Sonoco Products (SON) 10-K 28 Feb 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 15, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
Entity Central Index Key	91,767
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	SON
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		99,911,654
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,137,386,083

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120,389	$ 254,912
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $9,913 in 2017 and $10,884 in 2016	737,420	725,251
Other receivables	111,915	64,561
Inventories
Finished and in process	174,115	196,204
Materials and supplies	319,649	277,859
Prepaid expenses	55,784	44,849
Total Current Assets	1,519,272	1,563,636
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,233,821	1,169,377
Goodwill	1,309,167	1,241,875
Other Intangible Assets, Net	352,037	331,295
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	47,297	62,053
Other Assets	121,871	189,485
Total Assets	4,583,465	4,557,721
Current Liabilities
Payable to suppliers	556,011	548,309
Accrued expenses and other	237,197	217,018
Accrued wages and other compensation	85,761	66,337
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	195,445	159,327
Accrued taxes	8,516	8,979
Total Current Liabilities	1,082,930	999,970
Long-term Debt	1,189,717	1,288,002
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	374,419	355,187
Deferred Income Taxes	64,273	74,073
Other Liabilities	99,848	110,429
Commitments and Contingencies
Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred shares, no par value, authorized 30,000 shares, 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
Common shares, no par value, authorized 300,000 shares, 99,414 and 99193 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	7,175	7,175
Capital in excess of stated value	304,709	330,157
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(740,913)	(666,272)
Retained earnings	2,188,115	2,036,006
Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity	1,759,086	1,707,066
Noncontrolling Interests	13,192	22,994
Total Equity	1,772,278	1,730,060
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 4,583,465	$ 4,557,721

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for trade accounts receivable	$ 11,692	$ 9,913
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	99,829,000	99,414,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	99,829,000	99,414,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650	$ 4,782,877
Cost of sales	4,349,932	4,077,998	3,836,594
Gross profit	1,041,006	958,652	946,283
Selling, general and administrative expenses	563,306	507,824	503,049
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	40,071	38,419	42,883
Gain on disposition of business, net	0	0	104,292
Income before interest and income taxes	437,629	412,409	504,643
Non-operating pension costs	941	45,110	11,809
Interest expense	63,147	57,220	54,170
Interest income	4,990	4,475	2,613
Income before income taxes	378,531	314,554	441,277
Provision for income taxes	75,008	146,589	164,631
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	303,523	167,965	276,646
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	11,216	9,482	11,235
Net income	314,739	177,447	287,881
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,179)	(2,102)	(1,447)
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 313,560	$ 175,345	$ 286,434
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	100,539	100,237	101,093
Assuming exercise of awards (in shares)	477	615	689
Diluted (in shares)	101,016	100,852	101,782
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 3.12	$ 1.75	$ 2.83
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 3.10	$ 1.74	$ 2.81

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 314,739	$ 177,447	$ 287,881
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(54,763)	89,108	(32,405)
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax	[1]	(20,244)	59,924	(9,577)
Change in derivative financial instruments, net of tax	[1]	(1,614)	(2,580)	7,091
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(76,621)	146,452	(34,891)
Comprehensive income/(loss)		238,118	323,899	252,990
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,179)	(2,102)	(1,447)
Other comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,156	(1,105)	(956)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Sonoco		$ 239,095	$ 320,692	$ 250,587
[1]	net of tax

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Common Shares	Capital in Excess of Stated Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Non- controlling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 1,532,873	$ 7,175	$ 404,460	$ (702,533)	$ 1,803,827	$ 19,944
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			100,944,000
Net income		287,881				286,434	1,447
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Translation gain/(loss)		(32,405)			(33,361)		956
Defined benefit plan adjustment	[1]	(9,577)			(9,577)
Derivative financial instruments	[1]	7,091			7,091
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(34,891)			(35,847)		956
Dividends		(147,748)				(147,748)
Issuance of stock awards		4,040		4,040
Issuance of stock awards (in shares)			428,000
Shares repurchased		(106,739)		(106,739)
Shares repurchased (in shares)			(2,179,000)
Stock-based compensation		19,289		19,289
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		1,554,705	$ 7,175	321,050	(738,380)	1,942,513	22,347
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			99,193,000
Net income		177,447				175,345	2,102
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Translation gain/(loss)		89,108			88,003		1,105
Defined benefit plan adjustment	[1]	59,924			59,924
Derivative financial instruments	[1]	(2,580)			(2,580)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		146,452			145,347		1,105
Dividends		(154,773)				(154,773)
Issuance of stock awards		1,636		1,636
Issuance of stock awards (in shares)			341,000
Shares repurchased		(6,335)		(6,335)
Shares repurchased (in shares)			(120,000)
Stock-based compensation		13,488		13,488
Acquisition of Sonoco Asia noncontrolling interest		(2,560)					(2,560)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 1,730,060	$ 7,175	330,157	(666,272)	2,036,006	22,994
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		99,414,000	99,414,000
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Impact of new accounting pronouncements		$ 1,721
Net income		314,739
Translation gain/(loss)		(54,763)			(52,607)		(2,156)
Defined benefit plan adjustment	[1]	(20,244)			(20,244)
Derivative financial instruments	[1]	(1,614)			(1,614)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(76,621)			(74,465)		(2,156)
Dividends		(163,348)				(163,348)
Issuance of stock awards		1,688		1,688
Issuance of stock awards (in shares)			682,000
Shares repurchased		(14,561)		(14,561)
Shares repurchased (in shares)			(267,000)
Stock-based compensation		10,730		10,730
Acquisition of Sonoco Asia noncontrolling interest		(35,000)		(23,305)			(11,695)
Non-controlling interest from acquisition		2,870					2,870
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,772,278	$ 7,175	$ 304,709	$ (740,913)	$ 2,188,115	$ 13,192
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		99,829,000	99,829,000
[1]	net of tax

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 314,739	$ 177,447	$ 287,881
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Asset impairment	5,794	20,017	7,122
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	236,245	217,625	205,182
Loss on adjustment of Fox River environmental reserves	0	0	850
Share-based compensation expense	10,730	13,488	19,289
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(11,216)	(9,482)	(11,235)
Cash dividends from affiliated companies	7,570	6,967	10,231
Loss on remeasurement of previously held interest in Conitex	4,784	0	0
Loss on disposition of assets, net	8,635	2,039	14,173
Gain on disposition of business	0	0	(108,699)
Pension and postretirement plan expense	34,885	78,506	45,281
Pension and postretirement plan contributions	(25,373)	(108,579)	(46,716)
Tax effect of share-based compensation exercises	0	0	2,654
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	0	0	(2,695)
Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes	(9,420)	(20,553)	2,591
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, dispositions and foreign currency adjustments
Trade accounts receivable	38,193	(43,773)	(44,672)
Inventories	(6,150)	(16,067)	(11,515)
Payable to suppliers	(4,380)	4,226	5,550
Prepaid expenses	(5,093)	(110)	5,125
Accrued expenses	19,153	(14,606)	(11,742)
Income taxes payable and other income tax items	(19,014)	70,180	21,913
Fox River environmental reserves	0	0	(1,043)
Other assets and liabilities	(10,184)	(29,071)	9,154
Net cash provided by operating activities	589,898	348,254	398,679
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(192,574)	(188,913)	(186,741)
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(277,177)	(383,725)	(88,632)
Payments for Disposal of Assets	0	0	(8,436)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	24,288	5,271	280,373
Investment in affiliates and other	1,335	2,791	294
Net cash used by investing activities	(444,128)	(564,576)	(3,142)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	226,885	448,511	241,180
Principal repayment of debt	(281,262)	(217,320)	(306,305)
Net increase/(decrease) in commercial paper borrowings	(4,000)	124,000	0
Net increase/(decrease) in outstanding checks	(4,282)	7,518	(163)
Cash dividends – common	(161,434)	(153,137)	(146,364)
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation	0	0	2,695
Purchase of Sonoco Asia noncontrolling interest	(35,000)	0	0
Shares acquired	(14,561)	(6,335)	(106,739)
Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities	(273,654)	203,237	(315,696)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	(6,639)	10,771	(5,049)
(Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(134,523)	(2,314)	74,792
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	254,912	257,226	182,434
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	120,389	254,912	257,226
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	63,147	57,170	53,411
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$ 103,442	$ 96,962	$ 134,777

Summary of significant accounti

Summary of significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Summary of significant accounting policies Basis of presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Sonoco Products Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Sonoco”) after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Investments in affiliated companies in which the Company shares control over the financial and operating decisions, but in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Income applicable to these equity investments is reflected in “Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The aggregate carrying value of equity investments is reported in “Other Assets” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance She ets and totaled $55,516 and $107,722 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The year-over-year reduction is primarily the result of the Company's October 1, 2018, acquisition of the remaining 70% interest in Conitex Sonoco (BVI), Ltd. (see Note 4 for additional information). Affiliated companies over which the Company exercised a significant influence at December 31, 2018, included: Entity Ownership Interest Percentage at December 31, 2018 RTS Packaging JVCO 35.0 % Cascades Conversion, Inc. 50.0 % Cascades Sonoco, Inc. 50.0 % Showa Products Company Ltd. 20.0 % Papertech Energía, S.L. 25.0 % Weidenhammer New Packaging, LLC 40.0 % Also incl uded in the investment totals above is the Company’s 19.5% ownership in a small tubes and cores business in Chile and its 12.19% ownership in a small paper recycling business in Finland. These investments are accounted for under the cost method as the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over them. Estimates and assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue recognition Beginning in 2018, the Company records revenue when control is transferred to the customer, which is either upon shipment or over time in cases where the Company is entitled to payment with margin for products produced that are customer specific without alternative use. The Company recognizes over time revenue under the input method as goods are produced. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is recognized when the customer obtains control of the goods. Customers obtain control either when goods are delivered to the customer facility, if the Company is responsible for arranging transportation, or when picked up by the customer's designated carrier. The Company commonly enters into Master Supply Arrangements (MSA) with customers to provide goods and/or services over specific time periods. Customers submit purchase orders with quantities and prices to create a contract for accounting purposes. Shipping and handling expenses are considered a fulfillment cost, and included in "Cost of Sales," and freight charged to customers is included in "Net Sales" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior to 2018, the Company recorded revenue when title and risk of ownership passed to the customer, and when persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, delivery had occurred or services had been rendered, the sales price to the customer was fixed or determinable and when collectibility was reasonably assured. Certain judgments, such as provisions for estimates of sales returns and allowances, were required in the application of the Company’s revenue policy and, therefore, were included in the results of operations in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Shipping and handling expenses were included in “Cost of sales,” and freight charged to customers was included in “Net sales” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The Company has rebate agreements with certain customers. These rebates are recorded as reductions of sales and are accrued using sales data and rebate percentages specific to each customer agreement. Accrued customer rebates are included in "Accrued expenses and other" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms under the Company's arrangements are short term in nature, generally no longer than 120 days. The Company does provide prompt payment discounts to certain customers if invoices are paid within a predetermined period. Prompt payment discounts are treated as a reduction of revenue and are determinable within a short period after the originating sale. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts The Company’s trade accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are recorded at the invoiced amounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. Provisions are made to the allowance for doubtful accounts at such time that collection of all or part of a trade account receivable is in question. The allowance for doubtful accounts is monitored on a regular basis and adjustments are made as needed to ensure that the account properly reflects the Company’s best estimate of uncollectible trade accounts receivable. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that the receivable will not be recovered. Sales to the Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 4% of the Company’s net sales in 2018, 4% in 2017 and 5% in 2016, primarily in the Display and Packaging and Consumer Packaging segments. Receivables from this customer accounted for approximately 4% of the Company’s total trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 and 4% at December 31, 2017. The Company’s next largest customer comprised approximately 4% of the Company’s net sales in 2018, 3% in 2017 and 4% in 2016. Certain of the Company’s customers sponsor and actively promote multi-vendor supply chain finance arrangements and, in a limited number of cases, the Company has agreed to participate. Accordingly, approxim ately 9% and 7% of consolidated annual sales were settled under these arrangements in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Research and development Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and include salaries and other directly related expenses. Research and development costs totaling approximately $23,200 in 2018, $21,000 in 2017 and $22,500 in 2016 are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Restructuring and asset impairment Costs associated with exit or disposal activities are recognized when the liability is incurred. If assets become impaired as a result of a restructuring action, the assets are written down to fair value, less estimated costs to sell, if applicable. A number of significant estimates and assumptions are involved in the determination of fair value. The Company considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates are made; however, the amounts that are ultimately realized upon the sale of divested assets may differ from the estimated fair values reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents are composed of highly liquid investments with an original maturity to the Company of generally three months or less when purchased. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates market. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used for the valuation of certain of the Company’s domestic inventories, primarily metal, internally manufactured paper and paper purchased from third parties. The LIFO method of accounting was used to determine the carrying costs of a pproximately 14% and 14% o f total inventories at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The remaining inventories are determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used for all inventories, total inventory would have been hi gher by $18,854 and $17,632 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Property, plant and equipment Plant assets represent the original cost of land, buildings and equipment, less depreciation, computed under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Equipment lives generally range from 3 to 11 years, and buildings from 15 to 40 years. Timber resources are stated at cost. Depletion is charged to operations based on the estimated number of units of timber cut during the year. Goodwill and other intangible assets The Company assesses its 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. In performing the impairment test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This quantitative test considers factors such as the amount by which estimated fair value exceeds current carrying value, current year operating performance as compared to prior projections, and implied fair values from comparable trading and transaction multiples. Calculated reporting unit 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, corroborated by comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company's projections incorporate management's best estimates of the expected future results, which include expectations related to new and retained business and future operating margins. 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. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit’s assets, including goodwill, there is no impairment. If not, and the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the fair value of that goodwill, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess. Goodwill is not amortized. Intangible assets are amortized, usually on a straight-line basis, over their respective useful lives, which generally range from 3 to 40 years. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. The Company has no intangibles with indefinite lives. Income taxes The Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting requirements and tax laws. Assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on our estimate of whether it is more likely than not that additional taxes will be required and we report related interest and penalties as income taxes. Derivatives The Company uses derivatives to mitigate the effect of fluctuations in some of its raw material and energy costs, foreign currencies, and, from time to time, interest rates. The Company purchases commodities such as recovered paper, metal, resins and energy generally at market or at fixed prices that are established with the vendor as part of the purchase process for quantities expected to be consumed in the ordinary course of business. The Company may enter into commodity futures or swaps to manage the effect of price fluctuations. The Company may use foreign currency forward contracts and other risk management instruments to manage exposure to changes in foreign currency cash flows and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is exposed to interest-rate fluctuations as a result of using debt as a source of financing for its operations. The Company may from time to time use traditional, unleveraged interest rate swaps to adjust its mix of fixed and variable rate debt to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company records its derivatives as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value using published market prices or estimated values based on current price and/or rate quotes and discounted estimated cash flows. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized either in net income or in other comprehensive income, depending on the designated purpose of the derivative. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. It is the Company’s policy not to speculate in derivative instruments. Business combinations The Company’s acquisitions of businesses are accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations." The Company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in an acquired business at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred, also measured at fair value, over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the fair values of identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities including those related to debt, pensions and other postretirement plans, uncertain tax positions, contingent consideration and contingencies. This method also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Significant estimates and assumptions in estimating the fair value of acquired customer relationships, technology, and other identifiable intangible assets include future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be increased or decreased, or the acquired asset could be impaired. Reportable segments The Company identifies its reportable segments by evaluating the level of detail reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, methods used to distribute products, and nature of the regulatory environment. Of these factors, the Company believes that the most significant in determining the aggregation of operating segments are the nature of the products and the type of customers served. Contingencies Pursuant to U.S. GAAP for accounting for contingencies, accruals for estimated losses are recorded at the time information becomes available indicating that losses are probable and that the amounts are reasonably estimable. Amounts so accrued are not discounted.

