Sonoco Products (SON) 10-Q 29 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	28-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'SON	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SONOCO PRODUCTS CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000091767	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	101,260,106

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$231,556	$217,567	[1]
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances	707,311	614,053	[1]
Other receivables	35,427	38,995	[1]
Inventories:	'	'
Finished and in process	138,507	158,256	[1]
Materials and supplies	265,073	252,531	[1]
Prepaid expenses	55,199	57,666	[1]
Deferred income taxes	37,734	39,406	[1]
Total Current Assets	1,470,807	1,378,474	[1]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,018,780	1,021,920	[1]
Goodwill	1,089,700	1,099,207	[1]
Other Intangible Assets, Net	222,536	243,920	[1]
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	37,723	67,364	[1]
Other Assets	173,458	168,406	[1]
Total Assets	4,013,004	3,979,291	[1]
Current Liabilities	'	'
Payable to suppliers	514,397	491,809	[1]
Accrued expenses and other	336,416	331,566	[1]
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	71,700	35,201	[1]
Accrued taxes	6,161	8,649	[1]
Total Current Liabilities	928,674	867,225	[1]
Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion	945,900	946,257	[1]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	222,933	263,718	[1]
Deferred Income Taxes	134,583	128,006	[1]
Other Liabilities	45,088	48,760	[1]
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	[1]
Sonoco Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common stock, no par value, Authorized 300,000 shares 101,760 and 102,147 shares issued and outstanding at June 29, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	7,175	7,175	[1]
Capital in excess of stated value	426,088	457,190	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-404,907	-358,520	[1]
Retained earnings	1,692,139	1,604,892	[1]
Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity	1,720,495	1,710,737	[1]
Noncontrolling Interests	15,331	14,588	[1]
Total Equity	1,735,826	1,725,325	[1]
Total Liabilities and Equity	$4,013,004	$3,979,291	[1]
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, number of shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, number of shares issued	101,356,000	102,147,000
Common stock, number of shares outstanding	101,356,000	102,147,000

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,263,574	$1,227,749	$3,696,580	$3,633,218
Cost of sales	1,035,910	1,003,712	3,024,876	2,980,901
Gross profit	227,664	224,037	671,704	652,317
Selling, general and administrative expenses	110,507	117,935	360,712	359,794
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	5,908	5,818	11,571	18,785
Income before interest and income taxes	111,249	100,284	299,421	273,738
Interest expense	13,620	15,119	40,574	45,400
Interest income	702	833	1,878	2,439
Income before income taxes	98,331	85,998	260,725	230,777
Provision for income taxes	28,891	27,085	82,053	74,746
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	69,440	58,913	178,672	156,031
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	2,294	2,512	6,896	8,233
Net income	71,734	61,425	185,568	164,264
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-810	-185	-858	103
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$70,924	$61,240	$184,710	$164,367
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	102,128	102,835	102,451	102,586
Diluted (in shares)	103,087	103,510	103,425	103,164
Net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	$0.69	$0.60	$1.80	$1.60
Diluted (in usd per share)	$0.69	$0.59	$1.79	$1.59
Cash dividends (in usd per share)	$0.32	$0.31	$0.95	$0.92

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$71,734	$61,425	$185,568	$164,264
Other comprehensive income/(loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-48,018	20,351	-46,854	-20,348
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax	4,386	7,782	387	20,507
Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax	-1,229	1,462	80	4,352
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	-44,861	29,595	-46,387	4,511
Comprehensive income	26,873	91,020	139,181	168,775
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-810	-185	-858	103
Other comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	250	-32	115	595
Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco	$26,313	$90,803	$138,438	$169,473

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 29, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'		'
Net income	$185,568		$164,264
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'		'
Asset impairment	4,139		7,352
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	144,728		145,574
Share-based compensation expense	11,789		7,658
Equity in earnings of affiliates	-6,896		-8,233
Cash dividends from affiliated companies	5,494		8,636
Gain on disposition of assets	-1,173		-1,286
Pension and postretirement plan expense	29,780		46,678
Pension and postretirement plan contributions	-58,421		-30,514
Tax effect of share-based compensation exercises	2,341		6,867
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	-2,511		-3,324
Net increase in deferred taxes	18,076		22,504
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, dispositions, and foreign currency adjustments:	'		'
Trade accounts receivable	-102,862		-78,003
Inventories	1,018		-13,069
Payable to suppliers	28,661		75,207
Prepaid expenses	-10,772		-1,958
Accrued expenses	20,823		25,078
Income taxes payable and other income tax items	13,776		43,796
Fox River environmental reserves	-15,000		-1,592
Other assets and liabilities	-1,161		5,649
Net cash provided by operating activities	267,397		421,284
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'		'
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	-135,287		-143,926
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-10,964		-3,728
Proceeds from the sale of assets	6,451		8,950
Investment in affiliates and other, net	-4,520		-3,542
Net cash used in investing activities	-144,320		-142,246
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'		'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	30,526		51,799
Principal repayment of debt	-30,267		-172,056
Net increase/(decrease) in commercial paper	36,000		-152,000
Net decrease in outstanding checks	-712		-1,196
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	2,511		3,324
Cash dividends	-96,446		-93,216
Shares acquired	-48,731		-8,835
Shares issued	2,482		13,443
Net cash used in financing activities	-104,637		-358,737
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	-4,451		-5,808
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	13,989		-85,507
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	217,567	[1]	373,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$231,556		$287,577
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis_of_Interim_Presentation

Basis of Interim Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Interim Presentation	'
	Basis of Interim Presentation
	In the opinion of the management of Sonoco Products Company (the “Company” or “Sonoco”), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise stated) necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported herein. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company began reporting Sonoco Alloyd, the Company’s retail packaging business and previously part of the Protective Solutions segment, as part of the Display and Packaging segment. Prior period results for the affected segments have been retrospectively revised to reflect this change.
	Results for the nine months ended September 28, 2014, include an out-of-period adjustment in the second quarter of 2014 to record a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets primarily related to the pension plan of a foreign subsidiary. This valuation allowance should have been established in prior years when the deferred tax assets were recognized. The cumulative adjustment made to correct this error resulted in a reduction of reported long-term deferred income tax assets of $11,771, with a corresponding increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss through a decrease in year to date comprehensive income. The effect of this error was not considered material to any of the Company's previously issued financial statements or to the current year consolidated financial statements.
	With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013 included in this Form 10-Q, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated October 29, 2014 appearing herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers." ASU 2014-09 changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. It also changes the manner in which variable consideration is recognized, requires recognition of the time value of money when payment terms exceed one year, provides clarification on accounting for contract costs, and expands disclosure requirements. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Due to the nature of the Company's business and its standard terms of sale, there is likely to be little practical difference for Sonoco between the current transfer of risks and rewards model and the new transfer of control model. In addition, few of the Company's sales, if any, contain an element of variable consideration or have payment terms exceeding one year. Accordingly, we do not expect the implementation of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on Sonoco's financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 clarified guidance and eliminated diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance became effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013; accordingly, the Company implemented ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements from applying this new guidance was immaterial.
	During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, there have been no other newly issued nor newly applicable accounting pronouncements that have had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further, at September 28, 2014, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	The Company completed the acquisition of Dalton Paper Products, Inc., a manufacturer of tubes and cores, on May 2, 2014 for a net cash cost of $11,286. The acquisition consists of a single manufacturing facility located in Dalton, Georgia, and is expected to generate annual sales of approximately $20,000 for the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $4,656, identifiable intangible assets of $3,380, and goodwill of $3,250. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.
	The Company has accounted for this acquisition as a purchase and, accordingly, has included its results of operations in consolidated net income from the date of acquisition. Pro forma results have not been provided, as the acquisition was not material to the Company's financial statements individually, or in the aggregate.
	The Company also received cash totaling $322 during the second quarter of 2014 in connection with the final working capital settlement related to its 2013 acquisition of Imagelinx, a global brand artwork management business in the United Kingdom.
	In August 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Weidenhammer Packaging Group (Weidenhammer), a leading provider of composite cans in Europe, for an all-cash purchase price of approximately $383,000, subject to a normal adjustment of net working capital. Weidenhammer, headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, focuses mainly on the production of composite cans along with composite drums and rigid plastic containers which the Company produces using thin-walled injection molding technology with modern in-mold labeling. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Acquisition-related costs of $1,680 and $171 were incurred in the three months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. These costs totaled $2,950 and $180 for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. Acquisition-related costs consist primarily of legal and professional fees and are included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	Shareholders' Equity
	Earnings per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 28,		September 29,		September 28,		September 29,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	70,924	$	61,240	$	184,710	$	164,367
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic	102,128,000		102,835,000		102,451,000		102,586,000
	Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation	959,000		675,000		974,000		578,000
	Diluted	103,087,000		103,510,000		103,425,000		103,164,000
	Reported net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
	Basic	$	0.69	$	0.6	$	1.8	$	1.6
	Diluted	$	0.69	$	0.59	$	1.79	$	1.59
	Certain stock appreciation rights to purchase shares of the Company's common stock are not dilutive because the exercise price is greater than the market price of the stock at the end of the reporting period. The average number of stock appreciation rights that were not dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share was 638,160 and 640,901 during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, respectively, and 498,000 and 1,276,472 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013. No adjustments were made to reported net income attributable to Sonoco in the computations of earnings per share.
	Stock Repurchases
	The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. A total of 132,500 shares were repurchased under this authorization in 2013. During the nine months ended September 28, 2014, an additional 1,088,618 shares were purchased at a cost of $45,013; accordingly, at September 28, 2014, a total of 3,778,882 shares remain available for repurchase.
	The Company frequently repurchases shares of its common stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with certain share-based compensation awards. These repurchases, which are not part of a publicly announced plan or program, totaled 87,583 shares in the first nine months of 2014 at a cost of $3,718, and 111,612 shares in the first nine months of 2013 at a cost of $3,783.
	Dividend Declarations
	On July 16, 2014 , the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share. This dividend was paid on September 10, 2014 to all shareholders of record as of August 15, 2014.
	On October 13, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share. This dividend is payable December 10, 2014 to all shareholders of record as of November 14, 2014.

