the 2017 Credit Agreement was $15.0 million and the long-term portion was $403.9 million . The weighted average interest rate on the 2017 Credit Agreement was 2.07% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 . The actual interest rate on the 2017 Credit Agreement was 2.49% as of July 31, 2017 . Senior Notes due 2017 On February 9, 2007, the Company issued $300.0 million of 6.75% Senior Notes due February 1, 2017 . These Senior Notes were paid in full on February 1, 2017, with $300.0 million of term loan proceeds borrowed under the 2017 Credit Agreement. Senior Notes due 2019 On July 28, 2009, the Company issued $250.0 million of 7.75% Senior Notes due August 1, 2019 . Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually. The financing costs associated with the Senior Notes due 2019 totaled $0.9 million as of July 31, 2017 , and are recorded as a direct deduction from the long-term liability. Senior Notes due 2021 On July 15, 2011, Greif, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Greif Nevada Holdings, Inc., S.C.S. issued €200.0 million of 7.375% Senior Notes due July 15, 2021 . These Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by Greif, Inc. Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually. United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility On September 28, 2016, the Company amended and restated its existing receivables financing facility in the United States to establish a $150.0 million United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility (the "Receivables Facility”) with a financial institution. The Receivables Facility matures in September 2017, and the Company intends to renew this facility on similar terms. The $150.0 million outstanding as of July 31, 2017 is reported in long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets because the Company intends to refinance the obligation on a long-term basis and has the intent and ability to consummate a long-term refinancing.

Financial Instruments and Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following table presents the fair value for those assets and (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : July 31, 2017 Fair Value Measurement (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Balance Sheet Location Interest rate derivatives $ — $ 7.1 $ — $ 7.1 Other long-term assets Foreign exchange hedges — 0.1 — 0.1 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign exchange hedges — (0.6 ) — (0.6 ) Other current liabilities Insurance annuity — — 21.4 21.4 Other long-term assets Total (1) $ — $ 6.6 $ 21.4 $ 28.0 October 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurement (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Balance Sheet Location Foreign exchange hedges $ — $ 0.3 $ — $ 0.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign exchange hedges — (0.3 ) — (0.3 ) Other current liabilities Insurance annuity — — 20.1 20.1 Other long-term assets Total (1) $ — $ — $ 20.1 $ 20.1 (1) The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, current liabilities and short-term borrowings as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items and are not included in this table. Interest Rate Derivatives The Company has various borrowing facilities which charge interest based on the 1 month U.S. dollar LIBOR rate plus an interest spread. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company entered into a forward interest rate swap with a notional amount of $300.0 million . As of February 1, 2017, the Company began to receive variable rate interest payments based upon one month U.S. dollar LIBOR and in return was obligated to pay interest at a fixed rate of 1.194% . This effectively converted the borrowing rate on $300.0 million of debt from a variable rate to a fixed rate. This derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. Accordingly, any effective portion of the gain or loss on this derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized into earnings. For additional disclosures of the gain or loss included with other comprehensive income, see also Note 16 to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The assumptions used in measuring fair value of the interest rate derivative are considered level 2 inputs, which are based upon LIBOR and interest paid based upon a designated fixed rate over the life of the swap agreements. Foreign Exchange Hedges The Company conducts business in various international currencies and is subject to risks associated with changing foreign exchange rates. The Company’s objective is to reduce volatility associated with foreign exchange rate changes. Accordingly, the Company enters into various contracts that change in value as foreign exchange rates change to protect the value of certain existing foreign currency assets and liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency cash flows. As of July 31, 2017 , the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts in the notional amount of $75.1 million ( $78.9 million as of October 31, 2016 ). Adjustments to fair value are recognized in earnings, offsetting the impact of the hedged profits. The assumptions used in measuring fair value of foreign exchange hedges are considered level 2 inputs, which were based on observable market pricing for similar instruments, principally foreign exchange futures contracts. Realized gains recorded in other expense, net under fair value contracts were $0.6 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and realized losses were $2.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2016 . Realized losses were $0.9 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Other Financial Instruments The fair values of the Company’s 2017 Credit Agreement and the Receivables Facility do not materially differ from carrying value as the Company’s cost of borrowing is variable and approximates current borrowing rates. The fair values of the Company’s long-term obligations are estimated based on either the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or the current interest rates offered for the debt of the same remaining maturities, which are considered level 2 inputs in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The following table presents the estimated fair values of the Company’s senior notes: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Senior Notes due 2017 Estimated fair value $ — $ 302.4 Senior Notes due 2019 Estimated fair value 276.6 280.1 Senior Notes due 2021 Estimated fair value 282.7 264.9 Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the impairment of long-lived assets held and used and net assets held for sale for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (in millions) Fair Value of Impairment Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range of Input Values July 31, 2017 Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale $ 5.6 Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids N/A Impairment of Long Lived Assets 0.3 Sales Value Sales Value N/A Total $ 5.9 July 31, 2016 Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale $ 37.6 Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids N/A Impairment of Long Lived Assets 7.3 Sales Value Sales Value N/A Total $ 44.9 Long-Lived Assets The assumptions used in measuring fair value of long-lived assets are considered level 3 inputs, which include bids received from third parties, recent purchase offers, market comparable information and discounted cash flows based on assumptions that market participants would use. As a result of the Company measuring long-lived assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis, during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.3 million . As a result of the Company measuring long-lived assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis, during the nine months ended July 31, 2016 , the Company recorded impairment charges of $5.0 million related to properties, plants and equipment, net, in the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment, $1.5 million related to a cost method investment in the Paper Packaging & Services segment, and $0.8 million of properties, plants and equipment, net, in the Flexible Products & Services segment. Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale The assumptions used in measuring fair value of assets and liabilities held for sale are considered level 3 inputs, which include recent purchase offers, market comparables and/or data obtained from commercial real estate brokers. During the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 , one asset group was reclassified to assets and liabilities held for sale, resulting in a $5.6 million impairment to net realizable value. During the nine month period ended July 31, 2016, three asset groups were reclassified to assets and liabilities held for sale, resulting in $23.6 million impairment to net realizable value. During the nine month period ended July 31, 2016, one asset group classified as held for sale as of October 31, 2015, was remeasured to net realizable value, resulting in an impairment of $14.0 million . For additional disclosures on the assets and liabilities held for sale, also see Note 5 to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets On an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, the Company performs impairment tests for goodwill and long lived intangible assets as defined under ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” The Company concluded that no impairment existed as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES Income tax expense for the quarter was computed in accordance with ASC 740-270 "Income Taxes - Interim Reporting" (ASC 740-270). Under this method, losses from jurisdictions for which a valuation allowance has been provided have not been included in the amount to which the ASC 740-270 rate was applied. Income tax expense of the Company fluctuates primarily due to changes in income mix by jurisdiction, including changes in losses and income from jurisdictions for which a valuation allowance has been provided, and the impact of discrete items in the respective quarter. Income tax expense was $27.2 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $62.0 million and $38.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Prior to the three months ended January 31, 2017, the Company asserted under ASC 740-30, formerly Accounting Principles Board opinion 23 ("APB 23"), that unremitted earnings of its subsidiaries directly, or indirectly, owned by Greif International Holdings BV (“GIH”) were permanently reinvested. As a result of the Company’s debt re-financing concluded in November 2016, the Company reassessed its unremitted earnings position in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company concluded that the unremitted earnings of subsidiaries owned directly, or indirectly, by GIH may be used to fully fund the repayment of up to €187.0 million ( $218.4 million as of July 31, 2017 ) of third-party debt of GIH’s non-U.S. parent company, Greif Luxembourg Holding Sarl, a company organized under the laws of Luxembourg. The amount of pre-2017 non-U.S. earnings that may be remitted to repay this debt is $104.0 million . Further, the Company has concluded that, until such third-party debt has been fully repaid, the current earnings of the subsidiaries owned directly, or indirectly, by GIH may be distributed to and utilized to repay such debt. Accordingly, deferred tax liabilities of $3.6 million related to withholding taxes have been recorded through the third quarter of 2017 with respect to the $104.0 million of pre-2017 unremitted earnings, which represents the total tax liability for all of the pre-2017 unremitted earnings expected to be remitted and, starting in fiscal year 2017, deferred tax liabilities have been recorded on current year earnings not required to be immediately reinvested by the respective subsidiary of GIH. During the third quarter of 2017, €145.0 million ( $169.3 million as of July 31, 2017 ) of the debt was repaid, utilizing, in part, $104.0 million of pre-2017 earnings distributed to GIH during the quarter. Other than this change in assertion with respect to the unremitted earnings of subsidiaries owned directly, or indirectly, by GIH, the Company has not recognized U.S. deferred income taxes on its undistributed earnings from other non-U.S. subsidiaries as it is the Company’s intention to reinvest those earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S., or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax-efficient to do so.

