Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) 10-Q 7 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'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	'	98,383,452

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net sales	$1,518,940		$845,440		$4,418,653		$2,400,877
Cost of sales	-1,198,607		-617,841		-3,486,108		-1,792,782
Gross profit	320,333		227,599		932,545		608,095
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	-119,645		-77,096		-359,007		-226,606
Other expense, net	-12,310		-7,721		-44,004		-22,510
Income from operations	188,378	[1]	142,782		529,534	[1]	358,979
Interest expense, net	-23,111	[1],[2]	-11,850	[3]	-65,311	[1],[2]	-30,333	[3]
Income before taxes	165,267	[1]	130,932		464,223	[1]	328,646
Income tax provision	-60,822		-46,250		-170,135		-115,418
Net income	104,445		84,682		294,088		213,228
Net income per common share:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.06		$0.88		$2.99		$2.21
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.06		$0.87		$2.99		$2.19
Dividends declared per common share	$0.40		$0.40		$1.20		$1.11
Statements of Comprehensive Income:	'		'		'		'
Net income	104,445		84,682		294,088		213,228
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of ($106), $0, ($76), and $0, respectively	-1,564		0		-1,656		0
Reclassification adjustments to cash flow hedges included in net income, net of tax of $553, $552, $1,668, and $1,658, respectively	870		870		2,599		2,609
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of tax of $685, $2,153, $2,157, and $7,574, respectively	1,080		3,387		3,137		11,921
Changes in unfunded employee benefit obligation, net of tax of $0, $3,152, $0, and $8,522, respectively	0		4,963		0		13,418
Other comprehensive income	386		9,220		4,080		27,948
Comprehensive income	$104,831		$93,902		$298,168		$241,176
[1]	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[2]	Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.
[3]	Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	($106)	$0	($76)	$0
Reclassification adjustments to cash flow hedges included in net income, tax	553	552	1,668	1,658
Amortization of pension and postretirement plans actuarial loss and prior service cost, tax	685	2,153	2,157	7,574
Changes in unfunded employee benefit obligations, tax	$0	$3,152	$0	$8,522

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$154,323	$190,960
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions of $12,118 and $10,567 as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	717,947	643,083
Inventories	616,962	594,291
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	76,195	32,101
Federal and state income taxes receivable	0	22,958
Deferred income taxes	32,280	47,616
Total current assets	1,597,707	1,531,009
Property, plant, and equipment, net	2,818,133	2,805,704
Goodwill	541,911	526,789
Intangible assets, net	299,096	310,539
Other long-term assets	73,902	69,738
Total assets	5,330,749	5,243,779
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,500	39,000
Capital lease obligations	1,082	1,030
Accounts payable	387,854	357,432
Dividends payable	39,393	39,297
Federal and state income taxes payable	7,176	0
Accrued liabilities	228,758	214,058
Accrued interest	19,272	9,722
Total current liabilities	690,035	660,539
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt	2,350,484	2,508,845
Capital lease obligations	23,055	23,874
Deferred income taxes	426,086	434,835
Pension and postretirement benefit plans	204,286	193,548
Other long-term liabilities	84,764	65,318
Total long-term liabilities	3,088,675	3,226,420
Commitments and contingent liabilities	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 300,000 shares authorized, 98,383 and 98,172 shares issued as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	984	982
Additional paid in capital	427,844	401,761
Retained earnings	1,184,155	1,019,101
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-60,944	-65,024
Total stockholders' equity	1,552,039	1,356,820
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,330,749	$5,243,779

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions	$12,118	$10,567
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	98,383	98,172

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$294,088	$213,228
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of intangibles and deferred financing costs	296,486	137,412
Share-based compensation expense	11,648	9,956
Deferred income tax provision	17,427	6,137
Alternative energy tax credits	0	76,280
Pension and postretirement benefits expense, net of contributions	19,230	10,600
Other, net	4,187	4,651
Increase in assets b	'	'
Accounts receivable	-74,970	-57,583
Inventories	-22,520	-4,628
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-27,882	-9,196
Increase (decrease) in liabilities b	'	'
Accounts payable	-12,957	46,418
Accrued liabilities	21,810	7,109
Federal and state income taxes payable / receivable	30,173	-20,216
Net cash provided by operating activities	556,720	420,168
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	-254,865	-130,410
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	-20,290	0
Additions to other long term assets	-11,617	-2,459
Other	3,188	350
Net cash used for investing activities	-283,584	-132,519
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Repayments of debt and capital lease obligations	-590,641	-11,967
Proceeds from issuance of debt	398,864	0
Financing costs paid	3,209	8,220
Common stock dividends paid	-118,004	-69,883
Repurchases of common stock	0	-7,799
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,739	2,756
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	11,796	7,539
Shares withheld to cover employee restricted stock taxes	-12,051	-10,873
Other	-267	0
Net cash used for financing activities	-309,773	-98,447
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-36,637	189,202
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	190,960	207,393
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$154,323	$396,595

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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.
	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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2013, into "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" given that Corporate and Other is now a separately disclosed segment. With the exception of the change in accounting principle relating to our inventories described below in Note 2, Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories, none of the reclassifications affected our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
	The consolidated financial statements of PCA as of September 30, 2014, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 September 30, 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, and the updated consolidated financial statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2014 (referred to as "updated 2013 Financial Statements" throughout this document).
	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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [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. Had the Company not made this change in accounting method, "Net income" for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, would have been $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, higher than reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and "Inventories" at September 30, 2014, would have been $69.3 million lower than reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We 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 were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013										September 30, 2013
	Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported (a)				Effect of Change			As Adjusted			As Previously Reported (a)			Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Cost of sales		$	(618,663	)		$	822		$	(617,841	)	$	(1,799,285	)	$	6,503		$	(1,792,782	)
	Gross profit		226,777				822			227,599			601,592			6,503			608,095
	Income from operations		141,960				822			142,782			352,476			6,503			358,979
	Income before taxes		130,110				822			130,932			322,143			6,503			328,646
	Provision for income taxes		(45,930		)		(320		)	(46,250		)	(112,885		)	(2,533		)	(115,418		)
	Net income		84,180				502			84,682			209,258			3,970			213,228
	Comprehensive income		93,400				502			93,902			237,206			3,970			241,176
	Net income per common share:
	Basic		0.87				0.01			0.88			2.17			0.04			2.21
	Diluted		0.86				0.01			0.87			2.15			0.04			2.19
	___________
	(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
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Net income		$	209,258			$	3,970		$	213,228
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Deferred income tax provision		3,604				2,533			6,137
	Change in inventories		1,875				(6,503		)	(4,628		)
	The components of inventories were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	239,673			$	212,027
	Work in process	12,739				13,898
	Finished goods	195,538				209,972
	Supplies and materials	169,012				158,394
	Inventories	$	616,962			$	594,291