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair

Restructuring and Asset Impairment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Asset Impairment	'
	Restructuring and Asset Impairment
	The Company has engaged in a number of restructuring actions over the past several years. Actions initiated in 2014 and 2013 are reported as “2014 Actions” and “2013 Actions,” respectively. Actions initiated prior to 2013, all of which were substantially complete at September 28, 2014, are reported as “2012 and Earlier Actions.”
	Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges/(credits), net of adjustments, recognized by the Company during the periods presented:
		2014						2013
		Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months
	Restructuring/Asset impairment:
	2014 Actions	$	1,928		$	6,256		$	—		$	—
	2013 Actions	350			2,315			3,978			13,780
	2012 and Earlier Actions	900			270			1,840			5,005
	Other asset impairments	2,730			2,730			—			—
	Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$	5,908		$	11,571		$	5,818		$	18,785
	Income tax benefit	(1,954		)	(3,342		)	(1,957		)	(6,153		)
	Cost/(Income) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(11		)	(26		)	68			14
	Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment	$	3,943		$	8,203		$	3,929		$	12,646
	charges, net of tax
	Pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The Company expects to recognize future additional charges totaling approximately $1,200 in connection with announced restructuring actions, when recognizable in accordance with GAAP, and believes that the majority of these charges will be incurred and paid by the end of 2014. The Company continually evaluates its cost structure, including its manufacturing capacity, and additional restructuring actions may be undertaken.
	2014 Actions
	During 2014, the Company announced the closure of two recycling facilities - one in the United States and one in Brazil, a tube and core plant in Canada (parts of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a molded foam plant in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment). In addition, the Company continued its manufacturing rationalization efforts in its blow-molding business (part of the Consumer Packaging segment), and realigned its cost structure, resulting in the elimination of approximately 83 positions.
	Below is a summary of 2014 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.
	2014 Actions	Third Quarter 2014			Total			Estimated
					Incurred			Total Cost
					to Date
	Severance and Termination Benefits
	Consumer Packaging	$	136		$	824		$	874
	Display and Packaging	590			590			590
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	295			2,878			2,878
	Protective Solutions	182			370			370
	Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
	Consumer Packaging	631			631			631
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	(27		)	665			665
	Other Costs
	Consumer Packaging	19			39			239
	Display and Packaging	4			4			4
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	105			77			177
	Protective Solutions	(7		)	178			278
	Total Charges and Adjustments	$	1,928		$	6,256		$	6,706
	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2014 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	2014 Actions	Severance			Asset			Other			Total
		and			Impairment/			Costs
		Termination			Disposal
	Accrual Activity	Benefits			of Assets
	2014 Year to Date
	Liability at December 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	2014 charges	4,662			1,296			298			6,256
	Cash receipts/(payments)	(3,885		)	150			(268		)	(4,003		)
	Asset write downs/disposals	—			(1,446		)	—			(1,446		)
	Foreign currency translation	(38		)	—			—			(38		)
	Liability at September 28, 2014	$	739		$	—		$	30		$	769
	Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" are non-cash charges stemming from the impairment of certain buildings and equipment associated with operations closed in 2014. "Other costs" consist primarily of costs related to plant closures including equipment removal, utilities, plant security, property taxes and insurance. The Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2014 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2014 using cash generated from operations.
	2013 Actions
	During 2013, the Company announced the closures of a thermoforming plant in Ireland and a rigid paper packaging plant in the United States (parts of the Consumer Packaging segment), a small tube and core operation in Europe (part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a fulfillment service center in the United States (part of the Display and Packaging segment). The Company also sold a small corrugated box operation in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment) and realigned its cost structure, resulting in the elimination of approximately 120 positions.
	Below is a summary of 2013 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.
		2014						2013						Total			Estimated
														Incurred			Total Cost
	2013 Actions	Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months			to Date
	Severance and Termination Benefits
	Consumer Packaging	$	(40	)	$	71		$	2,245		$	3,750		$	4,981		$	4,981
	Display and Packaging	105			423			192			706			1,497			1,497
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	126			994			833			1,742			4,341			4,341
	Protective Solutions	—			(215		)	72			200			331			331
	Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
	Consumer Packaging	—			—			349			5,580			5,926			5,926
Display and Packaging	—			—			—			—			165			165
Paper and Industrial Converted Products	—			(597		)	61			475			(105		)	(105		)
Protective Solutions	—			185			—			414			847			847
Other Costs
Consumer Packaging	5			889			105			657			1,910			2,110
Display and Packaging	—			108			7			19			212			212
Paper and Industrial Converted Products	128			340			121			217			787			887
Protective Solutions	26			117			(7		)	20			244			244
Total Charges and Adjustments	$	350		$	2,315		$	3,978		$	13,780		$	21,136		$	21,436
The following table sets forth the activity in the 2013 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
2013 Actions	Severance			Asset			Other			Total
	and			Impairment/			Costs
	Termination			Disposal
Accrual Activity	Benefits			of Assets
2014 Year to Date
Liability at December 31, 2013	$	3,258		$	—		$	—		$	3,258
2014 charges	1,910			315			1,529			3,754
Adjustments	(637		)	(727		)	(75		)	(1,439		)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(3,090		)	855			(1,454		)	(3,689		)
Asset write downs/disposals	—			(443		)	—			(443		)
Foreign currency translation	(48		)	—			—			(48		)
Liability at September 28, 2014	$	1,393		$	—		$	—		$	1,393
Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" above is a gain from the sale of a previously closed facility in New Zealand. “Other costs” consist primarily of costs related to plant closures including equipment removal, utilities, plant security, property taxes and insurance. The Company expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2013 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2014 using cash generated from operations.
2012 and Earlier Actions
2012 and Earlier Actions are comprised of a number of plant closures and workforce reductions initiated prior to 2013. Charges for these actions in both 2014 and 2013 relate primarily to the cost of plant closures including severance, equipment removal, plant security, property taxes and insurance. Partially offsetting these charges were gains from the sales of a former blowmolding facility in Canada and a former rigid paper facility in the United States, closed in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company expects to recognize future pretax charges of approximately $450 associated with 2012 and Earlier Actions.
Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2012 and Earlier Actions for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013.
	2014						2013
2012 and Earlier Actions	Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months
Consumer Packaging	$	(360	)	$	(1,577	)	$	1,831		$	1,977
Display and Packaging	—			(8		)	13			231
Paper and Industrial Converted Products	1,287			1,882			49			1,939
Protective Solutions	—			—			(53		)	858
Corporate	(27		)	(27		)	—			—
Total Charges and Adjustments	$	900		$	270		$	1,840		$	5,005
The accrual for 2012 and Earlier Actions totaled $3,834 and $4,547 at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accrual relates primarily to a pension withdrawal liability associated with a former paper mill in the United States and unpaid severance. The Company expects the majority of both the liability and the future costs associated with 2012 and Earlier Actions to be paid by the end of 2015 using cash generated from operations.
Other Asset Impairments
In addition to the restructuring charges discussed above, the Company recorded a pretax asset impairment charge of $2,730 in the third quarter of 2014 to write off the customer list obtained in the 2008 acquisition of a small packaging fulfillment business included in the Company's Display and Packaging segment. This business provided display assembly and fulfillment services to a single customer in the pharmaceutical industry. As a result of losing this business, the Company has impaired the remaining unamortized balance of the customer list.
This asset impairment charge is included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
			Gains and				Defined				Foreign				Accumulated
			Losses on Cash				Benefit				Currency				Other
			Flow Hedges				Pension Items				Items				Comprehensive
															Loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(262	)		$	(333,106	)		$	(25,152	)		$	(358,520	)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		1,261				(12,047		)		(46,854		)		(57,640		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		(1,192		)		12,434				—				11,242
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets		11				—				—				11
	Net current-period other comprehensive		80				387				(46,854		)		(46,387		)
	income/(loss)
	Balance at September 28, 2014		$	(182	)		$	(332,719	)		$	(72,006	)		$	(404,907	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(6,727	)		$	(472,333	)		$	3,234			$	(475,826	)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		2,579				(1,122		)		(20,348		)		(18,891		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		1,695				21,629				—				23,324
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets		78				—				—				78
	Net current-period other comprehensive		4,352				20,507				(20,348		)		4,511
	income/(loss)
	Balance at September 29, 2013		$	(2,375	)		$	(451,826	)		$	(17,114	)		$	(471,315	)
	The following table summarizes the effects on net income of significant amounts classified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
			Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
			Other Comprehensive Loss
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,				Affected Line Item in
	Loss Components		2014			2013			2014			2013				the Condensed Consolidated
																Statements of Net Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	241		$	809		$	(1,669	)	$	3,051			Net sales
	Foreign exchange contracts		232			(871		)	2,343			(1,921		)		Cost of sales
	Commodity contracts		123			(1,528		)	1,248			(3,917		)		Cost of sales
			596			(1,590		)	1,922			(2,787		)		Total before tax
			(303		)	604			(730		)	1,092				Tax (provision)/benefit
			$	293		$	(986	)	$	1,192		$	(1,695	)		Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension items
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)		$	(4,868	)	$	(7,787	)	$	(14,482	)	$	(24,737	)		Cost of sales
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)		(1,622		)	(2,596		)	(4,826		)	(8,246		)		Selling, general and
																administrative
			(6,490		)	(10,383		)	(19,308		)	(32,983		)		Total before tax
			2,195			3,839			6,874			11,354				Tax benefit
			$	(4,295	)	$	(6,544	)	$	(12,434	)	$	(21,629	)		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(4,002	)	$	(7,530	)	$	(11,242	)	$	(23,324	)		Net of tax
	(a)	See Note 10 for additional details.
	At September 28, 2014, the Company had commodity contracts outstanding to fix the costs of certain anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminum, and foreign currency contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases. These contracts, which have maturities ranging from October 2014 to December 2015, qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. The amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these cash flow hedges were net losses of $399 ($182 after tax) at September 28, 2014, and losses of $427 ($262 after tax) at December 31, 2013.
	The cumulative tax (provision)/benefit on Cash Flow Hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss was $217 at September 28, 2014, and $165 at December 31, 2013. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, the tax benefit on Cash Flow Hedges changed by $675 and $52, respectively.
	The cumulative tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pension Items was $173,042 at September 28, 2014, and $189,668 at December 31, 2013. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, the tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pension Items decreased by $(2,195) and $(16,626), respectively.
	During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, changes in noncontrolling interests included foreign currency translation adjustments of $(250) and $(115), respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	A summary of the changes in goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 is as follows:
		Consumer			Display			Paper and			Protective		Total
		Packaging			and			Industrial			Solutions
					Packaging			Converted
								Products
	Goodwill at December 31, 2013	$	418,765		$	204,629		$	254,648		$	221,165	$	1,099,207
	Acquisitions	—			—			3,250			—		3,250
	Foreign currency translation	(4,740		)	—			(7,786		)	—		(12,526		)
	Other	(231		)	—			—			—		(231		)
	Goodwill at September 28, 2014	$	413,794		$	204,629		$	250,112		$	221,165	$	1,089,700
	The Company recorded $3,250 of goodwill in connection with the May 2014 acquisition of Dalton Paper Products, a tube and core business located in Dalton, Georgia.
	The Company assesses goodwill for impairment annually and from time to time when warranted by the facts and circumstances surrounding individual reporting units or the Company as a whole. As part of this testing, the Company analyzes certain qualitative and quantitative factors in determining goodwill impairment. In its most recent assessment, completed in the third quarter of 2014, the Company estimated the fair values of all of its reporting units utilizing both an income approach and a market approach. The estimated fair values reflect a number of significant management assumptions and estimates including the Company's forecast of sales volumes and prices, profit margins, income taxes, capital expenditures and changes in working capital requirements. Changes in these assumptions and/or discount rates could materially impact the estimated fair values.
	When the Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit, it does so using a discounted cash flow model based on projections of future years' operating results and associated cash flows, together with comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company's model discounts projected future cash flows, forecasted over a ten-year period, with an estimated residual growth rate. The Company's projections incorporate management's best estimates of the expected future results, which include expectations related to new business, and, where applicable, improved operating margins. Management’s projections related to revenue growth and/or margin improvements arise from a combination of factors, including expectations for volume growth with existing customers, product expansion, improved price/cost, productivity gains, fixed cost leverage, improvement in general economic conditions, increased operational capacity and customer retention. Projected future cash flows are then discounted to present value using a discount rate management believes is commensurate with the risks inherent in the cash flows.
	Based on the results of its third quarter 2014 assessments, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. Because the Company’s assessments incorporate management’s expectations for the future, including forecasted growth and/or margin improvements, if there are changes in the relevant facts and circumstances and/or expectations, management’s assessment regarding goodwill impairment may change as well. In considering the level of uncertainty regarding the potential for goodwill impairment, management has concluded that any such impairment would likely be the result of adverse changes in more than one assumption.
	Although no reporting units failed the assessments noted above, in management’s opinion, the reporting units having the greatest risk of future impairment if actual results fall significantly short of expectations are Plastics – Blowmolding, Display and Packaging, and Tubes and Cores/Paper - Brazil. Total goodwill associated with these reporting units was approximately $124,700, $196,700, and $3,900, respectively, at September 28, 2014. A large portion of sales in the Display and Packaging reporting unit is concentrated in one customer. Management expects to retain this business; however, if a significant amount is lost and not replaced, it is possible that a goodwill impairment charge may be incurred.
	There were no triggering events between the most recent annual impairment test and September 28, 2014.
	Other Intangible Assets
	A summary of other intangible assets as of September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:
		September 28,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Other Intangible Assets, gross
	Patents	$	2,219		$	2,221
	Customer lists	333,360			339,911
	Trade names	21,112			21,232
	Proprietary technology	17,810			17,866
	Land use rights	325			323
	Other	4,751			4,731
	Other Intangible Assets, gross	$	379,577		$	386,284
	Accumulated Amortization	$	(157,041	)	$	(142,364	)
	Other Intangible Assets, net	$	222,536		$	243,920
	Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives, which generally range from three to forty years. The Company has no intangibles with indefinite lives.
	The Company recorded $3,380 of identifiable intangibles in connection with the acquisition of a small tubes and cores business in May 2014. These intangibles, primarily related to customer lists, will be amortized over a period of ten years. In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $2,730 impairment related to a customer list obtained in connection with a 2008 acquisition of a small packaging fulfillment business. See "Other Asset Impairments" in Note 5 for additional information.
	Aggregate amortization expense was $7,040 and $7,036 for the three months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively, and $20,863 and $21,352 for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. Amortization expense on other intangible assets is expected to approximate $27,800 in 2014, $26,300 in 2015, $26,100 in 2016, $25,700 in 2017 and $25,300 in 2018.