Post Retirement Benefit Plans

Post Retirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Post Retirement Benefit Plans	POST RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS During the nine months ended July 31, 2017 , an annuity contract for approximately $49.2 million was purchased with United States defined benefit plan assets, and the pension obligation for certain retirees in the United States under that plan was irrevocably transferred from that plan to the annuity contract. Additionally, lump sum payments totaling $42.4 million were made from the defined benefit plan assets to certain participants who agreed to such payments, representing the current fair value of the participant’s respective pension benefit. The settlement items described above resulted in a decrease in the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation of $91.6 million and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $25.6 million of unrecognized net actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the three months ended July 31, 2017 , net lump sum payments totaling $3.5 million were made resulting in a non-cash pension settlement charge of $1.0 million of unrecognized actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a result of the settlements described above, the Company remeasured the United States defined pension plan as of November 30, 2016. The result of this remeasurement was a decline in projected benefit obligation of $21.3 million . This reduction is due to an increase in discount rates from 3.82 percent as of October 31, 2016 to 4.20 percent as of November 30, 2016. The components of net periodic pension cost include the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 3.5 $ 3.2 $ 10.1 $ 9.4 Interest cost 4.6 5.7 13.8 16.9 Expected return on plan assets (7.0 ) (8.3 ) (21.2 ) (24.9 ) Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain 2.6 2.8 8.2 8.6 Net periodic pension costs $ 3.7 $ 3.4 $ 10.9 $ 10.0 The Company made $10.7 million and $9.4 million in pension contributions in the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The components of net periodic cost for post retirement benefits include the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain (0.5 ) (0.4 ) (1.2 ) (1.2 ) Net periodic benefit for post retirement benefits $ (0.4 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.9 ) $ (0.8 )

Contingent Liabilities and Envi

Contingent Liabilities and Environmental Reserves	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Contingent Liabilities and Environmental Reserves	CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES Litigation-related Liabilities The Company may become involved from time-to-time in litigation and regulatory matters incidental to its business, including governmental investigations, enforcement actions, personal injury claims, product liability, employment health and safety matters, commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, disputes regarding environmental clean-up costs, litigation in connection with acquisitions and divestitures, and other matters arising out of the normal conduct of its business. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in such litigation. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company may accrue for contingencies related to litigation and regulatory matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions can occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. The Company regularly reviews contingencies to determine whether its accruals are adequate. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. The Company is currently involved in legal proceedings outside of the United States related to various wrongful termination lawsuits filed by former employees and benefit claims filed by some existing employees of our Flexible Products & Services segment. The lawsuits include claims for severance for employment periods prior to the Company’s ownership in the business. As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, the estimated liability recorded related to these matters were $3.8 million and $1.3 million . The estimated liability has been determined based on the number of active cases and the settlements and rulings on previous cases. It is reasonably possible the estimated liability could increase if additional cases are filed or adverse rulings are made. Environmental Reserves As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , environmental reserves were $6.9 million and $6.8 million , respectively, and were recorded on an undiscounted basis. These reserves are principally based on environmental studies and cost estimates provided by third parties, but also take into account management estimates. The estimated liabilities are reduced to reflect the anticipated participation of other potentially responsible parties in those instances where it is probable that such parties are legally responsible and financially capable of paying their respective shares of relevant costs. For sites that involve formal actions subject to joint and several liabilities, these actions have formal agreements in place to apportion the liability. As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , environmental reserves of the Company included $4.4 million and $3.9 million , respectively, for various European drum facilities acquired from Blagden and Van Leer; $0.3 million and $0.3 million , respectively, for its various container life cycle management and recycling facilities; $1.3 million and $1.7 million , respectively, for remediation of sites no longer owned by the Company; and $0.9 million and $0.9 million , respectively, for various other facilities around the world. The Company’s exposure to adverse developments with respect to any individual site is not expected to be material. Although environmental remediation could have a material effect on results of operations if a series of adverse developments occur in a particular quarter or year, the Company believes that the chance of a series of adverse developments occurring in the same quarter or year is remote. Future information and developments will require the Company to continually reassess the expected impact of these environmental matters.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE The Company has two classes of common stock and, as such, applies the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share (“EPS”) as prescribed in ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” In accordance with this guidance, earnings are allocated in the same fashion as dividends would be distributed. Under the Company’s articles of incorporation, any distribution of dividends in any year must be made in proportion of one cent a share for Class A Common Stock to one and one-half cents a share for Class B Common Stock, which results in a 40% to 60% split to Class A and B shareholders, respectively. In accordance with this, earnings are allocated first to Class A and Class B Common Stock to the extent that dividends are actually paid and the remainder is allocated assuming all of the earnings for the period have been distributed in the form of dividends. The Company calculates EPS as follows: Basic Class A EPS = 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class A Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Class A Shares Outstanding Diluted Class A EPS = 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class A Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Diluted Class A Shares Outstanding Basic Class B EPS = 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class B Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Class B Shares Outstanding *Diluted Class B EPS calculation is identical to Basic Class B calculation The following table provides EPS information for each period: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator for basic and diluted EPS Net income attributable to Greif, Inc. $ 43.9 $ 46.1 $ 85.3 $ 66.4 Cash dividends (24.7 ) (24.7 ) (73.9 ) (74.0 ) Undistributed net income (loss) attributable to Greif, Inc. $ 19.2 $ 21.4 $ 11.4 $ (7.6 ) The Class A Common Stock has no voting rights unless four quarterly cumulative dividends upon the Class A Common Stock are in arrears. The Class B Common Stock has full voting rights. There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors. Common Stock Repurchases In June 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 4,000,000 of the Company's shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or any combination of the foregoing. In July 2017, the Company's Stock Repurchase Committee authorized and the Company executed the repurchase of 2,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, which reduced the remaining amount of shares that may be repurchased by the Company to 4,703,487 . During the nine months ended July 31, 2016 , the Stock Repurchase Committee authorized and the Company executed the repurchase of 110,241 shares of Class B Common Stock. There have been no other shares repurchased under this program from November 1, 2015 through July 31, 2017 . The following table summarizes the Company’s Class A and Class B common and treasury shares as of the specified dates: Authorized Shares Issued Shares Outstanding Shares Treasury Shares July 31, 2017 Class A Common Stock 128,000,000 42,281,920 25,835,281 16,446,639 Class B Common Stock 69,120,000 34,560,000 22,007,725 12,552,275 October 31, 2016 Class A Common Stock 128,000,000 42,281,920 25,781,791 16,500,129 Class B Common Stock 69,120,000 34,560,000 22,009,725 12,550,275 The following is a reconciliation of the shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Class A Common Stock: Basic shares 25,834,636 25,781,146 25,815,533 25,746,797 Assumed conversion of restricted shares 658 2,038 3,284 349 Diluted shares 25,835,294 25,783,184 25,818,817 25,747,146 Class B Common Stock: Basic and diluted shares 22,009,596 22,009,725 22,009,682 22,079,544

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidat

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax, represent the Company’s share of earnings of affiliates in which the Company does not exercise control and has a 20 percent or more voting interest. Investments in such affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. If the fair value of an investment in an affiliate is below its carrying value and the difference is deemed to be other than temporary, the difference between the fair value and the carrying value is charged to earnings. The Company had an equity interest in two such affiliates as of July 31, 2017 . Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax, were $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 . Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax, were $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2016 . There were no dividends received from the Company's equity method affiliates for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 . Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represent the portion of earnings from the operations of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries attributable to unrelated third party equity owners that were deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to the Company. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 was $3.6 million and $0.3 million , respectively. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 was $10.1 million and $2.6 million , respectively.