New accounting pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
New accounting pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements In December 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-16 "Derivatives and Hedging: Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes," which allows the use of the SOFR and OIS rate as benchmark rates after the Federal Reserve started publishing such daily rate on April 3, 2018. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract," which provides guidance on capitalizing implementation cost associated with arrangements that contain a license. The Company adopted this ASU using the prospective method effective October 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements . In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this standard in the fourth quarter of 2017 using specific identification, and as a result reclassified $73,239 from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" to "Retained earnings." This reclassification related only to the change in the statutory tax rate and affected only the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017, and Consolidated Statement of Changes in Total Equity for the year ended December 31, 2017. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The update to the standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, and recorded a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings of $176 as of that date in order to remove previously recognized ineffectiveness losses on contracts outstanding as of the date of adoption In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Scope of Modification Accounting," which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. Under the new guidance, modification accounting to a share-based payment award will not be applied if all of the following are the same immediately before and after the change: the award's fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if those measurement methods are used); the award's vesting conditions; and the award's classification as an equity or liability instrument. While the new guidance does not change the accounting for modifications, it is intended to reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications. This update is effective for annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2017, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company elected to early adopt the standard in the fourth quarter 2017. The adoption did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires an employer to report service cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost as defined are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented, or disclosed. This update also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, modifying its income statement presentation of the components of net benefit cost accordingly, including the retrospective application to previously reported results. As a result of the retrospective application, the amounts previously reported in "Cost of sales" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" for the year ended December 31, 2017, were reduced by $9,262 and $35,848, respectively, and "Operating profit" increased by $45,110, in order to conform to the current presentation. The comparable changes for the year ended December 31, 2016, were $8,857, $2,952, and $11,809, for "Cost of sales," "Selling, general and administrative expenses," and "Operating profit," respectively. No change was required to the Company's policy regarding the capitalization of such costs. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” eliminating the requirement to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company elected early adoption of the standard effective January 1, 2018. Any future goodwill impairment, should it occur, will be determined in accordance with this ASU. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory," which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset upon transfer of an asset other than inventory, eliminating the current recognition exception. Prior to this ASU, GAAP prohibited the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers until the asset was sold to an outside party. The recognition prohibition was an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. This guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," providing clarification on eight cash flow classification issues, including 1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, 2) settlement of relatively insignificant debt instruments, 3) contingent consideration payments, 4) insurance claim settlements, 5) life insurance settlements, 6) distributions received from equity method investees, 7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and 8) separately identifiable cash flows. This guidance, which applies to both interim and annual periods, became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. As a result of the retrospective application, insurance proceeds totaling $1,104 received during the year ended December 31, 2017 that were previously reported in "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" were reclassified to "Cash Flows from Investing Activities." Otherwise, adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as the Company either did not realize any cash flows from these types of activities, such amounts were immaterial, or the prescribed guidance did not differ from its current practice. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," which provides guidance on recording revenue on a gross basis versus a net basis based on the determination of whether an entity is a principal or an agent when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer. The amendments in this update affect the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 and are effective in the same time frame as ASU 2014-09 as discussed below. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). This standard requires lessees to record right of use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. Long-term leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective optional approach prescribed by ASU 2018-11, which allows for comparative periods to continue to be presented as previously reported under the previous accounting standard (ASC 840). The Company will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard upon adoption and will make an accounting policy election to keep leases with a term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet in accordance with ASU 2016-02’s short-term lease exemption provision. The Company is also electing the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases and will elect to combine lease and non-lease components. In preparation for adoption of this ASU, the Company has begun implementing internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of compliant financial information. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as it is expected to add additional ROU assets and liabilities of between $325,000 and $350,000 as of January 1, 2019. The Company does not believe that ASU 2016-02 will have a material effect on its Consolidated Statements of Income. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 requires certain changes to the presentation of cash flows, but the Company does not believe it will have a notable impact on the Company’s liquidity. Additionally, the Company does not believe that ASU 2016-02 will have an impact on compliance with debt covenants under its current agreements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers," which changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. Among other changes, ASU 2014-09 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. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 following the modified retrospective transition method and, as such, recorded a cumulative adjustment of $1,721 to beginning retained earnings for the period. The most significant impacts to the Company's financial statements from the adoption of this ASU are the acceleration of revenue recognition compared to prior standards for arrangements under which the Company is producing customer-specific products without alternative use and would be entitled to payment for work completed, including a reasonable margin, and the recognition of material customer contract rights for certain agreed-upon future price concessions . Other than the pronouncements discussed above, 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 December 31, 2018, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Changes in Accounting Policy

Changes in Accounting Policy	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Changes in Accounting Policy	Changes in accounting policy Except for the changes below, the Company has consistently applied the accounting policies to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," effective January 1, 2018. As a result, the Company has changed its accounting policy for revenue recognition as detailed in Note 15. The Company applied ASC 606 using the cumulative effect method by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying ASC 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at January 1, 2018. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605. The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes are set out below. December 31, 2017 Adjustments January 1, 2018 Assets Current Assets Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 725,251 $ 3,636 $ 728,887 Other receivables 64,561 41,351 105,912 Inventories: Finished and in process 196,204 (37,447) 158,757 Total Assets 4,557,721 7,540 4,565,261 Liabilities and Equity Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other 283,355 5,215 288,570 Deferred Income Taxes 74,073 604 74,677 Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings 2,036,006 1,721 2,037,727 Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity 1,707,066 1,721 1,708,787 Total Equity 1,730,060 1,721 1,731,781 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 4,557,721 $ 7,540 $ 4,565,261 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Assets Current Assets Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 737,420 $ (2,913) $ 734,507 Other receivables 111,915 (42,739) 69,176 Inventories: Finished and in process 174,115 38,000 212,115 Long-term Deferred Income Taxes 47,297 362 47,659 Total Assets 4,583,465 (7,290) 4,576,175 Liabilities and Equity Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other 237,197 (6,258) 230,939 Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings 2,188,115 (1,032) 2,187,083 Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity 1,759,086 (1,032) 1,758,054 Total Equity 1,772,278 (1,032) 1,771,246 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 4,583,465 $ (7,290) $ 4,576,175 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 Net sales $ 5,390,938 $ 378 $ 5,391,316 Cost of sales 4,349,932 (553) 4,349,379 Gross profit 1,041,006 931 1,041,937 Operating Profit 437,629 931 438,560 Income before income taxes 378,531 931 379,462 Provision for income taxes 75,008 242 75,250 Income before equity in earnings of affiliates 303,523 689 304,212 Net income 314,739 689 315,428 Net income attributable to Sonoco $ 313,560 $ 689 $ 314,249 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 Net income $ 314,739 $ 689 $ 315,428 Other comprehensive income/(loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments (54,763) 73 (54,690) Other comprehensive (loss)/income (76,621) 73 (76,548) Comprehensive income 238,118 762 238,880 Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (1,179) 762 (417) Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco $ 239,095 $ 762 $ 239,857 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Net income $ 314,739 $ 689 $ 315,428 Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes (9,420) (2,391) (11,811) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Trade accounts receivable 38,193 (648) 37,545 Inventories (6,150) (553) (6,703) Other assets and liabilities (10,184) 1,313 (8,871) Accrued expenses 19,153 (1,043) 18,110 Income taxes payable and other income tax items (19,014) 2,633 (16,381) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 589,898 $ — $ 589,898

Acquisitions and dispositions

Acquisitions and dispositions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and dispositions	Acquisitions and dispositions Acquisitions On October 1, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 70 percent interest in Conitex Sonoco (BVI), Ltd. ("Conitex Sonoco") from Texpack Investments, Inc. ("Texpack") for total consideration of $134,847, including net cash payments of $127,782 and debt assumed of $7,065. Final consideration was subject to a post-closing adjustment for the change in working capital to the date of closing. This adjustment was settled in February 2019 for an additional cash payment to the seller of $84. The Conitex Sonoco joint venture was formed in 1998 with Texpack, a Spanish-based global provider of paperboard and paper-based packaging products. Conitex Sonoco produces uncoated recycled paperboard and tubes and cones for the global spun yarn industry, as well as adhesives, flexible intermediate bulk containers and corrugated pallets. Conitex Sonoco has approximately 1,250 employees across 13 manufacturing locations in 10 countries (principally in Asia), including four paper mills and seven cone and tube converting operations and two other production facilities. Also on October 1, 2018, the Company acquired a rigid paper facility in Spain ("Compositub") from Texpack Group Holdings B.V. for a cash payment of $9,956. Final consideration was subject to a post-closing adjustment for the change in working capital to the date of closing. This adjustment was settled in February 2019 for an additional cash payment to the seller of $371. Immediately prior to the acquisition, the fair value of the Company's 30 percent interest in Conitex Sonoco was determined to be $52,543 with a carrying value of $57,327. As the carrying value of the investment exceeded its acquisition-date fair value, the investment was written down to fair value resulting in a charge of $4,784 in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, foreign currency translation losses related to the Company's investment in Conitex Sonoco were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting in a charge of $897 in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2018. The allocation of the purchase price of Conitex Sonoco and Compositub to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based on the Company's preliminary estimates of their fair value based on information currently available. Management is continuing to finalize its valuation of certain assets and liabilities, including, but not limited to: property, plant and equipment; income taxes; other intangible assets and accrued expenses, and will conclude its valuation no later than one year from the acquisition date. The provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisitions of Conitex Sonoco and Compositub are as follows: Conitex Sonoco Compositub Trade accounts receivable $ 50,937 $ 2,173 Inventories 29,025 750 Property, plant and equipment 97,261 3,430 Goodwill 29,722 2,512 Other intangible assets 21,850 2,512 Trade accounts payable (23,429) (1,273) Short-term debt (7,065) — Deferred income taxes, net (11,744) — Noncontrolling interests (2,655) — Other net tangible assets /(liabilities) (3,577) (148) Net assets $ 180,325 $ 9,956 Factors comprising goodwill, $2,000 of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, include increased access to certain markets as well as the value of the assembled workforce. The financial results of Conitex Sonoco and Compositub are included in the Company's Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment and Consumer Packaging segment, respectively. On April 12, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Highland Packaging Solutions ("Highland"). Total consideration for this acquisition was $148,539, including net cash paid of $141,039, along with a contingent purchase liability of $7,500. The contingent purchase liability is based upon a sales metric which the Company expects to meet and is payable in two installments. The first installment of $5,000 is to be paid one year after the closing date and the second installment of $2,500 is to be paid two years after the closing date. The liability for these two payments has been recognized in full on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018, with the first installment included in "Accrued expenses and other" and the second in "Other Liabilities." Highland manufactures thermoformed plastic packaging for fresh produce and dairy products from a single production facility in Plant City, Florida, providing total packaging solutions for customers that include sophisticated engineered containers, flexographic printed labels, and inventory management through distribution warehouses in the Southeast and West Coast of the United States. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Highland acquisition are as follows: Trade accounts receivable $ 6,072 Inventories 27,225 Property, plant and equipment 29,586 Goodwill 46,787 Other intangible assets 45,524 Trade accounts payable (6,006) Other net tangible assets /(liabilities) (649) Net assets $ 148,539 Subsequent to acquiring Highland, the Company continued to finalize its valuations of certain assets and liabilities based on new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, including, but not limited to: property, plant and equipment; other intangible assets; and accrued expenses. Factors comprising goodwill, all of which is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, include increased access to certain markets as well as the value of the assembled workforce. Highland's financial results are included in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment and the business operates within the Company's global plastics division. The Company does not believe that the results of the acquired Highland, Conitex Sonoco, or Compositub businesses were material to the years presented, individually or in the aggregate, and are therefore not subject to the supplemental pro-forma information required by ASC 805. Accordingly, this information is not presented herein. The Company completed two acquisitions during 2017 at a net cash cost of $383,725. On July 24, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. ("Clear Lam") for $164,951, net of cash acquired. Final consideration was subject to an adjustment for working capital, which resulted in cash of $1,600 being returned to the Company in 2018. Clear Lam manufactures high barrier flexible and forming films used to package a variety of products for consumer packaged goods companies, retailers and other industrial manufacturers, with a focus on structures used for perishable foods. It has production facilities in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and Nanjing, China. Clear Lam's financial results are included in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment. The Company finalized its valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired in the Clear Lam acquisition during 2018 based on information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. As a result, measurement period adjustments were made to the previously disclosed provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition of Clear Lam that decreased net property, plant and equipment by $1,168, decreased other intangible assets by $1,300, increased other long-term liabilities by $1,385, increased goodwill by $1,568, and increased other net tangible assets by $685. On March 14, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Packaging Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries, including Peninsula Packaging LLC ("Packaging Holdings"), for $218,774, net of cash acquired. Packaging Holdings manufactures thermoformed packaging for a wide range of whole fresh fruits, pre-cut fruits and produce, prepared salad mixes, as well as baked goods in retail supermarkets from five manufacturing facilities, including four in the United States and one in Mexico. Packaging Holding's financial results are included in the Company's Consumer Packaging segment and the business operates as the Peninsula brand of thermoformed packaging products within the Company's global plastics division. The Company finalized its valuations of the assets and liabilities acquired in the Packaging Holdings acquisition during 2018 based on information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. As a result, measurement period adjustments were made to the previously disclosed provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition of Packaging Holdings that increased inventory by $2,381, decreased deferred tax assets by $6,916, increased long-term debt by $664, and increased goodwill by $5,199 The adjustments were primarily related to a reduction in the Company's valuation of acquired tax loss carryforwards, and the fair values of spare parts inventories and capital lease obligations. Although neither of the acquisitions completed during 2017 were considered individually material, they were considered material on a combined basis. The following table presents the Company's estimated pro forma consolidated results for 2017 and 2016, assuming both acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016. This pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had been completed as of the beginning of 2016, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results. Pro Forma Supplemental Information (unaudited) Consolidated 2017 2016 Net sales $ 5,143,066 $ 5,080,492 Net income attributable to Sonoco $ 178,205 $ 271,749 Earnings per share: Pro forma basic $ 1.78 $ 2.69 Pro forma diluted $ 1.77 $ 2.67 The pro forma information above does not project the Company’s expected results of any future period and gives no effect for any future synergistic benefits that may result from consolidating these subsidiaries or costs from integrating their operations with those of the Company. Pro forma information for both 2017 and 2016 includes adjustments to depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and income taxes. Acquisition-related costs of $4,345 and non-recurring expenses related to fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory of $5,750 were recognized in 2017 in connection with the acquisitions of Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam. These costs are excluded from 2017 pro forma net income and reflected as though having been incurred on January 1, 2016. The following table presents the aggregate, unaudited financial results for Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam from their respective dates of acquisition: Aggregate Supplemental Information (unaudited) Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam 2017 Actual net sales $ 215,227 Actual net income $ 3,886 The Company completed four acquisitions during 2016 at a net cash cost of $88,632. On November 1, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of Plastic Packaging Inc. ("PPI"), a privately held Hickory, N.C.-based flexible packaging company for $67,568, net of cash acquired. Founded in 1957, PPI, which is part of the Company's Consumer Packaging segment, specializes in short-run, customized flexible packaging for consumer brands in markets including food products, pet products, confection, and health and personal care. PPI operates two manufacturing facilities in North Carolina with approximately 170 employees. In conjunction with this acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $22,756, identifiable intangibles of $18,900, and goodwill of $25,912, none of which was tax deductible. Factors comprising goodwill include the ability to leverage product offerings across a broader customer base and the value of the assembled workforce. On September 19, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of Laminar Medica ("Laminar") in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic, from Clinimed (Holdings) Limited, a privately held specialty medical products company based in the U.K. for $17,201, net of cash acquired. In conjunction with this acquisition, which is accounted for as part of the Company's Protective Solutions segment, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $2,739, identifiable intangibles of $5,654, and goodwill of $8,808 none of which was tax deductible. Factors comprising goodwill include increased access to certain markets as well as the value of the assembled workforce. On August 30, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of the temperature-controlled cargo container assets, licenses, trademarks, and manufacturing rights from AAR Corporation. Total consideration for this business was $6,000, including cash paid of $3,000, non-contingent deferred payments of $2,000, and a contingent purchase liability totaling $1,000. The non-contingent deferred payments were due in two installments, $1,000 that was paid 12 months from the closing date, and $1,000 that was paid 24 months from the closing date. The contingent purchase liability is based upon a highly attainable metric which the Company expects to be met. The contingent liability is payable in two installments, $500 due 36 months from the closing date and $500 due 48 months from the closing date. In relation to this acquisition, which is accounted for as part of the Protective Solutions segment, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $200, identifiable intangibles of $4,100, and goodwill of $1,700. All of the goodwill was tax deductible. On June 24, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of a small tube and core business in Australia. The all-cash purchase price of the business was $863. In conjunction with this acquisition, which is part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $149, identifiable intangibles of $297, and goodwill of $417, none of which was tax deductible. Acquisition-related costs of $14,446, $13,790 and $4,569 were incurred in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These costs, consisting primarily of legal and professional fees, are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Acquisition-related costs incurred in 2018 also include the previously discussed charge related to the acquisition-date fair value remeasurement of the Company's 30 percent investment in Conitex Sonoco and the foreign currency translation losses related to this investment. The Company has accounted for these acquisitions as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with the business combinations subtopic of the Accounting Standards Codification and, accordingly, has included their results of operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of net income from the respective dates of acquisition. Dispositions On November 7, 2016 the Company completed the sale of its rigid plastics blow molding operations to Amcor Rigid Plastics USA, LLC and Amcor Packaging Canada, Inc. These operations manufactured containers serving the personal care and food and beverage markets and consisted of seven manufacturing facilities (six in the U.S. and one in Canada), with approximately 850 employees. The selling price was approximately $280,000, with the Company receiving net cash proceeds of $271,817 at closing with another $7,775 held in escrow pending resolution of a contingency. In conjunction with the sale, the Company wrote off the following assets and liabilities: trade accounts receivable of $35,031; inventory of $14,700; trade accounts payable of $18,494; property, plant and equipment of $41,210; other net tangible liabilities totaling $499; goodwill of $76,435; and identifiable intangibles (primarily customer lists) of $14,735. Disposal-related costs totaled $4,407, resulting in the recognition of a gain on the disposition of $104,292. During 2017, the contingency was resolved with no additional proceeds being released to the Company and no additional gain on sale being recorded.The decision to sell the blow molding operations was made in order to allow the Company to focus on, and provide resources to further enhance, its targeted growth businesses, including flexible packaging, thermoformed rigid plastics, and temperature-assurance packaging. The sale did not represent a strategic shift for the Company that will have a major effect on the entity's operations and financial results. Consequently, the sale did not meet the criteria for reporting as a discontinued operation. There were no dispositions in 2018 or 2017.

