Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) 10-Q 8 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'PKG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PACKAGING CORP OF AMERICA	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000075677	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	98,318,558

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Net sales	$1,431,325		$755,207
Cost of sales	-1,129,921		-569,961
Gross profit	301,404		185,246
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	-116,514		-75,285
Other expense, net	-23,982		-3,961
Income from operations	160,908	[1]	106,000
Interest expense, net	-20,791	[1]	-9,251
Income before taxes	140,117	[1]	96,749
Income tax provision	-50,031		-34,455
Net income	90,086		62,294
Net income per common share:	'		'
Basic	$0.92		$0.65
Diluted	$0.92		$0.64
Dividends declared per common share	$0.40		$0.31
Statements of Comprehensive Income:	'		'
Net income	90,086		62,294
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $40 and $0, respectively	-18		0
Reclassification adjustments to cash flow hedges included in net income, net of tax of $562 and $553, respectively	860		869
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of tax of $784 and $1,201, respectively	979		1,889
Other comprehensive income	1,821		2,758
Comprehensive income	$91,907		$65,052
[1]	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	($40)	$0
Reclassification adjustments to cash flow hedges included in net income, tax	562	553
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans actuarial loss and prior service cost, tax	$784	$1,201

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$185,706	$190,960
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions of $11,341 and $10,567 as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	696,344	643,083
Inventories	607,306	594,291
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	40,002	32,101
Federal and state income taxes receivable	0	22,958
Deferred income taxes	31,985	47,616
Total current assets	1,561,343	1,531,009
Property, plant, and equipment, net	2,800,742	2,805,704
Goodwill	526,760	526,789
Intangible assets, net	304,891	310,539
Other long-term assets	70,212	69,738
Total assets	5,263,948	5,243,779
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,500	39,000
Capital lease obligations	1,047	1,030
Accounts payable	390,630	357,432
Dividends payable	39,351	39,297
Federal and state income taxes payable	5,973	0
Accrued liabilities	180,869	214,058
Accrued interest	19,063	9,722
Total current liabilities	643,433	660,539
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt	2,475,393	2,508,845
Capital lease obligations	23,606	23,874
Deferred income taxes	423,973	434,835
Pension and postretirement benefit plans	199,150	193,548
Other long-term liabilities	80,810	65,318
Total long-term liabilities	3,202,932	3,226,420
Commitments and contingent liabilities	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 300,000 shares authorized, 98,308 and 98,172 shares issued as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	983	982
Additional paid in capital	412,142	401,761
Retained earnings	1,067,661	1,019,101
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-63,203	-65,024
Total stockholders' equity	1,417,583	1,356,820
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,263,948	$5,243,779

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions	$11,341	$10,567
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	98,308	98,172

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$90,086	$62,294
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of intangibles and deferred financing costs	86,040	44,296
Share-based compensation expense	3,588	3,637
Deferred income tax provision	15,645	196
Alternative energy tax credits	0	6,929
Pension and postretirement benefits expense, net of contributions	6,155	10,120
Other, net	2,788	2,970
Increase in assets -	'	'
Accounts receivable	-43,429	-39,541
Inventories	-13,035	-4,168
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-8,677	-3,863
Increase (decrease) in liabilities -	'	'
Accounts payable	4,255	23,537
Accrued liabilities	5,883	-10,640
Net cash provided by operating activities	149,299	95,767
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	-50,933	-27,276
Additions to other long term assets	-2,746	-1,730
Other	77	46
Net cash used for investing activities	-53,602	-28,960
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt and capital lease obligations	-66,251	-3,985
Common stock dividends paid	-39,297	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	-3,340
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,348	1,707
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	3,659	763
Shares withheld to cover employee restricted stock taxes	-2,395	-1,308
Other	-15	0
Net cash used for financing activities	-100,951	-6,163
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-5,254	60,644
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	190,960	207,393
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$185,706	$268,037

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	'
	Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
	Packaging Corporation of America ("we", "us", "our", PCA" or the "Company") was incorporated on January 25, 1999. In April 1999, PCA acquired the containerboard and corrugated packaging products business of Pactiv Corporation ("Pactiv"), formerly known as Tenneco Packaging, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenneco Inc. On October 25, 2013, PCA acquired Boise Inc. ("Boise"). For more information, see Note 3, Acquisitions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.
	After the acquisition of Boise, we began reporting our business in three reportable segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. Our Packaging segment produces a wide variety of corrugated packaging products. The Paper segment manufactures and sells a range of papers, including communication-based papers, and pressure sensitive papers (collectively, white papers), and market pulp. Corporate and other includes support staff services and related assets and liabilities, transportation assets, and activity related to other ancillary support operations. For more information about our segments, see Note 16, Segment Information.
	In these consolidated financial statements, certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, "Segment Reporting," we recast segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2013, to conform with the current period presentation. In addition, we reclassified amounts previously disclosed in "Corporate overhead" in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2013, into "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" given that Corporate and Other is now a separately disclosed segment. None of the reclassifications affected our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
	The consolidated financial statements of PCA as of March 31, 2014, and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements involves the use of estimates and accruals. Actual results may vary from those estimates. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete audited financial statements. Operating results for the period ended March 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PCA and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. Boise's results are included in our results for periods after October 25, 2013.

Change_in_Accounting_Principle

Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]	'
Change in Accounting Principle	'
	Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for certain inventories from lower of cost, as determined by the LIFO method, or market, to lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market. We believe the change is preferable as the average cost method better reflects the current value of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, more closely aligns with how we manage inventory, and conforms the inventory costing methods to be more consistent within the Company. Supplies and materials are valued at the first-in, first out ("FIFO") or average cost methods.
	The Company has applied this change in method of inventory costing retrospectively to all prior periods presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles relating to accounting changes. As a result of the retrospective change in accounting principle, opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2013, increased $38.8 million. Certain components of our financial statements affected by the change in valuation methodology as originally reported under the LIFO method and as adjusted for the change to the average cost method are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported (a)				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Cost of sales		$	(572,715	)		$	2,754		$	(569,961	)
	Gross profit		182,492				2,754			185,246
	Income from operations		103,246				2,754			106,000
	Income before taxes		93,995				2,754			96,749
	Provision for income taxes		(33,382		)		(1,073		)	(34,455		)
	Net income		60,613				1,681			62,294
	Comprehensive income		63,371				1,681			65,052
	Net income per common share
	Basic		0.63				0.02			0.65
	Diluted		0.62				0.02			0.64
	___________
	(a)	Certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
			December 31, 2013
	Consolidated Balance Sheet		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Inventories		$	522,523			$	71,768		$	594,291
	Deferred income tax assets		75,579				(27,963		)	47,616
	Retained earnings		975,296				43,805			1,019,101
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Net income		$	60,613			$	1,681		$	62,294
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(877		)		1,073			196
	Change in inventories		(1,414		)		(2,754		)	(4,168		)
	Had the Company not made this change in accounting method, "Net income" for the three months ended March 31, 2014, would have been $1.4 million higher than reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and "Inventories" at March 31, 2014, would have been $69.5 million lower than reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The components of inventories are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	239,034			$	212,027
	Work in process	12,453				13,898
	Finished goods	195,097				209,972
	Supplies and materials	160,722				158,394
	Inventories	$	607,306			$	594,291