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	Crockett Packaging Acquisition
	On April 28, 2014, we acquired the assets of Crockett Packaging, a corrugated products manufacturer, for $21.2 million, before $0.9 million of working capital adjustments. The assets included 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 assets subsequent to April 28, 2014, are included in our Packaging segment's 2014 operating results. We have estimated the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of the fair value at the date of the acquisition, of which $10.7 million has been allocated to goodwill (which is deductible for tax purposes) and $5.5 million to intangible assets (to be amortized over a weighted average life of approximately ten years), primarily customer relationships, in the Packaging segment. The purchase price allocation continues to be preliminary, as estimates and assumptions are subject to change as more information becomes available.
	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 updated 2013 Financial Statements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded approximately $4.3 million of purchase price adjustments that increased goodwill. These adjustments related primarily to a true-up to the valuation of fixed assets and the associated impact to income tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2014, the purchase price allocation continues to be preliminary. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to valuation of fixed assets, 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)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013
	Net sales	$	4,256
	Net income (b)	$	248
	Net income per share—diluted (b)	$	2.54
	____________
	(a)	The 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 $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; interest expense on acquisition-related debt; and $7.5 million of pre-tax acquisition-related costs which primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, financing, and other professional or consulting fees.
	(b)	Included in pro forma net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, are $16.2 million of pre-tax costs, related primarily to the restructuring of Boise's white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota, and $15.2 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Expense, Net	'
	Other Expense, Net
	The components of other (income) expense were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep					30-Sep
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	DeRidder restructuring (a)	$	4,270	$	—		$	5,690	$	—
	Integration-related and other costs (b)	3,040		—			11,999		—
	Class action lawsuit settlement (c)	—		—			17,600		—
	Pension curtailment charges (d)	—		3,132			—		10,908
	Acquisition-related costs (e)	—		1,479			—		1,479
	Asset disposals and write-offs	2,854		3,486			6,912		9,508
	Other	2,146		(376		)	1,803		615
	Total	$	12,310	$	7,721		$	44,004	$	22,510
	___________
	(a)	Costs relate primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014.
	(b)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, include Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs.
	(c)	The nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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.
	(d)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, include $3.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
	(e)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, both include $1.5 million of acquisition-related costs, primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services and expenses related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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					Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep					30-Sep
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	104,445		$	84,682	$	294,088		$	213,228
	Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,451		)	—		(4,381		)	—
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	102,994		$	84,682	$	289,707		$	213,228
	Denominator:
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	97,165			96,758		96,954			96,536
	Effect of dilutive securities	57			839		53			976
	Diluted common shares outstanding	97,222			97,597		97,007			97,512
	Basic income per common share	$	1.06		$	0.88	$	2.99		$	2.21
	Diluted income per common share	$	1.06		$	0.87	$	2.99		$	2.19
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, all outstanding options to purchase shares were included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding. On June 29, 2014, all remaining options to purchase shares expired.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $60.9 million and $170.1 million of income tax expense and had an effective tax rate of 36.8% and 36.6%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $46.2 million and $115.4 million of income tax expense and had an effective tax rate of 35.3% and 35.1%, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the primary reasons for the difference from the federal statutory income tax rate of 35.0% were the effect of state and local income taxes and the domestic manufacturers’ deduction.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 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" of our updated 2013 Financial Statements.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received, was $110.8 million and $45.7 million, respectively.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and land improvements	$	138,486		$	140,592
	Buildings	645,173			628,948
	Machinery and equipment	4,374,819			4,246,294
	Construction in progress	253,150			168,808
	Other	53,177			48,058
	Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	5,464,805			5,232,700
	Less accumulated depreciation	(2,646,672		)	(2,426,996		)
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,818,133		$	2,805,704
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was $95.1 million and $42.4 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, depreciation expense was $264.1 million and $125.2 million, respectively. The increase in depreciation expense relates primarily to the acquisition of Boise in fourth quarter 2013, as well as accelerated depreciation related to shortening the useful lives of our newsprint-related assets at the DeRidder, Louisiana, mill. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $18.2 million and $35.4 million, respectively, of incremental depreciation expense related to shortening the useful lives of our newsprint-related assets at the DeRidder, Louisiana, mill.
	At September 30, 2014, purchases of property, plant, and equipment included in accounts payable was $49.6 million.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [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 September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had $487.9 million and $472.9 million of goodwill recorded in our Packaging segment, respectively, and $54.0 million and $53.9 million of goodwill recorded in our Paper segment, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Goodwill
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	526,789
	Acquisitions (a)	10,734
	Adjustments related to purchase accounting (b)	4,388
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	541,911
	___________
	(a)	In April 2014, we acquired the assets of Crockett Packaging, a corrugated products manufacturer, for $21.2 million, before $0.9 million of working capital adjustments, and recorded $10.7 million of goodwill in our Packaging segment.
	(b)	Adjustments relate primarily to the Boise acquisition, see Note 3, Acquisitions, for more information.
	We have historically performed our annual goodwill impairment testing as of December 31. During the third quarter of 2014, we changed the annual goodwill impairment testing date from December 31 to October 1. We believe this change in measurement date, which represents a change in method of applying an accounting principle, is preferable. While remaining in the fourth quarter, the measurement date will lessen resource constraints in connection with the year-end close and financial reporting process by allowing us additional time to complete our annual impairment testing in advance of our year-end reporting. The change in accounting principle does not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge. We have determined that it is not practical to objectively determine projected cash flows and related valuation estimates that would have been used as of October 1 for periods prior to October 1, 2014, without the use of hindsight. As such, we prospectively applied the change in our annual goodwill impairment test date as of the first day of the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are primarily comprised of customer relationships and trademarks and trade names.
	The weighted average remaining useful life, gross carrying amount, and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-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	14.5		$	311,461	$	31,759	15.4	$	306,361	$	16,509
	Trademarks and trade names	13.6		21,770		2,455		14.7	21,370		794
	Other	2.4		220		141		3	220		109
	Total intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	14.4		$	333,451	$	34,355	15.4	$	327,951	$	17,412
	Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was $5.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense was $16.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The increase in amortization expense relates primarily to the acquisition of Boise in fourth quarter 2013.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	The components of accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and benefits	$	136,996	$	130,455
	Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	27,942		20,232
	Medical insurance and workers’ compensation	26,185		26,399
	Customer volume discounts and rebates	12,695		11,436
	Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	6,829		7,812
	Severance	2,052		8,172
	Legal contingencies	1,283		1,000
	Other	14,776		8,552
	Total	$	228,758	$	214,058

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Our long-term debt and interest rates on that debt were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		September 30, 2014				31-Dec-13
		Amount		Interest Rate		Amount		Interest Rate
	Revolving Credit Facility, due October 2018	$	—	—	%	$	—	—	%
	Five-Year Term Loan, due October 2018	65,000		1.53		650,000		1.54
	Seven-Year Term Loan, due October 2020	645,125		1.78		650,000		1.79
	6.50% Senior Notes, net of discounts of $22 and $26 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due March 2018	149,978		6.5		149,974		6.5
	3.90% Senior Notes, net of discounts of $275 and $302 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due June 2022	399,725		3.9		399,698		3.9
	4.50% Senior Notes, net of discount of $1,714 and $1,827 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due November 2023	698,286		4.5		698,173		4.5
	3.65% Senior Notes, net of discount of $1,130 as of September 30, 2014, due September 2024	398,870		3.65		—		—
	Total	2,356,984		3.56		2,547,845		3.08
	Less current portion	6,500		1.78		39,000		1.59
	Total long-term debt	$	2,350,484	3.56	%	$	2,508,845	3.1	%
	On September 5, 2014, we issued $400.0 million of 3.65% fixed-rate senior notes due September 15, 2024, through a registered public offering. We used the proceeds of this offering and other cash from operations to repay $589.9 million of debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In connection with the $400.0 million debt issuance, we paid $3.2 million of deferred financing costs, which will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the debt.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, cash payments for interest were $50.0 million and $21.0 million, respectively.
	Annual principal maturities for debt, excluding unamortized debt discount, as of September 30, 2014 were: $1.6 million for the remainder of 2014, $6.5 million for 2015, 2016, and 2017; $221.5 million for 2018; $6.5 million for 2019; and $2.1 billion for 2020 and thereafter.
	Included in interest expense, net, are amortization of treasury lock settlements and amortization of financing costs. For both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization of treasury lock settlements was $1.4 million, and for both the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization of treasury lock settlements was $4.2 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization of financing costs was $2.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amortization of financing costs was $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. In connection with our debt repayments during the three months ended September 30, 2014, we expensed $1.5 million of deferred financing costs.
	At September 30, 2014, we have $1,646.9 million of fixed-rate senior notes and $710.1 million of variable-rate term loans outstanding. At September 30, 2014, the fair value of our fixed-rate debt was estimated to be $1,713.1 million. 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 updated 2013 Financial Statements.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits	'
	Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension plans were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	5,828		$	5,825		$	17,428		$	18,322
	Interest cost	11,507			4,269			34,400			12,250
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,657		)	(3,796		)	(38,008		)	(11,297		)
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service cost	1,641			163			4,922			3,284
	Actuarial loss	155			2,217			465			5,221
	Curtailment loss (a)	—			3,132			—			10,908
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,474		$	11,810		$	19,207		$	38,688
	___________
	(a)	In June 2013, the United Steelworkers (“USW”) ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented corrugated plant employees pension accruals under PCA’s hourly pension plan. Additionally, in September 2013, the USW ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented containerboard mill employees pension accruals under PCA’s hourly pension plan. Following the pension freezes, affected USW-represented employees will transition to a defined contribution 401k plan. We recorded a $3.1 million and $10.9 million pre-tax pension curtailment charge related to the unrecognized prior service costs of employees impacted by the pension freezes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We also remeasured the hourly pension plan benefit obligation using current fair values of plan assets and current assumptions, resulting in a decrease in the benefit obligation of $21.9 million with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $13.4 million and deferred taxes of $8.5 million.
	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). During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we contributed $0.4 million to our pension plans, which exceeds our 2014 minimum required contributions, calculated under the pension provisions of the Highway and Transportation Funding Act passed in August 2014. We do not expect to make any additional contributions during the fourth quarter of 2014.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement plans were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Postretirement Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	392		$	515		$	1,177		$	1,545
	Interest cost	311			311			933			934
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service benefit	(57		)	(106		)	(170		)	(319		)
	Actuarial loss	26			134			77			401
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	672		$	854		$	2,017		$	2,561