Restructuring and asset impairm

Restructuring and asset impairment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 2018 and 2017 are reported as “2018 Actions” and “2017 Actions,” respectively. Actions initiated prior to 2017, all of which were substantially complete at December 31, 2018, are reported as “2016 and Earlier Actions.” Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges, net of adjustments, recognized during the periods presented: Year Ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Restructuring/Asset impairment: 2018 Actions $ 32,293 $ — $ — 2017 Actions 7,870 15,329 — 2016 and Earlier Actions (92) 4,505 40,266 Other asset impairments — 18,585 2,617 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges $ 40,071 $ 38,419 $ 42,883 Income tax benefit (10,038) (13,064) (7,520) Restructuring benefit attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax (191) (71) (161) Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment charges, net of tax $ 29,842 $ 25,284 $ 35,202 Pretax restructuring and asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company expects to recognize future additional costs totaling approximately $1,800 in connection with previously announced restructuring actions. The Company believes that the majority of these charges will be incurred and paid by the end of 2019. The Company continually evaluates its cost structure, including its manufacturing capacity, and additional restructuring actions are likely to be undertaken. 2018 Actions During 2018, the Company announced the closure of a flexible packaging plant in North Carolina, a global brand management facility in Canada, and a thermoformed packaging plant in California (all part of the Consumer Packaging segment), five tube and core plants - one in Alabama, one in Canada, one in Indonesia, one in Russia, and one in Norway (all part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a protective packaging plant in North Carolina (part of the Protective Solutions segment). Restructuring actions in the Display and Packaging segment included charges associated with exiting a single-customer contract at a packaging center near Atlanta, Georgia. In addition the Company continued to realign its cost structure, resulting in the elimination of approximately 120 positions. Below is a summary of 2018 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 2018 Actions Year Ended December 31, 2018 Estimated Total Cost Severance and Termination Benefits Consumer Packaging $ 4,700 $ 4,700 Display and Packaging 1,939 1,939 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 3,111 3,211 Protective Solutions 1,075 1,075 Corporate 243 243 Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets Consumer Packaging 2,688 2,688 Display and Packaging 4,625 4,625 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 118 118 Protective Solutions (243) (243) Other Costs Consumer Packaging 2,390 2,990 Display and Packaging 9,850 9,950 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 1,761 2,461 Protective Solutions 46 46 Corporate (10) (10) Total Charges and Adjustments $ 32,293 $ 33,793 The following table sets forth the activity in the 2018 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2018 Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2017 $ — $ — $ — $ — 2018 charges 11,068 7,188 14,037 32,293 Cash (payments)/receipts (7,858) 24,300 (13,853) 2,589 Asset write downs/disposals — (31,488) — (31,488) Foreign currency translation (16) — (5) (21) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 3,194 $ — $ 179 $ 3,373 Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" above are losses totaling $4,516 from the disposition of certain assets as a result of exiting a single-customer contract associated with a packaging center near Atlanta, Georgia. The Company received proceeds of $22,163 in conjunction with the sale of fixed assets with a net book value of $24,869, and wrote off inventory with a book value of $1,810. Also included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" is a net gain of $272 resulting from the sale of a building and land relating to the closure of a protective packaging plant in North Carolina. The Company received proceeds of $2,019 from the sale and wrote off fixed assets of $1,747. Additional disposals of fixed assets and inventory totaling $1,924 and $117, respectively, were recognized in 2018 relating to the closure of a thermoformed packaging plant in Hollister, California. "Other costs" include a contract termination fee of $9,600 relating to exiting the single-customer contract referred to above as well as 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 2018 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2019 using cash generated from operations. 2017 Actions During 2017, the Company announced the closure of an expanded foam protective packaging plant in the United States (part of the Protective Solutions segment), five tubes and cores plants - three in the United States, one in Belgium, and one in China (all part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment), and a packaging services center in Mexico (part of the Display and Packaging segment). In addition, approximately 185 positions were eliminated throughout 2017 in conjunction with the Company's ongoing organizational effectiveness efforts. Below is a summary of 2017 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. Year Ended December 31, Total Incurred to Date Estimated Total Cost 2017 Actions 2018 2017 Severance and Termination Benefits Consumer Packaging $ 3,819 $ 4,191 $ 8,010 $ 8,010 Display and Packaging 53 741 794 794 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 40 4,018 4,058 4,058 Protective Solutions 172 1,398 1,570 1,570 Corporate — 452 452 452 Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets Consumer Packaging 107 351 458 458 Display and Packaging 377 — 377 377 Paper and Industrial Converted Products (1,320) (95) (1,415) (1,415) Protective Solutions 93 871 964 964 Other Costs Consumer Packaging 1,399 879 2,278 2,278 Display and Packaging 1,979 789 2,768 2,868 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 817 1,001 1,818 1,818 Protective Solutions 334 742 1,076 1,176 Corporate — (9) (9) (9) Total Charges and Adjustments $ 7,870 $ 15,329 $ 23,199 $ 23,399 The following table sets forth the activity in the 2017 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2017 Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2016 $ — $ — $ — $ — 2017 charges 10,800 1,127 3,402 15,329 Cash receipts/(payments) (6,951) 636 (3,187) (9,502) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,763) — (1,763) Foreign currency translation 40 — (2) 38 Liability, December 31, 2017 $ 3,889 $ — $ 213 $ 4,102 2018 charges 4,084 (743) 4,529 7,870 Adjustments — — — — Cash (payments)/receipts (6,610) 2,014 (2,892) (7,488) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,271) — (1,271) Foreign currency translation (27) — 25 (2) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 1,336 $ — $ 1,875 $ 3,211 Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" in 2017 above is a loss of $1,238 primarily related to the impairment of fixed assets resulting from the closure of an expanded foam protective packaging plant in North Carolina, and a net gain of $111 relating primarily to the sale of two vacated buildings. The Company received proceeds of $636 from the sale of these buildings and wrote-off assets of $525. Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" in 2018 above are gains totaling $1,429 related to the sales of the land and buildings associated with two previously closed tube and core facilities and a recovered paper facility. The Company received proceeds of $2,006 from these sales and wrote off assets with a book value totaling $577. In addition impairments of fixed assets totaling $620 were recognized from restructuring actions initiated in 2017. "Other Costs" in 2018 consists of a one-time building lease contract termination fee of $1,931 relating to the closure of a packaging services center in Mexico as well as costs related to plant closures including equipment removal, utilities, plant security, property taxes and insurance. "Other costs" in 2017 consists 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 2017 Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2019 using cash generated from operations. 2016 and Earlier Actions 2016 and Earlier Actions are comprised of a number of plant closures and workforce reductions initiated prior to 2017. Below is a summary of 2016 and Earlier Actions and related expenses by type incurred. Year Ended December 31, 2016 and Earlier Actions 2018 2017 2016 Severance and Termination Benefits Consumer Packaging $ 121 $ 1,087 $ 5,554 Display and Packaging (23) 34 4,401 Paper and Industrial Converted Products (26) 743 5,881 Protective Solutions — — 678 Corporate — 20 1,531 Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets Consumer Packaging — (1,377) 1,352 Display and Packaging — 90 3,047 Paper and Industrial Converted Products (252) 308 13,490 Protective Solutions — (28) 3 Other Costs Consumer Packaging (19) 1,620 1,680 Display and Packaging — 394 492 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 52 1,435 1,820 Protective Solutions 55 179 337 Total Charges and Adjustments $ (92) $ 4,505 $ 40,266 The following table sets forth the activity in the 2016 and Earlier Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2016 and Earlier Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2016 $ 7,166 $ — $ 640 $ 7,806 2017 charges 2,480 (1,007) 4,141 5,614 Adjustments (596) — (513) (1,109) Cash receipts/(payments) (7,236) 2,921 (3,222) (7,537) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,914) (253) (2,167) Foreign currency translation 279 — 158 437 Liability, December 31, 2017 $ 2,093 $ — $ 951 $ 3,044 2018 charges 72 (252) 88 (92) Adjustments — — — — Cash receipts/(payments) (1,376) 252 (796) (1,920) Asset write downs/disposals — — — Foreign currency translation (26) — (18) (44) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 763 $ — $ 225 $ 988 Included in "Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets" in 2017 is a gain of $2,022 from the sale of the land and building of a rigid paper plant in Manchester, England. The Company received proceeds from the sale of $2,741 and wrote off assets of $719. "Other Costs” in both 2018 and 2017 consist primarily of costs related to plant closures including equipment removal, utilities, plant security, property taxes and insurance. "Adjustments" in 2017 relate primarily to revisions to reserves for remaining severance payments and future building rental costs. The Company expects to recognize future pretax charges of approximately $100 associated with 2016 and Earlier Actions, and expects to pay the majority of the remaining 2016 and Earlier Actions restructuring costs by the end of 2019 using cash generated from operations. Other Asset Impairments During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recognized the impairment of a power generating facility at its Hartsville manufacturing complex. The facility, which is part of the Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment, was determined to have been rendered obsolete by the Company's new biomass facility and was closed during the first quarter of 2018. As a result, the Company recognized a pretax asset impairment charge of $17,822 in December 2017. As a result of the continued devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar in 2017, the Company recognized impairment charges against inventories and certain long-term nonmonetary assets totaling $338. The assets were deemed to be impaired as the U.S. dollar value of the projected cash flows from these assets was no longer sufficient to recover their U.S. dollar carrying values. In addition, the Company has recognized foreign exchange remeasurement losses on net monetary assets of $425. During the Company's 2016 annual goodwill impairment testing, management concluded that goodwill associated with the Paper and Industrial Converted Products - Brazil reporting unit had become impaired as a result of the continued deterioration of economic conditions in Brazil. Accordingly, an impairment charge totaling $2,617, the entire amount of goodwill associated with this reporting unit, was recognized during the third quarter of 2016. No other impairments were identified during this most recently completed annual goodwill impairment testing. These asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

Book overdrafts and cash poolin

Book overdrafts and cash pooling	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Book overdrafts and cash pooling	Book overdrafts and cash pooling At December 31, 2018 and 2017, outstanding checks totaling $13,205 and $17,343, respectively, were included in “Payable to suppliers” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, outstanding payroll checks of $114 and $259 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were included in “Accrued wages and other compensation” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company uses a notional pooling arrangement with an international bank to help manage global liquidity requirements. Under this pooling arrangement, the Company and its participating subsidiaries may maintain either cash deposit or borrowing positions through local currency accounts with the bank, so long as the aggregate position of the global pool is a notionally calculated net cash deposit. Because it maintains a security interest in the cash deposits, and has the right to offset the cash deposits against the borrowings, the bank provides the Company and its participating subsidiaries favorable interest terms on both. The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a net cash deposit under this pooling arrangement of $2,562 and $3,328 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment Details of the Company's property, plant and equipment at December 31 are as follows: 2018 2017 Land $ 110,698 $ 87,878 Timber resources 41,862 41,664 Buildings 535,433 502,046 Machinery and equipment 2,977,156 2,871,622 Construction in progress 159,661 143,403 3,824,810 3,646,613 Accumulated depreciation and depletion (2,590,989) (2,477,236) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 1,233,821 $ 1,169,377 Estimated costs for completion of capital additions under construction totaled approximately $111,300 at December 31, 2018. Depreciation and depletion expense amounted to $188,533 in 2018, $178,049 in 2017 and $173,295 in 2016. The Company has certain properties and equipment that are leased under noncancelable operating leases. Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases with terms of more than one year are as follows: 2019 – $48,200; 2020 – $41,700; 2021 – $32,500; 2022 – $27,300; 2023 – $21,400 and thereafter – $92,300. Total rental expense under operating leases was approximately $80,300 in 2018, $68,900 in 2017 and $71,800 in 2016.