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri

Financial Instruments and Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financial Instruments and Derivatives	'
	Financial Instruments and Derivatives
	The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s significant financial instruments for which the carrying amount differs from the fair value.
			September 28, 2014								December 31, 2013
			Carrying				Fair				Carrying			Fair
			Amount				Value				Amount			Value
	Long-term debt, net of current portion		$	945,900			$	1,050,855			$	946,257		$	999,247
	The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and long-term variable-rate debt approximates fair value. The fair value of long-term debt is determined based on recent trade information in the financial markets of the Company’s public debt or is determined by discounting future cash flows using interest rates available to the Company for issues with similar terms and maturities. It is considered a Level 2 fair value measurement.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	At September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had derivative financial instruments outstanding to hedge anticipated transactions and certain asset and liability related cash flows. To the extent considered effective, the changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to income or expense in the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. The Company has determined all hedges to be highly effective and as a result no material ineffectiveness has been recorded.
	Commodity Cash Flow Hedges
	The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts to manage the cost of anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminum. At September 28, 2014, natural gas swaps covering approximately 6.0 million MMBTUs were outstanding. These contracts represent approximately 90% and 78% of anticipated U.S. and Canadian usage for the remainder of 2014 and 2015, respectively. Additionally, the Company had swap contracts covering 4,712 metric tons of aluminum representing approximately 34% of anticipated usage for the remainder of 2014. The fair values of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedges netted to loss positions of $(65) and $(330) at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The amount of the gain included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at September 28, 2014, that is expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $13.
	Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges
	The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases forecast to occur in 2014. The net positions of these contracts at September 28, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Currency	Action	Quantity
	Colombian peso	purchase	3,755,047
	Mexican peso	purchase	60,316
	Canadian dollar	purchase	12,775
	Turkish lira	purchase	2,331
	British pound	purchase	1,117
	Polish zloty	purchase	668
	New Zealand dollar	sell	(821	)
	Euro	sell	(902	)
	Australian dollar	sell	(1,517	)
	Russian ruble	sell	(10,770	)
	The fair value of these foreign currency cash flow hedges netted to loss positions of $(422) and $(97) at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. During the nine months ended September 28, 2014, certain foreign currency cash flow hedges related to construction in progress were settled as the related capital expenditures were made. Losses from these hedges totaling $11 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in the carrying value of the assets acquired. During the next twelve months, a loss of $(349) is expected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to the income statement.
	Other Derivatives
	The Company routinely enters into forward contracts or swaps to economically hedge the currency exposure of intercompany debt and existing foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company does not apply hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815 for these instruments. As such, changes in fair value are recorded directly to income and expense in the periods that they occur.
	The net positions of these contracts at September 28, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
	Currency	Action	Quantity
	Colombian peso	purchase	12,536,560
	Mexican peso	purchase	178,389
	Canadian dollar	purchase	10,062
	Euro	purchase	50
	Thai baht	sell	(193,299	)
	The fair value of the Company’s other derivatives was $15 and $415 at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Description		Balance Sheet Location		September 28,				December 31,
					2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	607			$	535
	Commodity Contracts		Other assets		$	70			$	363
	Commodity Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(606	)		$	(1,228	)
	Commodity Contracts		Other liabilities		$	(136	)		$	—
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	380			$	896
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(802	)		$	(993	)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	116			$	468
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(101	)		$	(53	)
	While certain of the Company’s derivative contract arrangements with its counterparties provide for the ability to settle contracts on a net basis, the Company reports its derivative positions on a gross basis. There are no collateral arrangements or requirements in these agreements.
	The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the three months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
	Description		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
			(Loss) Recognized				or (Loss)		(Loss) Reclassified				or (Loss)  Recognized in	or (Loss)
			in OCI on				Reclassified from		from Accumulated				Income on	Recognized
			Derivatives				Accumulated OCI		OCI Into Income				Derivatives	in Income on
			(Effective Portion)				Into Income		(Effective Portion)				(Ineffective Portion)	Derivatives (Ineffective
							(Effective Portion)							Portion)
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
	Three months ended September 28, 2014
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	(55	)		Net sales		$	241			Net sales	$	—
							Cost of sales		$	232
	Commodity Contracts		$	(1,250	)		Cost of sales		$	123			Cost of sales	$	44
	Three months ended September 29, 2013
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	959			Net sales		$	809			Net sales	$	—
						Cost of sales		$	(871	)
Commodity Contracts		$	(309	)		Cost of sales		$	(1,528	)		Cost of sales	$	10
Description	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in	Gain or (Loss)
	Income Statement	Recognized
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Three months ended September 28, 2014
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	77
	Selling, general and administrative	$	(194	)
Three months ended September 29, 2013
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(770	)
	Selling, general and administrative	$	(67	)
The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
Description		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
		(Loss) Recognized				or (Loss)		(Loss) Reclassified				or (Loss)	or (Loss) Recognized
		in OCI on				Reclassified from		from Accumulated				Recognized in	in Income on
		Derivatives				Accumulated OCI		OCI Into Income				Income on	Derivatives
		(Effective Portion)				Into Income		(Effective Portion)				Derivatives	(Ineffective
						(Effective Portion)						(Ineffective Portion)	Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	420			Net sales		$	(1,669	)		Net sales	$	—
						Cost of sales		$	2,343
Commodity Contracts		$	1,519			Cost of sales		$	1,248			Cost of sales	$	—
Nine months ended September 29, 2013
Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	5,482			Net sales		$	3,051			Net sales	$	—
						Cost of sales		$	(1,921	)
Commodity Contracts		$	(1,237	)		Cost of sales		$	(3,917	)		Cost of sales	$	(51	)
Description	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in	Gain or (Loss)
	Income Statement	Recognized
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Nine months ended September 28, 2014
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(359	)
	Selling, general and administrative	$	(41	)
Nine months ended September 29, 2013
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(1,941	)
	Selling, general and administrative	$	(207	)