Equity and Comprehensive Income

Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)	EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The following table summarizes the changes of equity from October 31, 2016 to July 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands): Capital Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Greif, Inc. Equity Non controlling interests Total Equity Common Shares Amount Treasury Shares Amount As of October 31, 2016 47,792 $ 141.4 29,050 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,340.0 $ (398.4 ) $ 947.4 $ 10.5 $ 957.9 Net income 85.3 85.3 10.1 95.4 Other comprehensive income (loss): - foreign currency translation 33.4 33.4 (1.7 ) 31.7 - interest rate derivative, net of income tax of $2.5 million 4.0 4.0 4.0 - change in minimum pension liability adjustment from remeasurement, settlement, and amortization, net of income tax of $17.5 million 29.8 29.8 29.8 Comprehensive income 152.5 160.9 Current period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest 3.8 3.8 3.8 Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests — (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest — (2.6 ) (2.6 ) Other — — Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders (73.9 ) (73.9 ) (73.9 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interests — (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Treasury shares acquired (2 ) — 2 0.1 0.1 0.1 Restricted stock executives and directors 24 1.3 (24 ) — 1.3 1.3 Long-term incentive shares issued 29 1.5 (29 ) (0.1 ) 1.4 1.4 As of July 31, 2017 47,843 $ 144.2 28,999 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,355.2 $ (331.2 ) $ 1,032.6 $ 10.1 $ 1,042.7 The following table summarizes the changes of equity from October 31, 2015 to July 31, 2016 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands): Capital Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Greif, Inc. Equity Non controlling interests Total Equity Common Shares Amount Treasury Shares Amount As of October 31, 2015 47,814 $ 139.1 29,028 $ (130.6 ) $ 1,384.5 $ (377.4 ) $ 1,015.6 $ 44.3 $ 1,059.9 Net income 66.4 66.4 2.6 69.0 Other comprehensive income (loss): - foreign currency translation (5.3 ) (5.3 ) (4.3 ) (9.6 ) - minimum pension liability adjustment, net of immaterial income tax 3.5 3.5 3.5 Comprehensive loss 64.6 62.9 Out of period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (19.8 ) (19.8 ) (19.8 ) Current period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (3.1 ) (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest 1.2 1.2 (22.8 ) (21.6 ) Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests — (3.9 ) (3.9 ) Other — (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders (74.0 ) (74.0 ) (74.0 ) Contributions from noncontrolling interest — 0.8 0.8 Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests (3.9 ) (3.9 ) Treasury shares acquired (110 ) 110 (5.2 ) (5.2 ) (5.2 ) Restricted stock executives and directors 47 1.3 (47 ) 0.1 1.4 1.4 Long-term incentive shares issued 41 1.0 (41 ) 0.1 1.1 1.1 As of July 31, 2016 47,792 $ 141.4 29,050 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,355.2 $ (379.2 ) $ 981.8 $ 12.4 $ 994.2 The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Interest Rate Derivative Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ (270.2 ) $ — $ (128.2 ) $ (398.4 ) Other Comprehensive Income 33.4 4.0 29.8 67.2 Current-period Other Comprehensive Income 33.4 4.0 29.8 67.2 Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ (236.8 ) $ 4.0 $ (98.4 ) $ (331.2 ) The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 : (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance as of October 31, 2015 $ (256.6 ) $ (120.8 ) $ (377.4 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications (5.3 ) 3.5 (1.8 ) Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (5.3 ) 3.5 (1.8 ) Balance as of July 31, 2016 $ (261.9 ) $ (117.3 ) $ (379.2 ) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) above are presented net of tax, as applicable.

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company has five operating segments, which are aggregated into four reportable business segments: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services; Paper Packaging & Services; Flexible Products & Services; and Land Management. The Company’s reportable business segments offer different products and services. The accounting policies of the reportable business segments are substantially the same as those described in the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” note in the 2016 Form 10-K. The measure of segment profitability that is used by the Company is operating profit. The following segment information is presented for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net sales: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 674.4 $ 596.8 $ 1,860.2 $ 1,721.3 Paper Packaging & Services 206.3 172.5 577.9 498.1 Flexible Products & Services 73.9 69.9 210.2 219.0 Land Management 7.2 5.8 21.8 17.6 Total net sales $ 961.8 $ 845.0 $ 2,670.1 $ 2,456.0 Operating profit (loss): Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 64.7 $ 56.7 $ 148.9 $ 113.4 Paper Packaging & Services 19.0 19.1 49.6 64.4 Flexible Products & Services 3.1 (5.9 ) 5.4 (11.9 ) Land Management 2.7 1.7 8.1 6.1 Total operating profit $ 89.5 $ 71.6 $ 212.0 $ 172.0 Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 16.8 $ 20.8 $ 56.7 $ 63.7 Paper Packaging & Services 7.8 8.0 23.7 23.6 Flexible Products & Services 1.8 1.8 5.2 5.9 Land Management 1.3 0.9 3.8 2.6 Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense $ 27.7 $ 31.5 $ 89.4 $ 95.8 The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic area: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net sales: United States $ 463.7 $ 400.3 $ 1,306.2 $ 1,179.0 Europe, Middle East and Africa 359.4 318.9 970.8 905.9 Asia Pacific and other Americas 138.7 125.8 393.1 371.1 Total net sales $ 961.8 $ 845.0 $ 2,670.1 $ 2,456.0 The following table presents total assets by segment and total properties, plants and equipment, net by geographic area: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Assets: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 2,137.7 $ 1,930.8 Paper Packaging & Services 461.1 439.8 Flexible Products & Services 162.0 156.1 Land Management 344.1 339.9 Total segments 3,104.9 2,866.6 Corporate and other 231.8 286.4 Total assets $ 3,336.7 $ 3,153.0 Properties, plants and equipment, net: United States $ 712.9 $ 723.3 Europe, Middle East and Africa 321.5 308.5 Asia Pacific and other Americas 134.1 140.1 Total properties, plants and equipment, net $ 1,168.5 $ 1,171.9

Redeemable Noncontrolling Inter

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests The terms of the joint venture agreement for one joint venture within the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment include mandatory redemption by the Company, in cash, of the noncontrolling interest holders’ equity at a formulaic price after the expiration of a lockout period specific to each noncontrolling interest holder. The redemption features cause the equity interest to be classified as a mandatorily redeemable instrument under the accounting guidance, and this interest is included at the current redemption value each period in long-term or short-term liabilities of the Company, as applicable. The impact of marking to redemption value at each period end is recorded in interest expense. The Company has a contractual obligation to redeem the outstanding equity interests of each remaining partner in 2021 and 2022. During the first quarter of 2017, an asset group within the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment was classified as assets and liabilities held for sale. The mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest was included within this asset group and was classified out of other long-term liabilities and into liabilities held for sale during the first quarter of 2017. The following table summarizes the change in mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ 9.0 Current period mark to redemption value (0.3 ) Reclassification to liabilities held for sale (8.7 ) Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ — Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests related to one joint venture within the Paper Packaging & Services segment and one joint venture within the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment are held by the respective noncontrolling interest owners. The holders of these interests share in the profits and losses of these entities on a pro rata basis with the Company. However, the noncontrolling interest owners have the right to put all or a portion of those noncontrolling interests to the Company at a formulaic price after a set period of time, specific to each agreement. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at redemption value. The following table summarizes the change in redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ 31.8 Current period mark to redemption value (3.8 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interest share of income and other 3.1 Dividends to redeemable noncontrolling interest and other (1.3 ) Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ 29.8

Basis of Presentation and Sum25

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. The Company’s fiscal year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year. Any references to the year 2017 or 2016 , or to any quarter of those years, relates to the fiscal year or quarter, as the case may be, ended in that year. The information filed herein reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 , the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 of Greif, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Greif, Inc., all wholly-owned and consolidated subsidiaries and investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which it has controlling influence or is the primary beneficiary. Non-majority owned entities include investments in limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company does not have controlling influence and are accounted for using either the equity or cost method, as appropriate. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) 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 its fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 (the “ 2016 Form 10-K”).
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Newly Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting interest model and eliminates the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, included in ASU 2010-10, for certain investment funds. All reporting entities that hold a variable interest in other legal entities were required to re-evaluate their consolidation conclusions as well as disclosure requirements. The Company adopted the new guidance beginning on November 1, 2016, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows or disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350),” which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350 by eliminating the step 2 requirement to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of assets and liabilities in order to calculate goodwill impairment based on the implied fair value of goodwill. This amendment modifies the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The Company elected to adopt the new guidance beginning on February 1, 2017 using a prospective approach, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows or disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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 ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting the new revenue standards, but anticipates that the impact of adoption will be limited to expanded disclosures with no material impact on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flow. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which amends the lease accounting and disclosure requirements in ASC 840, "Leases". The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about lease arrangements. This ASU will require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Equity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740)," which improves the accounting for income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted, including any interim period. The Company is in the process of determining the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and disclosures. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)," which provides additional guidance in ASC 715 for the presentation of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. This ASU will require the reporting of the service cost component to be in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees. Also, the other components of net benefit cost will be required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. This update also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The update is effective for the Company on November 1, 2018 using a retrospective approach for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit in assets. The Company plans to early adopt ASU 2017-07 on November 1, 2017 and expects the update to have an immaterial impact on the results of operations and disclosures.
Income Taxes	Income tax expense for the quarter was computed in accordance with ASC 740-270 "Income Taxes - Interim Reporting" (ASC 740-270). Under this method, losses from jurisdictions for which a valuation allowance has been provided have not been included in the amount to which the ASC 740-270 rate was applied. Income tax expense of the Company fluctuates primarily due to changes in income mix by jurisdiction, including changes in losses and income from jurisdictions for which a valuation allowance has been provided, and the impact of discrete items in the respective quarter.