Goodwill and other intangible a

Goodwill and other intangible assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the year ended December 31, 2018, are as follows: Consumer Packaging Display and Packaging Paper and Industrial Converted Products Protective Solutions Total Balance as of January 1, 2018 $ 572,716 $ 203,414 $ 233,778 $ 231,967 $ 1,241,875 Acquisitions 49,298 — 29,722 — 79,020 Other 6,766 — — 6,766 Foreign currency translation (11,448) — (6,553) (493) (18,494) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 617,332 $ 203,414 $ 256,947 $ 231,474 $ 1,309,167 Acquisitions in 2018 resulted in the addition of $79,020 of goodwill, including $46,786 in connection with the April 2018 acquisition of Highland, $2,512 in connection with the October 2018 acquisition of Compositub, and $29,722 in connection with the October 2018 acquisition of the remaining 70% interest in the Conitex Sonoco joint venture. In addition, the Company recorded adjustments in 2018 related to the provisional goodwill amounts recorded for prior year acquisitions. These are shown as "Other" in the table above. See Note 4 for additional information. 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. The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of 2018. As part of this testing, the Company analyzed certain qualitative and quantitative factors in determining goodwill impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment using either a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation considers factors such as the macroeconomic environment, Company stock price and market capitalization movement, business strategy changes, and significant customer wins and losses. The quantitative test considers factors such as the amount by which estimated fair value exceeds current carrying value, current year operating performance as compared to prior projections, and implied fair values from comparable trading and transaction multiples. When calculated, reporting unit 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 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 for each reporting unit. 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. Other than in Display and Packaging (discussed below), there is no specific singular event or single change in circumstances the Company has identified that it believes could reasonably result in a change to expected future results in any of its reporting units sufficient to result in goodwill impairment. Based on its assessments, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. The assessments reflected 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 Company's conclusions. Although no reporting units failed the annual impairment test noted above, in management’s opinion, the goodwill of the Display and Packaging reporting unit is at risk of impairment in the near term if operating performance does not improve in line with management's expectations, or if there is a negative change in the long-term outlook for the business or in other factors such as the discount rate. The current goodwill impairment analysis incorporates management's expectations for moderate sales growth and mild improvements to profit margin percentages which reflects the estimated benefits of future productivity initiatives. A large portion of expected sales in this reporting unit is concentrated in several major customers and if the business with any of these customers is lost or significantly declines, or other projected synergies and productivity gains are not realized, a goodwill impairment charge could be incurred. Total goodwill associated with this reporting unit was $203,414 at December 31, 2018. Based on the latest annual impairment test, the estimated fair value of the Display and Packaging reporting unit is approximately equal to its carrying value. During the time subsequent to the annual evaluation, and at December 31, 2018, the Company considered whether any events and/or changes in circumstances had resulted in the likelihood that the goodwill of any of its reporting units may have been impaired. It is management’s opinion that no such events have occurred. Other intangible assets Details at December 31 are as follows: 2018 2017 Other Intangible Assets, Gross: Patents $ 22,509 $ 21,957 Customer lists 548,038 497,634 Trade names 31,174 25,148 Proprietary technology 28,748 20,779 Land use rights 282 298 Other 2,093 1,740 Other Intangible Assets, Gross $ 632,844 $ 567,556 Accumulated Amortization: Patents $ (9,539) $ (7,187) Customer lists (246,946) (210,212) Trade names (7,413) (4,427) Proprietary technology (15,400) (13,192) Land use rights (48) (47) Other (1,461) (1,196) Accumulated Amortization $ (280,807) $ (236,261) Other Intangible Assets, Net $ 352,037 $ 331,295 The acquisitions of Highland in April 2018 and Compositub in October 2018 resulted in the addition of $45,524 and $2,512, respectively, of intangible assets, mostly related to customer lists. The October 2018 acquisition of the remaining 70% ownership of the Conitex Sonoco joint venture resulted in the addition of $21,850 of intangible assets, $9,650 related to customer lists, $8,000 to trademarks, and $4,200 to proprietary technology. In addition, measurement period adjustments were made in 2018 to the provisional fair values of the intangible assets acquired in the July 2017 acquisition of Clear Lam which resulted in the reduction of $1,300 of intangible assets, all of which related to customer lists. See Note 4 for additional information. In the third quarter of 2018 the Company purchased certain intangible assets in Australia, primarily customer lists, for a total of $2,071. These newly acquired intangible assets will be amortized over an expected average useful life of 12 years.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt at December 31 was as follows: 2018 2017 5.75% debentures due November 2040 $ 599,208 $ 599,171 4.375% debentures due November 2021 249,116 248,803 9.2% debentures due August 2021 4,315 4,294 1.00% Euro loan due May 2021 169,976 177,218 Term loan due July 2022 158,949 246,328 Commercial paper, average rate of 2.15% in 2018 and 1.24% in 2017 120,000 124,000 Other foreign denominated debt, average rate of 3.7% in 2018 and 3.8% in 2017 57,867 21,735 Other notes 25,731 25,780 Total debt 1,385,162 1,447,329 Less current portion and short-term notes 195,445 159,327 Long-term debt $ 1,189,717 $ 1,288,002 On April 12, 2018, the Company entered into a $100,000,000 term loan with Bank of America, N.A. The full amount was drawn from this facility on April 12, 2018, and the proceeds, along with proceeds from existing credit facilities, were used to fund the acquisition of Highland Packaging. The loan had a 364-day term and the Company had a one-time option to extend the term for an additional 364 days at its sole discretion. Interest was assessed at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin based on a pricing grid that used the Company's credit ratings. There was no required amortization and repayment could be accelerated at any time at the discretion of the Company. The entire $100,000 of the borrowings from this term loan had been repaid as of the end of 2018. On March 13, 2017, the Company entered into a $150,000 unsecured three-year floating-rate assignable loan agreement. The proceeds from this term loan were used to fund the acquisition of Packaging Holdings. On July 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement in connection with a new $750,000 bank credit facility with a syndicate of eight banks replacing an existing credit facility entered into on October 2, 2014, and reflecting substantially the same terms and conditions. Included in the new facility are a $500,000 five-year revolving credit facility and a $250,000 five-year term loan. Based on the pricing grid in the Credit Agreement and the Company's current credit ratings, the borrowing has an all-in drawn margin of 112.5 basis points above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are pre-payable at any time at the discretion of the Company and the term loan has annual amortization payments totaling $12,500. During 2018, the Company prepaid an additional $75,000 of the term loan. The $500,000 revolving credit facility supports the Company's $350,000 commercial paper program. If circumstances were to prevent the Company from issuing commercial paper, it has the contractual right to draw funds directly on the underlying bank credit facility. The Company had $120,000 of outstanding commercial paper at December 31, 2018 and $124,000 at December 31, 2017. Proceeds from the $250,000 term loan were used to repay the $150,000 term loan entered into on March 13, 2017, and the remaining $100,000 was used to partially fund the Clear Lam acquisition. In addition to the $500,000 committed revolving bank credit facility, the Company had approximately $225,000 available under unused short-term lines of credit at December 31, 2018. These short-term lines of credit are for general Company purposes, with interest at mutually agreed-upon rates. Certain of the Company’s debt agreements impose restrictions with respect to the maintenance of financial ratios and the disposition of assets. The most restrictive covenants currently require the Company to maintain a minimum level of interest coverage, and a minimum level of net worth, as defined. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had substantial tolerance above the minimum levels required under these covenants. The principal requirements of debt maturing in the next five years are: 2019 – $195,445; 2020 – $16,763; 2021 – $440,658; 2022 – $124,197 and 2023 – $1,781.

Financial instruments and deriv

Financial instruments and derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 where the carrying amount differs from the fair value. December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Long-term debt $ 1,189,717 $ 1,270,521 $ 1,288,002 $ 1,426,862 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 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. Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 The Company elected to early adopt Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," as of January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 was the recognition of a $176 increase in the Company's beginning retained earnings with an offsetting change in accumulated other comprehensive loss in order to remove previously recognized ineffectiveness losses on contracts outstanding as of the date of adoption. See Note 2 for additional information. Cash flow hedges At December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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. Commodity cash flow hedges The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts to manage some of the cost of anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminu m. At December 31, 2018, natural gas swaps covering approximately 7.0 million MMBTUs were outstanding. These contracts represent approximately 71% and 31% of anticipated U.S. and Canadian usage for 2019 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, the Company had swap contracts covering 4,082 metric tons of aluminum representing approximately 51% of anticipated usage for 2019. The total fair values of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedges were in a net loss positions totaling $(1,571) and $(1,713) at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The amount of the loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2018, expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $(1,500). Foreign currency cash flow hedges The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases forecasted to occur in 2019. The net positions of these contracts at December 31, 2018, were as follows: Currency Action Quantity Colombian peso Purchase 16,977,636 Mexican peso Purchase 444,428 Polish zloty Purchase 70,788 Canadian dollar Purchase 62,753 Czech koruna Purchase 45,255 Turkish lira Purchase 6,603 British pound Purchase 1,937 New Zealand dollar Sell (334) Australian dollar Sell (388) Swedish krona Sell (3,380) Euro Sell (19,010) Russian ruble Sell (126,867) The fair values of the Company’s foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecasted sales and purchases netted to a loss position of $(1,624) at December 31, 2018 and a gain position of $950 at December 31, 2017. Losses of $(1,624) are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the income statement during the next twelve months. In addition, the Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency cash flow transactions related to construction in progress. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the net position of these contacts was $(88) and $330 respectively. Losses totaling $(305) and a gain totaling $64 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and netted against the carrying value of the capitalized expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Losses of $(88) are expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in the carrying value of the related fixed assets acquired during the next twelve months. 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 December 31, 2018, were as follows: Currency Action Quantity Colombian peso Purchase 9,275,694 Mexican peso Purchase 386,972 Canadian dollar Purchase 22,097 Saudi riyal Sell (4,131) South African rand Sell (18,784) The fair value of the Company’s other derivatives was $166 and $(581) at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments: Fair Value at December 31 Description Balance Sheet Location 2018 2017 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Commodity Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 282 $ 149 Commodity Contracts Other assets $ — $ — Commodity Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (1,843) $ (1,417) Commodity Contracts Other liabilities $ (10) $ (445) Foreign Exchange Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 770 $ 2,232 Foreign Exchange Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (2,482) $ (1,282) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 727 $ 90 Foreign Exchange Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (561) $ (671) 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 table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, excluding the gains on foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of the capitalized expenditures: Description Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships: Foreign Exchange Contracts $ (2,354) Net sales $ (203) Cost of sales $ (20) Commodity Contracts $ 258 Cost of sales $ 115 Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income Statement Gain or (Loss) Recognized Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Cost of sales $ — Selling, general and administrative $ 41 Description Revenue Cost of Sales Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income $ (203) $ 95 The effects of cash flow hedging: Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in subtopic 815-20: Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ (203) $ (20) Commodity contract: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ — $ 115 The following table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, excluding the gains on foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of the capitalized expenditures: Description Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships: Foreign Exchange Contracts $ 5,947 Net sales $ 11,738 Cost of sales $ (6,764) Commodity Contracts $ (3,062) Cost of sales $ 1,667 Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income Statement Gain or (Loss) Recognized Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Cost of sales $ — Selling, general and administrative $ (2,138) Description Revenue Cost of Sales Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income $ 11,738 $ (5,097) The effects of cash flow hedging: Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in subtopic 815-20: Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ 11,738 $ (6,764) Commodity contract: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ — $ 1,667

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements Fair value is defined as 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 at the measurement date. 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 tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Description December 31, 2018 Assets measured at NAV (g) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Hedge derivatives, net: Commodity contracts $ (1,571) $ — $ — $ (1,571) $ — Foreign exchange contracts (1,712) — — (1,712) — Non-hedge derivatives, net: Foreign exchange contracts 166 — — 166 — Deferred compensation plan assets 260 — 260 — — Postretirement benefit plan assets: Common Collective Trust (a) $ 862,565 $ 862,565 $ — $ — $ — Mutual funds(b) 157,088 — — 157,088 — Fixed income securities(c) 175,543 — — 175,543 — Short-term investments(d) 1,166 38 1,128 — Hedge fund of funds(e) 71,354 71,354 — — — Real estate funds(f) 61,249 61,249 — — — Cash and accrued income 786 — 786 — — Total postretirement benefit plan assets $ 1,329,751 $ 995,168 $ 824 $ 333,759 $ — Description December 31, 2017 Assets measured at NAV (g) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Hedge derivatives, net: Commodity contracts $ (1,713) $ — $ — $ (1,713) $ — Foreign exchange contracts 950 — — 950 — Non-hedge derivatives, net: Foreign exchange contracts (581) — — (581) — Deferred compensation plan assets 268 — 268 — — Postretirement benefit plan assets: Common Collective Trust (a) $ 1,010,274 $ 1,010,274 $ — $ — $ — Mutual funds(b) 214,555 — — 214,555 — Fixed income securities(c) 167,992 — — 167,992 — Short-term investments(d) 2,239 1,052 1,187 — Hedge fund of funds(e) 69,500 69,500 — — — Real estate funds(f) 56,690 56,690 — — — Cash and accrued income 640 — 640 — — Total postretirement benefit plan assets $ 1,521,890 $ 1,136,464 $ 1,692 $ 383,734 $ — a. Common collective trust investments consist of domestic and international large and mid capitalization equities, including emerging markets and funds invested in both short-term and long-term bonds. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds, private securities, and limited partnerships are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. b. Mutual fund investments are comprised of equity securities of corporations with large capitalizations and also include funds invested in corporate equities in international and emerging markets and funds invested in long-term bonds, which are valued at closing prices from national exchanges. c. Fixed income securities include funds that invest primarily in government securities and long-term bonds. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges, fixed income pricing models, and independent financial analysts. Fixed income commingled funds are valued at unit values provided by the investment managers. d. Short-term investments include several money market funds used for managing overall liquidity. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds are valued at unit values provided by the investment managers. e. The hedge fund of funds category includes investments in funds representing a variety of strategies intended to diversify risks and reduce volatility. It includes event-driven credit and equity investments targeted at economic policy decisions, long and short positions in U.S. and international equities, arbitrage investments and emerging market equity investments. Investments are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. f. This category includes investments in real estate funds (including office, industrial, residential and retail) primarily throughout the United States. Underlying real estate securities are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds, private securities, and limited partnerships are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. g. Certain assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s pension plan assets comprise more than 99% of its total postretirement benefit plan assets. The assets of the Company’s various pension plans and retiree health and life insurance plans are largely invested in the same funds and investments and in similar proportions and, as such, are not shown separately, but are combined in the tables above. Postretirement benefit plan assets are netted against postretirement benefit obligations to determine the funded status of each plan. The funded status is recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as shown in Note 13. As discussed in Note 10, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate some of 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 and the 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 years ended December 31, 2018 or 2017. For additional fair value information on the Company's financial instruments, see Note 10.

Share-based compensation plans

Share-based compensation plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation plans	Share-based compensation plans The Company provides share-based compensation to certain employees and non-employee directors in the form of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other share-based awards. Beginning in 2014, share-based awards were issued pursuant to the Sonoco Products Company 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which became effective upon approval by the shareholders on April 16, 2014. Awards issued from 2012 through 2013 were issued pursuant to the Sonoco Products Company 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) and awards issued from 2009 through 2011 were issued pursuant to the Sonoco Products Company 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Awards issued prior to 2009 were issued pursuant to the 1991 Key Employee Stock Plan (the “1991 Plan”) or the 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan (the “1996 Plan”). The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan was originally set at 10,381,533 shares, which includes all shares then remaining under the 2012 Plan and an additional 4,500,000 shares authorized under the 2014 Plan. Awards granted under all previous plans which are forfeited, expire or are canceled without delivery of shares, or which result in forfeiture of shares back to the Company, will be added to the total shares available under the 2014 Plan. At December 31, 2018, a total of 6,038,715 shares remain available for future grant under the 2014 Plan. The Company issues new shares for stock appreciation right exercises and stock unit conversions. The Company’s stock-based awards to non-employee directors have not been material. Accounting for share-based compensation Total compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements was $10,730, $13,488 and $19,289, for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The related tax benefit recognized in net income was $2,678, $5,058, and $7,040, for the same years, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. An “excess” tax benefit is created when the tax deduction for an exercised stock appreciation right, exercised stock option or converted stock unit exceeds the compensation cost that has been recognized in income. As discussed in Note 2 to these Consolidated Financial Statements, ASU 2016-09 required that excess tax benefits be recognized on the income statement beginning in 2017. Previously, these excess tax benefits were not recognized on the income statement, but rather on the consolidated balance sheet within the line item “Capital in excess of stated value.” The additional net excess tax benefit realized was $3,528, $2,453 and $2,695 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Stock appreciation rights Stock appreciation rights (SARs) granted vest over three years and expense is recognized following the graded-vesting method, which results in front-loaded expense being recognized during the early years of the required service period. Unvested SARs are cancelable upon termination of employment, except in the case of death, disability, or involuntary (or good reason) termination within two years of a change in control. Since 2006, the Company has granted SARs annually on a discretionary basis to key employees. These SARs are granted at market (have an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of the grant) and can be settled only in stock. The SARs granted in and since 2015 vest over three years, with one-third vesting on each anniversary date of the grant, and have 10-year terms. As of December 31, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested SARs totaled $2,185. This cost will be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of approximately 24 months. Noncash stock-based compensation associated with SARs totaled $2,415, $3,719, and $2,878 for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of SARS exercised during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $9,029, $3,786, and $9,510, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of SARs granted was $6.55, $7.29 and $5.04 per share in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company computed the estimated fair values of all SARs using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model applying the assumptions set forth in the following table: 2018 2017 2016 Expected dividend yield 3.1 % 2.7 % 3.5 % Expected stock price volatility 16.2 % 17.2 % 18.5 % Risk-free interest rate 2.8 % 2.0 % 1.3 % Expected life of SARs 6 years 6 years 6 years The assumptions employed in the calculation of the fair value of SARs were determined as follows: • Expected dividend yield – the Company’s annual dividend divided by the stock price at the time of grant. • Expected stock price volatility – based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock measured weekly for a time period equal to the expected life. • Risk-free interest rate – based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant for maturities equal to the expected life. • Expected life – calculated using the simplified method as prescribed in U.S. GAAP, where the expected life is equal to the sum of the vesting period and the contractual term divided by two. The activity related to the Company’s SARs is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Weighted- average Exercise Price Outstanding, December 31, 2017 1,212,022 915,990 2,128,012 $ 44.53 Vested (434,023) 434,023 — Granted 636,045 — 636,045 $ 50.83 Exercised — (629,537) (629,537) $ 40.61 Forfeited/Expired (294,442) (7,720) (302,162) $ 48.51 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 1,119,602 712,756 1,832,358 $ 47.41 Exercisable, December 31, 2018 — 712,756 712,756 $ 46.65 The weighted average remaining contractual life for SARs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018 was 7.1 years and 4.8 years, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value for SARs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018 was $10,905 and $6,088, respectively. At December 31, 2018, the fair market value of the Company’s stock used to calculate intrinsic value was $53.13 per share. Performance-based stock awards The Company grants performance contingent restricted stock units (PCSUs) annually on a discretionary basis to executive officers and certain key management employees. The ultimate number of PCSUs awarded is dependent upon the degree to which performance, relative to defined targets related to earnings and return on net assets employed, are achieved over a three three three three The activity related to performance contingent restricted stock units is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Outstanding, December 31, 2017 334,619 486,424 821,043 $37.12 Granted 133,226 — 133,226 $46.33 Performance adjustments 40,812 — 40,812 $57.21 Vested (132,534) 132,534 — Converted — (299,973) (299,973) $36.13 Cancelled (46,591) (6,080) (52,671) $44.37 Dividend equivalents — 9,382 9,382 $52.88 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 329,532 322,287 651,819 $40.21 2018 PCSU. As of December 31, 2018, the 2018 PCSUs to be awarded are estimated to range from 0 to 258,904 units and are tied to the three 2017 PCSU . As of December 31, 2018, the 2017 PCSUs to be awarded are estimated to range from 0 to 204,744 units and are tied to the three 2016 PCSU. The performance cycle for the 2016 PCSUs was completed on December 31, 2018. Outstanding stock units of 132,534 units were determined to have been earned. The fair value of these units was $7,042 as of December 31, 2018. 2015 PCSU. The performance cycle for the 2015 PCSUs was completed on December 31, 2017. Outstanding stock units of 135,695 units were determined to have been earned, all of which qualified for vesting on December 31, 2017. The fair value of these units was $7,211 as of December 31, 2017. 2014 PCSU. The performance cycle for the 2014 PCSUs was completed on December 31, 2016. Outstanding stock units of 247,554 units were determined to have been earned, all of which qualified for vesting on December 31, 2016. The fair value of these units was $13,046 as of December 31, 2016. 2012 PCSU. The performance cycle for the 2012 PCSUs was completed on December 31, 2014. Based on the performance achieved and the terms of the award, 143,519 stock units qualified for vesting on December 31, 2014 with a fair value of $6,272. A total of 4,387 units vested on December 31, 2015, and 4,140 units vested on December 31, 2016. The fair value of the stock units vesting in 2015 and 2016 was $179 and $218, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of PCSUs granted was $46.33, $50.11, and $36.33 per share in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Noncash stock-based compensation associated with PCSUs totaled $4,725, $3,896 and $10,568 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was approximately $8,587 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested PCSUs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 22 months. Restricted stock awards During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted awards of restricted stocks units (RSUs) to executive officers and certain key management employees. These awards vest over a three Prior to 2015, the Company from time to time granted RSUs to certain of its executive officers and directors. These awards normally vested over a five-year period with one-third vesting on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant, but in some circumstances vested over a shorter period. A participant must be actively employed by, or serving as a director of, the Company on the vesting date for shares to be issued. However, certain award agreements provided that in the event of the participant’s death, disability or retirement prior to full vesting, shares would be issued on a pro rata basis up through the time the participant’s employment or service ceases. Officers and directors can elect to defer receipt of RSUs, but key management employees are required to take receipt of stock issued. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted was $48.36, $51.68 and $38.40 per share in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value of shares vesting during the year was $6,900, $2,790, and $1,291 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Noncash stock-based compensation associated with restricted stock grants totaled $2,138, $3,554 and $3,122 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was $3,743 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 42 months. The activity related to restricted stock units is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Outstanding, December 31, 2017 225,807 199,630 425,437 $ 38.41 Granted 111,988 — 111,988 $ 48.36 Vested (141,281) 141,281 — Converted — (196,915) (196,915) $ 38.26 Cancelled (39,301) — (39,301) $ 46.00 Dividend equivalents 1,168 7,418 8,586 $ 52.37 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 158,381 151,414 309,795 $ 41.26 Deferred compensation plans Certain officers of the Company receive a portion of their compensation, either current or deferred, in the form of stock units. Units are granted as of the day the cash compensation would have otherwise been paid using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that day. Deferrals into stock equivalent units are converted into phantom stock equivalents as if Sonoco shares were actually purchased. The units immediately vest and earn dividend equivalents. Units are distributed in the form of common stock upon retirement over a period elected by the employee. Non-employee directors may elect to defer a portion of their cash retainer or other fees (except chair retainers) into phantom stock equivalent units as if Sonoco shares were actually purchased. The deferred stock equivalent units accrue dividend equivalents, and are issued in shares of Sonoco common stock six months following termination of Board service. Directors must elect to receive these deferred distributions in one, three or five annual installments. The activity related to deferred compensation for equity award units granted to both employees and non-employee directors combined is as follows: Total Outstanding, December 31, 2017 365,048 Deferred 37,127 Converted (23,217) Dividend equivalents 11,396 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 390,354 Deferred compensation for employees and directors of $1,452, $2,850, and $2,721, which will be settled in Company stock at retirement, was deferred during 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Employee benefit plans