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
	Level 1 –	Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets;
	Level 2 –	Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
	Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities, excluding retirement and postretirement plan assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description		September 28,			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
			2014
	Hedge derivatives, net:
	Commodity contracts		$	(65	)	$	—	$	(65	)	$	—
	Foreign exchange contracts		(422		)	—		(422		)	—
	Non-hedge derivatives, net:
	Foreign exchange contracts		15			—		15			—
	Deferred compensation plan assets		914			914		—			—
	Description		December 31,			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
			2013
	Hedge derivatives, net:
	Commodity contracts		$	(330	)	$	—	$	(330	)	$	—
	Foreign exchange contracts		(97		)	—		(97		)	—
	Non-hedge derivatives, net:
	Foreign exchange contracts		415			—		415			—
	Deferred compensation plan assets		859			859		—			—
	As discussed in Note 8, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate the effect of raw material and energy cost fluctuations, foreign currency fluctuations and, from time to time, interest rate movements. Fair value measurements for the Company’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, spot and future commodity prices and spot and future exchange rates.
	Certain deferred compensation plan liabilities are funded by assets invested in various exchange traded mutual funds. These assets are measured using quoted prices in accessible active markets for identical assets.
	The Company does not currently have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. None of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities is measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 fair value measurements during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Retirement Plans and Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
	The Company provides non-contributory defined benefit pension plans for a majority of its employees in the United States and certain of its employees in Mexico and Belgium. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company froze participation for newly hired salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees in its qualified defined benefit pension plan. At that time, the Company adopted a defined contribution plan, the Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP), which covers its non-union U.S. employees hired on or after January 1, 2004. The Company also sponsors contributory defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of its employees in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands.
	On February 4, 2009, the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze plan benefits for all active participants effective December 31, 2018. Remaining active participants in the U.S. qualified plan will become participants of the SIRP effective January 1, 2019.
	The Company also provides postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to a limited number of its retirees and their dependents in the United States and Canada, based on certain age and/or service eligibility requirements.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Retirement Plans
	Service cost	$	5,491		$	6,267		$	16,283		$	18,756
	Interest cost	18,376			16,794			54,684			50,226
	Expected return on plan assets	(23,290		)	(21,582		)	(69,342		)	(64,544		)
	Amortization of net transition obligation	102			108			303			328
	Amortization of prior service cost	168			141			497			424
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	6,630			10,891			19,726			32,571
	Effect of settlement loss	—			—			—			1,893
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	7,477		$	12,619		$	22,151		$	39,654
	Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
	Service cost	$	181		$	218		$	539		$	664
	Interest cost	258			219			768			710
	Expected return on plan assets	(398		)	(378		)	(1,187		)	(1,126		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(345		)	(756		)	(1,026		)	(2,230		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	(65		)	(1		)	(192		)	(3		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(369	)	$	(698	)	$	(1,098	)	$	(1,985	)
	During the second quarter of 2013 the Company recognized a $1,893 settlement loss associated with settling the retirement liabilities of approximately 100 participants in one of its Canadian pension plans. Approximately 75% of the loss is included in “Cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income with the remainder in “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”
	The Company made aggregate contributions of $46,372 and $21,224 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans during the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. The Company anticipates that it will make additional aggregate contributions of approximately $7,000 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans in 2014.
	Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP)
	The Company recognized SIRP expense totaling $3,242 and $3,391 for the quarters ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively, and $8,728 and $9,009 for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, respectively. Contributions to the SIRP, funded annually in the first quarter, totaled $12,049 during the nine months ended September 28, 2014, and $9,290 during the nine months ended September 29, 2013. No additional SIRP contributions are expected during the remainder of 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 28, 2014, was 29.4% and 31.5%, respectively, and its effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 29, 2013, was 31.5% and 32.4%, respectively. The rates for both years were favorable to the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the favorable effect of international operations that are subject to tax rates generally lower than the U.S. rate, the release of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions that are no longer necessary, and the favorable effect of the manufacturer’s deduction.
	The Company and/or its subsidiaries file federal, state and local income tax returns in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, or non-U.S., income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. With respect to state and local income taxes, the Company is no longer subject to examination prior to 2010, with few exceptions.
	The Company’s total liability for uncertain tax benefits has not changed significantly since December 31, 2013. The Company has $6,700 of reserves for uncertain tax benefits for which it believes it is reasonably possible that a resolution may be reached within the next twelve months. The Company’s estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. Management believes that any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to these matters have been adequately provided for. However, future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. Additionally, the jurisdictions in which earnings or deductions are realized may differ from current estimates. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	The Company reports its financial results in four reportable segments: Consumer Packaging, Display and Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, and Protective Solutions. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company began reporting Sonoco Alloyd, the Company’s retail packaging business and previously part of the Protective Solutions segment, as part of the Display and Packaging segment. This change reflects the evolving integration of these businesses, which enables them to better leverage the Company’s capabilities, products and services to provide complete solutions to our retail merchandising customers. Prior period results for the affected segments have been recast to reflect this change.
	The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); blow-molded plastic bottles and jars; extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging; global brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures.
	The Display and Packaging segment includes the following products and services: designing, manufacturing, assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semipermanent and permanent point-of-purchase displays; supply chain management services, including contract packing, fulfillment and scalable service centers; retail packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters and heat sealing equipment; and paper amenities, such as coasters and glass covers.
	The Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment includes the following products: paperboard tubes and cores; fiber-based construction tubes and forms; wooden, metal and composite wire and cable reels and spools; and recycled paperboard, linerboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper and material recycling services.
	The Protective Solutions segment includes the following products: custom-engineered, paperboard-based and expanded foam protective packaging and components; and temperature-assured packaging.
	The following table sets forth net sales, intersegment sales and operating profit for the Company’s reportable segments. “Segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “Income before interest and income taxes” excluding restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related costs, and certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves comparability and analysis of the financial performance of the business. General corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments.
	SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Consumer Packaging	$	479,609		$	473,332		$	1,418,200		$	1,411,645
	Display and Packaging	178,435			167,960			493,972			470,051
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	480,741			467,847			1,426,367			1,395,271
	Protective Solutions	124,789			118,610			358,041			356,251
	Consolidated	$	1,263,574		$	1,227,749		$	3,696,580		$	3,633,218
	Intersegment sales:
	Consumer Packaging	$	1,008		$	978		$	2,916		$	3,783
	Display and Packaging	385			445			1,165			1,619
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	25,824			26,320			78,822			74,792
	Protective Solutions	366			621			1,752			2,021
	Consolidated	$	27,583		$	28,364		$	84,655		$	82,215
	Income before interest and income taxes:
	Segment operating profit:
	Consumer Packaging	$	49,769		$	49,025		$	140,783		$	138,731
	Display and Packaging	7,227			7,763			20,098			17,337
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	48,996			37,722			125,289			104,717
	Protective Solutions	10,277			11,029			25,204			32,129
	Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	(5,908		)	(5,818		)	(11,571		)	(18,785		)
	Other, net	888			563			(382		)	(391		)
	Consolidated	$	111,249		$	100,284		$	299,421		$	273,738