Sale of Non-United States Acc26

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Company's Accounts Receivables Programs	The table below contains certain information related to the Company’s accounts receivable sales programs: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 European RPA Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 192.2 $ 160.0 $ 506.3 $ 463.3 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs 170.0 140.7 448.2 409.2 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 22.2 19.3 58.1 53.7 Loss associated with the programs 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 Expenses associated with the programs — — — — Singapore RPA Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 12.4 $ 11.4 $ 37.4 $ 32.5 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program 10.3 11.4 32.0 32.5 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 2.2 — 5.4 — Loss associated with the program — — — — Expenses associated with the program — — — — Total RPAs and Agreements Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution $ 204.6 $ 171.4 $ 543.7 $ 495.8 Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the program 180.3 152.1 480.2 441.7 Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold 24.4 19.3 63.5 53.7 Loss associated with the program 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 Expenses associated with the program — — — — The table below contains certain information related to the Company’s accounts receivable sales programs and the impact it has on the condensed consolidated balance sheets: (in millions) July 31, October 31, European RPA Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 147.8 $ 106.7 Deferred purchase price asset (liability) related to accounts receivable sold 32.7 (0.4 ) Singapore RPA Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 3.5 $ 4.0 Deferred purchase price asset related to accounts receivable sold 0.8 0.5 Total RPAs and Agreements Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution $ 151.3 $ 110.7 Deferred purchase price asset related to accounts receivable sold 33.5 0.1

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Summarization of Inventories	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are summarized as follows: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Raw materials $ 231.4 $ 185.4 Work-in-process 12.2 12.2 Finished goods 93.2 79.8 $ 336.8 $ 277.4

Assets and Liabilities Held f28

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Disposals of Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Summary of Assets and Liabilities Classified as Held For Sale	The following table presents assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : (in millions) July 31, October 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 5.5 $ — Trade accounts receivable, less allowance 5.7 — Inventories 2.6 — Properties, plants and equipment, net 16.1 3.8 Goodwill 29.4 — Other intangibles assets, net 17.0 — Other assets 1.3 — Assets held for sale $ 77.6 $ 3.8 Accounts payable $ 2.7 $ — Other current liabilities 1.5 — Other long-term liabilities 10.3 — Liabilities held for sale $ 14.5 $ —

Goodwill and Other Intangible29

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services Paper Packaging & Services Total Balance at October 31, 2016 $ 726.9 $ 59.5 $ 786.4 Goodwill allocated to divestitures and businesses held for sale (37.2 ) — (37.2 ) Currency translation 23.5 — 23.5 Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 713.2 $ 59.5 $ 772.7
Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Other Intangible Assets by Class	The following table summarizes the carrying amount of net other intangible assets by class as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : (in millions) Gross Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible Assets July 31, 2017: Indefinite lived: Trademarks and patents $ 13.4 $ — $ 13.4 Definite lived: Customer relationships $ 147.0 $ 88.2 $ 58.8 Trademarks and patents 9.5 3.8 5.7 Non-compete agreements — — — Other 23.5 14.8 8.7 Total $ 193.4 $ 106.8 $ 86.6 October 31, 2016: Indefinite lived: Trademarks and patents $ 13.0 $ — $ 13.0 Definite lived: Customer relationships $ 167.6 $ 86.9 $ 80.7 Trademarks and patents 12.1 4.8 7.3 Non-compete agreements 1.0 0.9 0.1 Other 23.5 14.0 9.5 Total $ 217.2 $ 106.6 $ 110.6

Restructuring Charges (Tables)

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances for the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Employee Separation Costs Other Costs Total Balance at October 31, 2016 $ 9.2 $ 1.2 $ 10.4 Costs incurred and charged to expense 6.8 1.9 8.7 Costs paid or otherwise settled (10.0 ) (2.1 ) (12.1 ) Balance at July 31, 2017 $ 6.0 $ 1.0 $ 7.0
Reconciliation of Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred from Open Restructuring Plans Anticipated to be Realized	The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts expected to be incurred from approved restructuring plans or plans that are being formulated and have not been announced as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Remaining amounts expected to be incurred are $19.9 million as of July 31, 2017 compared to $16.1 million as of October 31, 2016 . The change was due to the formulations of new plans during the period. (in millions) Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred Amounts Incurred During the nine month period ended July 31, 2017 Amounts Remaining to be Incurred Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services Employee separation costs $ 21.1 $ 6.0 $ 15.1 Other restructuring costs 4.5 1.6 2.9 25.6 7.6 18.0 Flexible Products & Services Employee separation costs 1.2 0.5 0.7 Other restructuring costs 1.5 0.3 1.2 2.7 0.8 1.9 Paper Packaging & Services Employee separation costs 0.3 0.3 — Other restructuring costs — — — 0.3 0.3 — $ 28.6 $ 8.7 $ 19.9

Consolidation of Variable Int31

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV	The following table presents the Flexible Packaging JV total net assets: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 14.3 $ 15.2 Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $2.3 in 2017 and $2.8 in 2016 50.9 43.3 Inventories 51.1 50.9 Properties, plants and equipment, net 31.6 25.0 Other assets 28.0 37.3 Total Assets $ 175.9 $ 171.7 Accounts payable $ 31.8 $ 30.7 Other liabilities 35.2 43.7 Total Liabilities $ 67.0 $ 74.4

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt is summarized as follows: (in millions) July 31, 2017 October 31, 2016 2017 Credit Agreement $ 418.9 $ — Prior Credit Agreement — 201.2 Senior Notes due 2017 — 300.1 Senior Notes due 2019 247.7 247.0 Senior Notes due 2021 232.1 216.6 Receivables Facility 150.0 — Other debt 8.2 9.7 1,056.9 974.6 Less current portion 16.3 — Less deferred financing costs 6.9 — Long-term debt $ 1,033.7 $ 974.6

Financial Instruments and Fai33

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Recurring Fair Value Measurements	The following table presents the fair value for those assets and (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 : July 31, 2017 Fair Value Measurement (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Balance Sheet Location Interest rate derivatives $ — $ 7.1 $ — $ 7.1 Other long-term assets Foreign exchange hedges — 0.1 — 0.1 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign exchange hedges — (0.6 ) — (0.6 ) Other current liabilities Insurance annuity — — 21.4 21.4 Other long-term assets Total (1) $ — $ 6.6 $ 21.4 $ 28.0 October 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurement (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Balance Sheet Location Foreign exchange hedges $ — $ 0.3 $ — $ 0.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets Foreign exchange hedges — (0.3 ) — (0.3 ) Other current liabilities Insurance annuity — — 20.1 20.1 Other long-term assets Total (1) $ — $ — $ 20.1 $ 20.1 (1) The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, current liabilities and short-term borrowings as of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items and are not included in this table.
Estimated Fair Values for the Company's Senior Notes and Assets Held by Special Purpose Entities	The following table presents the estimated fair values of the Company’s senior notes: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Senior Notes due 2017 Estimated fair value $ — $ 302.4 Senior Notes due 2019 Estimated fair value 276.6 280.1 Senior Notes due 2021 Estimated fair value 282.7 264.9
Summary of Quantitative about Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Determine Fair Value of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used and Net Assets Held for Sale	The following table presents quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value of the impairment of long-lived assets held and used and net assets held for sale for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 : Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (in millions) Fair Value of Impairment Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range of Input Values July 31, 2017 Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale $ 5.6 Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids N/A Impairment of Long Lived Assets 0.3 Sales Value Sales Value N/A Total $ 5.9 July 31, 2016 Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale $ 37.6 Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids N/A Impairment of Long Lived Assets 7.3 Sales Value Sales Value N/A Total $ 44.9

Post Retirement Benefit Plans (

Post Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost	The components of net periodic pension cost include the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 3.5 $ 3.2 $ 10.1 $ 9.4 Interest cost 4.6 5.7 13.8 16.9 Expected return on plan assets (7.0 ) (8.3 ) (21.2 ) (24.9 ) Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain 2.6 2.8 8.2 8.6 Net periodic pension costs $ 3.7 $ 3.4 $ 10.9 $ 10.0
Components of Net Periodic Cost for Postretirement Benefits	The components of net periodic cost for post retirement benefits include the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain (0.5 ) (0.4 ) (1.2 ) (1.2 ) Net periodic benefit for post retirement benefits $ (0.4 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.9 ) $ (0.8 )

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Class Based Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The Company calculates EPS as follows: Basic Class A EPS = 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class A Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Class A Shares Outstanding Diluted Class A EPS = 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class A Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Diluted Class A Shares Outstanding Basic Class B EPS = 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding * Undistributed Net Income + Class B Dividends Per Share 40% * Average Class A Shares Outstanding + 60% * Average Class B Shares Outstanding Average Class B Shares Outstanding *Diluted Class B EPS calculation is identical to Basic Class B calculation
Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted	The following table provides EPS information for each period: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator for basic and diluted EPS Net income attributable to Greif, Inc. $ 43.9 $ 46.1 $ 85.3 $ 66.4 Cash dividends (24.7 ) (24.7 ) (73.9 ) (74.0 ) Undistributed net income (loss) attributable to Greif, Inc. $ 19.2 $ 21.4 $ 11.4 $ (7.6 )
Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares	The following table summarizes the Company’s Class A and Class B common and treasury shares as of the specified dates: Authorized Shares Issued Shares Outstanding Shares Treasury Shares July 31, 2017 Class A Common Stock 128,000,000 42,281,920 25,835,281 16,446,639 Class B Common Stock 69,120,000 34,560,000 22,007,725 12,552,275 October 31, 2016 Class A Common Stock 128,000,000 42,281,920 25,781,791 16,500,129 Class B Common Stock 69,120,000 34,560,000 22,009,725 12,550,275
Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following is a reconciliation of the shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Class A Common Stock: Basic shares 25,834,636 25,781,146 25,815,533 25,746,797 Assumed conversion of restricted shares 658 2,038 3,284 349 Diluted shares 25,835,294 25,783,184 25,818,817 25,747,146 Class B Common Stock: Basic and diluted shares 22,009,596 22,009,725 22,009,682 22,079,544