Boise_Acquisition

Boise Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Boise Acquisition	'
	Boise Acquisition
	On October 25, 2013, we acquired 100% of the outstanding stock and voting equity interests of Boise for $2.1 billion including the assumption of debt. In connection with the acquisition, we allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of the fair value at the date of the acquisition. See Note 3, Acquisitions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, purchase price adjustments were insignificant. The purchase price allocation continues to be preliminary. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to income taxes and residual goodwill.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The following pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations as if Boise had been combined with us on January 1, 2013. The pro forma results are intended for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what the combined companies' results of operations would actually have been had the transactions in fact occurred on January 1, 2013. They also do not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements that we may achieve or the costs necessary to achieve those cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements, or costs relating to integration efforts (dollars in millions, except per-share amounts).
		Pro Forma (a)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Sales	$	1,354.80
	Net income (b)	$	76.3
	Net income per share—diluted (b)	$	0.78
	____________
	(a)	The three months ended March 31, 2013, pro forma financial information presented in the table above has been adjusted to give effect to adjustments that are directly related to the acquisition, factually supportable, and expected to have a continuing impact. These adjustments include, but are not limited to, the application of our accounting policies (including the deferral method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities, which increased pro forma net income $12.6 million); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; and interest expense on acquisition-related debt.
	(b)	Included in pro forma net income for the three months ended March 31, 2013, is $5.3 million of incremental depreciation expense related to shortening the estimated useful lives of certain assets, primarily at the white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota.

Other_Expense_Net

Other Expense, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
Other Expense, Net	'
	Other Expense, Net
	The components of other (income) expense are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014			2013
	Class action lawsuit settlement (a)	$	17,600		$	—
	Integration-related costs (b)	4,096			—
	DeRidder restructuring (c)	1,101			—
	Asset disposals and write-offs	1,260			2,779
	Other	(75		)	1,182
	Total	$	23,982		$	3,961
	___________
	(a)	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.
	(b)	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs.
	(c)	Costs relate primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share for the periods presented (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data).
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	90,086		$	62,294
	Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,402		)	—
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	88,684		$	62,294
	Denominator:
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	96,787			96,415
	Effect of dilutive securities	36			1,001
	Diluted common shares outstanding	96,823			97,416
	Basic income per common share	$	0.92		$	0.65
	Diluted income per common share	$	0.92		$	0.64
	All outstanding options to purchase shares at March 31, 2014 and 2013, were included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded $50.0 million and $34.4 million of income tax expense and had an effective tax rate of 35.7% and 35.6%, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the primary reason for the difference from the federal statutory income tax rate of 35.0% was the effect of state and local income taxes, and the domestic manufacturers’ deduction.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no significant changes to our uncertain tax positions. For more information, see Note 5, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in our 2013 Form 10-K.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received, was $1.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant, and Equipment
	Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and land improvements	$	140,886		$	140,592
	Buildings	637,004			628,948
	Machinery and equipment	4,268,457			4,246,294
	Construction in progress	198,082			168,808
	Other	49,381			48,058
	Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	5,293,810			5,232,700
	Less accumulated depreciation	(2,493,068		)	(2,426,996		)
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,800,742		$	2,805,704
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was $76.0 million and $41.1 million, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. At both March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had $472.9 million of goodwill recorded in our Packaging segment and $53.9 million in our Paper segment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and trademarks and trade names.
	The weighted average useful life, gross carrying amount, and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		31-Mar-14					31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	Gross		Accumulated		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount					Amount
	Customer relationships	15	$	306,361	$	21,604	15.4	$	306,361	$	16,509
	Trademarks and trade names	14.3	21,370		1,334		14.7	21,370		794
	Other	2.9	220		122		3	220		109
	Total intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	15	$	327,951	$	23,060	15.4	$	327,951	$	17,412
	Amortization expense was $5.6 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Compensation and benefits	$	86,400	$	130,455
	Medical insurance and workers’ compensation	25,034		26,399
	Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	19,792		20,232
	Legal contingencies	18,700		1,000
	Customer volume discounts and rebates	9,295		11,436
	Severance	7,281		8,172
	Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	5,938		7,812
	Other	8,429		8,552
	Total	$	180,869	$	214,058

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we made principal payments of $66.0 million, primarily on our five-year term loan, due October 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, cash payments for interest were $10.5 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
	Included in interest expense, net, are amortization of financing costs and amortization of treasury lock settlements. For both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization of treasury lock settlements was $1.4 million. Amortization of financing costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
	We have outstanding $1.25 billion of fixed rate senior notes and $1.23 billion of variable rate term loans. At March 31, 2014, the book value of our fixed-rate debt was $1.25 billion, and the fair value was estimated to be $1.29 billion. The difference between the book value and fair value is due to the difference between the period-end market interest rate and the stated rate of our fixed-rate debt. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate debt using quoted market prices (Level 2 inputs) within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Plans						Postretirement Plans
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		31-Mar						31-Mar
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	5,794		$	6,249		$	392		$	515
	Interest cost	11,434			3,991			308			311
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,679		)	(3,751		)	—			—
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service cost	1,641			1,560			(57		)	(106		)
	Actuarial loss	155			1,502			24			134
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,345		$	9,551		$	667		$	854
	PCA makes pension plan contributions that are sufficient to fund its actuarially determined costs, generally equal to the minimum amounts required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). In 2014, we expect to contribute the required minimum, which we estimate to be approximately $5.0 million.