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, accruals for estimated losses are recorded at the time information becomes available indicating that losses are probable and that the amounts are reasonably estimable. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings from a variety of sources. Some of these exposures, as discussed below, have the potential to be material.
	Environmental Matters
	The Company is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which it operates.
	During the fourth quarter of 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified U.S. Paper Mills Corp. (U.S. Mills), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, that U.S. Mills and NCR Corporation (NCR), an unrelated party, would be jointly held responsible to undertake a program to remove and dispose of certain PCB-contaminated sediments at a particular site on the lower Fox River in Wisconsin (the “Site”) which is now labeled by the EPA as Phase 1. U.S. Mills and NCR reached an agreement between themselves that each would fund 50% of the costs of remediation. The Company has expensed a total of $17,650 for its estimated share of the total cleanup cost of the Site, and through September 28, 2014, has spent a total of $14,467. The remaining accrual of $3,183 represents the Company’s best estimate of what it is likely to pay to complete the Site project. However, the actual costs associated with cleanup of the Site are dependent upon many factors and it is possible that remediation costs could be higher than the current estimate of project costs. The Company acquired U.S. Mills in 2001, and the alleged contamination predates the acquisition.
	The EPA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) have also issued a general notice of potential liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and a request to participate in remedial action implementation negotiations relating to a stretch of the lower Fox River, including the bay at Green Bay, (Operating Units 2 – 5) to eight potentially responsible parties, including U.S. Mills. Operating Units 2 – 5 include, but also comprise a vastly larger area than, the Site. A detailed description of the claims and proceedings associated therewith appears in Part II – Item 8 – “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 - “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	On October 14, 2010, the EPA and WDNR filed suit against NCR, API (now named Appvion), U.S. Mills and nine other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (District Court) (No. 10-CV-910-WCG) pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA. The plaintiffs seek to recover unreimbursed costs incurred for activities undertaken in response to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances from facilities at or near the Lower Fox River and Green Bay as well as damages for injury to, loss of, and destruction of natural resources resulting from such releases. The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that the defendants are liable for future response costs of the plaintiffs and requiring the defendants to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action discussed in prior filings. The Company does not believe that the remedies sought in the suit materially expand the Company’s potential liability beyond what has been disclosed in this report or in the Company’s prior filings with the SEC. As described in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2014, U.S. Mills and five other defendants have reached a conditional agreement with the EPA and WDNR to settle various issues in the litigation. U.S. Mills' portion of the proposed settlement is $14,700. However, finalization of the proposed settlement is subject to approval by the District Court, and will not be effective unless and until it has been approved by the District Court and appeals, if any, from such approval have been resolved. If approved, the terms of the settlement will protect the Company from contribution claims by NCR but not from contribution claims by Appvion under Section 107 of CERCLA. As a result of the above required actions and the unpredictability of court decisions, the timing and eventual outcome of the proposed settlement, as well as the financial statement impact to the Company, are uncertain. U.S. Mills plans to continue to defend its interests in both suits vigorously.
	Since 2007, U.S. Mills has expensed a total of $60,825 for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts expensed for remediation at the Site) and through September 28, 2014, has spent a total of $26,884, primarily on legal fees and the funding of the proposed settlement with the EPA and WDNR, leaving a reserve of $33,941 remaining at September 28, 2014 for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts accrued for remediation at the Site). Because of the continuing uncertainties in the estimated costs of remediation and continuing uncertainties surrounding U.S. Mills’ allocable share, including a potentially favorable resolution, it is impossible to state with any reasonable degree of confidence that any estimate is a better estimate than the amount recorded. However, because the discharges of hazardous materials into the environment occurred before the Company acquired U.S. Mills, and U.S. Mills has been operated as a separate subsidiary of the Company, the Company does not believe that it bears financial responsibility for these legacy environmental liabilities of U.S. Mills. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the maximum additional exposure to its consolidated financial position beyond what has been reserved is limited to the equity position of U.S. Mills, which was approximately $99,000 at September 28, 2014.
	On November 8, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Tegrant Holding Corporation. During its due diligence, the Company identified several potential environmentally contaminated sites. The total remediation cost of these sites was preliminarily estimated to be $18,850 at the time of acquisition and an accrual in this amount was recorded on Tegrant’s opening balance sheet.
	On September 15, 2014, the Village of Rockton, Illinois instituted 81 actions against the Company in the Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Winnebago, Illinois. Each action seeks to assess penalties of up to $0.75 per day since December 2, 2007 for violations of one of three sections of the Municipal Code that: (a) require lots or premises to be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition at all times; (b) make it unlawful for any substance which shall be dangerous or detrimental to health to be allowed to exist in connection with any business, be used therein or used in any work or labor carried on in the Village and no health menace shall be permitted to exist in connection with business or in connection with any such work or labor; and (c) make it unlawful for any ashes, rubbish, tin cans and all combustibles to be deposited or dumped upon any lot or land in the village, but must be deposited or dumped in the area set aside for that purpose. The actions relate to a paper plant in the Village closed by the Company in 2008 that the Company is in the process of remediating through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s “brownfields” program. The Company has removed the cases to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and plans to vigorously defend its interests while continuing to participate in the “brownfields” program.
	The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party at several other environmentally contaminated sites. All of the sites are also the responsibility of other parties. The potential remediation liabilities are shared with such other parties, and, in most cases, the Company’s share, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at the current time.
	As of September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company (and its subsidiaries) had accrued $57,855 and $73,032, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. Of these, a total of $37,124 and $52,124 relate to U.S. Mills and $18,389 and $18,429 relate to Tegrant at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These accruals are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. U.S. Mills recognized a $40,825 benefit in 2008 from settlements reached and proceeds received on certain insurance policies covering the Fox River contamination. U.S. Mills’ two remaining insurance carriers are in liquidation. It is possible that U.S. Mills may recover from these carriers a small portion of the costs it ultimately incurs. U.S. Mills may also be able to reallocate some of the costs it incurs among other parties. There can be no assurance that such claims for recovery or reallocation would be successful and no amounts have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for such potential recovery or reallocation.
	Other Legal Matters
	In addition to those matters described above, the Company is subject to other various legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements_

New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers." ASU 2014-09 changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. It also changes the manner in which variable consideration is recognized, requires recognition of the time value of money when payment terms exceed one year, provides clarification on accounting for contract costs, and expands disclosure requirements. ASU 2014-09 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Due to the nature of the Company's business and its standard terms of sale, there is likely to be little practical difference for Sonoco between the current transfer of risks and rewards model and the new transfer of control model. In addition, few of the Company's sales, if any, contain an element of variable consideration or have payment terms exceeding one year. Accordingly, we do not expect the implementation of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on Sonoco's financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." ASU 2013-11 clarified guidance and eliminated diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This new guidance became effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013; accordingly, the Company implemented ASU 2013-11 effective January 1, 2014. The impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements from applying this new guidance was immaterial.
	During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014, there have been no other newly issued nor newly applicable accounting pronouncements that have had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Further, at September 28, 2014, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 28,		September 29,		September 28,		September 29,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	70,924	$	61,240	$	184,710	$	164,367
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic	102,128,000		102,835,000		102,451,000		102,586,000
	Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation	959,000		675,000		974,000		578,000
	Diluted	103,087,000		103,510,000		103,425,000		103,164,000
	Reported net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
	Basic	$	0.69	$	0.6	$	1.8	$	1.6
	Diluted	$	0.69	$	0.59	$	1.79	$	1.59

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair1

Restructuring and Asset Impairment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Total Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges Net	'
	Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges/(credits), net of adjustments, recognized by the Company during the periods presented:
		2014						2013
		Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months
	Restructuring/Asset impairment:
	2014 Actions	$	1,928		$	6,256		$	—		$	—
	2013 Actions	350			2,315			3,978			13,780
	2012 and Earlier Actions	900			270			1,840			5,005
	Other asset impairments	2,730			2,730			—			—
	Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$	5,908		$	11,571		$	5,818		$	18,785
	Income tax benefit	(1,954		)	(3,342		)	(1,957		)	(6,153		)
	Cost/(Income) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(11		)	(26		)	68			14
	Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment	$	3,943		$	8,203		$	3,929		$	12,646
	charges, net of tax
Actions and Related Expenses by Segment and by Type Incurred and Estimated for Given Years	'
	Below is a summary of 2014 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.
	2014 Actions	Third Quarter 2014			Total			Estimated
					Incurred			Total Cost
					to Date
	Severance and Termination Benefits
	Consumer Packaging	$	136		$	824		$	874
	Display and Packaging	590			590			590
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	295			2,878			2,878
	Protective Solutions	182			370			370
	Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
	Consumer Packaging	631			631			631
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	(27		)	665			665
	Other Costs
	Consumer Packaging	19			39			239
	Display and Packaging	4			4			4
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	105			77			177
	Protective Solutions	(7		)	178			278
	Total Charges and Adjustments	$	1,928		$	6,256		$	6,706
	Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2012 and Earlier Actions for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013.
		2014						2013
	2012 and Earlier Actions	Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months
	Consumer Packaging	$	(360	)	$	(1,577	)	$	1,831		$	1,977
	Display and Packaging	—			(8		)	13			231
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	1,287			1,882			49			1,939
	Protective Solutions	—			—			(53		)	858
	Corporate	(27		)	(27		)	—			—
	Total Charges and Adjustments	$	900		$	270		$	1,840		$	5,005
	Below is a summary of 2013 Actions and related expenses by segment and by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.
		2014						2013						Total			Estimated
														Incurred			Total Cost
	2013 Actions	Third Quarter			Nine Months			Third Quarter			Nine Months			to Date
	Severance and Termination Benefits
	Consumer Packaging	$	(40	)	$	71		$	2,245		$	3,750		$	4,981		$	4,981
	Display and Packaging	105			423			192			706			1,497			1,497
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	126			994			833			1,742			4,341			4,341
	Protective Solutions	—			(215		)	72			200			331			331
	Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
	Consumer Packaging	—			—			349			5,580			5,926			5,926
	Display and Packaging	—			—			—			—			165			165
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	—			(597		)	61			475			(105		)	(105		)
	Protective Solutions	—			185			—			414			847			847
	Other Costs
	Consumer Packaging	5			889			105			657			1,910			2,110
	Display and Packaging	—			108			7			19			212			212
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	128			340			121			217			787			887
	Protective Solutions	26			117			(7		)	20			244			244
	Total Charges and Adjustments	$	350		$	2,315		$	3,978		$	13,780		$	21,136		$	21,436
Restructuring Accrual Activity for Given Years	'
	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2014 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	2014 Actions	Severance			Asset			Other			Total
		and			Impairment/			Costs
		Termination			Disposal
	Accrual Activity	Benefits			of Assets
	2014 Year to Date
	Liability at December 31, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	2014 charges	4,662			1,296			298			6,256
	Cash receipts/(payments)	(3,885		)	150			(268		)	(4,003		)
	Asset write downs/disposals	—			(1,446		)	—			(1,446		)
	Foreign currency translation	(38		)	—			—			(38		)
	Liability at September 28, 2014	$	739		$	—		$	30		$	769
	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2013 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	2013 Actions	Severance			Asset			Other			Total
		and			Impairment/			Costs
		Termination			Disposal
	Accrual Activity	Benefits			of Assets
	2014 Year to Date
	Liability at December 31, 2013	$	3,258		$	—		$	—		$	3,258
	2014 charges	1,910			315			1,529			3,754
	Adjustments	(637		)	(727		)	(75		)	(1,439		)
	Cash receipts/(payments)	(3,090		)	855			(1,454		)	(3,689		)
	Asset write downs/disposals	—			(443		)	—			(443		)
	Foreign currency translation	(48		)	—			—			(48		)
	Liability at September 28, 2014	$	1,393		$	—		$	—		$	1,393