Equity and Comprehensive Inco36

Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Equity	The following table summarizes the changes of equity from October 31, 2016 to July 31, 2017 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands): Capital Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Greif, Inc. Equity Non controlling interests Total Equity Common Shares Amount Treasury Shares Amount As of October 31, 2016 47,792 $ 141.4 29,050 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,340.0 $ (398.4 ) $ 947.4 $ 10.5 $ 957.9 Net income 85.3 85.3 10.1 95.4 Other comprehensive income (loss): - foreign currency translation 33.4 33.4 (1.7 ) 31.7 - interest rate derivative, net of income tax of $2.5 million 4.0 4.0 4.0 - change in minimum pension liability adjustment from remeasurement, settlement, and amortization, net of income tax of $17.5 million 29.8 29.8 29.8 Comprehensive income 152.5 160.9 Current period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest 3.8 3.8 3.8 Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests — (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest — (2.6 ) (2.6 ) Other — — Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders (73.9 ) (73.9 ) (73.9 ) Dividends to noncontrolling interests — (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Treasury shares acquired (2 ) — 2 0.1 0.1 0.1 Restricted stock executives and directors 24 1.3 (24 ) — 1.3 1.3 Long-term incentive shares issued 29 1.5 (29 ) (0.1 ) 1.4 1.4 As of July 31, 2017 47,843 $ 144.2 28,999 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,355.2 $ (331.2 ) $ 1,032.6 $ 10.1 $ 1,042.7 The following table summarizes the changes of equity from October 31, 2015 to July 31, 2016 (Dollars in millions, shares in thousands): Capital Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Greif, Inc. Equity Non controlling interests Total Equity Common Shares Amount Treasury Shares Amount As of October 31, 2015 47,814 $ 139.1 29,028 $ (130.6 ) $ 1,384.5 $ (377.4 ) $ 1,015.6 $ 44.3 $ 1,059.9 Net income 66.4 66.4 2.6 69.0 Other comprehensive income (loss): - foreign currency translation (5.3 ) (5.3 ) (4.3 ) (9.6 ) - minimum pension liability adjustment, net of immaterial income tax 3.5 3.5 3.5 Comprehensive loss 64.6 62.9 Out of period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (19.8 ) (19.8 ) (19.8 ) Current period mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest (3.1 ) (3.1 ) (3.1 ) Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest 1.2 1.2 (22.8 ) (21.6 ) Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests — (3.9 ) (3.9 ) Other — (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders (74.0 ) (74.0 ) (74.0 ) Contributions from noncontrolling interest — 0.8 0.8 Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests (3.9 ) (3.9 ) Treasury shares acquired (110 ) 110 (5.2 ) (5.2 ) (5.2 ) Restricted stock executives and directors 47 1.3 (47 ) 0.1 1.4 1.4 Long-term incentive shares issued 41 1.0 (41 ) 0.1 1.1 1.1 As of July 31, 2016 47,792 $ 141.4 29,050 $ (135.6 ) $ 1,355.2 $ (379.2 ) $ 981.8 $ 12.4 $ 994.2
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Interest Rate Derivative Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ (270.2 ) $ — $ (128.2 ) $ (398.4 ) Other Comprehensive Income 33.4 4.0 29.8 67.2 Current-period Other Comprehensive Income 33.4 4.0 29.8 67.2 Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ (236.8 ) $ 4.0 $ (98.4 ) $ (331.2 ) The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended July 31, 2016 : (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance as of October 31, 2015 $ (256.6 ) $ (120.8 ) $ (377.4 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications (5.3 ) 3.5 (1.8 ) Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (5.3 ) 3.5 (1.8 ) Balance as of July 31, 2016 $ (261.9 ) $ (117.3 ) $ (379.2 )

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	The following segment information is presented for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net sales: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 674.4 $ 596.8 $ 1,860.2 $ 1,721.3 Paper Packaging & Services 206.3 172.5 577.9 498.1 Flexible Products & Services 73.9 69.9 210.2 219.0 Land Management 7.2 5.8 21.8 17.6 Total net sales $ 961.8 $ 845.0 $ 2,670.1 $ 2,456.0 Operating profit (loss): Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 64.7 $ 56.7 $ 148.9 $ 113.4 Paper Packaging & Services 19.0 19.1 49.6 64.4 Flexible Products & Services 3.1 (5.9 ) 5.4 (11.9 ) Land Management 2.7 1.7 8.1 6.1 Total operating profit $ 89.5 $ 71.6 $ 212.0 $ 172.0 Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 16.8 $ 20.8 $ 56.7 $ 63.7 Paper Packaging & Services 7.8 8.0 23.7 23.6 Flexible Products & Services 1.8 1.8 5.2 5.9 Land Management 1.3 0.9 3.8 2.6 Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense $ 27.7 $ 31.5 $ 89.4 $ 95.8
Net Sales to External Customers by Geographical Area	The following table presents net sales to external customers by geographic area: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net sales: United States $ 463.7 $ 400.3 $ 1,306.2 $ 1,179.0 Europe, Middle East and Africa 359.4 318.9 970.8 905.9 Asia Pacific and other Americas 138.7 125.8 393.1 371.1 Total net sales $ 961.8 $ 845.0 $ 2,670.1 $ 2,456.0
Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net by Geographical Area	The following table presents total assets by segment and total properties, plants and equipment, net by geographic area: (in millions) July 31, October 31, Assets: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services $ 2,137.7 $ 1,930.8 Paper Packaging & Services 461.1 439.8 Flexible Products & Services 162.0 156.1 Land Management 344.1 339.9 Total segments 3,104.9 2,866.6 Corporate and other 231.8 286.4 Total assets $ 3,336.7 $ 3,153.0 Properties, plants and equipment, net: United States $ 712.9 $ 723.3 Europe, Middle East and Africa 321.5 308.5 Asia Pacific and other Americas 134.1 140.1 Total properties, plants and equipment, net $ 1,168.5 $ 1,171.9

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int38

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Rollforward of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	The following table summarizes the change in mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ 9.0 Current period mark to redemption value (0.3 ) Reclassification to liabilities held for sale (8.7 ) Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ — Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests related to one joint venture within the Paper Packaging & Services segment and one joint venture within the Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment are held by the respective noncontrolling interest owners. The holders of these interests share in the profits and losses of these entities on a pro rata basis with the Company. However, the noncontrolling interest owners have the right to put all or a portion of those noncontrolling interests to the Company at a formulaic price after a set period of time, specific to each agreement. Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at redemption value. The following table summarizes the change in redeemable noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 : (in millions) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Balance as of October 31, 2016 $ 31.8 Current period mark to redemption value (3.8 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interest share of income and other 3.1 Dividends to redeemable noncontrolling interest and other (1.3 ) Balance as of July 31, 2017 $ 29.8

Acquisitions and Divestitures -

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)Divestiture	Apr. 30, 2017businessdeconsolidation	Jan. 31, 2017deconsolidation	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)Divestituresubsidiarybusinessdeconsolidation	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)Divestiturebusiness
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of divestitures (business) | Divestiture					1	4
Number of acquisitions (business) | business					0	0
Deconsolidation, number of businesses, nonstrategic | deconsolidation					2
Number of subsidiaries liquidated | subsidiary					1
Gain on disposals of businesses, net	$ (0.8)			$ (1.3)	$ (2.2)	$ (4.1)
Proceeds from divestitures					4.5	23.8
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates					$ 3.7	$ 25.2
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Notes receivable term					2 months
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Notes receivable term					17 months
Notes Receivable
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration for divestiture	$ 3.8				$ 3.8
Paper Packaging & Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of divestitures (business) | Divestiture	1
Deconsolidation, number of businesses, nonstrategic | deconsolidation		1
Number of subsidiaries liquidated | business		1
Flexible Products & Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Deconsolidation, number of businesses, nonstrategic | deconsolidation			1
2015 Divestiture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestitures					$ 0.8

Sale of Non-United States Acc40

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017EUR (€)	Jul. 31, 2017SGD
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of eligible receivables related with bank funds initial purchase price		75.00%
Maximum percentage of eligible receivables related with bank funds initial purchase price		90.00%
European RPA
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Financing receivable maximum amount under receivable purchase agreement		$ 116,700,000	€ 100,000,000
Purchasing Bank Affiliate
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Excess cash loaned back in exchange for subordinated note receivable	$ 44,200,000
Singapore RPA
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Financing receivable maximum amount under receivable purchase agreement		$ 11,000,000		SGD 15,000,000
Percent of eligible receivables		90.00%