Sharebased_Compensation

Share-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Share-based Compensation	'
	Share-based Compensation
	The Company has a long-term equity incentive plan, which allows for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and performance awards to directors, officers, and employees, as well as others who engage in services for PCA. The plan, as amended, terminates May 1, 2023, and authorizes 10.6 million shares of common stock for grant over the life of the plan. As of March 31, 2014, 2.1 million shares remained available for future issuance under the plan. Forfeitures are added back to the pool of shares of common stock available to be granted at a future date.
	The following table presents restricted stock and performance unit award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Restricted Stock							Performance Units
		Shares			Weighted Average Grant- Date Fair Value				Shares	Weighted Average Grant- Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,463,694			$	31.48			70,600	$	47.83
	Granted	33,714			65.29				—	—
	Vested	(72,533	)		29.03				—	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,424,875			$	32.4			70,600	$	47.83
	Compensation Expense
	Our share-based compensation expense is recorded in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses". Compensation expense for share-based awards recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income, net of forfeitures was as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014				2013
	Restricted stock	$	(3,321	)		$	(3,637	)
	Performance units	(267		)		—
	Impact on income before income taxes	(3,588		)		(3,637		)
	Income tax benefit	1,396				1,413
	Impact on net income	$	(2,192	)		$	(2,224	)
	The fair value of restricted stock and performance units is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. As PCA’s Board of Directors has the ability to accelerate vesting of share-based awards upon an employee’s retirement, the Company accelerates the recognition of compensation expense for certain employees approaching normal retirement age.
	The unrecognized compensation expense for all share-based awards at March 31, 2014, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		31-Mar-14
		Unrecognized Compensation Expense				Remaining Weighted Average Recognition Period (in years)
	Restricted stock	$	23,513			2.6
	Performance units	2,730				3.3
	Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	26,243			2.7

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Dividend
	On February 27, 2014, PCA announced that its Board of Directors had approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share on its common stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share was paid on April 15, 2014, to shareholders of record as of March 14, 2014. The dividend payment was $39.4 million.
	On December 12, 2013, PCA announced that its Board of Directors had approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share on its common stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share was paid on January 15, 2014, to shareholders of record as of December 23, 2013. The dividend payment was $39.3 million.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) by component follows (dollars in thousands). Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Unrealized Loss On Treasury Locks, Net				Unrealized Loss on Foreign Exchange Contracts				Unfunded Employee Benefit Obligations				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(136	)		$	(28,191	)		$	(371	)		$	(36,326	)		$	(65,024	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(18		)		—				—				—				(18		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	—				855			(a)	5			(b)	979			(c)	1,839
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(18		)		855				5				979				1,821
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(154	)		$	(27,336	)		$	(366	)		$	(35,347	)		$	(63,203	)
	The following table presents information about reclassifications out of AOCI (dollars in thousands). Amounts in parentheses indicate expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
			Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
			Three Months Ended March 31
	Details about AOCI Components		2014				2013				Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Unrealized loss on treasury locks, net		$	(1,414	)		$	(1,413	)		See (a) below
			559				549				Tax benefit
			$	(855	)		$	(864	)		Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on foreign exchange contracts		$	(8	)		$	(9	)		See (b) below
			3				4				Tax benefit
			$	(5	)		$	(5	)		Net of tax
	Unfunded employee benefit obligations
	Amortization of prior service costs		$	(1,584	)		$	(1,454	)		See (c) below
	Amortization of actuarial losses		(179		)		(1,636		)		See (c) below
			(1,763		)		(3,090		)		Total before tax
			784				1,201				Tax benefit
			$	(979	)		$	(1,889	)		Net of tax
	____________
	(a)	This AOCI component is included in interest expense, net. Amount relates to the amortization of the effective portion of treasury lock derivative instruments recorded in AOCI. The net amount of settlement gains or losses on derivative instruments included in AOCI to be amortized over the next 12 months is a net loss of $5.7 million ($3.5 million after tax). For a discussion of treasury lock derivative instrument activity, see Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.
	(b)	This AOCI component is included as depreciation in cost of sales.
	(c)	These AOCI components are included in the computation of net pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.

Concentrations_of_Risk

Concentrations of Risk	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentrations of Risk [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Risk	'
	Concentrations of Risk
	Our Paper segment has had a long-standing commercial and contractual relationship with OfficeMax Incorporated (OfficeMax), and OfficeMax is our largest customer in the paper business. Following a merger in late 2013, OfficeMax is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Office Depot, Inc. This relationship exposes us to a significant concentration of business and financial risk. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, our sales to Office Depot (including OfficeMax) represented 9% of our total company sales revenue and 42% of our Paper segment sales revenue. At March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had $55.2 million and $39.2 million of accounts receivable due from Office Depot (including OfficeMax), which represents 8% and 6% of our total company receivables, respectively.
	We cannot predict how the merger between OfficeMax and Office Depot will affect our business. Significant increases in paper purchases would intensify the concentration of risk. Significant reductions in paper purchases would cause our paper business to expand its customer base and could potentially decrease its profitability if new customer sales required either a decrease in pricing and/or an increase in cost of sales. Any significant deterioration in the financial condition of the post-merger entity affecting the ability to pay or causing a significant change in the willingness to continue to purchase our products could harm our business and results of operations.
	Labor
	At March 31, 2014, we had approximately 13,600 employees and approximately 51% of these employees worked pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Approximately 75% of our hourly employees are represented by unions. The majority of our unionized employees are represented by the United Steel Workers (USW), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the International Association of Machinists (IAM), and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW). We are currently in negotiations to renew or extend any union contracts that have recently expired or are expiring in the near future, including the agreements at our Jackson, Alabama, paper mill, which expire August 31, 2014. Approximately 21% of our employees work pursuant to collective bargaining agreements that will expire within the next twelve months.