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
			Gains and				Defined				Foreign				Accumulated
			Losses on Cash				Benefit				Currency				Other
			Flow Hedges				Pension Items				Items				Comprehensive
															Loss
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(262	)		$	(333,106	)		$	(25,152	)		$	(358,520	)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		1,261				(12,047		)		(46,854		)		(57,640		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		(1,192		)		12,434				—				11,242
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets		11				—				—				11
	Net current-period other comprehensive		80				387				(46,854		)		(46,387		)
	income/(loss)
	Balance at September 28, 2014		$	(182	)		$	(332,719	)		$	(72,006	)		$	(404,907	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(6,727	)		$	(472,333	)		$	3,234			$	(475,826	)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		2,579				(1,122		)		(20,348		)		(18,891		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		1,695				21,629				—				23,324
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets		78				—				—				78
	Net current-period other comprehensive		4,352				20,507				(20,348		)		4,511
	income/(loss)
	Balance at September 29, 2013		$	(2,375	)		$	(451,826	)		$	(17,114	)		$	(471,315	)
Effects on Net Income of Significant Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table summarizes the effects on net income of significant amounts classified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
			Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
			Other Comprehensive Loss
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,				Affected Line Item in
	Loss Components		2014			2013			2014			2013				the Condensed Consolidated
																Statements of Net Income
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	241		$	809		$	(1,669	)	$	3,051			Net sales
	Foreign exchange contracts		232			(871		)	2,343			(1,921		)		Cost of sales
	Commodity contracts		123			(1,528		)	1,248			(3,917		)		Cost of sales
			596			(1,590		)	1,922			(2,787		)		Total before tax
			(303		)	604			(730		)	1,092				Tax (provision)/benefit
			$	293		$	(986	)	$	1,192		$	(1,695	)		Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension items
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)		$	(4,868	)	$	(7,787	)	$	(14,482	)	$	(24,737	)		Cost of sales
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items(a)		(1,622		)	(2,596		)	(4,826		)	(8,246		)		Selling, general and
																administrative
			(6,490		)	(10,383		)	(19,308		)	(32,983		)		Total before tax
			2,195			3,839			6,874			11,354				Tax benefit
			$	(4,295	)	$	(6,544	)	$	(12,434	)	$	(21,629	)		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(4,002	)	$	(7,530	)	$	(11,242	)	$	(23,324	)		Net of tax
	(a)	See Note 10 for additional details.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Goodwill by Segment	'
	A summary of the changes in goodwill by segment for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 is as follows:
		Consumer			Display			Paper and			Protective		Total
		Packaging			and			Industrial			Solutions
					Packaging			Converted
								Products
	Goodwill at December 31, 2013	$	418,765		$	204,629		$	254,648		$	221,165	$	1,099,207
	Acquisitions	—			—			3,250			—		3,250
	Foreign currency translation	(4,740		)	—			(7,786		)	—		(12,526		)
	Other	(231		)	—			—			—		(231		)
	Goodwill at September 28, 2014	$	413,794		$	204,629		$	250,112		$	221,165	$	1,089,700
Summary of Other Intangible Assets	'
	A summary of other intangible assets as of September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:
		September 28,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Other Intangible Assets, gross
	Patents	$	2,219		$	2,221
	Customer lists	333,360			339,911
	Trade names	21,112			21,232
	Proprietary technology	17,810			17,866
	Land use rights	325			323
	Other	4,751			4,731
	Other Intangible Assets, gross	$	379,577		$	386,284
	Accumulated Amortization	$	(157,041	)	$	(142,364	)
	Other Intangible Assets, net	$	222,536		$	243,920

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri1

Financial Instruments and Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s significant financial instruments for which the carrying amount differs from the fair value.
			September 28, 2014								December 31, 2013
			Carrying				Fair				Carrying			Fair
			Amount				Value				Amount			Value
	Long-term debt, net of current portion		$	945,900			$	1,050,855			$	946,257		$	999,247
Net Positions of Foreign Contracts	'
	The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases forecast to occur in 2014. The net positions of these contracts at September 28, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Currency	Action	Quantity
	Colombian peso	purchase	3,755,047
	Mexican peso	purchase	60,316
	Canadian dollar	purchase	12,775
	Turkish lira	purchase	2,331
	British pound	purchase	1,117
	Polish zloty	purchase	668
	New Zealand dollar	sell	(821	)
	Euro	sell	(902	)
	Australian dollar	sell	(1,517	)
	Russian ruble	sell	(10,770	)
Net Positions of Other Derivatives Contract	'
	The net positions of these contracts at September 28, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
	Currency	Action	Quantity
	Colombian peso	purchase	12,536,560
	Mexican peso	purchase	178,389
	Canadian dollar	purchase	10,062
	Euro	purchase	50
	Thai baht	sell	(193,299	)
Location and Fair Values of Derivative Instruments	'
	The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Description		Balance Sheet Location		September 28,				December 31,
					2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	607			$	535
	Commodity Contracts		Other assets		$	70			$	363
	Commodity Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(606	)		$	(1,228	)
	Commodity Contracts		Other liabilities		$	(136	)		$	—
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	380			$	896
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(802	)		$	(993	)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Prepaid expenses		$	116			$	468
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		Accrued expenses and other		$	(101	)		$	(53	)
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Financial Performance	'
	The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the three months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
	Description		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
			(Loss) Recognized				or (Loss)		(Loss) Reclassified				or (Loss)  Recognized in	or (Loss)
			in OCI on				Reclassified from		from Accumulated				Income on	Recognized
			Derivatives				Accumulated OCI		OCI Into Income				Derivatives	in Income on
			(Effective Portion)				Into Income		(Effective Portion)				(Ineffective Portion)	Derivatives (Ineffective
							(Effective Portion)							Portion)
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
	Three months ended September 28, 2014
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	(55	)		Net sales		$	241			Net sales	$	—
							Cost of sales		$	232
	Commodity Contracts		$	(1,250	)		Cost of sales		$	123			Cost of sales	$	44
	Three months ended September 29, 2013
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	959			Net sales		$	809			Net sales	$	—
							Cost of sales		$	(871	)
	Commodity Contracts		$	(309	)		Cost of sales		$	(1,528	)		Cost of sales	$	10
	Description	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in	Gain or (Loss)
		Income Statement	Recognized
	Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Three months ended September 28, 2014
	Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	77
		Selling, general and administrative	$	(194	)
	Three months ended September 29, 2013
	Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(770	)
		Selling, general and administrative	$	(67	)
	The following tables set forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:
	Description		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain		Amount of Gain or				Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
			(Loss) Recognized				or (Loss)		(Loss) Reclassified				or (Loss)	or (Loss) Recognized
			in OCI on				Reclassified from		from Accumulated				Recognized in	in Income on
			Derivatives				Accumulated OCI		OCI Into Income				Income on	Derivatives
			(Effective Portion)				Into Income		(Effective Portion)				Derivatives	(Ineffective
							(Effective Portion)						(Ineffective Portion)	Portion)
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
	Nine months ended September 28, 2014
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	420			Net sales		$	(1,669	)		Net sales	$	—
							Cost of sales		$	2,343
	Commodity Contracts		$	1,519			Cost of sales		$	1,248			Cost of sales	$	—
	Nine months ended September 29, 2013
	Foreign Exchange Contracts		$	5,482			Net sales		$	3,051			Net sales	$	—
							Cost of sales		$	(1,921	)
	Commodity Contracts		$	(1,237	)		Cost of sales		$	(3,917	)		Cost of sales	$	(51	)
	Description	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in	Gain or (Loss)
		Income Statement	Recognized
	Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Nine months ended September 28, 2014
	Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(359	)
		Selling, general and administrative	$	(41	)
	Nine months ended September 29, 2013
	Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(1,941	)
		Selling, general and administrative	$	(207	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities, excluding retirement and postretirement plan assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Description	September 28,			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		2014
	Hedge derivatives, net:
	Commodity contracts	$	(65	)	$	—	$	(65	)	$	—
	Foreign exchange contracts	(422		)	—		(422		)	—
	Non-hedge derivatives, net:
	Foreign exchange contracts	15			—		15			—
	Deferred compensation plan assets	914			914		—			—
	Description	December 31,			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		2013
	Hedge derivatives, net:
	Commodity contracts	$	(330	)	$	—	$	(330	)	$	—
	Foreign exchange contracts	(97		)	—		(97		)	—
	Non-hedge derivatives, net:
	Foreign exchange contracts	415			—		415			—
	Deferred compensation plan assets	859			859		—			—

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Retirement Plans
	Service cost	$	5,491		$	6,267		$	16,283		$	18,756
	Interest cost	18,376			16,794			54,684			50,226
	Expected return on plan assets	(23,290		)	(21,582		)	(69,342		)	(64,544		)
	Amortization of net transition obligation	102			108			303			328
	Amortization of prior service cost	168			141			497			424
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	6,630			10,891			19,726			32,571
	Effect of settlement loss	—			—			—			1,893
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	7,477		$	12,619		$	22,151		$	39,654
	Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
	Service cost	$	181		$	218		$	539		$	664
	Interest cost	258			219			768			710
	Expected return on plan assets	(398		)	(378		)	(1,187		)	(1,126		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(345		)	(756		)	(1,026		)	(2,230		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	(65		)	(1		)	(192		)	(3		)
	Net periodic benefit income	$	(369	)	$	(698	)	$	(1,098	)	$	(1,985	)