Employee benefit plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [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 certain of its employees in the United States, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, and Turkey. The Company also sponsors contributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain of its employees in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands, and 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 Company froze participation in its U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan for newly hired salaried and non-union hourly employees effective December 31, 2003. To replace this benefit, the Company provides non-union U.S. employees hired on or after January 1, 2004, with an annual contribution, called the Sonoco Retirement Contribution (SRC), to their participant accounts in the Sonoco Retirement and Savings Plan. Also eligible for the SRC are former participants of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan who elected to transfer out of that plan under a one-time option effective January 1, 2010. 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 became eligible for SRC contributions effective January 1, 2019. The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following: 2018 2017 2016 Retirement Plans Service cost $ 18,652 $ 18,543 $ 19,508 Interest cost 54,970 55,873 59,719 Expected return on plan assets (91,021) (81,212) (85,466) Amortization of prior service cost 916 910 809 Amortization of net actuarial loss 37,391 39,209 39,009 Effect of settlement loss 730 32,761 — Effect of curtailment loss 256 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 21,894 $ 66,084 $ 33,579 Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Service cost $ 297 $ 313 $ 309 Interest cost 452 463 482 Expected return on plan assets (1,135) (1,636) (1,579) Amortization of prior service credit (498) (499) (498) Amortization of net actuarial gain (1,120) (759) (667) Net periodic benefit income $ (2,004) $ (2,118) $ (1,953) The following tables set forth the Plans’ obligations and assets at December 31: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 1,837,938 $ 1,777,424 $ 15,691 $ 17,568 Service cost 18,652 18,543 297 313 Interest cost 54,970 55,873 452 463 Plan participant contributions 429 391 620 744 Plan amendments 155 639 — — Actuarial loss/(gain) (115,153) 99,402 (398) (1,249) Benefits paid (93,053) (81,547) (2,569) (2,183) Impact of foreign exchange rates (21,636) 29,753 (45) 35 Effect of settlements (2,210) (62,540) — — Effect of curtailments (253) — — — Acquisitions 4,438 — — — Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 1,684,277 $ 1,837,938 $ 14,048 $ 15,691 Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets at January 1 $ 1,494,713 $ 1,325,389 $ 27,177 $ 23,848 Actual return on plan assets (78,447) 198,071 (915) 3,986 Company contributions 24,524 93,662 (13,302) 851 Plan participant contributions 429 443 620 744 Benefits paid (93,053) (81,547) (2,569) (2,183) Impact of foreign exchange rates (22,380) 29,460 — — Effect of settlements (2,210) (62,540) — — Expenses paid (6,670) (8,225) (92) (69) Acquisitions 1,926 — — — Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $ 1,318,832 $ 1,494,713 $ 10,919 $ 27,177 Funded Status of the Plans $ (365,445) $ (343,225) $ (3,129) $ 11,486 The negative contribution reported in 2018 for the Company's Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans reflects $14,025 of cash withdrawn from a collectively bargained VEBA in 2018 pursuant to an IRS private letter ruling dated April 1, 2018, permitting the Company to amend the VEBA to provide benefits to active, non-collectively bargained employees in addition to retired collectively bargained employees. Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Total Recognized Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Noncurrent assets $ 18,520 $ 24,380 $ — $ 12,851 Current liabilities (12,935) (13,220) (983) (820) Noncurrent liabilities (371,030) (354,385) (2,146) (545) Net (liability)/asset $ (365,445) $ (343,225) $ (3,129) $ 11,486 Items not yet recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost that are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 646,254 $ 625,831 $ (6,964) $ (9,822) Prior service cost/(credit) 5,514 3,780 (777) (1,275) $ 651,768 $ 629,611 $ (7,741) $ (11,097) The amounts recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) include the following: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 Adjustments arising during the period: Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 58,544 $ (10,732) $ 56,060 $ 1,738 $ (3,525) $ (1,449) Prior service cost/(credit) 2,906 639 1,069 — — — Net settlements/curtailments (986) (32761) — — — — Reversal of amortization: Net actuarial (loss)/gain (37,391) (39,209) (39,009) 1,120 759 667 Prior service (cost)/credit (916) (910) (809) 498 499 498 Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income) $ 22,157 $ (82,973) $ 17,311 $ 3,356 $ (2,267) $ (284) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss/(income) $ 44,051 $ (16,889) $ 50,890 $ 1,352 $ (4,385) $ (2,237) Of the amounts included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) as of December 31, 2018, the portions the Company expects to recognize as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2019 are as follows: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 36,192 $ (780) Prior service cost/(credit) 879 (498) $ 37,071 $ (1,278) The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was $1,668,396 and $1,810,462 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The projected benefit obligation (PBO), accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were, $1,397,040, $1,391,129 and $1,013,173, respectively, as of December 31, 2018, and $1,554,395, $1,538,350 and $1,186,789, respectively, as of December 31, 2017. The following table sets forth the Company’s projected benefit payments for the next ten years: Year Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2019 $ 93,875 $ 1,491 2020 $ 95,990 $ 1,383 2021 $ 94,006 $ 1,360 2022 $ 95,628 $ 1,299 2023 $ 97,657 $ 1,239 2022-2026 $ 509,790 $ 5,480 Assumptions The following tables set forth the major actuarial assumptions used in determining the PBO, ABO and net periodic cost: Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 U.S. Retirement Plans U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Foreign Plans Discount Rate 2018 4.24 % 4.02 % 3.11 % 2017 3.59 % 3.36 % 2.78 % Rate of Compensation Increase 2018 — % 3.06 % 3.65 % 2017 3.40 % 3.28 % 3.62 % Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31 U.S. Retirement Plans U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Foreign Plans Discount Rate 2018 3.59 % 3.36 % 2.78 % 2017 4.12 % 3.70 % 2.95 % 2016 4.36 % 3.78 % 3.71 % Expected Long-term Rate of Return 2018 6.87 % 6.95 % 4.84 % 2017 6.86 % 6.98 % 4.52 % 2016 7.47 % 7.31 % 4.75 % Rate of Compensation Increase 2018 3.40 % 3.28 % 3.62 % 2017 3.60 % 3.32 % 3.65 % 2016 3.69 % 3.36 % 3.52 % The Company adjusts its discount rates at the end of each fiscal year based on yield curves of high-quality debt instruments over durations that match the expected benefit payouts of each plan. The expected long-term rate of return assumption is based on the Company’s current and expected future portfolio mix by asset class, and expected nominal returns of these asset classes using an economic “building block” approach. Expectations for inflation and real interest rates are developed and various risk premiums are assigned to each asset class based primarily on historical performance. The expected long-term rate of return also gives consideration to the expected level of outperformance to be achieved on that portion of the Company’s investment portfolio under active management. The assumed rate of compensation increase reflects historical experience and management’s expectations regarding future salary and incentive increases. Medical trends The U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plan makes up approximately 96% of the Retiree Health liability. Therefore, the following information relates to the U.S. plan only. Healthcare Cost Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 6.50 % 6.50 % 2017 6.75 % 6.75 % Ultimate Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 4.50 % 4.50 % 2017 4.50 % 4.50 % Year at which the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 2026 2026 2017 2026 2026 Increasing the assumed trend rate for healthcare costs by one percentage point would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (the APBO) and total service and interest cost component approximately $128 and $11, respectively. Decreasing the assumed trend rate for healthcare costs by one percentage point would decrease the APBO and total service and interest cost component approximately $119 and $10, respectively. Based on amendments to the U.S. plan approved in 1999, which became effective in 2003, cost increases borne by the Company are limited to the Urban CPI, as defined. Plan settlements, changes and amendments The Company recognized settlement charges totaling $730 in 2018 resulting primarily from payments made to certain participants of the Company's Canadian pension plan who elected a lump sum distribution option upon retirement. In February 2017, the Company initiated a program to settle a portion of the projected benefit obligation (PBO) relating to terminated vested participants in the U.S. qualified retirement plans through either a single, lump-sum payment or the purchase of an annuity. The terminated vested population comprised approximately 15% of the beginning of year PBO of these plans. The Company successfully settled approximately 47% of the PBO for the terminated vested plan participants. As a result of these and other smaller settlements, the Company recognized non-cash settlement charges of $32,761 in 2017. All settlement payments were funded from plan assets and did not require the Company to make any additional cash contributions. Retirement plan assets The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s retirement plans at 2018 and 2017, by asset category. Asset Category U.S. U.K. Canada Equity securities 2018 48.3 % 38.9 % 55.4 % 2017 51.7 % 44.7 % 71.7 % Debt securities 2018 38.4 % 60.5 % 44.0 % 2017 37.1 % 54.7 % 27.9 % Alternative 2018 13.3 % — % — % 2017 11.2 % — % — % Cash and short-term investments 2018 — % 0.6 % 0.6 % 2017 — % 0.6 % 0.4 % Total 2018 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 2017 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The Company employs a total-return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a desired level of risk. Alternative assets such as real estate funds, private equity funds and hedge funds are used to enhance expected long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Risk tolerance is established through consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial condition. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through periodic investment portfolio reviews and periodic asset/liability studies. At December 31, 2018, postretirement benefit plan assets totaled $1,329,751, of which $995,207 were assets of the U.S. Defined Benefit Plans. U.S. defined benefit plans The equity investments consist of direct ownership and funds and are diversified among U.S. and non-U.S. stocks of small to large capitalizations. Following the December 2010 amendment that split the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan into the Active Plan and the Inactive Plan effective January 1, 2011, the Company completed separate asset/liability studies for both plans during 2011 and adopted revised investment guidelines for each. The revised guidelines establish a dynamic de-risking framework that will gradually shift the allocation of assets to long-duration domestic fixed income from equity and other asset categories, as the relative funding ratio of each plan increases over time. The current target allocation (midpoint) for the Inactive Plan investment portfolio is: Equity Securities – 49%, Debt Securities – 40%, Alternative – 11% and Cash – 0%. The current target allocation (midpoint) for the Active Plan investment portfolio is: Equity Securities – 57%, Debt Securities – 30%, Alternative – 13% and Cash – 0%. United Kingdom defined benefit plan The equity investments consist of direct ownership and funds and are diversified among U.K. and international stocks of small and large capitalizations. The current target allocation (midpoint) for the investment portfolio is: Equity Securities – 48%, Debt Securities – 52%, Alternative – 0% and Cash – 0%. Canada defined benefit plan The equity investments consist of direct ownership and funds and are diversified among Canadian and international stocks of primarily large capitalizations and short to intermediate duration corporate and government bonds. The current target allocation (midpoint) for the investment portfolio is: Equity Securities – 53%, Debt Securities – 45%, Alternative – 0% and Cash – 2%. Retiree health and life insurance plan assets The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations by asset category of the Company’s retiree health and life insurance plan. Asset Category 2018 2017 Equity securities 48.3% 63.6% Debt securities 38.4% 30.8% Alternative 13.3% 5.4% Cash —% 0.2% Total 100.0% 100.0% Contributions Based on current actuarial estimates, the Company anticipates that the total contributions to its retirement plans and retiree health and life insurance plans, excluding contributions to the Sonoco Savings Plan, will be approximately $31,000 in 2019. No assurances can be made, however, about funding requirements beyond 2019, as they will depend largely on actual investment returns and future actuarial assumptions. Sonoco Savings and Retirement Plan The Sonoco Savings and Retirement Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan provided for certain of the Company’s U.S. employees. The plan is comprised of both an elective and non-elective component. The elective component of the plan, which is designed to meet the requirements of section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, allows participants to set aside a portion of their wages and salaries for retirement and encourages saving by matching a portion of their contributions with contributions from the Company. The plan provides for participant contributions of 1% to 100% of gross pay. Since January 1, 2010, the Company has matched 50% on the first 4% of compensation contributed by the participant as pretax contributions which are immediately fully vested. The Company’s expenses related to the plan for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were approximately $12,500, $11,200 and $11,400, respectively. The non-elective component of the plan, the Sonoco Retirement Contribution (SRC), is available to certain employees who are not currently active participants in the Company’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan. The SRC provides for an annual Company contribution of 4% of all eligible pay plus 4% of eligible pay in excess of the Social Security wage base to eligible participant accounts. Participants are fully vested after three years of service or upon reaching age 55, if earlier. The Company’s expenses related to the plan for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were approximately $14,995, $14,540 and $13,655, respectively. Cash contributions to the SRC totaled $14,151, $14,066 and $13,352 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other plans The Company also provides retirement and postretirement benefits to certain other non-U.S. employees through various Company-sponsored and local government sponsored defined contribution arrangements. For the most part, the liabilities related to these arrangements are funded in the period they arise. The Company’s expenses for these plans were not material for all years presented.