Transactions_With_Related_Part

Transactions With Related Parties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Transactions With Related Parties [Abstract]	'
Transactions With Related Parties	'
	Transactions With Related Parties
	Louisiana Timber Procurement Company, L.L.C. (LTP) is a variable-interest entity that is 50% owned by PCA and 50% owned by Boise Cascade Company (Boise Cascade). LTP procures sawtimber, pulpwood, residual chips, and other residual wood fiber to meet the wood and fiber requirements of PCA and Boise Cascade in Louisiana. PCA is the primary beneficiary of LTP, and has the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of LTP. Therefore, we consolidate 100% of LTP in our financial statements in our Corporate and Other segment. The carrying amounts of LTP's assets and liabilities (which relate primarily to noninventory working capital items) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets were both $5.3 million and $5.0 million at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded $16.1 million of LTP sales to Boise Cascade in "Net Sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and approximately the same amount of expenses in "Cost of Sales". The sales were at prices designed to approximate market prices.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, fiber purchases from related parties were $7.2 million. Most of these purchases related to chip and log purchases by LTP from Boise Cascade's wood products business. These purchases are recorded in "Cost of Sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	Prior to the acquisition of Boise on October 25, 2013, we manufactured and sold packaging products and reported our results in one reportable segment. In connection with the acquisition, we expanded our packaging business and entered the paper business as the third largest producer of white papers in North America in terms of production capacity. As a result, we began managing our business in three reportable segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. These segments represent distinct businesses that are managed separately because of differing products and services. Each of these businesses requires distinct operating and marketing strategies. There are no differences in our basis of segmentation or in our basis of measurement of segment profit or loss from those disclosed in Note 19, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Each segment's profits and losses are measured on operating profits before interest expense and interest income. After the acquisition of Boise, expenses that were historically included in "Corporate overhead" on our Consolidated Statements of Income, were reclassified to "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" to conform with the current year presentation. In addition, after increasing our product offerings to include both packaging and paper products after the Boise acquisition, we began allocating the amounts associated with running those businesses, previously included in "Corporate overhead", to our segments. For many of these allocated expenses, the related assets and liabilities remain in the Corporate and Other segment.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for certain inventories from lower of cost, as determined by the LIFO method, or market, to lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market. The Company has applied this change in method of inventory costing retrospectively to all prior periods presented herein in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles relating to accounting changes. See Note 2, Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories, for additional information.
	An analysis of operations by reportable segment is as follows (dollars in millions):
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	1,095.60	$	1.8		$	1,097.40		$	170.7		(b)
	Paper		309.3		—			309.3			27.7			(c)
	Corporate and Other		26.4		37.7			64.1			(37.5		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(39.5		)	(39.5		)	—
			$	1,431.30	$	—		$	1,431.30		160.9
	Interest expense, net										(20.8		)
	Income before taxes										$	140.1
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	755.2	$	—		$	755.2		$	117.9
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(11.9		)
			$	755.2	$	—		$	755.2		106
	Interest expense, net										(9.3		)
	Income before taxes										$	96.7
	____________
	(a)	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
	(b)	Includes costs related primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and to exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014. The three months ended March 31, 2014, included $4.0 million of restructuring charges, of which $2.9 million were recorded in "Cost of sales" and $1.1 million were recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(c)	Includes $0.7 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(d)	Includes $3.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs and $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.

New_and_Recently_Adopted_Accou

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract]	'
New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The standard also requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date. This ASU requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of (a) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (b) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. This ASU also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. We adopted the provisions of this guidance January 1, 2014, and it did not have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requires that liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits offset deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations in which carryforwards cannot be used or the deferred tax asset is not intended to be used for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be recorded as a liability and should not offset deferred tax assets. We adopted the provisions of this guidance on December 31, 2013, and it did not have a significant effect on our financial position or results of operations.
	There were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Commitments_Guarantees_Indemni

Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings	'
	Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings
	We have financial commitments and obligations that arise in the ordinary course of our business. These include long-term debt, capital commitments, lease obligations, and purchase commitments for goods and services, and are discussed in Note 8, Debt; and Note 20, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Legal Proceedings, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in our 2013 Form 10-K. Except as disclosed in Note 10, Debt, and in Legal Proceedings below, at March 31, 2014, there have been no other significant changes to commitments outside the normal course of business.
	Guarantees and Indemnifications
	We provide guarantees, indemnifications, and other assurances to third parties in the normal course of our business. These include tort indemnifications, environmental assurances, and representations and warranties in commercial agreements. At March 31, 2014, we are not aware of any material liabilities arising from any guarantee, indemnification, or financial assurance we have provided. If we determined such a liability was probable and subject to reasonable determination, we would accrue for it at that time.
	Legal proceedings
	During 2010, PCA and eight other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers were named as defendants in five purported class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the Sherman Act. The lawsuits were consolidated in a single complaint under the caption Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al. The consolidated complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to limit the supply of containerboard, and that the purpose and effect of the alleged conspiracy was to artificially increase prices of containerboard products during the period of August 2005 to October 2010 (the time of filing of the complaint). The complaint was filed as a class action suit on behalf of all purchasers of containerboard products during such period. On April 4, 2014, we reached an agreement with the representatives of the class to settle this lawsuit for $17.6 million and we recorded a $17.6 million liability for the settlement in "Accrued liabilities" on our March 31, 2014, Consolidated Balance Sheet. On May 6, 2014, the court preliminarily approved the settlement. Notice of the proposed settlement will be mailed to potential class members on or before June 20, 2014. A final approval hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2014.
	We are also a party to other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. These legal actions include commercial liability claims, premises liability claims, and employment-related claims, among others. As of the date of this filing, we believe it is not reasonably possible that any of the legal actions against us will, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On April 28, 2014, we acquired the assets of Crockett Packaging, a corrugated products manufacturer, for $21.2 million. The asset purchase includes a corrugated plant and a sheet plant in Southern California. Sales and total assets of the acquired company are not material to our overall sales and total assets. Operating results of the acquired company subsequent to April 28, 2014, will be included in our Packaging segment's 2014 operating results.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements involves the use of estimates and accruals. Actual results may vary from those estimates.
Consolidation	'
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PCA and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. Boise's results are included in our results for periods after October 25, 2013.

Change_in_Accounting_Principle1

Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]	'
Inventory Valuation	'
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for certain inventories from lower of cost, as determined by the LIFO method, or market, to lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market. We believe the change is preferable as the average cost method better reflects the current value of inventory on the consolidated balance sheets, more closely aligns with how we manage inventory, and conforms the inventory costing methods to be more consistent within the Company. Supplies and materials are valued at the first-in, first out ("FIFO") or average cost methods.
	The Company has applied this change in method of inventory costing retrospectively to all prior periods presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles relating to accounting changes. As a result of the retrospective change in accounting principle, opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2013, increased $38.8 million. Certain components of our financial statements affected by the change in valuation methodology as originally reported under the LIFO method and as adjusted for the change to the average cost method are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported (a)				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Cost of sales		$	(572,715	)		$	2,754		$	(569,961	)
	Gross profit		182,492				2,754			185,246
	Income from operations		103,246				2,754			106,000
	Income before taxes		93,995				2,754			96,749
	Provision for income taxes		(33,382		)		(1,073		)	(34,455		)
	Net income		60,613				1,681			62,294
	Comprehensive income		63,371				1,681			65,052
	Net income per common share
	Basic		0.63				0.02			0.65
	Diluted		0.62				0.02			0.64
	___________
	(a)	Certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
			December 31, 2013
	Consolidated Balance Sheet		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Inventories		$	522,523			$	71,768		$	594,291
	Deferred income tax assets		75,579				(27,963		)	47,616
	Retained earnings		975,296				43,805			1,019,101
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Net income		$	60,613			$	1,681		$	62,294
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(877		)		1,073			196
	Change in inventories		(1,414		)		(2,754		)	(4,168		)
	Had the Company not made this change in accounting method, "Net income" for the three months ended March 31, 2014, would have been $1.4 million higher than reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and "Inventories" at March 31, 2014, would have been $69.5 million lower than reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The components of inventories are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	239,034			$	212,027
	Work in process	12,453				13,898
	Finished goods	195,097				209,972
	Supplies and materials	160,722				158,394
	Inventories	$	607,306			$	594,291