Sale of Non-United States Acc41

Sale of Non-United States Accounts Receivable - Company's Accounts Receivables Programs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
European RPA
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	$ 192.2	$ 160	$ 506.3	$ 463.3
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs	170	140.7	448.2	409.2
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	22.2	19.3	58.1	53.7
Loss associated with the programs	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.7
Expenses associated with the programs	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	147.8		147.8		$ 106.7
Deferred purchase price asset (liability) related to accounts receivable sold	32.7		32.7		(0.4)
Singapore RPA
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	12.4	11.4	37.4	32.5
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs	10.3	11.4	32	32.5
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	2.2	0	5.4	0
Loss associated with the programs	0	0	0	0
Expenses associated with the programs	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	3.5		3.5		4
Deferred purchase price asset (liability) related to accounts receivable sold	0.8		0.8		0.5
Total RPAs and Agreements
Finance Receivable Transferred To Held For Sale [Line Items]
Gross accounts receivable sold to third party financial institution	204.6	171.4	543.7	495.8
Cash received for accounts receivable sold under the programs	180.3	152.1	480.2	441.7
Deferred purchase price related to accounts receivable sold	24.4	19.3	63.5	53.7
Loss associated with the programs	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.7
Expenses associated with the programs	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Accounts receivable sold to and held by third party financial institution	151.3		151.3		110.7
Deferred purchase price asset (liability) related to accounts receivable sold	$ 33.5		$ 33.5		$ 0.1

Inventories - Summarization of

Inventories - Summarization of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 231.4	$ 185.4
Work-in-process	12.2	12.2
Finished goods	93.2	79.8
Inventories, Net	$ 336.8	$ 277.4

Assets and Liabilities Held f43

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Disposals of Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net - Summary of Assets and Liabilities Classified as Held For Sale (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5.5	$ 0
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance	5.7	0
Inventories	2.6	0
Properties, plants and equipment, net	16.1	3.8
Goodwill	29.4	0
Other intangibles assets, net	17	0
Other assets	1.3	0
Assets held for sale	77.6	3.8
Accounts payable	2.7	0
Other current liabilities	1.5	0
Other long-term liabilities	10.3	0
Liabilities held for sale	$ 14.5	$ 0

Assets and Liabilities Held f44

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Disposals of Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)asset_group	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)asset_group	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016asset_group
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	$ (1.1)	$ (0.7)	$ (3.9)	$ (9.5)
Other Net Gains
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net		(0.3)		(0.7)
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Number of assets groups with assets and liabilities held for sale (asset group) | asset_group	4		4		1
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net		0.2	$ (0.8)	(6.4)
Flexible Products & Services
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Number of assets groups with assets and liabilities held for sale (asset group) | asset_group					1
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	$ (0.7)	(0.4)	(0.8)	(1.3)
Land Management
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.6)		(2.4)	(0.9)
Paper Packaging & Services
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net	$ 0.2	$ (0.2)	$ 0.1	$ (0.2)
Assets reclassified to held for use | Flexible Products & Services
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Number of assets groups with assets and liabilities held for sale (asset group) | asset_group	1		1

Goodwill and Other Intangible45

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	$ 786.4
Goodwill allocated to divestitures and businesses held for sale	(37.2)
Currency translation	23.5
July 31, 2017	772.7
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	726.9
Goodwill allocated to divestitures and businesses held for sale	(37.2)
Currency translation	23.5
July 31, 2017	713.2
Paper Packaging & Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	59.5
Goodwill allocated to divestitures and businesses held for sale	0
Currency translation	0
July 31, 2017	$ 59.5

Goodwill and Other Intangible46

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated goodwill impairment loss	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Amortization expense	3,100,000	$ 4,200,000	10,000,000	$ 12,700,000
Future amortization expense, 2017	13,200,000		13,200,000
Future amortization expense, 2018	12,200,000		12,200,000
Future amortization expense, 2019	12,100,000		12,100,000
Future amortization expense, 2020	11,500,000		11,500,000
Future amortization expense, 2021	10,000,000		10,000,000
Flexible Products & Services
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated goodwill impairment loss	$ 50,300,000		$ 50,300,000		$ 50,300,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible47

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Carrying Amount of Net Other Intangible Assets by Class (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Intangible Assets	$ 193.4	$ 217.2
Accumulated Amortization	106.8	106.6
Net Intangible Assets	86.6	110.6
Trademarks and patents
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	13.4	13
Customer relationships
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Intangible Assets	147	167.6
Accumulated Amortization	88.2	86.9
Net Intangible Assets	58.8	80.7
Trademarks and patents
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Intangible Assets	9.5	12.1
Accumulated Amortization	3.8	4.8
Net Intangible Assets	5.7	7.3
Non-compete agreements
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Intangible Assets	0	1
Accumulated Amortization	0	0.9
Net Intangible Assets	0	0.1
Other
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Intangible Assets	23.5	23.5
Accumulated Amortization	14.8	14
Net Intangible Assets	$ 8.7	$ 9.5

Restructuring Charges - Reconci

Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Restructuring Reserve Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 10.4
Costs incurred and charged to expense	$ 3.9	$ 10.2	8.7	$ 17.9
Costs paid or otherwise settled			(12.1)
Ending balance	7		7
Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			9.2
Costs incurred and charged to expense	2.9		6.8
Costs paid or otherwise settled			(10)
Ending balance	6		6
Other Costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			1.2
Costs incurred and charged to expense	1		1.9
Costs paid or otherwise settled			(2.1)
Ending balance	$ 1		$ 1

Restructuring Charges - Additio

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 3.9	$ 10.2	$ 8.7	$ 17.9
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	19.9		19.9		$ 16.1
Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2.9		6.8
Other Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 1		$ 1.9

Restructuring Charges - Recon50

Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred from Open Restructuring Plans Anticipated to be Realized (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	$ 28.6		$ 28.6
Restructuring charges	3.9	$ 10.2	8.7	$ 17.9
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	19.9		19.9		$ 16.1
Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2.9		6.8
Other Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1		1.9
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	25.6		25.6
Restructuring charges			7.6
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	18		18
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services | Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	21.1		21.1
Restructuring charges			6
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	15.1		15.1
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services | Other Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	4.5		4.5
Restructuring charges			1.6
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	2.9		2.9
Flexible Products & Services
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	2.7		2.7
Restructuring charges			0.8
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	1.9		1.9
Flexible Products & Services | Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	1.2		1.2
Restructuring charges			0.5
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	0.7		0.7
Flexible Products & Services | Other Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	1.5		1.5
Restructuring charges			0.3
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	1.2		1.2
Paper Packaging & Services
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	0.3		0.3
Restructuring charges			0.3
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	0		0
Paper Packaging & Services | Employee Separation Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	0.3		0.3
Restructuring charges			0.3
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	0		0
Paper Packaging & Services | Other Costs
Restructuring and Related Costs [Line Items]
Total Amounts Expected to be Incurred	0		0
Restructuring charges			0
Amounts Remaining to be Incurred	$ 0		$ 0

Consolidation of Variable Int51

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted bank financial instruments under Buyer SPE	$ 50.9		$ 50.9		$ 50.9
Interest income of Buyer SPE	0.6	$ 0.6		$ 1.8
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3.6	0.3	10.1	2.6
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.5)	1.9	$ (3.3)	4.5
Buyer Spe
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership interest			0.00%
STA Timber
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal outstanding	43.3		$ 43.3		$ 43.3
Interest expense	$ 0.5	$ 0.5	$ 1.7	$ 1.7

Consolidation of Variable Int52

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Total Net Assets of Flexible Packaging JV (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 94.6	$ 103.7	$ 94.3	$ 106.2
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $2.3 in 2017 and $2.8 in 2016	453.6	399.2
Inventories	336.8	277.4
Properties, plants and equipment, net	1,168.5	1,171.9
Total Assets	50.9	50.9
Accounts payable	394.8	372
Total Liabilities	43.3	43.3
Allowance of trade accounts receivable	6.3	8.8
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	14.3	15.2
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $2.3 in 2017 and $2.8 in 2016	50.9	43.3
Inventories	51.1	50.9
Properties, plants and equipment, net	31.6	25
Other assets	28	37.3
Total Assets	175.9	171.7
Accounts payable	31.8	30.7
Other liabilities	35.2	43.7
Total Liabilities	67	74.4
Allowance of trade accounts receivable	$ 2.3	$ 2.8

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Lon

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,056.9	$ 974.6
Less current portion	16.3	0
Less deferred financing costs	6.9	0
Long-term debt	1,033.7	974.6
Prior Credit Agreement | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	0	201.2
Senior Notes due 2017 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	0	300.1
Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less deferred financing costs	0.9
Senior Notes due 2019 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	247.7	247
Senior Notes due 2021 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	232.1	216.6
Other debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	8.2	9.7
Revolving Credit Facility | 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	418.9	0
Less current portion	15
Less deferred financing costs	6
Long-term debt	403.9
Domestic Line of Credit | Receivables Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 150	$ 0