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Financial Information	'
	SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net sales:
	Consumer Packaging	$	479,609		$	473,332		$	1,418,200		$	1,411,645
	Display and Packaging	178,435			167,960			493,972			470,051
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	480,741			467,847			1,426,367			1,395,271
	Protective Solutions	124,789			118,610			358,041			356,251
	Consolidated	$	1,263,574		$	1,227,749		$	3,696,580		$	3,633,218
	Intersegment sales:
	Consumer Packaging	$	1,008		$	978		$	2,916		$	3,783
	Display and Packaging	385			445			1,165			1,619
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	25,824			26,320			78,822			74,792
	Protective Solutions	366			621			1,752			2,021
	Consolidated	$	27,583		$	28,364		$	84,655		$	82,215
	Income before interest and income taxes:
	Segment operating profit:
	Consumer Packaging	$	49,769		$	49,025		$	140,783		$	138,731
	Display and Packaging	7,227			7,763			20,098			17,337
	Paper and Industrial Converted Products	48,996			37,722			125,289			104,717
	Protective Solutions	10,277			11,029			25,204			32,129
	Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	(5,908		)	(5,818		)	(11,571		)	(18,785		)
	Other, net	888			563			(382		)	(391		)
	Consolidated	$	111,249		$	100,284		$	299,421		$	273,738

Basis_of_Interim_Presentation_

Basis of Interim Presentation (Narrative) (Details) (Restatement Adjustment [Member], Immaterial Error Correction [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Immaterial Error Correction [Member]	'
Cumulative adjustment made to correct error	$11,771

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	2-May-14	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
					Imagelinx [Member]	Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	Consumer Packaging Segment [Member]	Forecast [Member]
						Dalton Paper Products, Inc. [Member]	Dalton Paper Products, Inc. [Member]		Consumer Packaging Segment [Member]
									Weidenhammer Packaging Group [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of acquisitions, exclusive of cash	'	'	$10,964	$3,728	$322	$11,286	'	'	$383,000
Annual sales expected to be generated as a result of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,000	'	'
Net tangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	4,656	'	'	'
Identifiable intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	3,380	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	3,250	'	'	3,250	'	0	'
Acquisition related costs	$1,680	$171	$2,950	$180	'	'	'	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Earnings_P

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$70,924	$61,240	$184,710	$164,367
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	102,128	102,835	102,451	102,586
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	959	675	974	578
Diluted (in shares)	103,087	103,510	103,425	103,164
Reported net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	$0.69	$0.60	$1.80	$1.60
Diluted (in usd per share)	$0.69	$0.59	$1.79	$1.59

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 16, 2014	Jun. 10, 2014	16-May-14	Apr. 16, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of securities excluded from computation of dilutive earning per share	'	'	'	'	638,160	498,000	640,901	1,276,472	'
Number of shares authorized for repurchase	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	'	5,000,000	'	'
Number of shares available for repurchase	'	'	'	'	3,778,882	'	3,778,882	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,088,618	'	132,500
Cost of shares repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	$45,013	'	'
Dividend declared date	13-Oct-14	'	'	16-Jul-14	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend declared and payable (in usd per share)	$0.32	'	'	$0.32	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend payable date of record	14-Nov-14	'	15-Aug-14	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend payable date	10-Dec-14	10-Sep-14	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax Withholding Obligations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	87,583	111,612	'
Cost of shares repurchased	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,718	3,783	'

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair2

Restructuring and Asset Impairment - Restructuring and Asset Impairment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$5,908	$5,818	$11,571	$18,785
Income tax benefit	-1,954	-1,957	-3,342	-6,153
Costs attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	-11	68	-26	14
Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment charges, net of tax	3,943	3,929	8,203	12,646
2014 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	1,928	'	6,256	'
2013 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	350	3,978	2,315	13,780
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	900	1,840	270	5,005
Other Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$2,730	$0	$2,730	$0

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair3

Restructuring and Asset Impairment - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected future charges associated with previous restructuring	'	'	$1,200	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	5,908	5,818	11,571	18,785	'
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Expected future charges associated with previous restructuring	'	'	450	'	'
Remaining restructuring accrual	3,834	'	3,834	'	4,547
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	900	1,840	270	5,005	'
2013 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Elimination of Positions due to realign in cost structure	'	'	'	'	120
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	350	3,978	2,315	13,780	'
2014 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Elimination of Positions due to realign in cost structure	83	'	83	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	1,928	'	6,256	'	'
Other Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$2,730	$0	$2,730	$0	'

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair4

Restructuring and Asset Impairment - Actions and Related Expenses by Segment and by Type Incurred and Estimated for Given Years (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	$5,908	$5,818	$11,571	$18,785
2014 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	1,928	'	6,256	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	6,256	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	6,706	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	136	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	824	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	874	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	590	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	590	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	590	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	295	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	2,878	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	2,878	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	182	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	370	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	370	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	631	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	631	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	631	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	-27	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	665	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	665	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	19	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	39	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	239	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	4	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	4	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	4	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	105	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	77	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	177	'
2014 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	-7	'	'	'
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	178	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	278	'
2013 Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	350	3,978	2,315	13,780
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	21,136	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	21,436	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	-40	2,245	71	3,750
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	4,981	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	4,981	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	105	192	423	706
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	1,497	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	1,497	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	126	833	994	1,742
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	4,341	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	4,341	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	72	-215	200
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	331	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	331	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	349	0	5,580
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	5,926	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	5,926	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	'	0	0	0
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	165	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	165	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	61	-597	475
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	-105	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	-105	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	0	185	414
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	847	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	847	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	5	105	889	657
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	1,910	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	2,110	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	7	108	19
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	212	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	212	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	128	121	340	217
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	787	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	887	'
2013 Actions [Member] | Other Costs [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	26	-7	117	20
Total Incurred to Date	'	'	244	'
Estimated Total Cost	'	'	244	'
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	900	1,840	270	5,005
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	-360	1,831	-1,577	1,977
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	'	13	-8	231
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	1,287	49	1,882	1,939
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	0	-53	0	858
2012 and Earlier Actions [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment	($27)	$0	($27)	$0

Restructuring_and_Asset_Impair5

Restructuring and Asset Impairment - Restructuring Accrual Activity for Given Years (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014
2014 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	$0
Current year charges	6,256
Cash receipts/(payments)	-4,003
Asset write downs/disposals	-1,446
Foreign currency translation	-38
Liability, Ending Balance	769
2013 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	3,258
Current year charges	3,754
Adjustments	-1,439
Cash receipts/(payments)	-3,689
Asset write downs/disposals	-443
Foreign currency translation	-48
Liability, Ending Balance	1,393
Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | 2014 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	0
Current year charges	4,662
Cash receipts/(payments)	-3,885
Foreign currency translation	-38
Liability, Ending Balance	739
Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	3,258
Current year charges	1,910
Adjustments	-637
Cash receipts/(payments)	-3,090
Foreign currency translation	-48
Liability, Ending Balance	1,393
Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | 2014 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	0
Current year charges	1,296
Cash receipts/(payments)	150
Asset write downs/disposals	-1,446
Liability, Ending Balance	0
Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	0
Current year charges	315
Adjustments	-727
Cash receipts/(payments)	855
Asset write downs/disposals	-443
Liability, Ending Balance	0
Other Costs [Member] | 2014 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	0
Current year charges	298
Cash receipts/(payments)	-268
Foreign currency translation	0
Liability, Ending Balance	30
Other Costs [Member] | 2013 Actions [Member]	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Liability, Beginning Balance	0
Current year charges	1,529
Adjustments	-75
Cash receipts/(payments)	-1,454
Foreign currency translation	0
Liability, Ending Balance	$0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 29, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, beginning balance	'	'	($358,520)	[1]	($475,826)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-57,640		-18,891
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	11		'
Net current-period other comprehensive income/ (loss)	-44,861	29,595	-46,387		4,511
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, ending balance	-404,907	-471,315	-404,907		-471,315
Net Income [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	11,242		23,324
Fixed Assets [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	11		78
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, beginning balance	'	'	-262		-6,727
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	'	'	1,261		2,579
Net current-period other comprehensive income/ (loss)	'	'	80		4,352
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, ending balance	-182	-2,375	-182		-2,375
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Net Income [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	-1,192		1,695
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Fixed Assets [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	11		78
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, beginning balance	'	'	-333,106		-472,333
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-12,047		-1,122
Net current-period other comprehensive income/ (loss)	'	'	387		20,507
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, ending balance	-332,719	-451,826	-332,719		-451,826
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member] | Net Income [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	12,434		21,629
Foreign Currency Items [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, beginning balance	'	'	-25,152		3,234
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-46,854		-20,348
Net current-period other comprehensive income/ (loss)	'	'	-46,854		-20,348
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, ending balance	($72,006)	($17,114)	($72,006)		($17,114)
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Effects on Net Income of Significant Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,263,574	$1,227,749	$3,696,580	$3,633,218
Cost of sales	-1,035,910	-1,003,712	-3,024,876	-2,980,901
Selling, general and administrative	-110,507	-117,935	-360,712	-359,794
Income before income taxes	98,331	85,998	260,725	230,777
Tax benefit	-28,891	-27,085	-82,053	-74,746
Net of tax	69,440	58,913	178,672	156,031
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net of tax	-4,002	-7,530	-11,242	-23,324
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	596	-1,590	1,922	-2,787
Tax benefit	-303	604	-730	1,092
Net of tax	293	-986	1,192	-1,695
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	241	809	-1,669	3,051
Cost of sales	232	-871	2,343	-1,921
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	123	-1,528	1,248	-3,917
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	-4,868	-7,787	-14,482	-24,737
Selling, general and administrative	-1,622	-2,596	-4,826	-8,246
Income before income taxes	-6,490	-10,383	-19,308	-32,983
Tax benefit	2,195	3,839	6,874	11,354
Net of tax	($4,295)	($6,544)	($12,434)	($21,629)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unfavorable position amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to cash flow hedges	$399	'	$399	'	$427
Accumulated other comprehensive income loss cumulative changes in net gain loss from cash flow hedge effect after tax	182	'	182	'	262
Cumulative tax benefit on Cash Flow Hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	217	'	217	'	165
Increase (decrease) in tax benefit on Cash Flow Hedges	675	'	52	'	'
Cumulative tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pensions	173,042	'	173,042	'	189,668
Increase (decrease) in tax benefit on Defined Benefit Pensions	-2,195	'	-16,626	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-250	32	-115	-595	'
Non-Controlling Interests [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	($250)	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$1,099,207	[1]
Acquisitions	3,250
Foreign currency translation	-12,526
Other	-231
Goodwill, ending balance	1,089,700
Consumer Packaging [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	418,765
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	-4,740
Other	-231
Goodwill, ending balance	413,794
Display and Packaging [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	204,629
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Goodwill, ending balance	204,629
Paper and Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	254,648
Acquisitions	3,250
Foreign currency translation	-7,786
Other	0
Goodwill, ending balance	250,112
Protective Solutions [Member]	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	221,165
Foreign currency translation	0
Other	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$221,165
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	$379,577	$386,284
Accumulated Amortization	-157,041	-142,364
Other Intangible Assets, net	222,536	243,920	[1]
Patents [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	2,219	2,221
Customer Lists [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	333,360	339,911
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	21,112	21,232
Proprietary Technology [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	17,810	17,866
Land Use Rights [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	325	323
Other [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:	'	'
Other Intangible Assets, gross	$4,751	$4,731
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 29, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