Change_in_Accounting_Principle2

Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]	'
Effect of Change on Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income	'
	Certain components of our financial statements affected by the change in valuation methodology as originally reported under the LIFO method and as adjusted for the change to the average cost method are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported (a)				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Cost of sales		$	(572,715	)		$	2,754		$	(569,961	)
	Gross profit		182,492				2,754			185,246
	Income from operations		103,246				2,754			106,000
	Income before taxes		93,995				2,754			96,749
	Provision for income taxes		(33,382		)		(1,073		)	(34,455		)
	Net income		60,613				1,681			62,294
	Comprehensive income		63,371				1,681			65,052
	Net income per common share
	Basic		0.63				0.02			0.65
	Diluted		0.62				0.02			0.64
Effect of Change on Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
			December 31, 2013
	Consolidated Balance Sheet		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Inventories		$	522,523			$	71,768		$	594,291
	Deferred income tax assets		75,579				(27,963		)	47,616
	Retained earnings		975,296				43,805			1,019,101
Effect of Change on Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	'
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Net income		$	60,613			$	1,681		$	62,294
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(877		)		1,073			196
	Change in inventories		(1,414		)		(2,754		)	(4,168		)
Components of Inventories	'
	The components of inventories are as follows (dollars in thousands):
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	239,034			$	212,027
	Work in process	12,453				13,898
	Finished goods	195,097				209,972
	Supplies and materials	160,722				158,394
	Inventories	$	607,306			$	594,291

Boise_Acquisition_Tables

Boise Acquisition (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Pro Forma Financial Information	'
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The following pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations as if Boise had been combined with us on January 1, 2013. The pro forma results are intended for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what the combined companies' results of operations would actually have been had the transactions in fact occurred on January 1, 2013. They also do not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements that we may achieve or the costs necessary to achieve those cost savings, operating synergies, or revenue enhancements, or costs relating to integration efforts (dollars in millions, except per-share amounts).
		Pro Forma (a)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Sales	$	1,354.80
	Net income (b)	$	76.3
	Net income per share—diluted (b)	$	0.78
	____________
	(a)	The three months ended March 31, 2013, pro forma financial information presented in the table above has been adjusted to give effect to adjustments that are directly related to the acquisition, factually supportable, and expected to have a continuing impact. These adjustments include, but are not limited to, the application of our accounting policies (including the deferral method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities, which increased pro forma net income $12.6 million); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; and interest expense on acquisition-related debt.
	(b)	Included in pro forma net income for the three months ended March 31, 2013, is $5.3 million of incremental depreciation expense related to shortening the estimated useful lives of certain assets, primarily at the white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota.

Other_Expense_Net_Tables

Other Expense, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
Components of Other (Income) Expense	'
	The components of other (income) expense are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014			2013
	Class action lawsuit settlement (a)	$	17,600		$	—
	Integration-related costs (b)	4,096			—
	DeRidder restructuring (c)	1,101			—
	Asset disposals and write-offs	1,260			2,779
	Other	(75		)	1,182
	Total	$	23,982		$	3,961
	___________
	(a)	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.
	(b)	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs.
	(c)	Costs relate primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share for the periods presented (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data).
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	90,086		$	62,294
	Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,402		)	—
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	88,684		$	62,294
	Denominator:
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	96,787			96,415
	Effect of dilutive securities	36			1,001
	Diluted common shares outstanding	96,823			97,416
	Basic income per common share	$	0.92		$	0.65
	Diluted income per common share	$	0.92		$	0.64
	All outstanding options to purchase shares at March 31, 2014 and 2013, were included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'
	Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and land improvements	$	140,886		$	140,592
	Buildings	637,004			628,948
	Machinery and equipment	4,268,457			4,246,294
	Construction in progress	198,082			168,808
	Other	49,381			48,058
	Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	5,293,810			5,232,700
	Less accumulated depreciation	(2,493,068		)	(2,426,996		)
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,800,742		$	2,805,704

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Components of Intangible Assets	'
	The weighted average useful life, gross carrying amount, and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		31-Mar-14					31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	Gross		Accumulated		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	Gross		Accumulated
			Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Amortization
			Amount					Amount
	Customer relationships	15	$	306,361	$	21,604	15.4	$	306,361	$	16,509
	Trademarks and trade names	14.3	21,370		1,334		14.7	21,370		794
	Other	2.9	220		122		3	220		109
	Total intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	15	$	327,951	$	23,060	15.4	$	327,951	$	17,412

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Components of Accrued Liabilities	'
	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
	Compensation and benefits	$	86,400	$	130,455
	Medical insurance and workers’ compensation	25,034		26,399
	Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	19,792		20,232
	Legal contingencies	18,700		1,000
	Customer volume discounts and rebates	9,295		11,436
	Severance	7,281		8,172
	Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	5,938		7,812
	Other	8,429		8,552
	Total	$	180,869	$	214,058

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth1

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Plans						Postretirement Plans
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		31-Mar						31-Mar
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	5,794		$	6,249		$	392		$	515
	Interest cost	11,434			3,991			308			311
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,679		)	(3,751		)	—			—
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service cost	1,641			1,560			(57		)	(106		)
	Actuarial loss	155			1,502			24			134
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,345		$	9,551		$	667		$	854

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Summary of Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Award Activity	'
	The following table presents restricted stock and performance unit award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Restricted Stock							Performance Units
		Shares			Weighted Average Grant- Date Fair Value				Shares	Weighted Average Grant- Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,463,694			$	31.48			70,600	$	47.83
	Granted	33,714			65.29				—	—
	Vested	(72,533	)		29.03				—	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,424,875			$	32.4			70,600	$	47.83
Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock and Performance Units	'
	Compensation expense for share-based awards recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income, net of forfeitures was as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2014				2013
	Restricted stock	$	(3,321	)		$	(3,637	)
	Performance units	(267		)		—
	Impact on income before income taxes	(3,588		)		(3,637		)
	Income tax benefit	1,396				1,413
	Impact on net income	$	(2,192	)		$	(2,224	)
Unrecognized Compensation For Restricted Stock and Performance Units	'
	The unrecognized compensation expense for all share-based awards at March 31, 2014, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
		31-Mar-14
		Unrecognized Compensation Expense				Remaining Weighted Average Recognition Period (in years)
	Restricted stock	$	23,513			2.6
	Performance units	2,730				3.3
	Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	26,243			2.7