Long-Term Debt - Credit Agreeme

Long-Term Debt - Credit Agreement Additional Information (Detail)	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 03, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2012USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less deferred financing costs			$ 6,900,000	$ 0
Long-term debt			1,056,900,000	974,600,000
Current portion of long-term debt			16,300,000	0
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			$ 1,033,700,000	974,600,000
2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued		$ 300,000,000
Optional additional borrowing capacity		$ 550,000,000
Leverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA	4
Leverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA during collateral release period		3.75
Interest coverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA		3
Weighted average interest rate			2.07%
Actual interest rate			2.49%
Revolving Credit Facility | 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 800,000,000
Reduction in outstanding letter of credit			$ 11,900,000
Less deferred financing costs			6,000,000
Long-term debt			418,900,000	0
Current portion of long-term debt			15,000,000
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities			403,900,000
Line of Credit | Prior Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 1,000,000,000
Current borrowing available			661,700,000
Amount used to pay outstanding obligations and costs and expenses incurred		$ 208,000,000
Long-term debt			$ 0	$ 201,200,000

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes A

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes Additional Information (Detail)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 15, 2011EUR (€)	Jul. 28, 2009USD ($)	Feb. 09, 2007USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs, net	$ 6,900,000		$ 0
2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued		$ 300,000,000
Senior Notes due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued						$ 300,000,000
Interest of senior notes						6.75%
Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued					$ 250,000,000
Interest of senior notes					7.75%
Debt issuance costs, net	$ 900,000
Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued | €				€ 200,000,000
Interest of senior notes				7.375%

Long-Term Debt - United States

Long-Term Debt - United States Trade Accounts Receivable Credit Facility Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Sep. 28, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,056,900,000	$ 974,600,000
Receivables Facility | Domestic Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 150,000,000
Long-term debt	$ 150,000,000	$ 0

Financial Instruments and Fai57

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	$ 28	$ 20.1
Level 1
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	6.6	0
Level 3
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	21.4	20.1
Other long-term assets | Insurance annuity
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	21.4	20.1
Other long-term assets | Interest rate derivatives
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	7.1
Other long-term assets | Level 1 | Insurance annuity
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Other long-term assets | Level 1 | Interest rate derivatives
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0
Other long-term assets | Level 2 | Insurance annuity
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Other long-term assets | Level 2 | Interest rate derivatives
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	7.1
Other long-term assets | Level 3 | Insurance annuity
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	21.4	20.1
Other long-term assets | Level 3 | Interest rate derivatives
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0.1	0.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Level 1 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Level 2 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0.1	0.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | Level 3 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Other current liabilities | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	(0.6)	(0.3)
Other current liabilities | Level 1 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	0	0
Other current liabilities | Level 2 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	(0.6)	(0.3)
Other current liabilities | Level 3 | Foreign exchange hedges
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets (liabilities)	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Instruments and Fai58

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)asset_group	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)asset_group	Feb. 01, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Gains (losses) recorded under fair value contracts	$ 600,000	$ (2,000,000)	$ 900,000	$ 2,300,000
Recognized asset impairment charges	2,000,000	$ 4,100,000	5,900,000	$ 44,900,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment loss	0		0			$ 0
Flexible Products & Services
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized asset impairment charges			800,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment loss	50,300,000		50,300,000			50,300,000
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized asset impairment charges			$ 5,000,000
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services | Assets Held And Used
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of impaired assets held and used (asset group) | asset_group			1	3
Recognized amount of additional impairment related to assets and liabilities held and used			$ 5,600,000	$ 23,600,000
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services | Asset Group Classified As Held For Sale As Of October 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of impaired assets held and used (asset group) | asset_group				1
Recognized amount of additional impairment related to assets and liabilities held and used				$ 14,000,000
Paper Packaging & Services
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized asset impairment charges			1,500,000
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Debt issued					$ 300,000,000
Interest rate					1.194%
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 75,100,000		75,100,000			$ 78,900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized asset impairment charges			5,900,000	$ 44,900,000
Sales Value Valuation Technique | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Recognized asset impairment charges			$ 300,000

Financial Instruments And Fai59

Financial Instruments And Fair Value Measurements - Estimated Fair Values for the Company's Senior Notes and Assets Held by Special Purpose Entities (Detail) - Estimate of Fair Value Measurement - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Senior Notes due 2017
Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$ 0	$ 302.4
Senior Notes due 2019
Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	276.6	280.1
Senior Notes due 2021
Estimated Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$ 282.7	$ 264.9

Financial Instruments and Fai60

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Quantitative about Significant Unobservable Inputs Used to Determine Fair Value of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held and Used (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Long Lived Assets	$ 2	$ 4.1	$ 5.9	$ 44.9
Level 3
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Long Lived Assets			5.9	44.9
Level 3 | Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale			5.6
Level 3 | Broker Quote/ Indicative Bids | Land and Building
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Net Assets Held for Sale				37.6
Level 3 | Sales Value
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Long Lived Assets			$ 0.3
Level 3 | Sales Value | Machinery and Equipment
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Long Lived Assets				$ 7.3

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017EUR (€)	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017EUR (€)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax expense	$ 27,200,000		$ 3,500,000	$ 62,000,000	$ 38,200,000
Long-term debt	1,056,900,000			1,056,900,000			$ 974,600,000
Deferred tax liabilities, undistributed foreign earnings	3,600,000			3,600,000
Deferred income taxes	0			0
Euro Member Countries, Euro
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Long-term debt | €						€ 187
Debt repayment, remitted earnings, current period | €		€ 145
United States of America, Dollars
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Long-term debt	218,400,000			$ 218,400,000
Debt repayment, remitted earnings, prior period	104,000,000
Debt repayment, remitted earnings, current period	$ 169,300,000

Post Retirement Benefit Plans -

Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Nov. 03, 2016
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Annuity contract				$ 49.2
Lump sum payments made to participants		$ 3.5		42.4
Decrease in projected benefit obligation				91.6
Pension settlement charge		$ 1	$ 0	25.6	$ 0
Reduction in projected benefit obligation	$ 21.3
Discount rate	4.20%					3.82%
Company's pension contributions				$ 10.7	$ 9.4

Post Retirement Benefit Plans63

Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost (Detail) - Pension Plans, Defined Benefit - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3.5	$ 3.2	$ 10.1	$ 9.4
Interest cost	4.6	5.7	13.8	16.9
Expected return on plan assets	(7)	(8.3)	(21.2)	(24.9)
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain	2.6	2.8	8.2	8.6
Net periodic costs (benefits) for pension and postretirement benefits	$ 3.7	$ 3.4	$ 10.9	$ 10

Post Retirement Benefit Plans64

Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Cost for Postretirement Benefits (Detail) - Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.4
Amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial gain	(0.5)	(0.4)	(1.2)	(1.2)
Net periodic costs (benefits) for pension and postretirement benefits	$ (0.4)	$ (0.2)	$ (0.9)	$ (0.8)

Contingent Liabilities and En65

Contingent Liabilities and Environmental Reserves - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental liability reserves	$ 6.9	$ 6.8
European Drum Facilities
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental liability reserves	4.4	3.9
Life Cycle Management and Recycling Facilities
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental liability reserves	0.3	0.3
Owned by Other Company
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental liability reserves	1.3	1.7
Other Facilities
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental liability reserves	0.9	0.9
Wrongful Termination Lawsuits | Pending Litigation
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Estimated liability recorded for legal proceedings	$ 3.8	$ 1.3

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	18 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase of common stock (shares)			0
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of shares outstanding used in two class method calculation		40.00%
Voting rights		The Class A Common Stock has no voting rights unless four quarterly cumulative dividends upon the Class A Common Stock are in arrears.
Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of shares outstanding used in two class method calculation		60.00%
Voting rights		The Class B Common Stock has full voting rights.
Board Of Director Authorized
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be purchased (shares)	4,703,487	4,703,487		4,000,000
Stock Repurchase Committee Authorized
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be purchased (shares)					110,241
Repurchase of common stock (shares)	2,000

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 43.9	$ 46.1	$ 85.3	$ 66.4
Cash dividends	(24.7)	(24.7)	(73.9)	(74)
Undistributed net income (loss) attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 19.2	$ 21.4	$ 11.4	$ (7.6)

Earnings Per Share - Summarizat

Earnings Per Share - Summarization of Company's Class A and Class B Common and Treasury Shares (Detail) - shares	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized Shares (shares)	128,000,000	128,000,000
Issued Shares (shares)	42,281,920	42,281,920
Outstanding Shares (shares)	25,835,281	25,781,791
Treasury shares (in shares)	16,446,639	16,500,129
Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized Shares (shares)	69,120,000	69,120,000
Issued Shares (shares)	34,560,000	34,560,000
Outstanding Shares (shares)	22,007,725	22,009,725
Treasury shares (in shares)	12,552,275	12,550,275