Income taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The provision for taxes on income for the years ended December 31 consists of the following: 2018 2017 2016 Pretax income Domestic $ 225,442 $ 168,180 $ 318,702 Foreign 153,089 146,374 122,575 Total pretax income $ 378,531 $ 314,554 $ 441,277 Current Federal $ 37,345 $ 120,398 $ 110,567 State 6,164 5,623 10,808 Foreign 38,648 40,328 40,788 Total current $ 82,157 $ 166,349 $ 162,163 Deferred Federal $ (5,571) $ (16,797) $ (861) State (738) $ 3,499 (869) Foreign (840) (6,462) 4,198 Total deferred $ (7,149) $ (19,760) $ 2,468 Total taxes $ 75,008 $ 146,589 $ 164,631 Deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are comprised of the following at December 31: 2018 2017 Property, plant and equipment $ 102,007 $ 83,584 Intangibles 178,883 174,395 Gross deferred tax liabilities $ 280,890 $ 257,979 Retiree health benefits $ (2,989) $ 595 Foreign loss carryforwards (57,581) (59,975) U.S. Federal loss and credit carryforwards (86,655) (17,977) Capital loss carryforwards (2,757) — Employee benefits (114,872) (115,771) Accrued liabilities and other (102,349) (100,031) Gross deferred tax assets $ (367,203) $ (293,159) Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets $ 103,289 $ 47,200 Total deferred taxes, net $ 16,976 $ 12,020 The Company has total federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $67,700 remaining at December 31, 2018. These losses are limited based upon future taxable earnings of the respective entities and expire between 2030 and 2037. U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $71,800 exist at December 31, 2018 and expire in 2027. Foreign subsidiary loss carryforwards of approximately $226,700 remain at December 31, 2018. Their use is limited to future taxable earnings of the respective foreign subsidiaries or filing groups. Approximately $207,500 of these loss carryforwards do not have an expiration date. Of the remaining foreign subsidiary loss carryforwards, approximately $8,800 expire within the next five years and approximately $10,400 expire between 2024 and 2037. Foreign subsidiary capital loss carryforwards of approximately $15,700 exist at December 31, 2018 and do not have an expiration date. Their use is limited to future capital gains of the respective foreign subsidiaries. Approximately $10,500 in tax value of state loss carryforwards and $17,300 of state credit carryforwards remain at December 31, 2018. These state loss and credit carryforwards are limited based upon future taxable earnings of the respective entities and expire between 2019 and 2038. State loss and credit carryforwards are reflected at their "tax" value, as opposed to the amount of expected gross deduction due to the vastly different apportionment and statutory tax rates applicable to the various entities and states in which they file. A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the actual consolidated tax expense is as follows: 2018 2017 2016 Statutory tax rate $ 79,491 21.0 % $ 110,094 35.0 % $ 154,447 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 7,534 2.0 % 4,780 1.5 % 7,477 1.7 % Valuation allowance (14,902) (3.9) % (3,333) (1.1) % 639 0.1 % Tax examinations including change in reserve for uncertain tax positions (3,076) (0.8) % 4,895 1.6 % 732 0.2 % Adjustments to prior year deferred taxes (1,899) (0.5) % (1,415) (0.4) % (2,401) (0.5) % Foreign earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates 8,224 2.2 % (16,233) (5.2) % (15,930) (3.6) % Disposition of business — — 537 0.2 % 22,810 5.2 % Effect of tax rate changes (6,218) (1.6) % (22,183) (7.1) % 2,517 0.6 % Deduction related to qualified production activities 341 0.1 % (5,384) (1.7) % (5,215) (1.2) % Transition tax 3,647 1.0 % 76,933 24.5 % — — Tax credits (10,083) (2.7) % (1,197) (0.4) % (1,100) (0.2) % Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) 12,878 3.4 % — — — — Foreign-derived intangible income (1,174) (0.3) % — — — — Other, net 245 0.1 % (905) (0.3) % 655 0.1 % Total taxes $ 75,008 19.8 % $ 146,589 46.6 % $ 164,631 37.3 % On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes provided by the Tax Act included a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, a change in methodology for taxation of earnings from non-US operations, and a one-time transition tax on certain accumulated foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. As a result of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. As explained below, the Company has finalized the provisional tax impacts related to the one-time transition tax and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, recognized the additional impact in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, and finalized its indefinite reinvestment assertion. The Company has recorded $4,152 of additional benefit related to applying the decrease in the corporate tax rate to deferred income taxes and $3,647 of additional income tax expense related to the one-time transition tax. The total amount of the one-time transition tax on certain accumulated foreign earnings was $80,580. Under the provisions of the Tax Act, the transition tax is payable in installments over a period of 8 years. The first installment was paid in 2018 with the filing of the Company's 2017 federal income tax return. The second installment, due during 2019, has been paid using the Company's regular 2018 estimated federal tax installments and the liability is further reduced by the deemed overpayment of federal income taxes. The remaining obligation of $61,777 is included in "Other Liabilities" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018. The change in “Tax examinations including change in reserve for uncertain tax positions” is shown net of associated deferred taxes and accrued interest. Included in the change are net increases in reserves for uncertain tax positions of approximately $1,700, $2,600 and $3,000 for uncertain items arising in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, combined with adjustments related to prior year items, primarily decreases related to lapses of statutes of limitations in international, federal and state jurisdictions as well as overall changes in facts and judgment. These adjustments decreased the reserve by a total of approximately $(2,900), $(2,300) and $(2,300) in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In many of the countries in which the Company operates, earnings are taxed at rates different than in the U.S. This difference is reflected in “Foreign earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates” along with other items, if any, that impacted taxes on foreign earnings in the periods presented. The effect on tax expense for "Disposition of business" in 2016 relates to the sale of the Company's rigid plastic blow molding operations, its retail security packaging operation in Juncos, Puerto Rico, and its paper mill in France. The above adjustment reflects the recognition of tax gains in excess of book gains due to basis differences, and losses on which no future tax benefit will be recognized. The benefits included in “Adjustments to prior year deferred taxes” for each of the years presented consist primarily of adjustments to deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from changes in estimates. The benefits included in the "Effect of tax rate changes enacted during the year" for 2018 includes adjustments to the 2017 benefits related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the enactment of the Tax Act as well as changes in state, local and foreign tax rates. The 2017 benefit relates primarily to changes made as a result of the Tax Act. The benefits included in "Valuation allowance" include a benefit of $16,100 related to the revaluation of the valuation allowance on foreign tax credits due to the Tax Act. Of the $10,083 of tax credits for 2018, $8,319 directly offsets the $12,878 of GILTI tax, resulting in a net GILTI tax of $4,559. The Company maintains its assertion that its undistributed foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, has not recorded any deferred income tax liabilities that would be due if those earnings were repatriated. As of December 31, 2018, these undistributed earnings total $868,395. While the majority of these earnings have already been taxed in the U.S., a portion would be subject to foreign withholding and U.S. income taxes and credits if distributed. The tax cost is not practical to determine. Reserve for uncertain tax positions The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and ending of the periods indicated: 2018 2017 2016 Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits at January 1 $ 17,100 $ 17,700 $ 17,200 Increases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits — 700 1,400 Decreases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits (700) (2,400) (3,500) Increases in current year's unrecognized tax benefits 1,200 1,600 3,000 Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits from the lapse of statutes of limitations (2,600) (300) (100) Settlements (600) (200) (300) Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits at December 31 $ 14,400 $ 17,100 $ 17,700 Of the unrecognized tax benefit balances at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximately $13,500 and $15,500, respectively, would have an impact on the effective tax rate if ultimately recognized. Interest and/or penalties related to income taxes are reported as part of income tax expense. The Company had approximately $2,100 and $2,300 accrued for interest related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018, includes approximately $200 of interest benefit, which is comprised of an interest benefit of approximately $700 related to the adjustment of prior years' items and interest expense of $500 on unrecognized tax benefits. The amounts listed above for accrued interest and interest expense do not reflect the benefit of a federal tax deduction which would be available if the interest were ultimately paid. 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 income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that the amount reserved for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2018 will decrease by approximately $2,600 over the next twelve months. This change includes the anticipated increase in reserves related to existing positions offset by settlements of issues currently under examination and the release of existing reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Although 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 effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. The Company has operations in many countries outside of the United States and the taxes paid on those earnings are subject to varying rates. The Company is not dependent upon the favorable benefit of any one jurisdiction to an extent that loss of those benefits would have a material effect on the Company's overall effective tax rate. As previously disclosed, the Company received a draft Notice of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPA”) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in February 2017 proposing an adjustment to income for the 2013 tax year based on the IRS's recharacterization of a distribution of an intercompany note made in 2012, and the subsequent repayment of the note over the course of 2013, as if it were a cash distribution made in 2013. In March 2017, the Company received a draft NOPA proposing penalties of $18,000 associated with the IRS’s recharacterization, as well as an Information Document Request (“IDR”) requesting the Company’s analysis of why such penalties should not apply. The Company responded to this IDR in April 2017. On October 5, 2017, the Company received two revised draft NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior NOPAs. On November 14, 2017, the Company received two final NOPAs proposing the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior draft NOPAs. On November 20, 2017, the Company received a Revenue Agent's Report (“RAR”) that included the same adjustments and penalties as in the prior NOPAs. At the time of the distribution in 2012, it was characterized as a dividend to the extent of earnings and profits, with the remainder as a tax free return of basis and taxable capital gain. As the IRS proposes to recharacterize the distribution, the entire distribution would be characterized as a dividend. The incremental tax liability associated with the income adjustment proposed in the RAR would be approximately $89,000, excluding interest and the previously referenced penalties. On January 22, 2018, the Company filed a protest to the proposed deficiency with the IRS. The Company received a rebuttal of its protest from the IRS on July 10, 2018, and the matter has now been referred to the Appeals Division of the IRS. The Company strongly believes the position of the IRS with regard to this matter is inconsistent with applicable tax laws and existing Treasury regulations, and that the Company's previously reported income tax provision for the year in question is appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that this matter will be resolved in the Company's favor. Regardless of whether the matter is resolved in the Company's favor, the final resolution of this matter could be expensive and time consuming to defend and/or settle. While the Company believes that the amount of tax originally paid with respect to this distribution is correct, and accordingly has not provided additional reserve for tax uncertainty, there is still a possibility that an adverse outcome of the matter could have a material effect on its results of operations and financial condition. In January 2018, the FASB released guidance on accounting for the global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") provisions of the Tax Act. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. The guidance indicates that, subject to an accounting policy election, it will be acceptable to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary differences expected to reverse as GILTI or treat the effects of such a reversal as a current tax item if and when incurred. The Company has elected the current method, and will recognize GILTI tax liability as a current tax item in future periods when incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company adopted ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," as of January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption was the recognition of a $1,721 increase in the Company's beginning retained earnings. See impact of adoption in Note 3 and additional discussion in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements. The Company records revenue when control is transferred to the customer, which is either upon shipment or over time in cases where the Company is entitled to payment with margin for products produced that are customer specific without alternative use. The Company recognizes over time revenue under the input method as goods are produced. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is recognized when the customer obtains control of the goods. Customers obtain control either when goods are delivered to the customer facility, if the Company is responsible for arranging transportation, or when picked up by the customer's designated carrier. The Company commonly enters into Master Supply Arrangements (MSA) with customers to provide goods and/or services over specific time periods. Customers submit purchase orders with quantities and prices to create a contract for accounting purposes. Shipping and handling expenses are included in "Cost of Sales," and freight charged to customers is included in "Net Sales" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has rebate agreements with certain customers. These rebates are recorded as reductions of sales and are accrued using sales data and rebate percentages specific to each customer agreement. Accrued customer rebates are included in "Accrued expenses and other" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms under the Company's arrangements are short term in nature, generally no longer than 120 days. The Company does provide prompt payment discounts to certain customers if invoices are paid within a predetermined period. Prompt payment discounts are treated as a reduction of revenue and are determinable within a short period after the originating sale. The following table sets forth information about contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers. The balances of the contract assets and liabilities are located in "Other receivables" and "Accrued expenses and other" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. December 31, 2018 January 1, 2018 Contract Assets 48,786 45,877 Contract Liabilities (18,533) (17,736) Significant changes in the contract assets and liabilities balances during the period were as follows: December 31, 2018 January 1, 2018 Contract Asset Contract Liability Contract Asset Contract Liability Beginning balance 45,877 (17,736) $ — (12,521) Revenue deferred or rebates accrued — (19,730) — — Recognized as revenue — 1,652 — — Rebates paid to customers — 17,281 — — Increases due to rights to consideration for customer specific goods produced, but not billed during the period 48,786 — — — Transferred to receivables from contract assets recognized at the beginning of the period (45,877) — — — Increase as a result of cumulative catch-up arising from changes in the estimate of completion, excluding amounts transferred to receivables during the period — — 45,877 (5,215) Impairment of contract asset — — — — Ending balance $ 48,786 $ (18,533) $ 45,877 $ (17,736) Contract assets and liabilities are generally short in duration given the nature of products produced by the Company. Contract assets represents goods produced without alternative use for which the Company is entitled to payment with margin prior to shipment. Upon shipment, the Company is entitled to bill the customer, and therefore amounts included in contract assets will be reduced with the recording of an account receivable as they represent an unconditional right to payment. Contract liabilities represent revenue deferred due to pricing mechanisms utilized by the Company in certain multi-year arrangements, volume rebates, and receipts of advanced payments. For multi-year arrangements with pricing mechanisms, the Company will generally defer revenue during the initial term of the arrangement, and will release the deferral over the back half of the contract term. The Company's reportable segments are aligned by product nature as disclosed in Note 18. The following table sets forth information about revenue disaggregated by primary geographic regions, and timing of revenue recognition for the year-ended December 31, 2018. The table also includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue with reportable segments. Year Ended Consumer Packaging Display and Packaging Paper and Industrial Converted Products Protective Solutions Primary geographical markets: United States 1,676,204 290,295 1,108,735 415,135 Europe 418,129 294,156 354,705 25,664 Canada 115,183 — 131,025 — Asia 69,242 — 178,509 3,548 Other 81,241 7,858 137,979 83,330 Total 2,359,999 592,309 1,910,953 527,677 Timing of revenue recognition: Products transferred at a point in time 1,440,662 248,034 1,808,997 444,624 Products transferred over time 919,337 344,275 101,956 83,053 Total 2,359,999 592,309 1,910,953 527,677

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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. Spartanburg In connection with its acquisition of Tegrant in November 2011, the Company identified potential environmental contamination at a site in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The total remediation cost of the Spartanburg site was estimated to be $17,400 at the time of the acquisition and an accrual in this amount was recorded on Tegrant’s opening balance sheet. Since the acquisition, the Company has spent a total of $1,453 on remediation of the Spartanburg site. During previous years, the Company has increased its reserves for this site by a total of $17 in order to reflect its best estimate of what it is likely to pay in order to complete the remediation. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company's accrual for environmental contingencies related to the Spartanburg site totaled $15,964 and $16,504, respectively. The Company cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued with respect to this exposure. However, the Company does not believe that the resolution of this matter has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements. Other environmental matters 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. However, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements. Summary As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company (and its subsidiaries) had accrued $20,100 and $20,306, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. These accruals are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other legal and regulatory matters As described more fully in Note 14 to these Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has received a final Revenue Agent's Report ("RAR") from the IRS proposing an adjustment to income for the 2013 tax year. The incremental tax liability associated with the proposed adjustment would be approximately $89,000, excluding interest and penalties. On January 22, 2018, the Company filed a protest to the proposed deficiency with the IRS. The Company received a rebuttal of its protest from the IRS on July 10, 2018, and the matter has now been referred to the Appeals Division of the IRS. The Company strongly believes the position of the IRS with regard to this matter is inconsistent with applicable tax laws and existing Treasury regulations, and that the Company's previously reported income tax provision for the year in question is appropriate. However, there can be no assurance that this matter will be resolved in the Company's favor. Regardless of whether the matter is resolved in the Company's favor, the final resolution of this matter could be expensive and time consuming to defend and/or settle. While the Company believes that the amount of tax originally paid with respect to this distribution is correct, and accordingly has not provided additional reserve for tax uncertainty, there is still a possibility that an adverse outcome of the matter could have a material effect on its results of operations and financial condition. In addition to those described above, the Company is subject to other various legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements. Commitments As of December 31, 2018, the Company had long-term obligations to purchase electricity and steam, which it uses in its production processes, as well as long-term purchase commitments for certain raw materials, principally old corrugated containers. These purchase commitments require the Company to make total payments of approximately $164,500 , as follows: $81,100 in 2019; $55,700 in 2020; $11,300 in 2021, $8,200 in 2022 and a total of $8,200 from 2023 through 2027.