Sharebased_Compensation

Share-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, 1.9 million shares were 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 nine months ended September 30, 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	229,489			70.24				56,889			71.19
	Vested	(475,050	)		23.86				—			—
	Forfeitures	(1,165	)		62.74				—			—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,216,968			$	41.73			127,489			$	58.25
	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								Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep								30-Sep
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Restricted stock	$	(3,453	)		$	(2,933	)		$	(10,501	)		$	(9,691	)
	Performance units	(594		)		(249		)		(1,147		)		(265		)
	Impact on income before income taxes	(4,047		)		(3,182		)		(11,648		)		(9,956		)
	Income tax benefit	1,572				1,237				4,530				3,868
	Impact on net income	$	(2,475	)		$	(1,945	)		$	(7,118	)		$	(6,088	)
	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 September 30, 2014, was as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Unrecognized Compensation Expense				Remaining Weighted Average Recognition Period (in years)
	Restricted stock	$	30,543			2.7
	Performance units	6,025				3.4
	Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	36,568			2.8

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Dividends
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we paid $118.0 million of dividends to shareholders. On August 28, 2014, PCA's Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend $0.40 per share, which was paid on October 15, 2014, to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2014. The dividend payment was $39.4 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	(1,656		)		—				—				—				(1,656		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	—				2,584			(a)	15			(b)	3,137			(c)	5,736
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,656		)		2,584				15				3,137				4,080
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,792	)		$	(25,607	)		$	(356	)		$	(33,189	)		$	(60,944	)
	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								Nine Months Ended								Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
			30-Sep								30-Sep
	Details about AOCI Components		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Unrealized loss on treasury locks, net		$	(1,414	)		$	(1,414	)		$	(4,242	)		$	(4,242	)		See (a) below
			549				549				1,658				1,648				Tax benefit
			$	(865	)		$	(865	)		$	(2,584	)		$	(2,594	)		Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on foreign exchange contracts		$	(9	)		$	(8	)		$	(25	)		$	(25	)		See (b) below
			4				3				10				10				Tax benefit
			$	(5	)		$	(5	)		$	(15	)		$	(15	)		Net of tax
	Unfunded employee benefit obligations
	Amortization of prior service costs		$	(1,584	)		$	(57	)		$	(4,752	)		$	(2,965	)		See (c) below
	Amortization of actuarial losses		(181		)		(2,351		)		(542		)		(5,622		)		See (c) below
	Curtailment loss		—				(3,132		)		—				(10,908		)		See (c) below
			(1,765		)		(5,540		)		(5,294		)		(19,495		)		Total before tax
			685				2,153				2,157				7,574				Tax benefit
			$	(1,080	)		$	(3,387	)		$	(3,137	)		$	(11,921	)		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 updated 2013 Financial Statements.
	(b)	This AOCI component is included 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [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 segment. 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. Our sales to Office Depot (including OfficeMax) represented 9% of our total company sales revenue, for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 44% of our Paper segment sales revenue for both those periods, respectively. At September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had $64.6 million and $39.2 million of accounts receivable due from Office Depot (including OfficeMax), which represents 9% 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 September 30, 2014, we had approximately 14,000 employees and approximately 50% 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). Approximately 22% 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [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 $6.4 million at September 30, 2014, and $5.0 million at December 31, 2013. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $21.9 million and $56.9 million, respectively, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, fiber purchases from related parties were $7.0 million and $21.3 million, respectively. 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [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" of our updated 2013 Financial Statements.
	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 were as follows (dollars in millions):
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	1,174.20	$	1.5		$	1,175.70		$	164.7		(b)
	Paper		312.5		—			312.5			43			(c)
	Corporate and Other		32.2		37			69.2			(19.3		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(38.5		)	(38.5		)	—
			$	1,518.90	$	—		$	1,518.90		188.4
	Interest expense, net										(23.1		)	(e)
	Income before taxes										$	165.3
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	845.4	$	—		$	845.4		$	154.9		(f)
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(12.1		)	(g)
			$	845.4	$	—		$	845.4		142.8
	Interest expense, net										(11.9		)	(h)
	Income before taxes										$	130.9
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	3,413.80	$	4.5		$	3,418.30		$	501.8		(b)
	Paper		917		—			917			104.3			(c)
	Corporate and Other		87.9		112.8			200.7			(76.6		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(117.3		)	(117.3		)	—
			$	4,418.70	$	—		$	4,418.70		529.5
	Interest expense, net										(65.3		)	(e)
	Income before taxes										$	464.2
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	2,400.90	$	—		$	2,400.90		$	395.1		(f)
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(36.1		)	(g)
			$	2,400.90	$	—		$	2,400.90		359
	Interest expense, net										(30.4		)	(h)
	Income before taxes										$	328.6
	____________
	(a)	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
	(b)	Includes costs related primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, include $26.0 million and $47.8 million, respectively, of restructuring charges, primarily accelerated depreciation. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $1.0 million and $5.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(c)	Includes $0.4 million of income, net of expenses, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of integration related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(d)	Includes $2.0 million and $7.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	The nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(e)	Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.
	(f)	Includes $3.1 million and $10.9 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
	(g)	Includes $1.5 million of Boise acquisition-related costs primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services.
	(h)	Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

New_and_Recently_Adopted_Accou

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	'
	New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This ASU provides guidance that will explicitly require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this update will affect our financial position and results of operations.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements and converges areas under this topic with those of the International Financial Reporting Standards. The ASU implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The amendments in this ASU are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is prohibited. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 may have on our financial position and results of operations.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued 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. We adopted the provisions of this guidance in third quarter 2014, and it did not 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [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, which 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" of our updated 2013 Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in Note 10, Debt, and in Legal Proceedings below, at September 30, 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 September 30, 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. These costs were recorded in "Other expense, net" in our Consolidated Income Statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. On May 6, 2014, the court preliminarily approved the settlement. Notice of the proposed settlement was mailed to potential class members and $17.6 million was paid to the settlement fund escrow account in June 2014. The court granted final approval to the settlement on 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.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [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.