31-May-14

Blowmolding [Member]

Tubes and Cores/Paper - Brazil Reporting Unit [Member]

Paper and Industrial Converted Products [Member]

Paper and Industrial Converted Products [Member]

Display and Packaging [Member]

Display and Packaging [Member]

Display and Packaging [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Display and Packaging Reporting Unit [Member]

Dalton Paper Products, Inc. [Member]

Paper and Industrial Converted Products [Member]

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill acquired during the period

'

'

$3,250,000

'

'

'

'

$3,250,000

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

1,089,700,000

'

1,089,700,000

'

1,099,207,000

[1]

124,700,000

3,900,000

250,112,000

254,648,000

204,629,000

204,629,000

196,700,000

'

'

'

'

Useful lives of other intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'40 years

'

'10 years

Impairment charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,730

'

Aggregate amortization expenses

7,040,000

7,036,000

20,863,000

21,352,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on other intangible assets in 2014

27,800,000

'

27,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on other intangible assets in 2015

26,300,000

'

26,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on other intangible assets in 2016

26,100,000

'

26,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on other intangible assets in 2017

25,700,000

'

25,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on other intangible assets in 2018

$25,300,000

'

$25,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri2

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Carrying Amount and Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion, Carrying Amount	$945,900	$946,257	[1]
Long-term debt, net of current portion, Fair Value	$1,050,855	$999,247
[1]	The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri3

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of commodity cash flow hedges	($65)	($330)
Commodity gain (loss) expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next 12 months	13	'
Fair value of foreign currency cash flow hedges	-422	-97
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	11	'
Foreign currency gain (loss) expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next 12 months	-349	'
Total fair value of other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$15	$415
Natural Gas Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Approximate amount of commodity covered by swap contracts outstanding	6,000,000	'
Anticipated usage percentage covered by a swap contract for the current fiscal year	90.00%	'
Anticipated usage percentage covered by a swap contract for the second succeeding fiscal year	78.00%	'
Aluminum Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Anticipated usage percentage covered by a swap contract for the current fiscal year	34.00%	'
Approximate amount of commodity covered by swap contracts outstanding	4,712	'

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri4

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Net Positions of Foreign Contracts (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member])	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	AUD	CAD	COP	EUR (€)	GBP (£)	MXN	NZD	PLN	RUB	TRY
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Purchase / (Sales) position of foreign currency cash flow hedges	-1,517	12,775	3,755,047	-€ 902	£ 1,117	60,316	-821	668	-10,770	2,331

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri5

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Net Positions of Other Derivatives Contract (Details) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member])	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	CAD	COP	EUR (€)	MXN	THB
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net Purchase / (Sales) position of other derivatives	10,062	12,536,560	€ 50	178,389	-193,299

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri6

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Location and Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Prepaid Expenses [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, assets	$607	$535
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, assets	70	363
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Accrued Expenses and Other [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, liabilities	-606	-1,228
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, liabilities	-136	0
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Prepaid Expenses [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, assets	380	896
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Accrued Expenses and Other [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, liabilities	-802	-993
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Prepaid Expenses [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, assets	116	468
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Accrued Expenses and Other [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives instruments, liabilities	($101)	($53)

Financial_Instruments_and_Deri7

Financial Instruments and Derivatives - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Financial Performance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	($55)	$959	$420	$5,482
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Net Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	241	809	-1,669	3,051
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	0	0	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	232	-871	2,343	-1,921
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain or (Loss) Recognized	77	-770	-359	-1,941
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain or (Loss) Recognized	-194	-67	-41	-207
Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	-1,250	-309	1,519	-1,237
Commodity Contracts [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	123	-1,528	1,248	-3,917
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)	$44	$10	$0	($51)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	$914	$859
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	-65	-330
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	-422	-97
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	15	415
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	914	859
Level 1 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	-65	-330
Level 2 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	-422	-97
Level 2 [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	15	415
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives	$0	$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Retirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$5,491	$6,267	$16,283	$18,756
Interest cost	18,376	16,794	54,684	50,226
Expected return on plan assets	-23,290	-21,582	-69,342	-64,544
Amortization of net transition obligation	102	108	303	328
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	168	141	497	424
Amortization of net actuarial loss	6,630	10,891	19,726	32,571
Effect of settlement loss	0	0	0	1,893
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	7,477	12,619	22,151	39,654
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	181	218	539	664
Interest cost	258	219	768	710
Expected return on plan assets	-398	-378	-1,187	-1,126
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-345	-756	-1,026	-2,230
Amortization of net actuarial loss	-65	-1	-192	-3
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	($369)	($698)	($1,098)	($1,985)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
	Employees			Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]	Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans [Member]	Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]	Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]	Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]	Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan [Member]	Cost of Sales [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Settlement loss recognized associated with retirement liabilities	$1,893,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of participants in loss settlement	100	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of settlement loss recognized in cost of sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	75.00%
Contribution to defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans	'	58,421,000	30,514,000	46,372,000	21,224,000	'	'	12,049,000	9,290,000	'
Projected contributions to retirement plan	'	'	'	7,000,000	'	'	'	0	'	'
Recognized expense related to the plan	'	'	'	'	'	$3,242,000	$3,391,000	$8,728,000	$9,009,000	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$6,700,000	'	$6,700,000	'
Effective tax rate	29.40%	31.50%	31.50%	32.40%

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	4

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Fina

Segment Reporting - Segment Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,263,574	$1,227,749	$3,696,580	$3,633,218
Income before interest and income taxes	111,249	100,284	299,421	273,738
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	-5,908	-5,818	-11,571	-18,785
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,263,574	1,227,749	3,696,580	3,633,218
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	479,609	473,332	1,418,200	1,411,645
Income before interest and income taxes	49,769	49,025	140,783	138,731
Operating Segments [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	480,741	467,847	1,426,367	1,395,271
Income before interest and income taxes	48,996	37,722	125,289	104,717
Operating Segments [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	178,435	167,960	493,972	470,051
Income before interest and income taxes	7,227	7,763	20,098	17,337
Operating Segments [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	124,789	118,610	358,041	356,251
Income before interest and income taxes	10,277	11,029	25,204	32,129
Intersegment Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	27,583	28,364	84,655	82,215
Intersegment Sales [Member] | Consumer Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,008	978	2,916	3,783
Intersegment Sales [Member] | Paper And Industrial Converted Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	25,824	26,320	78,822	74,792
Intersegment Sales [Member] | Display and Packaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	385	445	1,165	1,619
Intersegment Sales [Member] | Protective Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	366	621	1,752	2,021
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	-5,908	-5,818	-11,571	-18,785
Other, net	$888	$563	($382)	($391)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

105 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

93 Months Ended

Sep. 15, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Mar. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Sep. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 08, 2011

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

U.S. Mills [Member]

Tegrant Holding Corporation [Member]

Tegrant Holding Corporation [Member]

Tegrant Holding Corporation [Member]

Insurance_Carriers

Hotspot [Member]

Hotspot [Member]

Lower Fox River [Member]

Operating Units 2 - 5 [Member]

Site Contingency [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of Hotspot remediation to be funded by U.S. Mills

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Environmental remediation expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17,650,000

'

$60,825,000

'

'

'

Environmental remediation spent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,467,000

'

26,884,000

'

'

'

Environmental accrual

'

57,855,000

73,032,000

37,124,000

'

52,124,000

3,183,000

3,183,000

'

33,941,000

18,389,000

18,429,000

18,850,000

maximum penalty per day

750

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proposed settlement amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,700,000

'

'

'

'

Environmental contingencies future related cost, high estimate

'

'

'

99,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of remaining insurance carriers in liquidation

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized environmental loss contingencies settlements from insurance policies

'

'

'

'

$40,825,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'