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Components of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) by component follows (dollars in thousands). Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments				Unrealized Loss On Treasury Locks, Net				Unrealized Loss on Foreign Exchange Contracts				Unfunded Employee Benefit Obligations				Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(136	)		$	(28,191	)		$	(371	)		$	(36,326	)		$	(65,024	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(18		)		—				—				—				(18		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	—				855			(a)	5			(b)	979			(c)	1,839
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(18		)		855				5				979				1,821
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(154	)		$	(27,336	)		$	(366	)		$	(35,347	)		$	(63,203	)
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	'
	The following table presents information about reclassifications out of AOCI (dollars in thousands). Amounts in parentheses indicate expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
			Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
			Three Months Ended March 31
	Details about AOCI Components		2014				2013				Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Unrealized loss on treasury locks, net		$	(1,414	)		$	(1,413	)		See (a) below
			559				549				Tax benefit
			$	(855	)		$	(864	)		Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on foreign exchange contracts		$	(8	)		$	(9	)		See (b) below
			3				4				Tax benefit
			$	(5	)		$	(5	)		Net of tax
	Unfunded employee benefit obligations
	Amortization of prior service costs		$	(1,584	)		$	(1,454	)		See (c) below
	Amortization of actuarial losses		(179		)		(1,636		)		See (c) below
			(1,763		)		(3,090		)		Total before tax
			784				1,201				Tax benefit
			$	(979	)		$	(1,889	)		Net of tax
	____________
	(a)	This AOCI component is included in interest expense, net. Amount relates to the amortization of the effective portion of treasury lock derivative instruments recorded in AOCI. The net amount of settlement gains or losses on derivative instruments included in AOCI to be amortized over the next 12 months is a net loss of $5.7 million ($3.5 million after tax). For a discussion of treasury lock derivative instrument activity, see Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.
	(b)	This AOCI component is included as depreciation in cost of sales.
	(c)	These AOCI components are included in the computation of net pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segment	'
	An analysis of operations by reportable segment is as follows (dollars in millions):
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	1,095.60	$	1.8		$	1,097.40		$	170.7		(b)
	Paper		309.3		—			309.3			27.7			(c)
	Corporate and Other		26.4		37.7			64.1			(37.5		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(39.5		)	(39.5		)	—
			$	1,431.30	$	—		$	1,431.30		160.9
	Interest expense, net										(20.8		)
	Income before taxes										$	140.1
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	755.2	$	—		$	755.2		$	117.9
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(11.9		)
			$	755.2	$	—		$	755.2		106
	Interest expense, net										(9.3		)
	Income before taxes										$	96.7
	____________
	(a)	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
	(b)	Includes costs related primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and to exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014. The three months ended March 31, 2014, included $4.0 million of restructuring charges, of which $2.9 million were recorded in "Cost of sales" and $1.1 million were recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(c)	Includes $0.7 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(d)	Includes $3.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs and $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	3

Change_in_Accounting_Principle3

Change in Accounting Principle; Inventories (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income	'		'		'	'
Cost of sales	($1,129,921)		($569,961)		'	'
Gross profit	301,404		185,246		'	'
Income from operations	160,908	[1]	106,000		'	'
Income before taxes	140,117	[1]	96,749		'	'
Provision for income taxes	-50,031		-34,455		'	'
Net income	90,086		62,294		'	'
Comprehensive income	91,907		65,052		'	'
Net income per common share:	'		'		'	'
Basic	$0.92		$0.65		'	'
Diluted	$0.92		$0.64		'	'
Consolidated Balance Sheet	'		'		'	'
Inventories	607,306		'		594,291	'
Deferred income tax assets	31,985		'		47,616	'
Retained earnings	1,067,661		'		1,019,101	'
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	'		'		'	'
Net income	90,086		62,294		'	'
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	15,645		196		'	'
Inventories	-13,035		-4,168		'	'
As Previously Reported (under LIFO)	'		'		'	'
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income	'		'		'	'
Cost of sales	'		-572,715	[2]	'	'
Gross profit	'		182,492	[2]	'	'
Income from operations	'		103,246	[2]	'	'
Income before taxes	'		93,995	[2]	'	'
Provision for income taxes	'		-33,382	[2]	'	'
Net income	'		60,613	[2]	'	'
Comprehensive income	'		63,371	[2]	'	'
Net income per common share:	'		'		'	'
Basic	'		$0.63	[2]	'	'
Diluted	'		$0.62	[2]	'	'
Consolidated Balance Sheet	'		'		'	'
Inventories	'		'		522,523	'
Deferred income tax assets	'		'		75,579	'
Retained earnings	'		'		975,296	'
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	'		'		'	'
Net income	'		60,613	[2]	'	'
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	'		-877		'	'
Inventories	'		-1,414		'	'
Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation | Effect of Change in Accounting Principle	'		'		'	'
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income	'		'		'	'
Cost of sales	'		2,754		'	'
Gross profit	'		2,754		'	'
Income from operations	'		2,754		'	'
Income before taxes	'		2,754		'	'
Provision for income taxes	'		-1,073		'	'
Net income	1,400		1,681		'	'
Comprehensive income	'		1,681		'	'
Net income per common share:	'		'		'	'
Basic	'		$0.02		'	'
Diluted	'		$0.02		'	'
Consolidated Balance Sheet	'		'		'	'
Inventories	69,500		'		71,768	'
Deferred income tax assets	'		'		-27,963	'
Retained earnings	'		'		43,805	38,800
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	'		'		'	'
Net income	1,400		1,681		'	'
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	'		1,073		'	'
Inventories	'		($2,754)		'	'
[1]	On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[2]	Certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Components_of_Inventories_Deta

Components of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$239,034	$212,027
Work in process	12,453	13,898
Finished goods	195,097	209,972
Supplies and materials	160,722	158,394
Inventories	$607,306	$594,291

Boise_Acquisition_Narrative_De

Boise Acquisition (Narrative) (Details) (Boise Inc., USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Boise Inc.	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding stock and voting equity interests acquired	'	100.00%
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity	$2,100	'

Pro_Forma_Financial_Informatio

Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (Boise Inc., USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Sales	$1,354.80	[1]
Net income (b)	76.3	[1],[2]
Net income per share - diluted (b)	$0.78	[1],[2]
Major Maintenance	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Net income (b)	12.6
Incremental Depreciation	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Net income (b)	$5.30
[1]	The three months ended March 31, 2013, pro forma financial information presented in the table above has been adjusted to give effect to adjustments that are directly related to the acquisition, factually supportable, and expected to have a continuing impact. These adjustments include, but are not limited to, the application of our accounting policies (including the deferral method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities, which increased pro forma net income $12.6 million); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; and interest expense on acquisition-related debt.
[2]	Included in pro forma net income for the three months ended March 31, 2013, is $5.3 million of incremental depreciation expense related to shortening the estimated useful lives of certain assets, primarily at the white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota.