Change_in_Accounting_Principle2

Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [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 were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013										September 30, 2013
	Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported (a)				Effect of Change			As Adjusted			As Previously Reported (a)			Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Cost of sales		$	(618,663	)		$	822		$	(617,841	)	$	(1,799,285	)	$	6,503		$	(1,792,782	)
	Gross profit		226,777				822			227,599			601,592			6,503			608,095
	Income from operations		141,960				822			142,782			352,476			6,503			358,979
	Income before taxes		130,110				822			130,932			322,143			6,503			328,646
	Provision for income taxes		(45,930		)		(320		)	(46,250		)	(112,885		)	(2,533		)	(115,418		)
	Net income		84,180				502			84,682			209,258			3,970			213,228
	Comprehensive income		93,400				502			93,902			237,206			3,970			241,176
	Net income per common share:
	Basic		0.87				0.01			0.88			2.17			0.04			2.21
	Diluted		0.86				0.01			0.87			2.15			0.04			2.19
	___________
	(a)	Certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
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	'
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013
	Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Effect of Change			As Adjusted
	Net income		$	209,258			$	3,970		$	213,228
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Deferred income tax provision		3,604				2,533			6,137
	Change in inventories		1,875				(6,503		)	(4,628		)
Components of Inventories	'
	The components of inventories were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Raw materials	$	239,673			$	212,027
	Work in process	12,739				13,898
	Finished goods	195,538				209,972
	Supplies and materials	169,012				158,394
	Inventories	$	616,962			$	594,291

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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)
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013
	Net sales	$	4,256
	Net income (b)	$	248
	Net income per share—diluted (b)	$	2.54
	____________
	(a)	The 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 $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; interest expense on acquisition-related debt; and $7.5 million of pre-tax acquisition-related costs which primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, financing, and other professional or consulting fees.
	(b)	Included in pro forma net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, are $16.2 million of pre-tax costs, related primarily to the restructuring of Boise's white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota, and $15.2 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Components of Other (Income) Expense	'
	The components of other (income) expense were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep					30-Sep
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	DeRidder restructuring (a)	$	4,270	$	—		$	5,690	$	—
	Integration-related and other costs (b)	3,040		—			11,999		—
	Class action lawsuit settlement (c)	—		—			17,600		—
	Pension curtailment charges (d)	—		3,132			—		10,908
	Acquisition-related costs (e)	—		1,479			—		1,479
	Asset disposals and write-offs	2,854		3,486			6,912		9,508
	Other	2,146		(376		)	1,803		615
	Total	$	12,310	$	7,721		$	44,004	$	22,510
	___________
	(a)	Costs relate primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014.
	(b)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, include Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs.
	(c)	The nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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.
	(d)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, include $3.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
	(e)	The three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, both include $1.5 million of acquisition-related costs, primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services and expenses related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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					Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep					30-Sep
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	104,445		$	84,682	$	294,088		$	213,228
	Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(1,451		)	—		(4,381		)	—
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	102,994		$	84,682	$	289,707		$	213,228
	Denominator:
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	97,165			96,758		96,954			96,536
	Effect of dilutive securities	57			839		53			976
	Diluted common shares outstanding	97,222			97,597		97,007			97,512
	Basic income per common share	$	1.06		$	0.88	$	2.99		$	2.21
	Diluted income per common share	$	1.06		$	0.87	$	2.99		$	2.19

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'
	Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land and land improvements	$	138,486		$	140,592
	Buildings	645,173			628,948
	Machinery and equipment	4,374,819			4,246,294
	Construction in progress	253,150			168,808
	Other	53,177			48,058
	Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	5,464,805			5,232,700
	Less accumulated depreciation	(2,646,672		)	(2,426,996		)
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,818,133		$	2,805,704

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Goodwill
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	526,789
	Acquisitions (a)	10,734
	Adjustments related to purchase accounting (b)	4,388
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	541,911
	___________
	(a)	In April 2014, we acquired the assets of Crockett Packaging, a corrugated products manufacturer, for $21.2 million, before $0.9 million of working capital adjustments, and recorded $10.7 million of goodwill in our Packaging segment.
	(b)	Adjustments relate primarily to the Boise acquisition, see Note 3, Acquisitions, for more information.
Components of Intangible Assets	'
	The weighted average remaining useful life, gross carrying amount, and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-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	14.5		$	311,461	$	31,759	15.4	$	306,361	$	16,509
	Trademarks and trade names	13.6		21,770		2,455		14.7	21,370		794
	Other	2.4		220		141		3	220		109
	Total intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	14.4		$	333,451	$	34,355	15.4	$	327,951	$	17,412

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Components of Accrued Liabilities	'
	The components of accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and benefits	$	136,996	$	130,455
	Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	27,942		20,232
	Medical insurance and workers’ compensation	26,185		26,399
	Customer volume discounts and rebates	12,695		11,436
	Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	6,829		7,812
	Severance	2,052		8,172
	Legal contingencies	1,283		1,000
	Other	14,776		8,552
	Total	$	228,758	$	214,058

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Debt	'
	Our long-term debt and interest rates on that debt were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		September 30, 2014				31-Dec-13
		Amount		Interest Rate		Amount		Interest Rate
	Revolving Credit Facility, due October 2018	$	—	—	%	$	—	—	%
	Five-Year Term Loan, due October 2018	65,000		1.53		650,000		1.54
	Seven-Year Term Loan, due October 2020	645,125		1.78		650,000		1.79
	6.50% Senior Notes, net of discounts of $22 and $26 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due March 2018	149,978		6.5		149,974		6.5
	3.90% Senior Notes, net of discounts of $275 and $302 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due June 2022	399,725		3.9		399,698		3.9
	4.50% Senior Notes, net of discount of $1,714 and $1,827 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, due November 2023	698,286		4.5		698,173		4.5
	3.65% Senior Notes, net of discount of $1,130 as of September 30, 2014, due September 2024	398,870		3.65		—		—
	Total	2,356,984		3.56		2,547,845		3.08
	Less current portion	6,500		1.78		39,000		1.59
	Total long-term debt	$	2,350,484	3.56	%	$	2,508,845	3.1	%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth1

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plans	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension plans were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	5,828		$	5,825		$	17,428		$	18,322
	Interest cost	11,507			4,269			34,400			12,250
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,657		)	(3,796		)	(38,008		)	(11,297		)
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service cost	1,641			163			4,922			3,284
	Actuarial loss	155			2,217			465			5,221
	Curtailment loss (a)	—			3,132			—			10,908
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,474		$	11,810		$	19,207		$	38,688
	___________
	(a)	In June 2013, the United Steelworkers (“USW”) ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented corrugated plant employees pension accruals under PCA’s hourly pension plan. Additionally, in September 2013, the USW ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented containerboard mill employees pension accruals under PCA’s hourly pension plan. Following the pension freezes, affected USW-represented employees will transition to a defined contribution 401k plan. We recorded a $3.1 million and $10.9 million pre-tax pension curtailment charge related to the unrecognized prior service costs of employees impacted by the pension freezes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We also remeasured the hourly pension plan benefit obligation using current fair values of plan assets and current assumptions, resulting in a decrease in the benefit obligation of $21.9 million with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $13.4 million and deferred taxes of $8.5 million.
Postretirement Plans	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement plans were as follows (dollars in thousands):
		Postretirement Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep						30-Sep
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	392		$	515		$	1,177		$	1,545
	Interest cost	311			311			933			934
	Net amortization of unrecognized amounts
	Prior service benefit	(57		)	(106		)	(170		)	(319		)
	Actuarial loss	26			134			77			401
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	672		$	854		$	2,017		$	2,561