Shareholders_ equity and earnin

Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' equity and earnings per share	Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share Stock repurchases The Company occasionally repurchases shares of its common stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with the exercise of stock appreciation rights and performance-based stock awards. These repurchases, which are not part of a publicly announced plan or program, totaled 266,652 shares during 2018, 119,349 shares during 2017, and 148,129 shares during 2016, at a cost of $14,561, $6,335 and $6,739, respectively. On February 10, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. During 2016, a total of 2,030,389 shares were repurchased under this authorization at a cost of $100,000. No shares were repurchased during 2017 and 2018. Accordingly, at December 31, 2018, a total of 2,969,611 shares remain available for repurchase under this authorization. Earnings per share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data): 2018 2017 2016 Numerator: Net income attributable to Sonoco $ 313,560 $ 175,345 $ 286,434 Denominator: Weighted average common shares outstanding 100,539 100,237 101,093 Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation 477 615 689 Diluted outstanding shares 101,016 100,852 101,782 Per common share: Net income attributable to Sonoco: Basic $ 3.12 $ 1.75 $ 2.83 Diluted $ 3.10 $ 1.74 $ 2.81 No adjustments were made to reported net income in the computation of earnings per share. The Company paid dividends totaling $1.62, $1.54, and $1.46 per share in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Potentially dilutive securities are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, which assumes the proceeds from the exercise of all dilutive stock appreciation rights (SARs) are used to repurchase the Company’s common stock. Certain SARs are not dilutive because either the exercise price is greater than the average market price of the stock during the reporting period or assumed repurchases from proceeds from the exercise of the SARs were antidilutive. The average number of shares that were not dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted income per share was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Anti-dilutive stock appreciation rights 786 487 357 These stock appreciation rights may become dilutive in future periods if the market price of the Company’s common stock appreciates. Noncontrolling interests In 1994, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with two partners in Asia for the manufacturing and marketing of products in the Asian markets. Prior to December 31, 2018, the Company owned a controlling interest of 79.25% of the joint venture and consolidated the net assets of the Asia joint venture. On December 31, 2018, the Company acquired the 19.08% ownership interest of PFE Hong Kong Limited, one of the joint venture partners, for $35,000 in cash, bringing the Company’s total ownership in the Asia joint venture to 98.33%. As a result of the purchase, the Company wrote off the $11,695 book value of the noncontrolling interest and recorded a $23,305 reduction in Capital in Excess of Stated Value. One of the Company's directors, Harry A. Cockrell, is a principal shareholder of PFE Hong Kong Limited. On October 1, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 70% interest in Conitex Sonoco (see Note 4). The acquisition of Conitex Sonoco included joint ventures in Indonesia and China in which the Company owns a controlling interest. The noncontrolling interests relating to these joint ventures were recorded on the opening balance sheet at their fair value of $2,655.

Segment reporting

Segment reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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. The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and thermoformed plastic); extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging; global brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures. This segment also included blow-molded plastic bottles and jars through November 7, 2016, when the Company completed the sale of its rigid plastics blow molding operations. 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-assurance packaging. Restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, gains from the disposition of businesses, insurance settlement gains, acquisition-related costs, pension settlement charges, interest expense and interest income are included in income before income taxes under “Corporate.” The following table sets forth financial information about each of the Company's business segments: Years ended December 31 Consumer Packaging Display and Packaging Paper and Protective Solutions Corporate Consolidated Total Revenue 2018 $ 2,363,292 $ 595,855 $ 2,042,732 $ 529,324 $ — $ 5,531,203 2017 2,129,022 511,099 2,007,321 540,665 — 5,188,107 2016 2,048,621 522,955 1,793,512 527,450 — 4,892,538 Intersegment Sales 1 2018 $ 3,293 $ 3,546 $ 131,779 $ 1,647 $ — $ 140,265 2017 5,557 2,863 141,141 1,896 — 151,457 2016 5,509 2,542 100,059 1,551 — 109,661 Sales to Unaffiliated Customers 2018 $ 2,359,999 $ 592,309 $ 1,910,953 $ 527,677 $ — $ 5,390,938 2017 2,123,465 508,236 1,866,180 538,769 — 5,036,650 2016 2,043,112 520,413 1,693,453 525,899 — 4,782,877 Income Before Income Taxes 2 2018 $ 224,505 $ 13,291 $ 211,122 $ 42,902 $ (113,289) $ 378,531 2017 255,759 2,632 161,591 42,357 (147,785) 314,554 2016 245,573 14,922 136,487 51,753 (7,458) 441,277 Identifiable Assets 3 2018 $ 1,993,417 $ 440,972 $ 1,472,148 $ 535,443 $ 141,485 $ 4,583,465 2017 1,890,516 480,892 1,346,391 552,425 287,497 4,557,721 2016 1,447,886 446,906 1,164,365 573,949 290,097 3,923,203 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 4 2018 $ 116,841 $ 18,020 $ 74,434 $ 26,950 $ — $ 236,245 2017 98,882 17,090 74,850 26,803 — 217,625 2016 88,875 16,716 74,742 24,849 — 205,182 Capital Expenditures 2018 $ 66,659 $ 19,849 $ 91,423 $ 5,879 $ 8,764 $ 192,574 2017 63,617 23,908 61,443 19,031 20,914 188,913 2016 86,369 11,542 60,601 12,860 15,369 186,741 1 Intersegment sales are recorded at a market-related transfer price. 2 Included in Corporate are interest income, interest expense, restructuring, asset impairment charges, gains from the sale of a business, property insurance settlement gains, non-operating pension costs, and other non-operational income and expenses associated with the following segments: Consumer Packaging Display Paper and Industrial Converted Products Protective Solutions Corporate Total 2018 $ 18,391 $ 19,046 $ 11,773 $ 1,529 $ 4,391 $ 55,130 2017 9,990 2,082 24,281 3,071 88,377 127,801 2016 (80,500) 7,883 27,567 1,018 (67) (44,099) The remaining amounts reported as Corporate consist of interest expense, interest income, non-operating pension costs, and other non-operational income and expenses not associated with a particular segment. 3 Identifiable assets are those assets used by each segment in its operations. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments in affiliates, headquarters facilities, deferred income taxes and prepaid expenses. 4 Depreciation, depletion and amortization incurred at Corporate are allocated to the reportable segments. Geographic regions Sales to unaffiliated customers and long-lived assets by geographic region are as follows: 2018 2017 2016 Sales to Unaffiliated Customers United States $ 3,490,369 $ 3,263,975 $ 3,112,016 Europe 1,092,654 981,178 951,783 Canada 246,208 245,992 268,556 All other 561,707 545,505 450,522 Total $ 5,390,938 $ 5,036,650 $ 4,782,877 Long-lived Assets United States $ 1,953,391 $ 1,962,196 $ 1,671,168 Europe 641,600 659,615 599,698 Canada 113,782 120,062 111,452 All other 241,767 108,395 101,828 Total $ 2,950,540 $ 2,850,268 $ 2,484,146 Sales are attributed to countries/regions based upon the plant location from which products are shipped. Long-lived assets are comprised of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and investment in affiliates (see Notes 7 and 8).

Accumulated other comprehensive

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: Foreign Currency Items Defined Benefit Pension Items Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (286,498) $ (453,821) $ 1,939 $ (738,380) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 88,003 9,840 2,266 100,109 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — 49,849 (4,675) 45,174 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets — — 64 64 Other comprehensive income/(loss) 88,003 59,689 (2,345) 145,347 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (198,495) $ (467,136) $ (641) $ (666,272) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (53,504) (50,232) (1,380) (105,116) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income 897 29,988 71 30,956 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets — — (305) (305) Other comprehensive income/(loss) (52,607) (20,244) (1,614) (74,465) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings — — (176) (176) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (251,102) $ (487,380) $ (2,431) $ (740,913) "Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications" during 2017, includes $5,071 of "Defined Benefit Pension Items" related to the release of a portion of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to the pension plan of a foreign subsidiary. The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and the affected line items in the consolidated statements of net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income Foreign currency items Amounts reclassified to net income $ (897) $ — Selling, general and administrative expenses (897) — Defined benefit pension items Effect of settlement loss (a) (730) (32,761) Non-operating pension cost Effect of curtailment loss (a) (256) — Non-operating pension cost Amortization of defined benefit pension items (36,689) (38,861) Non-operating pension cost (37,675) (71,622) 7,687 21,773 Provision for income taxes (29,988) (49,849) Net income Gains and losses on cash flow hedges Foreign exchange contracts (203) 11,738 Net Sales Foreign exchange contracts (20) (6,764) Cost of sales Commodity contracts 115 1,667 Cost of sales (108) 6,641 Income before income taxes 37 (1,966) Provision for income taxes (71) 4,675 Net income Total reclassifications for the period $ (30,956) $ (45,174) Net income (a) See Note 13 for additional details. The following table summarizes the tax (expense) benefit amounts for the other comprehensive loss components for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: For the year ended December 31, 2018 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Before Tax Amount Tax (Expense) Benefit After Tax Amount Before Tax Amount Tax (Expense) Benefit After Tax Amount Foreign currency items $ (53,504) $ — $ (53,504) $ 88,003 $ — $ 88,003 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 897 — 897 — — — Gains and losses on foreign currency items: (52,607) — (52,607) — 88,003 — 88,003 Defined benefit pension items: Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (63,259) 13,027 (50,232) 13,118 (3,278) 9,840 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 37,675 (7,687) 29,988 71,622 (21,773) 49,849 Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from defined benefit pension items (25,584) 5,340 (20,244) 84,740 (25,051) 59,689 Gains and losses on cash flow hedges: Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (2,096) 716 (1,380) 3,355 (1089) 2,266 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 108 (37) 71 (6,641) 1,966 (4,675) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to fixed assets (305) — (305) 64 — 64 Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from cash flow hedges (2,293) 679 (1,614) (3,222) 877 (2,345) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ (80,484) $ 6,019 $ (74,465) $ 169,521 $ (24,174) $ 145,347 The change in defined benefit plans includes pretax changes of $(71) and $(836) during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, related to one of the Company’s equity method investments.

Selected quarterly financial da

Selected quarterly financial data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Selected quarterly financial data	Selected quarterly financial data The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data of the Company: (unaudited) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter* 2018 Net sales $ 1,304,187 $ 1,366,373 $ 1,364,762 $ 1,355,616 Gross profit 250,602 276,460 259,636 254,308 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 3,063 3,567 22,061 11,380 Net income attributable to Sonoco 74,055 89,412 72,415 77,678 Per common share: Net income attributable to Sonoco: - basic $ 0.74 $ 0.89 $ 0.72 $ 0.78 - diluted $ 0.73 $ 0.88 $ 0.72 $ 0.77 Cash dividends - common $ 0.39 $ 0.41 $ 0.41 $ 0.41 Market price - high 55.43 53.80 58.69 58.31 - low 46.55 46.94 51.18 50.30 2017 Net sales $ 1,172,324 $ 1,240,674 $ 1,324,634 $ 1,299,018 Gross profit 222,979 238,385 252,879 242,420 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 4,111 7,897 511 25,900 Net income attributable to Sonoco 53,733 43,125 72,812 5,675 Per common share: Net income attributable to Sonoco: - basic 0.54 0.43 0.73 $ .06 - diluted 0.53 0.43 0.72 .06 Cash dividends - common 0.37 0.39 0.39 0.39 Market price - high 55.58 54.00 53.77 55.77 - low 51.87 49.66 47.10 50.39 * Net income attributable to Sonoco in the fourth quarter of 2017 includes an additional tax provision of $51,265 resulting from new U.S. tax reform legislation