Other_Expense_Net_Details

Other Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Other Expense, Net [Abstract]	'		'
Class action lawsuit settlement (a)	$17,600	[1]	$0
Integration-related costs (b)	4,096	[2]	0
DeRidder restructuring (c)	1,101	[3]	0
Asset disposals and write-offs	1,260		2,779
Other	-75		1,182
Total	$23,982		$3,961
[1]	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.
[2]	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs.
[3]	Costs relate primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014.

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$90,086	$62,294
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-1,402	0
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$88,684	$62,294
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	96,787	96,415
Effect of dilutive securities	36	1,001
Diluted common shares outstanding	96,823	97,416
Basic income per common share	$0.92	$0.65
Diluted income per common share	$0.92	$0.64

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Income tax provision	$50,031,000	$34,455,000
Effective income tax rate, percent	35.70%	35.60%
Effective income tax rate, at federal statutory income tax rate, percent	35.00%	35.00%
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received	$1,700,000	$4,100,000

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	$5,293,810,000	'	$5,232,700,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	-2,493,068,000	'	-2,426,996,000
Property, plant, and equipment, net	2,800,742,000	'	2,805,704,000
Depreciation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	76,000,000	41,100,000	'
Land and Land Improvements	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	140,886,000	'	140,592,000
Buildings	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	637,004,000	'	628,948,000
Machinery and Equipment	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	4,268,457,000	'	4,246,294,000
Construction in Progress	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	198,082,000	'	168,808,000
Other	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	$49,381,000	'	$48,058,000

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$526,760	$526,789
Packaging	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	472,900	472,900
Paper	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$53,900	$53,900

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'14 years 11 months 26 days	'	'15 years 4 months 10 days
Gross Carrying Amount	$327,951,000	'	$327,951,000
Accumulated Amortization	23,060,000	'	17,412,000
Intangible assets amortization expense	5,600,000	800,000	'
Customer Relationships	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'15 years 0 months 14 days	'	'15 years 4 months 28 days
Gross Carrying Amount	306,361,000	'	306,361,000
Accumulated Amortization	21,604,000	'	16,509,000
Trademarks and Trade Names	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'14 years 3 months 4 days	'	'14 years 8 months 16 days
Gross Carrying Amount	21,370,000	'	21,370,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,334,000	'	794,000
Other Intangible Assets	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'	'3 years
Gross Carrying Amount	220,000	'	220,000
Accumulated Amortization	$122,000	'	$109,000

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Compensation and benefits	$86,400	$130,455
Medical insurance and workers' compensation	25,034	26,399
Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	19,792	20,232
Legal contingencies	18,700	1,000
Customer volume discounts and rebates	9,295	11,436
Severance	7,281	8,172
Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	5,938	7,812
Other	8,429	8,552
Total	$180,869	$214,058

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal payments on debt	$66,000,000	'
Cash payments for interest	10,500,000	5,900,000
Amortization of net (loss) gain on treasury lock	1,400,000	1,400,000
Amortization of financing costs	500,000	200,000
Book value of fixed rate debt	1,250,000,000	'
Book value of variable rate debt	1,230,000,000	'
Long-term debt (fixed-rate debt), fair value	$1,290,000,000	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth2

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
	Pension Plans	Pension Plans	Postretirement Plans	Postretirement Plans	Scenario, Forecast
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$5,794,000	$6,249,000	$392,000	$515,000	'
Interest cost	11,434,000	3,991,000	308,000	311,000	'
Expected return on plan assets	-12,679,000	-3,751,000	0	0	'
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Prior service cost	1,641,000	1,560,000	-57,000	-106,000	'
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Actuarial loss	155,000	1,502,000	24,000	134,000	'
Net periodic benefit cost	6,345,000	9,551,000	667,000	854,000	'
Pension Contributions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected pension contributions in 2014	'	'	'	'	$5,000,000

Sharebased_Compensation_Additi

Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Long-term equity incentive plan, termination date	'MayB 1, 2023
Number of shares authorized under plan	10.6
Number of shares available for future issuance under share-based plan	2.1

Summary_of_Restricted_Stock_an

Summary of Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Award Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,463,694
Granted	33,714
Vested	-72,533
Outstanding at March 31, 2014	1,424,875
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at December 31, 2013	$31.48
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares granted	$65.29
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested	$29.03
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at March 31, 2014	$32.40
Performance Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	70,600
Granted	0
Vested	0
Outstanding at March 31, 2014	70,600
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at December 31, 2013	$47.83
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares granted	$0
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested	$0
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at March 31, 2014	$47.83

Compensation_Expense_for_Restr

Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock and Performance Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	($3,588)	($3,637)
Income tax benefit	1,396	1,413
Impact on net income	-2,192	-2,224
Restricted Stock	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	-3,321	-3,637
Performance Units	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	($267)	$0

Unrecognized_Compensation_Expe

Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$26,243
Weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 8 months 12 days
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	23,513
Weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 7 months 6 days
Performance Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$2,730
Weighted-average recognition period	'3 years 3 months 18 days

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
				Subsequent Event
Dividends declared per common share	$0.40	$0.40	$0.31	'
Dividends payable date	15-Jan-14	'	'	15-Apr-14
Dividends payable, date of record	23-Dec-13	'	'	14-Mar-14
Common stock dividends paid	($39,297)	'	$0	($39,400)

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	Unfunded Employee Benefit Obligations		Treasury Lock		Foreign Exchange Contract		Scenario, Forecast
						Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges		Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'		'		'		'
Balance at December 31, 2013	($65,024,000)	'	($136,000)	($36,326,000)		($28,191,000)		($371,000)		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-18,000	'	-18,000	0		0		0		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	1,839,000	'	0	979,000	[1]	855,000	[2]	5,000	[3]	'
Other comprehensive income	1,821,000	2,758,000	-18,000	979,000		855,000		5,000		'
Balance at March 31, 2014	-63,203,000	'	-154,000	-35,347,000		-27,336,000		-366,000		'
Net amount of settlement gains (losses) on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI to be amortized over next 12 months, before tax	'	'	'	'		'		'		-5,700,000
Net amount of settlement gains (losses) on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI to be amortized over next 12 months, after tax	'	'	'	'		'		'		($3,500,000)
[1]	These AOCI components are included in the computation of net pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.
[2]	This AOCI component is included in interest expense, net. Amount relates to the amortization of the effective portion of treasury lock derivative instruments recorded in AOCI. The net amount of settlement gains or losses on derivative instruments included in AOCI to be amortized over the next 12B months is a net loss of $5.7 million ($3.5 million after tax). For a discussion of treasury lock derivative instrument activity, see Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.
[3]	This AOCI component is included as depreciation in cost of sales.