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 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	229,489			70.24				56,889			71.19
	Vested	(475,050	)		23.86				—			—
	Forfeitures	(1,165	)		62.74				—			—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,216,968			$	41.73			127,489			$	58.25
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								Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep								30-Sep
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Restricted stock	$	(3,453	)		$	(2,933	)		$	(10,501	)		$	(9,691	)
	Performance units	(594		)		(249		)		(1,147		)		(265		)
	Impact on income before income taxes	(4,047		)		(3,182		)		(11,648		)		(9,956		)
	Income tax benefit	1,572				1,237				4,530				3,868
	Impact on net income	$	(2,475	)		$	(1,945	)		$	(7,118	)		$	(6,088	)
Unrecognized Compensation For Restricted Stock and Performance Units	'
	The unrecognized compensation expense for all share-based awards at September 30, 2014, was as follows (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Unrecognized Compensation Expense				Remaining Weighted Average Recognition Period (in years)
	Restricted stock	$	30,543			2.7
	Performance units	6,025				3.4
	Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense	$	36,568			2.8

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [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	(1,656		)		—				—				—				(1,656		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	—				2,584			(a)	15			(b)	3,137			(c)	5,736
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,656		)		2,584				15				3,137				4,080
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(1,792	)		$	(25,607	)		$	(356	)		$	(33,189	)		$	(60,944	)
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								Nine Months Ended								Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
			30-Sep								30-Sep
	Details about AOCI Components		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Unrealized loss on treasury locks, net		$	(1,414	)		$	(1,414	)		$	(4,242	)		$	(4,242	)		See (a) below
			549				549				1,658				1,648				Tax benefit
			$	(865	)		$	(865	)		$	(2,584	)		$	(2,594	)		Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on foreign exchange contracts		$	(9	)		$	(8	)		$	(25	)		$	(25	)		See (b) below
			4				3				10				10				Tax benefit
			$	(5	)		$	(5	)		$	(15	)		$	(15	)		Net of tax
	Unfunded employee benefit obligations
	Amortization of prior service costs		$	(1,584	)		$	(57	)		$	(4,752	)		$	(2,965	)		See (c) below
	Amortization of actuarial losses		(181		)		(2,351		)		(542		)		(5,622		)		See (c) below
	Curtailment loss		—				(3,132		)		—				(10,908		)		See (c) below
			(1,765		)		(5,540		)		(5,294		)		(19,495		)		Total before tax
			685				2,153				2,157				7,574				Tax benefit
			$	(1,080	)		$	(3,387	)		$	(3,137	)		$	(11,921	)		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 updated 2013 Financial Statements.
	(b)	This AOCI component is included 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Analysis of Operations by Reportable Segment	'
	An analysis of operations by reportable segment were as follows (dollars in millions):
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	1,174.20	$	1.5		$	1,175.70		$	164.7		(b)
	Paper		312.5		—			312.5			43			(c)
	Corporate and Other		32.2		37			69.2			(19.3		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(38.5		)	(38.5		)	—
			$	1,518.90	$	—		$	1,518.90		188.4
	Interest expense, net										(23.1		)	(e)
	Income before taxes										$	165.3
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	845.4	$	—		$	845.4		$	154.9		(f)
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(12.1		)	(g)
			$	845.4	$	—		$	845.4		142.8
	Interest expense, net										(11.9		)	(h)
	Income before taxes										$	130.9
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (a)		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	3,413.80	$	4.5		$	3,418.30		$	501.8		(b)
	Paper		917		—			917			104.3			(c)
	Corporate and Other		87.9		112.8			200.7			(76.6		)	(d)
	Intersegment eliminations		—		(117.3		)	(117.3		)	—
			$	4,418.70	$	—		$	4,418.70		529.5
	Interest expense, net										(65.3		)	(e)
	Income before taxes										$	464.2
			Sales, net								Operating Income (Loss)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013		Trade		Inter-			Total
					segment
	Packaging		$	2,400.90	$	—		$	2,400.90		$	395.1		(f)
	Corporate and Other		—		—			—			(36.1		)	(g)
			$	2,400.90	$	—		$	2,400.90		359
	Interest expense, net										(30.4		)	(h)
	Income before taxes										$	328.6
	____________
	(a)	On October 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
	(b)	Includes costs related primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, include $26.0 million and $47.8 million, respectively, of restructuring charges, primarily accelerated depreciation. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $1.0 million and $5.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(c)	Includes $0.4 million of income, net of expenses, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of integration related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(d)	Includes $2.0 million and $7.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
	The nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
	(e)	Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.
	(f)	Includes $3.1 million and $10.9 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
	(g)	Includes $1.5 million of Boise acquisition-related costs primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services.
	(h)	Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended	10 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 23, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reportable segments	3	1

Change_in_Accounting_Principle3

Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Pro Forma Effect Had Inventory Change Not Been Made

Pro Forma Effect Had Inventory Change Not Been Made

As Previously Reported (under LIFO)

As Previously Reported (under LIFO)

As Previously Reported (under LIFO)

Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Change in Accounting Method for Inventory Valuation

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of sales

($1,198,607)

($617,841)

($3,486,108)

($1,792,782)

'

$822

$6,503

'

'

'

'

($618,663)

[1]

($1,799,285)

[1]

'

Gross profit

320,333

227,599

932,545

608,095

'

822

6,503

'

'

'

'

226,777

[1]

601,592

[1]

'

Income from operations

188,378

[2]

142,782

529,534

[2]

358,979

'

822

6,503

'

'

'

'

141,960

[1]

352,476

[1]

'

Income before taxes

165,267

[2]

130,932

464,223

[2]

328,646

'

822

6,503

'

'

'

'

130,110

[1]

322,143

[1]

'

Provision for income taxes

-60,822

-46,250

-170,135

-115,418

'

-320

-2,533

'

'

'

'

-45,930

[1]

-112,885

[1]

'

Net income

104,445

84,682

294,088

213,228

'

502

3,970

'

'

1,700

1,500

84,180

[1]

209,258

[1]

'

Comprehensive income

104,831

93,902

298,168

241,176

'

502

3,970

'

'

'

'

93,400

[1]

237,206

[1]

'

Net income per common share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic (in dollars per share)

$1.06

$0.88

$2.99

$2.21

'

$0.01

$0.04

'

'

'

'

$0.87

[1]

$2.17

[1]

'

Diluted (in dollars per share)

$1.06

$0.87

$2.99

$2.19

'

$0.01

$0.04

'

'

'

'

$0.86

[1]

$2.15

[1]

'

Consolidated Balance Sheet

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventories

616,962

'

616,962

'

594,291

'

'

71,768

'

-69,300

-69,300

'

'

522,523

Deferred income tax assets

32,280

'

32,280

'

47,616

'

'

-27,963

'

'

'

'

'

75,579

Retained earnings

1,184,155

'

1,184,155

'

1,019,101

'

'

43,805

38,800

'

'

'

'

975,296

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

104,445

84,682

294,088

213,228

'

502

3,970

'

'

1,700

1,500

84,180

[1]

209,258

[1]

'

Deferred income tax provision

'

'

17,427

6,137

'

'

2,533

'

'

'

'

'

3,604

'

Inventories

'

'

($22,520)

($4,628)

'

'

($6,503)

'

'

'

'

'

$1,875

'

[1]

Certain amounts in prior periods' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

[2]

On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.