Earnings Per Share - Reconcilia

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Shares Used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Basic shares (shares)	25,834,636	25,781,146	25,815,533	25,746,797
Assumed conversion of restricted shares (shares)	658	2,038	3,284	349
Diluted shares (shares)	25,835,294	25,783,184	25,818,817	25,747,146
Class B Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Basic shares (shares)	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,100,000
Diluted shares (shares)	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,000,000	22,100,000
Basic and diluted shares (shares)	22,009,596	22,009,725	22,009,682	22,079,544

Equity Earnings of Unconsolid70

Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, Net of Tax and Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)affiliate	Jul. 31, 2016USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Percentage of investments in affiliates in which company have non controlling interest			20.00%
Number of affiliates in which company has equity interest (affiliate) | affiliate			2
Equity earnings (losses)	$ (300,000)	$ (800,000)	$ (300,000)	$ (800,000)
Dividends received from company's equity method affiliates	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 3,600,000	$ 300,000	$ 10,100,000	$ 2,600,000

Equity and Comprehensive Inco71

Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Changes in Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 957.9	$ 1,059.9
Net income	$ 47.5	$ 46.4	95.4	69
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	30.5	(27.6)	31.7	(9.6)
Interest rate derivative	(0.8)	0	4	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), derivatives qualifying as hedges, tax			2.5
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)	0.4	2.9	29.8	3.5
Other comprehensive (income) loss, pension and other postretirement benefit plans, tax			17.5
Comprehensive income	77.6	21.7	160.9	62.9
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			3.8
Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest				(21.6)
Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests			(3.1)	(3.9)
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest			(2.6)
Other			0	(0.4)
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders	(24.7)	(24.7)	(73.9)	(74)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest			(1.3)	0.8
Dividends to noncontrolling interests			(3.1)	(3.9)
Treasury stock, value, acquired, cost method			0.1	(5.2)
Stock issued during period, value, restricted stock award, gross			1.3	1.4
Long-term incentive shares issued			1.4	1.1
Ending balance	1,042.7	994.2	1,042.7	994.2
Out of Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest				(19.8)
Current Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			$ 3.8	$ (3.1)
Capital Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)			47,792	47,814
Beginning balance			$ 141.4	$ 139.1
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Treasury stock, shares, acquired			(2)	(110)
Treasury stock, value, acquired, cost method			$ 0
Stock issued during period, shares, restricted stock award, gross			(24)	(47)
Stock issued during period, value, restricted stock award, gross			$ 1.3	$ 1.3
Long-term incentive shares issued (shares)			29	41
Long-term incentive shares issued			$ 1.5	$ 1
Ending balance	$ 144.2	$ 141.4	$ 144.2	$ 141.4
Ending balance (shares)	47,843	47,792	47,843	47,792
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)			29,050	29,028
Beginning balance			$ (135.6)	$ (130.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Treasury stock, shares, acquired			2	110
Treasury stock, value, acquired, cost method			$ 0.1	$ (5.2)
Stock issued during period, shares, restricted stock award, gross			24	47
Stock issued during period, value, restricted stock award, gross			$ 0	$ 0.1
Long-term incentive shares issued (shares)			(29)	(41)
Long-term incentive shares issued			$ (0.1)	$ 0.1
Ending balance	$ (135.6)	$ (135.6)	$ (135.6)	$ (135.6)
Ending balance (shares)	28,999	29,050	28,999	29,050
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 1,340	$ 1,384.5
Net income			85.3	66.4
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest				1.2
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders			(73.9)	(74)
Ending balance	$ 1,355.2	$ 1,355.2	1,355.2	1,355.2
Retained Earnings | Out of Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest				(19.8)
Retained Earnings | Current Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			3.8	(3.1)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(398.4)	(377.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation			33.4	(5.3)
Interest rate derivative			4
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)			29.8	3.5
Ending balance	(331.2)	(379.2)	(331.2)	(379.2)
Non controlling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			10.5	44.3
Net income			10.1	2.6
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation			(1.7)	(4.3)
Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest				(22.8)
Net income allocated to redeemable noncontrolling interests			(3.1)	(3.9)
Deconsolidation of noncontrolling interest			(2.6)
Other				(0.4)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest				0.8
Dividends to noncontrolling interests			(3.1)	(3.9)
Ending balance	10.1	12.4	10.1	12.4
Greif, Inc. Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			947.4	1,015.6
Net income			85.3	66.4
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation			33.4	(5.3)
Interest rate derivative			4
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)			29.8	3.5
Comprehensive income			152.5	64.6
Reclassification of redeemable noncontrolling interest				1.2
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders			(73.9)	(74)
Treasury stock, value, acquired, cost method			0.1	(5.2)
Stock issued during period, value, restricted stock award, gross			1.3	1.4
Long-term incentive shares issued			1.4	1.1
Ending balance	$ 1,032.6	$ 981.8	1,032.6	981.8
Greif, Inc. Equity | Out of Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest				(19.8)
Greif, Inc. Equity | Current Period
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Mark to redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			$ 3.8	$ (3.1)

Equity and Comprehensive Inco72

Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 957.9	$ 1,059.9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 30.1	$ (24.7)	65.5	(6.1)
Ending balance	1,042.7	994.2	1,042.7	994.2
Foreign Currency Translation
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(270.2)	(256.6)
Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications			33.4	(5.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			33.4	(5.3)
Ending balance	(236.8)	(261.9)	(236.8)	(261.9)
Interest Rate Derivative
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			0
Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications			4
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			4
Ending balance	4		4
Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(128.2)	(120.8)
Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications			29.8	3.5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			29.8	3.5
Ending balance	(98.4)	(117.3)	(98.4)	(117.3)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(398.4)	(377.4)
Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications			67.2	(1.8)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			67.2	(1.8)
Ending balance	$ (331.2)	$ (379.2)	$ (331.2)	$ (379.2)

Business Segment Information -

Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments (segment)	5
Number of reportable business segment (segment)	4

Business Segment Information 74

Business Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 961.8	$ 845	$ 2,670.1	$ 2,456
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating profit (loss)	89.5	71.6	212	172
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	27.7	31.5	89.4	95.8
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	674.4	596.8	1,860.2	1,721.3
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating profit (loss)	64.7	56.7	148.9	113.4
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	16.8	20.8	56.7	63.7
Paper Packaging & Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	206.3	172.5	577.9	498.1
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating profit (loss)	19	19.1	49.6	64.4
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	7.8	8	23.7	23.6
Flexible Products & Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	73.9	69.9	210.2	219
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating profit (loss)	3.1	(5.9)	5.4	(11.9)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	1.8	1.8	5.2	5.9
Land Management
Net sales:
Total net sales	7.2	5.8	21.8	17.6
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating profit (loss)	2.7	1.7	8.1	6.1
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	$ 1.3	$ 0.9	$ 3.8	$ 2.6

Business Segment Information 75

Business Segment Information - Net Sales to External Customers by Geographical Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Net sales
Total net sales	$ 961.8	$ 845	$ 2,670.1	$ 2,456
United States
Net sales
Total net sales	463.7	400.3	1,306.2	1,179
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Net sales
Total net sales	359.4	318.9	970.8	905.9
Asia Pacific and other Americas
Net sales
Total net sales	$ 138.7	$ 125.8	$ 393.1	$ 371.1

Business Segment Information 76

Business Segment Information - Properties, Plants and Equipment, Net by Geographical Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	$ 3,336.7	$ 3,153
Properties, plants and equipment, net
Total properties, plants and equipment, net	1,168.5	1,171.9
United States
Properties, plants and equipment, net
Total properties, plants and equipment, net	712.9	723.3
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Properties, plants and equipment, net
Total properties, plants and equipment, net	321.5	308.5
Asia Pacific and other Americas
Properties, plants and equipment, net
Total properties, plants and equipment, net	134.1	140.1
Operating Segments
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	3,104.9	2,866.6
Operating Segments | Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	2,137.7	1,930.8
Operating Segments | Paper Packaging & Services
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	461.1	439.8
Operating Segments | Flexible Products & Services
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	162	156.1
Operating Segments | Land Management
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	344.1	339.9
Corporate, Non-Segment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Assets	$ 231.8	$ 286.4

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int77

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Rollforward of Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017USD ($)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	$ 31.8
Current period mark to redemption value	(3.8)
July 31, 2017	29.8
Container Life Cycle Management LLC
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	9
Current period mark to redemption value	(0.3)
Reclassification to liabilities held for sale	(8.7)
July 31, 2017	$ 0

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int78

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017joint_venture
Paper Packaging & Services
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (joint venture)	1
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of joint ventures (joint venture)	1

Redeemable Noncontrolling Int79

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Rollforward of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity [Roll Forward]
October 31, 2016	$ 31.8
Current period mark to redemption value	(3.8)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest share of income and other	3.1	$ 3.9
Dividends to redeemable noncontrolling interest and other	(1.3)	$ 0.8
July 31, 2017	$ 29.8