Reclassifications_Out_of_Accum

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'
Interest expense, net	($20,791)	[1]	($9,251)
Cost of sales	-1,129,921		-569,961
Income before taxes	140,117	[1]	96,749
Provision for income taxes	-50,031		-34,455
Net income	90,086		62,294
Unfunded Employee Benefit Obligations | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'
Amortization of prior service costs	-1,584	[2]	-1,454	[2]
Amortization of actuarial losses	-179	[2]	-1,636	[2]
Income before taxes	-1,763		-3,090
Provision for income taxes	784		1,201
Net income	-979		-1,889
Treasury Lock | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'
Interest expense, net	-1,414	[3]	-1,413	[3]
Provision for income taxes	559		549
Net income	-855		-864
Foreign Exchange Contract | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'
Cost of sales	-8	[4]	-9	[4]
Provision for income taxes	3		4
Net income	($5)		($5)
[1]	On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[2]	These AOCI components are included in the computation of net pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.
[3]	This AOCI component is included in interest expense, net. Amount relates to the amortization of the effective portion of treasury lock derivative instruments recorded in AOCI. The net amount of settlement gains or losses on derivative instruments included in AOCI to be amortized over the next 12B months is a net loss of $5.7 million ($3.5 million after tax). For a discussion of treasury lock derivative instrument activity, see Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our 2013 Form 10-K.
[4]	This AOCI component is included as depreciation in cost of sales.

Concentrations_of_Risk_Details

Concentrations of Risk (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of hourly employees represented by unions	'	75.00%
Accounts receivable, net, current	643,083	696,344
Number of employees of PCA	'	13,600
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	51.00%
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	21.00%
Office Depot (including OfficeMax) | Credit Concentration Risk	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net, current	39,200	55,200
Office Depot (including OfficeMax) | Total Company Sales Revenue | Customer Concentration Risk	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	9.00%
Office Depot (including OfficeMax) | Total Company Receivables | Customer Concentration Risk	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	6.00%	8.00%
Paper | Office Depot (including OfficeMax) | Paper Segment Sales Revenue | Customer Concentration Risk	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	42.00%

Transactions_With_Related_Part1

Transactions With Related Parties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying amount of LTP's assets	$5.30	$5
Carrying amount of LTP's liabilities	5.3	5
Fiber costs from related parties	7.2	'
Fiber | Boise Cascade Co-Owner of LTP	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue from related parties	$16.10	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Trade sales	$1,431,300,000	[1]	$755,200,000
Net sales	1,431,325,000		755,207,000
Operating income (loss)	160,908,000	[1]	106,000,000
Interest expense, net	-20,791,000	[1]	-9,251,000
Income before taxes	140,117,000	[1]	96,749,000
DeRidder restructuring	1,101,000	[2]	0
Integration-related costs	4,096,000	[3]	0
Class action lawsuit settlement	17,600,000	[4]	0
Packaging	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Trade sales	1,095,600,000	[1]	755,200,000
Operating income (loss)	170,700,000	[1],[5]	117,900,000
DeRidder restructuring	4,000,000	[2]	'
Paper	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Trade sales	309,300,000	[1]	'
Operating income (loss)	27,700,000	[1],[6]	'
Corporate and Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Trade sales	26,400,000	[1]	0
Operating income (loss)	-37,500,000	[1],[7]	-11,900,000
Class action lawsuit settlement	17,600,000	[3]	'
Intersegment Eliminations	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Intersegment sales	0	[1]	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Packaging	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Intersegment sales	1,800,000	[1]	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Paper	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Intersegment sales	0	[1]	'
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate and Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Intersegment sales	37,700,000	[1]	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment Eliminations	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Intersegment sales	-39,500,000	[1]	'
Operating Segments	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	1,431,300,000	[1]	755,200,000
Operating Segments | Packaging	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	1,097,400,000	[1]	755,200,000
Operating Segments | Paper	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	309,300,000	[1]	'
Operating Segments | Corporate and Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	64,100,000	[1]	0
Operating Segments | Intersegment Eliminations	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Net sales	-39,500,000	[1]	'
Cost of Sales | Packaging	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
DeRidder restructuring	2,900,000	[2]	'
Other Expense, Net | Packaging	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
DeRidder restructuring	1,100,000	[2]	'
Boise Inc. | Paper	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Integration-related costs	700,000	[3]	'
Boise Inc. | Corporate and Other	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Integration-related costs	$3,400,000	[3]	'
[1]	On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. Our first quarter 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[2]	Costs relate primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014.
[3]	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs.
[4]	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.
[5]	Includes costs related primarily to our plans to convert the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium and to exit the newsprint business in mid-September 2014. The three months ended March 31, 2014, included $4.0 million of restructuring charges, of which $2.9 million were recorded in "Cost of sales" and $1.1 million were recorded in "Other expense, net".
[6]	Includes $0.7 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs, primarily for employee severance, professional fees, and other costs. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
[7]	Includes $3.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related costs and $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.

Commitments_Guarantees_Indemni1

Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]	'	'		'
Number of other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers	'PCA and eight other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers were named as defendants	'		'
Number of lawsuits filed by the plaintiffs	5	'		'
Class action lawsuit settlement	'	$17,600	[1]	$0
Accrued Liabilities	'	'		'
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]	'	'		'
Class action lawsuit settlement	'	$17,600	[1]	'
[1]	The three months ended March 31, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs accrued for the settlement of the Kleen Products LLC v Packaging Corp. of America et al class action lawsuit. See Note 18, Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings, for more information.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event, Crockett Packaging, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 28, 2014
Subsequent Event | Crockett Packaging	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity	$21.20