Change_in_Accounting_Principle4

Change in Accounting Principle: Inventories Components of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$239,673	$212,027
Work in process	12,739	13,898
Finished goods	195,538	209,972
Supplies and materials	169,012	158,394
Inventories	$616,962	$594,291

Acquisitions_Narrative_Details

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
				Boise Inc.	Boise Inc.	Boise Inc.	Packaging	Packaging	Packaging	Packaging
									Crockett Packaging	Crockett Packaging
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity	'		'	'	$2,100,000,000	'	'	'	$21,200,000	'
Working capital adjustments	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-900,000
Goodwill	541,911,000		526,789,000	'	'	'	487,900,000	472,900,000	'	10,700,000
Intangible assets acquired	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,500,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years
Outstanding stock and voting equity interests acquired	'		'	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Adjustments related to purchase accounting	$4,388,000	[1]	'	$4,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
[1]	Adjustments relate primarily to the Boise acquisition, see Note 3, Acquisitions, for more information.

Acquisitions_Pro_Forma_Financi

Acquisitions Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (Boise Inc., USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Net sales	$4,256	[1]
Net income	248	[1],[2]
Net income per share - diluted	$2.54	[1],[2]
Major Maintenance	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Net income	12.5
Acquisition-Related Costs	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Pre-tax income from operations	7.5
Restructuring Charges	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Pre-tax income from operations	16.2
Incremental Depreciation	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Pre-tax income from operations	$15.20
[1]	The 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 $12.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013); elimination of intercompany transactions; depreciation and amortization related to fair value adjustments to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets; interest expense on acquisition-related debt; and $7.5 million of pre-tax acquisition-related costs which primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, financing, and other professional or consulting fees.
[2]	Included in pro forma net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, are $16.2 million of pre-tax costs, related primarily to the restructuring of Boise's white paper mill in International Falls, Minnesota, and $15.2 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				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Other Expense, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
DeRidder restructuring	$4,270	[1]	$0		$5,690	[1]	$0
Integration-related and other costs	3,040	[2]	0		11,999	[2]	0
Class action lawsuit settlement	0		0		17,600	[3]	0
Pension curtailment charges	0		3,132	[4]	0		10,908	[4]
Acquisition-related costs	0		1,479	[5]	0		1,479	[5]
Asset disposals and write-offs	2,854		3,486		6,912		9,508
Other	2,146		-376		1,803		615
Total	12,310		7,721		44,004		22,510
Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'
Other Expense, Net [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Class action lawsuit settlement	'		'		$17,600	[3]	'
[1]	Costs relate primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014.
[2]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, include Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs.
[3]	The nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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.
[4]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, include $3.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
[5]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, both include $1.5 million of acquisition-related costs, primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services and expenses related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$104,445	$84,682	$294,088	$213,228
Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-1,451	0	-4,381	0
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$102,994	$84,682	$289,707	$213,228
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	97,165	96,758	96,954	96,536
Effect of dilutive securities	57	839	53	976
Diluted common shares outstanding	97,222	97,597	97,007	97,512
Basic income per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.06	$0.88	$2.99	$2.21
Diluted income per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.06	$0.87	$2.99	$2.19

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision	$60,822,000	$46,250,000	$170,135,000	$115,418,000
Effective income tax rate, percent	36.80%	35.30%	36.60%	35.10%
Effective income tax rate, at federal statutory income tax rate, percent	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received	'	'	$110,800,000	$45,700,000

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	$5,464,805,000	'	$5,464,805,000	'	$5,232,700,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-2,646,672,000	'	-2,646,672,000	'	-2,426,996,000
Property, plant, and equipment, net	2,818,133,000	'	2,818,133,000	'	2,805,704,000
Depreciation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	95,100,000	42,400,000	264,100,000	125,200,000	'
Incremental depreciation	18,200,000	'	35,400,000	'	'
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment included in accounts payable	'	'	49,600,000	'	'
Land and Land Improvements	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	138,486,000	'	138,486,000	'	140,592,000
Buildings	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	645,173,000	'	645,173,000	'	628,948,000
Machinery and Equipment	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	4,374,819,000	'	4,374,819,000	'	4,246,294,000
Construction in Progress	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	253,150,000	'	253,150,000	'	168,808,000
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	$53,177,000	'	$53,177,000	'	$48,058,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended						0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Packaging	Packaging	Paper	Paper	Crockett Packaging	Crockett Packaging
							Packaging	Packaging
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$541,911,000		$487,900,000	$472,900,000	$54,000,000	$53,900,000	'	$10,700,000
Business acquisition, cost of acquired entity	'		'	'	'	'	21,200,000	'
Working capital adjustments	'		'	'	'	'	'	-900,000
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	526,789,000		487,900,000	472,900,000	54,000,000	53,900,000	'	'
Acquisitions	10,734,000	[1]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments related to purchase accounting	4,388,000	[2]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at September 30, 2014	$541,911,000		$487,900,000	$472,900,000	$54,000,000	$53,900,000	'	$10,700,000
[1]	In April 2014, we acquired the assets of Crockett Packaging, a corrugated products manufacturer, for $21.2 million, before $0.9 million of working capital adjustments, and recorded $10.7 million of goodwill in our Packaging segment.
[2]	Adjustments relate primarily to the Boise acquisition, see Note 3, Acquisitions, for more information.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'	'	'14 years 5 months 1 day	'	'15 years 4 months 10 days
Gross Carrying Amount	$333,451,000	'	$333,451,000	'	$327,951,000
Accumulated Amortization	34,355,000	'	34,355,000	'	17,412,000
Intangible assets amortization expense	5,700,000	800,000	16,900,000	2,500,000	'
Customer Relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'	'	'14 years 5 months 23 days	'	'15 years 4 months 28 days
Gross Carrying Amount	311,461,000	'	311,461,000	'	306,361,000
Accumulated Amortization	31,759,000	'	31,759,000	'	16,509,000
Trademarks and Trade Names	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'	'	'13 years 7 months 13 days	'	'14 years 8 months 16 days
Gross Carrying Amount	21,770,000	'	21,770,000	'	21,370,000
Accumulated Amortization	2,455,000	'	2,455,000	'	794,000
Other Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (in Years)	'	'	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'3 years
Gross Carrying Amount	220,000	'	220,000	'	220,000
Accumulated Amortization	$141,000	'	$141,000	'	$109,000

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Compensation and benefits	$136,996	$130,455
Franchise, property, sales and use taxes	27,942	20,232
Medical insurance and workersb compensation	26,185	26,399
Customer volume discounts and rebates	12,695	11,436
Environmental liabilities and asset retirement obligations	6,829	7,812
Severance	2,052	8,172
Legal contingencies	1,283	1,000
Other	14,776	8,552
Total	$228,758	$214,058

Debt_Summary_of_Debt_Details

Debt Summary of Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 05, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	$2,356,984	'	$2,547,845
Less current portion	6,500	'	39,000
Long-term debt	2,350,484	'	2,508,845
Weighted-average interest rate	3.56%	'	3.08%
Line of Credit	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	0	'	0
Stated interest rate	0.00%	'	0.00%
Credit facility, expiration date	18-Oct-18	'	'
Five-Year Term Loan, due October 2018 | Unsecured Debt	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	65,000	'	650,000
Stated interest rate	1.53%	'	1.54%
Debt instrument, maturity date	18-Oct-18	'	'
Seven-Year Term Loan, due October 2020 | Unsecured Debt	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	645,125	'	650,000
Stated interest rate	1.78%	'	1.79%
Debt instrument, maturity date	18-Oct-20	'	'
6.50% Senior Notes, due March 2018 | Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	149,978	'	149,974
Stated interest rate	6.50%	'	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Mar-18	'	'
Senior notes, discount	22	'	26
3.90% Senior Notes, due June 2022 | Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	399,725	'	399,698
Stated interest rate	3.90%	'	3.90%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Jun-22	'	'
Senior notes, discount	275	'	302
4.50% Senior Notes, due November 2023 | Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	698,286	'	698,173
Stated interest rate	4.50%	'	4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Nov-23	'	'
Senior notes, discount	1,714	'	1,827
3.65% Senior Notes, due September 2024 | Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt	398,870	'	0
Stated interest rate	3.65%	3.65%	0.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	15-Sep-24	'	'
Senior notes, discount	$1,130	'	'
Current Portion of Long-term Debt	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stated interest rate	1.78%	'	1.59%
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Portion	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted-average interest rate	3.56%	'	3.10%

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 05, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Write-Off of Deferred Financing Costs

Write-Off of Deferred Financing Costs

3.65% Senior Notes, due September 2024

3.65% Senior Notes, due September 2024

3.65% Senior Notes, due September 2024

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

$400,000,000

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

3.65%

3.65%

0.00%

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt

'

'

589,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing costs paid

'

'

3,209,000

8,220,000

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments paid for interest

'

'

50,000,000

21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remainder of 2014

1,600,000

'

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

6,500,000

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

6,500,000

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

6,500,000

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

221,500,000

'

221,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2019

6,500,000

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2020 and thereafter

2,100,000,000

'

2,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of net (loss) gain on treasury lock

1,400,000

1,400,000

4,200,000

4,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of financing costs

2,000,000

2,900,000

2,900,000

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of deferred financing costs

-23,111,000

[1],[2]

-11,850,000

[3]

-65,311,000

[1],[2]

-30,333,000

[3]

'

'

'

1,500,000

1,500,000

Book value of fixed rate debt

1,646,900,000

'

1,646,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Book value of variable rate debt

710,100,000

'

710,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt (fixed-rate debt), fair value

$1,713,100,000

'

$1,713,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.

[2]

On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.

[3]

Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_and_Oth2

Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Curtailment loss	$0	$3,132,000	[1]	$0	$10,908,000	[1]
Pension Plans	'	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Service cost	5,828,000	5,825,000		17,428,000	18,322,000
Interest cost	11,507,000	4,269,000		34,400,000	12,250,000
Expected return on plan assets	-12,657,000	-3,796,000		-38,008,000	-11,297,000
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Prior service cost	1,641,000	163,000		4,922,000	3,284,000
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Actuarial loss	155,000	2,217,000		465,000	5,221,000
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Curtailment loss	0	3,132,000	[2]	0	10,908,000	[2]
Net periodic benefit cost	6,474,000	11,810,000		19,207,000	38,688,000
Decrease in the benefit obligation	'	-21,900,000		'	'
Decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	13,400,000		'	'
Deferred taxes	'	8,500,000		'	'
Pension Contributions [Abstract]	'	'		'	'
Contributions to pension plans in 2014	'	'		400,000	'
Postretirement Plans	'	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Service cost	392,000	515,000		1,177,000	1,545,000
Interest cost	311,000	311,000		933,000	934,000
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Prior service cost	-57,000	-106,000		-170,000	-319,000
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts, Actuarial loss	26,000	134,000		77,000	401,000
Net periodic benefit cost	$672,000	$854,000		$2,017,000	$2,561,000
[1]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, include $3.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
[2]	In June 2013, the United Steelworkers (bUSWb) ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented corrugated plant employees pension accruals under PCAbs hourly pension plan. Additionally, in September 2013, the USW ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented containerboard mill employees pension accruals under PCAbs hourly pension plan. Following the pension freezes, affected USW-represented employees will transition to a defined contribution 401k plan. We recorded a $3.1 million and $10.9 million pre-tax pension curtailment charge related to the unrecognized prior service costs of employees impacted by the pension freezes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We also remeasured the hourly pension plan benefit obligation using current fair values of plan assets and current assumptions, resulting in a decrease in the benefit obligation of $21.9 million with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $13.4 million and deferred taxes of $8.5 million.

Sharebased_Compensation_Additi

Share-based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 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	1.9

Sharebased_Compensation_Summar

Share-based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock and Performance Unit Award Activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock	'
Restricted stock and performance unit award activity (shares) [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,463,694
Granted	229,489
Vested	-475,050
Forfeitures	-1,165
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	1,216,968
Restricted stock and performance unit award activity (weighted average grant-date fair value) [Abstract]	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at December 31, 2013	$31.48
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares granted	$70.24
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested	$23.86
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares forfeitures	$62.74
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at June 30, 2014	$41.73
Performance Units	'
Restricted stock and performance unit award activity (shares) [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	70,600
Granted	56,889
Vested	0
Forfeitures	0
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	127,489
Restricted stock and performance unit award activity (weighted average grant-date fair value) [Abstract]	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at December 31, 2013	$47.83
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares granted	$71.19
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested	$0
Weighted average grant-date fair value of shares forfeitures	$0
Weighted average grant-date fair value of outstanding shares at June 30, 2014	$58.25

Sharebased_Compensation_Compen

Share-based Compensation Compensation Expense for Restricted Stock and Performance Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	($4,047)	($3,182)	($11,648)	($9,956)
Income tax benefit	1,572	1,237	4,530	3,868
Impact on net income	-2,475	-1,945	-7,118	-6,088
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	-3,453	-2,933	-10,501	-9,691
Performance Units	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Impact on income before income taxes	($594)	($249)	($1,147)	($265)

Sharebased_Compensation_Unreco

Share-based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Expense for Share-Based Awards (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$36,568
Remaining weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 9 months 23 days
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	30,543
Remaining weighted-average recognition period	'2 years 8 months 25 days
Performance Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized compensation expense	$6,025
Remaining weighted-average recognition period	'3 years 4 months 13 days

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
						Subsequent Event
Common stock dividends paid	'	'	'	$118,004	$69,883	$39,400
Dividends declared per common share	$0.40	$0.40	$0.40	$1.20	$1.11	'
Dividends payable date	'	'	'	'	'	15-Oct-14
Dividends payable, date of record	15-Sep-14	'	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 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), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

-1,656,000

'

-1,656,000

0

0

0

'

Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax

'

'

5,736,000

'

0

3,137,000

[1]

2,584,000

[2]

15,000

[3]

'

Other comprehensive income

386,000

9,220,000

4,080,000

27,948,000

-1,656,000

3,137,000

2,584,000

15,000

'

Balance at September 30, 2014

-60,944,000

'

-60,944,000

'

-1,792,000

-33,189,000

-25,607,000

-356,000

'

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 updated 2013 Financial Statements.

[3]

This AOCI component is included in cost of sales.

Stockholders_Equity_Reclassifi

Stockholders' Equity Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest expense, net	($23,111)	[1],[2]	($11,850)	[3]	($65,311)	[1],[2]	($30,333)	[3]
Cost of sales	-1,198,607		-617,841		-3,486,108		-1,792,782
Income before taxes	165,267	[2]	130,932		464,223	[2]	328,646
Provision for income taxes	-60,822		-46,250		-170,135		-115,418
Net income	104,445		84,682		294,088		213,228
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	[4]	-57	[4]	-4,752	[4]	-2,965	[4]
Amortization of actuarial losses	-181	[4]	-2,351	[4]	-542	[4]	-5,622	[4]
Curtailment loss	0	[4]	-3,132	[4]	0	[4]	-10,908	[4]
Income before taxes	-1,765		-5,540		-5,294		-19,495
Provision for income taxes	685		2,153		2,157		7,574
Net income	-1,080		-3,387		-3,137		-11,921
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	[5]	-1,414	[5]	-4,242	[5]	-4,242	[5]
Provision for income taxes	549		549		1,658		1,648
Net income	-865		-865		-2,584		-2,594
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	-9	[6]	-8	[6]	-25	[6]	-25	[6]
Provision for income taxes	4		3		10		10
Net income	($5)		($5)		($15)		($15)
[1]	Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.
[2]	On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[3]	Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.
[4]	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.
[5]	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 updated 2013 Financial Statements.
[6]	This AOCI component is included in cost of sales.

Concentrations_of_Risk_Details

Concentrations of Risk (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements	Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements Expiring within One Year	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)	Paper
					Credit Concentration Risk	Credit Concentration Risk	Total Company Sales Revenue	Total Company Sales Revenue	Total Company Receivables	Total Company Receivables	Office Depot (including OfficeMax)
							Customer Concentration Risk	Customer Concentration Risk	Customer Concentration Risk	Customer Concentration Risk	Paper Segment Sales Revenue
											Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	'	50.00%	22.00%	'	'	9.00%	9.00%	6.00%	9.00%	44.00%
Accounts receivable, net, current	$717,947	$643,083	'	'	$64,600	$39,200	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees of PCA	14,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of hourly employees represented by unions	75.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Transactions_With_Related_Part1

Transactions With Related Parties (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Boise Cascade Co-Owner of LTP	Boise Cascade Co-Owner of LTP	Boise Cascade Co-Owner of LTP
				Fiber	Fiber
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Carrying amount of LTP's assets	$6.40	$5	'	'	'
Carrying amount of LTP's liabilities	6.4	5	'	'	'
Revenue from related parties	'	'	'	21.9	56.9
Fiber costs from related parties	'	'	'	$7	$21.30

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				10 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Oct. 23, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Number of reportable segments	'		'		3		'		1
Trade sales	$1,518,900,000	[1]	$845,400,000		$4,418,700,000	[1]	$2,400,900,000		'
Net sales	1,518,940,000		845,440,000		4,418,653,000		2,400,877,000		'
Operating income (loss)	188,378,000	[1]	142,782,000		529,534,000	[1]	358,979,000		'
Interest expense, net	-23,111,000	[1],[2]	-11,850,000	[3]	-65,311,000	[1],[2]	-30,333,000	[3]	'
Income before taxes	165,267,000	[1]	130,932,000		464,223,000	[1]	328,646,000		'
DeRidder restructuring	4,270,000	[4]	0		5,690,000	[4]	0		'
Integration-related and other costs	3,040,000	[5]	0		11,999,000	[5]	0		'
Class action lawsuit settlement	0		0		17,600,000	[6]	0		'
Curtailment loss	0		3,132,000	[7]	0		10,908,000	[7]	'
Acquisition-related costs	0		1,479,000	[8]	0		1,479,000	[8]	'
Packaging	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Trade sales	1,174,200,000	[1]	845,400,000		3,413,800,000	[1]	2,400,900,000		'
Operating income (loss)	164,700,000	[1],[9]	154,900,000	[10]	501,800,000	[1],[9]	395,100,000	[10]	'
DeRidder restructuring	26,000,000		'		47,800,000		'		'
Paper	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Trade sales	312,500,000	[1]	'		917,000,000	[1]	'		'
Operating income (loss)	43,000,000	[1],[11]	'		104,300,000	[1],[11]	'		'
Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Trade sales	32,200,000	[1]	0		87,900,000	[1]	0		'
Operating income (loss)	-19,300,000	[1],[12]	-12,100,000	[13]	-76,600,000	[1],[12]	-36,100,000	[13]	'
Class action lawsuit settlement	'		'		17,600,000	[6]	'		'
Intersegment Eliminations	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Intersegment sales	0	[1]	0		0	[1]	0		'
Intersegment Eliminations | Packaging	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Intersegment sales	1,500,000	[1]	0		4,500,000	[1]	0		'
Intersegment Eliminations | Paper	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Intersegment sales	0	[1]	'		0	[1]	'		'
Intersegment Eliminations | Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Intersegment sales	37,000,000	[1]	0		112,800,000	[1]	0		'
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment Eliminations	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Intersegment sales	-38,500,000	[1]	'		-117,300,000	[1]	'		'
Operating Segments	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Net sales	1,518,900,000	[1]	845,400,000		4,418,700,000	[1]	2,400,900,000		'
Operating Segments | Packaging	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Net sales	1,175,700,000	[1]	845,400,000		3,418,300,000	[1]	2,400,900,000		'
Operating Segments | Paper	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Net sales	312,500,000	[1]	'		917,000,000	[1]	'		'
Operating Segments | Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Net sales	69,200,000	[1]	0		200,700,000	[1]	0		'
Operating Segments | Intersegment Eliminations	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Net sales	-38,500,000	[1]	'		-117,300,000	[1]	'		'
Other Expense, Net | Paper	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Integration-related and other costs	'		'		-400,000		'		'
Boise Inc. | Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Acquisition-related costs	'		1,500,000		'		1,500,000		'
Boise Inc. | Other Expense, Net | Packaging	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Integration-related and other costs	1,000,000		'		5,400,000		'		'
Boise Inc. | Other Expense, Net | Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Integration-related and other costs	2,000,000		'		7,000,000		'		'
Pension Plans	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Curtailment loss	0		3,132,000	[14]	0		10,908,000	[14]	'
Pension Plans | Packaging	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Curtailment loss	'		3,100,000		'		10,900,000		'
Write-Off of Deferred Financing Costs	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest expense, net	1,500,000		'		1,500,000		'		'
Acquisition-Related Debt Financing Costs [Member] | Acquisition Financing Expense | Boise Inc.	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest expense, net	'		$2,700,000		'		$2,700,000		'
[1]	On OctoberB 25, 2013, we acquired Boise. The 2014 results include Boise for the full period.
[2]	Includes $1.5 million of expense related to the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with the debt refinancing discussed in Note 10, Debt.
[3]	Includes $2.7 million of acquisition-related costs primarily related to financing the acquisition of Boise.
[4]	Costs relate primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014.
[5]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, include Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs.
[6]	The nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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.
[7]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, include $3.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
[8]	The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, both include $1.5 million of acquisition-related costs, primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services and expenses related to financing the acquisition of Boise.
[9]	Includes costs related primarily to the conversion of the Number 3 newsprint machine at our DeRidder, Louisiana, mill to produce lightweight linerboard and corrugating medium, and our exit from the newsprint business in September 2014. The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, include $26.0 million and $47.8 million, respectively, of restructuring charges, primarily accelerated depreciation. The three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, includes $1.0 million and $5.4 million of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
[10]	Includes $3.1 million and $10.9 million, for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013, respectively, of non-cash pension curtailment charges related to pension plan changes in which certain hourly corrugated plant and containerboard mill employees will transition from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution (401k) plan.
[11]	Includes $0.4 million of income, net of expenses, for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, of integration related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".
[12]	Includes $2.0 million and $7.0 million, for the three and nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, of Boise acquisition integration-related and other costs recorded in "Other expense, net".The nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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. These costs are recorded in "Other expense, net".
[13]	Includes $1.5 million of Boise acquisition-related costs primarily for professional fees related to transaction-advisory services.
[14]	In June 2013, the United Steelworkers (bUSWb) ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented corrugated plant employees pension accruals under PCAbs hourly pension plan. Additionally, in September 2013, the USW ratified a master labor agreement with PCA under which we froze certain USW-represented containerboard mill employees pension accruals under PCAbs hourly pension plan. Following the pension freezes, affected USW-represented employees will transition to a defined contribution 401k plan. We recorded a $3.1 million and $10.9 million pre-tax pension curtailment charge related to the unrecognized prior service costs of employees impacted by the pension freezes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We also remeasured the hourly pension plan benefit obligation using current fair values of plan assets and current assumptions, resulting in a decrease in the benefit obligation of $21.9 million with a corresponding decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $13.4 million and deferred taxes of $8.5 million.

Commitments_Guarantees_Indemni1

Commitments, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'		'
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	'	$0	$0	$17,600	[1]	$0
[1]	The nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014, includes $17.6 million of costs 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.