Schedule II

Schedule II	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts disclosure	Column A Column B Column C - Additions Column D Column E Description Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Costs and Expenses Charged to Other Deductions Balance at End of Year 2018 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 9,913 $ 3,471 $ (425) 1 $ 1,267 2 $ 11,692 LIFO Reserve 17,632 1,222 3 — — 18,854 Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets 47,199 (11,187) 70,993 4 3,716 5 103,289 2017 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 10,884 $ 1,439 $ 243 1 $ 2,653 2 $ 9,913 LIFO Reserve 17,319 313 3 — — 17,632 Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets 49,797 6,967 (2,365) 4 7,200 5 47,199 2016 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $ 11,069 $ 1,566 $ (86) 1 $ 1665 2 $ 10,884 LIFO Reserve 18,894 (1575) 3 — — 17,319 Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets 49,464 3,273 (306) 4 2,634 5 49,797 1 Includes translation adjustments and other insignificant adjustments. 2 Includes amounts written off. 3 Includes adjustments based on pricing and inventory levels. 4 Includes translation adjustments and increases to deferred tax assets which were previously fully reserved. 5 Includes utilization of capital loss carryforwards, net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. All other schedules not included have been omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or the required information is given in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Summary of significant accoun_2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Sonoco Products Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Sonoco”) after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
Estimates and assumptions	Estimates and assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition Beginning in 2018, the Company records revenue when control is transferred to the customer, which is either upon shipment or over time in cases where the Company is entitled to payment with margin for products produced that are customer specific without alternative use. The Company recognizes over time revenue under the input method as goods are produced. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is recognized when the customer obtains control of the goods. Customers obtain control either when goods are delivered to the customer facility, if the Company is responsible for arranging transportation, or when picked up by the customer's designated carrier. The Company commonly enters into Master Supply Arrangements (MSA) with customers to provide goods and/or services over specific time periods. Customers submit purchase orders with quantities and prices to create a contract for accounting purposes. Shipping and handling expenses are considered a fulfillment cost, and included in "Cost of Sales," and freight charged to customers is included in "Net Sales" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior to 2018, the Company recorded revenue when title and risk of ownership passed to the customer, and when persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, delivery had occurred or services had been rendered, the sales price to the customer was fixed or determinable and when collectibility was reasonably assured. Certain judgments, such as provisions for estimates of sales returns and allowances, were required in the application of the Company’s revenue policy and, therefore, were included in the results of operations in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Shipping and handling expenses were included in “Cost of sales,” and freight charged to customers was included in “Net sales” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The Company has rebate agreements with certain customers. These rebates are recorded as reductions of sales and are accrued using sales data and rebate percentages specific to each customer agreement. Accrued customer rebates are included in "Accrued expenses and other" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment terms under the Company's arrangements are short term in nature, generally no longer than 120 days. The Company does provide prompt payment discounts to certain customers if invoices are paid within a predetermined period. Prompt payment discounts are treated as a reduction of revenue and are determinable within a short period after the originating sale.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts The Company’s trade accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are recorded at the invoiced amounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. Provisions are made to the allowance for doubtful accounts at such time that collection of all or part of a trade account receivable is in question. The allowance for doubtful accounts is monitored on a regular basis and adjustments are made as needed to ensure that the account properly reflects the Company’s best estimate of uncollectible trade accounts receivable. Account balances are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that the receivable will not be recovered.
Research and development	Research and developmentResearch and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and include salaries and other directly related expenses.
Restructuring and asset impairment	Restructuring and asset impairmentCosts associated with exit or disposal activities are recognized when the liability is incurred. If assets become impaired as a result of a restructuring action, the assets are written down to fair value, less estimated costs to sell, if applicable. A number of significant estimates and assumptions are involved in the determination of fair value. The Company considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates are made; however, the amounts that are ultimately realized upon the sale of divested assets may differ from the estimated fair values reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash and cash equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents are composed of highly liquid investments with an original maturity to the Company of generally three months or less when purchased. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates market.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used for the valuation of certain of the Company’s domestic inventories, primarily metal, internally manufactured paper and paper purchased from third parties. The LIFO method of accounting was used to determine the carrying costs of a pproximately 14% and 14% o f total inventories at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The remaining inventories are determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used for all inventories, total inventory would have been hi gher by $18,854 and $17,632 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment Plant assets represent the original cost of land, buildings and equipment, less depreciation, computed under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Equipment lives generally range from 3 to 11 years, and buildings from 15 to 40 years. Timber resources are stated at cost. Depletion is charged to operations based on the estimated number of units of timber cut during the year.
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets The Company assesses its 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. In performing the impairment test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This quantitative test considers factors such as the amount by which estimated fair value exceeds current carrying value, current year operating performance as compared to prior projections, and implied fair values from comparable trading and transaction multiples. Calculated reporting unit 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, corroborated by comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company's projections incorporate management's best estimates of the expected future results, which include expectations related to new and retained business and future operating margins. 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. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit’s assets, including goodwill, there is no impairment. If not, and the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the fair value of that goodwill, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess. Goodwill is not amortized. Intangible assets are amortized, usually on a straight-line basis, over their respective useful lives, which generally range from 3 to 40 years. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. The Company has no intangibles with indefinite lives.
Income taxes	Income taxesThe Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting requirements and tax laws. Assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Derivatives	Derivatives The Company uses derivatives to mitigate the effect of fluctuations in some of its raw material and energy costs, foreign currencies, and, from time to time, interest rates. The Company purchases commodities such as recovered paper, metal, resins and energy generally at market or at fixed prices that are established with the vendor as part of the purchase process for quantities expected to be consumed in the ordinary course of business. The Company may enter into commodity futures or swaps to manage the effect of price fluctuations. The Company may use foreign currency forward contracts and other risk management instruments to manage exposure to changes in foreign currency cash flows and the translation of monetary assets and liabilities on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company is exposed to interest-rate fluctuations as a result of using debt as a source of financing for its operations. The Company may from time to time use traditional, unleveraged interest rate swaps to adjust its mix of fixed and variable rate debt to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company records its derivatives as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value using published market prices or estimated values based on current price and/or rate quotes and discounted estimated cash flows. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized either in net income or in other comprehensive income, depending on the designated purpose of the derivative. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. It is the Company’s policy not to speculate in derivative instruments.
Reportable segments	Reportable segments The Company identifies its reportable segments by evaluating the level of detail reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, gross profit margins, nature of products sold, nature of the production processes, type and class of customer, methods used to distribute products, and nature of the regulatory environment. Of these factors, the Company believes that the most significant in determining the aggregation of operating segments are the nature of the products and the type of customers served.
Contingencies	Contingencies Pursuant to U.S. GAAP for accounting for contingencies, accruals for estimated losses are recorded at the time information becomes available indicating that losses are probable and that the amounts are reasonably estimable. Amounts so accrued are not discounted.
New accounting pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements In December 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-16 "Derivatives and Hedging: Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes," which allows the use of the SOFR and OIS rate as benchmark rates after the Federal Reserve started publishing such daily rate on April 3, 2018. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software: Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract," which provides guidance on capitalizing implementation cost associated with arrangements that contain a license. The Company adopted this ASU using the prospective method effective October 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements . In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this standard in the fourth quarter of 2017 using specific identification, and as a result reclassified $73,239 from "Accumulated other comprehensive income" to "Retained earnings." This reclassification related only to the change in the statutory tax rate and affected only the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017, and Consolidated Statement of Changes in Total Equity for the year ended December 31, 2017. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The update to the standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, and recorded a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings of $176 as of that date in order to remove previously recognized ineffectiveness losses on contracts outstanding as of the date of adoption In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Scope of Modification Accounting," which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. Under the new guidance, modification accounting to a share-based payment award will not be applied if all of the following are the same immediately before and after the change: the award's fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if those measurement methods are used); the award's vesting conditions; and the award's classification as an equity or liability instrument. While the new guidance does not change the accounting for modifications, it is intended to reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications. This update is effective for annual periods, beginning after December 31, 2017, with early adoption permitted in any interim period after issuance of this update. The Company elected to early adopt the standard in the fourth quarter 2017. The adoption did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires an employer to report service cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost as defined are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented, or disclosed. This update also allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the components of net benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component. The Company implemented this ASU effective January 1, 2018, modifying its income statement presentation of the components of net benefit cost accordingly, including the retrospective application to previously reported results. As a result of the retrospective application, the amounts previously reported in "Cost of sales" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" for the year ended December 31, 2017, were reduced by $9,262 and $35,848, respectively, and "Operating profit" increased by $45,110, in order to conform to the current presentation. The comparable changes for the year ended December 31, 2016, were $8,857, $2,952, and $11,809, for "Cost of sales," "Selling, general and administrative expenses," and "Operating profit," respectively. No change was required to the Company's policy regarding the capitalization of such costs. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” eliminating the requirement to determine the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to measure goodwill impairment. Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company elected early adoption of the standard effective January 1, 2018. Any future goodwill impairment, should it occur, will be determined in accordance with this ASU. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory," which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset upon transfer of an asset other than inventory, eliminating the current recognition exception. Prior to this ASU, GAAP prohibited the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers until the asset was sold to an outside party. The recognition prohibition was an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. This guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," providing clarification on eight cash flow classification issues, including 1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, 2) settlement of relatively insignificant debt instruments, 3) contingent consideration payments, 4) insurance claim settlements, 5) life insurance settlements, 6) distributions received from equity method investees, 7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and 8) separately identifiable cash flows. This guidance, which applies to both interim and annual periods, became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. As a result of the retrospective application, insurance proceeds totaling $1,104 received during the year ended December 31, 2017 that were previously reported in "Cash Flows from Operating Activities" were reclassified to "Cash Flows from Investing Activities." Otherwise, adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as the Company either did not realize any cash flows from these types of activities, such amounts were immaterial, or the prescribed guidance did not differ from its current practice. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," which provides guidance on recording revenue on a gross basis versus a net basis based on the determination of whether an entity is a principal or an agent when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer. The amendments in this update affect the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 and are effective in the same time frame as ASU 2014-09 as discussed below. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). This standard requires lessees to record right of use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. Long-term leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective optional approach prescribed by ASU 2018-11, which allows for comparative periods to continue to be presented as previously reported under the previous accounting standard (ASC 840). The Company will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard upon adoption and will make an accounting policy election to keep leases with a term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet in accordance with ASU 2016-02’s short-term lease exemption provision. The Company is also electing the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases and will elect to combine lease and non-lease components. In preparation for adoption of this ASU, the Company has begun implementing internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of compliant financial information. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as it is expected to add additional ROU assets and liabilities of between $325,000 and $350,000 as of January 1, 2019. The Company does not believe that ASU 2016-02 will have a material effect on its Consolidated Statements of Income. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 requires certain changes to the presentation of cash flows, but the Company does not believe it will have a notable impact on the Company’s liquidity. Additionally, the Company does not believe that ASU 2016-02 will have an impact on compliance with debt covenants under its current agreements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers," which changes the definitions/criteria used to determine when revenue should be recognized from being based on risks and rewards to being based on control. Among other changes, ASU 2014-09 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. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 following the modified retrospective transition method and, as such, recorded a cumulative adjustment of $1,721 to beginning retained earnings for the period. The most significant impacts to the Company's financial statements from the adoption of this ASU are the acceleration of revenue recognition compared to prior standards for arrangements under which the Company is producing customer-specific products without alternative use and would be entitled to payment for work completed, including a reasonable margin, and the recognition of material customer contract rights for certain agreed-upon future price concessions . Other than the pronouncements discussed above, 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 December 31, 2018, there were no other pronouncements pending adoption that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Fair value measurement	Fair value is defined as 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 at the measurement date. 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:
Fair value of financial instruments	As discussed in Note 10, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate some of 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 and the assets invested in various exchange traded mutual funds. These assets are measured using quoted prices in accessible active markets for identical assets.

Summary of significant accoun_3

Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Company held significant investments	Affiliated companies over which the Company exercised a significant influence at December 31, 2018, included: Entity Ownership Interest Percentage at December 31, 2018 RTS Packaging JVCO 35.0 % Cascades Conversion, Inc. 50.0 % Cascades Sonoco, Inc. 50.0 % Showa Products Company Ltd. 20.0 % Papertech Energía, S.L. 25.0 % Weidenhammer New Packaging, LLC 40.0 %

Changes in Accounting Policy (T

Changes in Accounting Policy (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of Impact of New Accounting Policies	The Company applied ASC 606 using the cumulative effect method by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying ASC 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at January 1, 2018. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605. The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes are set out below. December 31, 2017 Adjustments January 1, 2018 Assets Current Assets Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 725,251 $ 3,636 $ 728,887 Other receivables 64,561 41,351 105,912 Inventories: Finished and in process 196,204 (37,447) 158,757 Total Assets 4,557,721 7,540 4,565,261 Liabilities and Equity Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other 283,355 5,215 288,570 Deferred Income Taxes 74,073 604 74,677 Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings 2,036,006 1,721 2,037,727 Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity 1,707,066 1,721 1,708,787 Total Equity 1,730,060 1,721 1,731,781 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 4,557,721 $ 7,540 $ 4,565,261 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Assets Current Assets Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 737,420 $ (2,913) $ 734,507 Other receivables 111,915 (42,739) 69,176 Inventories: Finished and in process 174,115 38,000 212,115 Long-term Deferred Income Taxes 47,297 362 47,659 Total Assets 4,583,465 (7,290) 4,576,175 Liabilities and Equity Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other 237,197 (6,258) 230,939 Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity Retained earnings 2,188,115 (1,032) 2,187,083 Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity 1,759,086 (1,032) 1,758,054 Total Equity 1,772,278 (1,032) 1,771,246 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 4,583,465 $ (7,290) $ 4,576,175 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 Net sales $ 5,390,938 $ 378 $ 5,391,316 Cost of sales 4,349,932 (553) 4,349,379 Gross profit 1,041,006 931 1,041,937 Operating Profit 437,629 931 438,560 Income before income taxes 378,531 931 379,462 Provision for income taxes 75,008 242 75,250 Income before equity in earnings of affiliates 303,523 689 304,212 Net income 314,739 689 315,428 Net income attributable to Sonoco $ 313,560 $ 689 $ 314,249 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 Net income $ 314,739 $ 689 $ 315,428 Other comprehensive income/(loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments (54,763) 73 (54,690) Other comprehensive (loss)/income (76,621) 73 (76,548) Comprehensive income 238,118 762 238,880 Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (1,179) 762 (417) Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco $ 239,095 $ 762 $ 239,857 The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Net income $ 314,739 $ 689 $ 315,428 Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes (9,420) (2,391) (11,811) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Trade accounts receivable 38,193 (648) 37,545 Inventories (6,150) (553) (6,703) Other assets and liabilities (10,184) 1,313 (8,871) Accrued expenses 19,153 (1,043) 18,110 Income taxes payable and other income tax items (19,014) 2,633 (16,381) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 589,898 $ — $ 589,898

Acquisitions and dispositions (

Acquisitions and dispositions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition	The provisional fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisitions of Conitex Sonoco and Compositub are as follows: Conitex Sonoco Compositub Trade accounts receivable $ 50,937 $ 2,173 Inventories 29,025 750 Property, plant and equipment 97,261 3,430 Goodwill 29,722 2,512 Other intangible assets 21,850 2,512 Trade accounts payable (23,429) (1,273) Short-term debt (7,065) — Deferred income taxes, net (11,744) — Noncontrolling interests (2,655) — Other net tangible assets /(liabilities) (3,577) (148) Net assets $ 180,325 $ 9,956
Pro forma supplemental information	This pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had been completed as of the beginning of 2016, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results. Pro Forma Supplemental Information (unaudited) Consolidated 2017 2016 Net sales $ 5,143,066 $ 5,080,492 Net income attributable to Sonoco $ 178,205 $ 271,749 Earnings per share: Pro forma basic $ 1.78 $ 2.69 Pro forma diluted $ 1.77 $ 2.67 The pro forma information above does not project the Company’s expected results of any future period and gives no effect for any future synergistic benefits that may result from consolidating these subsidiaries or costs from integrating their operations with those of the Company. Pro forma information for both 2017 and 2016 includes adjustments to depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and income taxes. Acquisition-related costs of $4,345 and non-recurring expenses related to fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory of $5,750 were recognized in 2017 in connection with the acquisitions of Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam. These costs are excluded from 2017 pro forma net income and reflected as though having been incurred on January 1, 2016. The following table presents the aggregate, unaudited financial results for Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam from their respective dates of acquisition: Aggregate Supplemental Information (unaudited) Packaging Holdings and Clear Lam 2017 Actual net sales $ 215,227 Actual net income $ 3,886
Highland Packaging Solutions
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition	The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the Highland acquisition are as follows: Trade accounts receivable $ 6,072 Inventories 27,225 Property, plant and equipment 29,586 Goodwill 46,787 Other intangible assets 45,524 Trade accounts payable (6,006) Other net tangible assets /(liabilities) (649) Net assets $ 148,539

Restructuring and asset impai_2

Restructuring and asset impairment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and asset impairment charges table	Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges, net of adjustments, recognized during the periods presented: Year Ended December 31 2018 2017 2016 Restructuring/Asset impairment: 2018 Actions $ 32,293 $ — $ — 2017 Actions 7,870 15,329 — 2016 and Earlier Actions (92) 4,505 40,266 Other asset impairments — 18,585 2,617 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges $ 40,071 $ 38,419 $ 42,883 Income tax benefit (10,038) (13,064) (7,520) Restructuring benefit attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax (191) (71) (161) Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment charges, net of tax $ 29,842 $ 25,284 $ 35,202
2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	Below is a summary of 2018 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion. 2018 Actions Year Ended December 31, 2018 Estimated Total Cost Severance and Termination Benefits Consumer Packaging $ 4,700 $ 4,700 Display and Packaging 1,939 1,939 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 3,111 3,211 Protective Solutions 1,075 1,075 Corporate 243 243 Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets Consumer Packaging 2,688 2,688 Display and Packaging 4,625 4,625 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 118 118 Protective Solutions (243) (243) Other Costs Consumer Packaging 2,390 2,990 Display and Packaging 9,850 9,950 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 1,761 2,461 Protective Solutions 46 46 Corporate (10) (10) Total Charges and Adjustments $ 32,293 $ 33,793
Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2018 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2018 Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2017 $ — $ — $ — $ — 2018 charges 11,068 7,188 14,037 32,293 Cash (payments)/receipts (7,858) 24,300 (13,853) 2,589 Asset write downs/disposals — (31,488) — (31,488) Foreign currency translation (16) — (5) (21) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 3,194 $ — $ 179 $ 3,373
2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	Below is a summary of 2017 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.
Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2017 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2017 Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2016 $ — $ — $ — $ — 2017 charges 10,800 1,127 3,402 15,329 Cash receipts/(payments) (6,951) 636 (3,187) (9,502) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,763) — (1,763) Foreign currency translation 40 — (2) 38 Liability, December 31, 2017 $ 3,889 $ — $ 213 $ 4,102 2018 charges 4,084 (743) 4,529 7,870 Adjustments — — — — Cash (payments)/receipts (6,610) 2,014 (2,892) (7,488) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,271) — (1,271) Foreign currency translation (27) — 25 (2) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 1,336 $ — $ 1,875 $ 3,211
2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	2016 and Earlier Actions are comprised of a number of plant closures and workforce reductions initiated prior to 2017. Below is a summary of 2016 and Earlier Actions and related expenses by type incurred. Year Ended December 31, 2016 and Earlier Actions 2018 2017 2016 Severance and Termination Benefits Consumer Packaging $ 121 $ 1,087 $ 5,554 Display and Packaging (23) 34 4,401 Paper and Industrial Converted Products (26) 743 5,881 Protective Solutions — — 678 Corporate — 20 1,531 Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets Consumer Packaging — (1,377) 1,352 Display and Packaging — 90 3,047 Paper and Industrial Converted Products (252) 308 13,490 Protective Solutions — (28) 3 Other Costs Consumer Packaging (19) 1,620 1,680 Display and Packaging — 394 492 Paper and Industrial Converted Products 52 1,435 1,820 Protective Solutions 55 179 337 Total Charges and Adjustments $ (92) $ 4,505 $ 40,266
Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost	The following table sets forth the activity in the 2016 and Earlier Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: 2016 and Earlier Actions Severance and Termination Benefits Asset Impairment/ Disposal of Assets Other Costs Total Liability, December 31, 2016 $ 7,166 $ — $ 640 $ 7,806 2017 charges 2,480 (1,007) 4,141 5,614 Adjustments (596) — (513) (1,109) Cash receipts/(payments) (7,236) 2,921 (3,222) (7,537) Asset write downs/disposals — (1,914) (253) (2,167) Foreign currency translation 279 — 158 437 Liability, December 31, 2017 $ 2,093 $ — $ 951 $ 3,044 2018 charges 72 (252) 88 (92) Adjustments — — — — Cash receipts/(payments) (1,376) 252 (796) (1,920) Asset write downs/disposals — — — Foreign currency translation (26) — (18) (44) Liability, December 31, 2018 $ 763 $ — $ 225 $ 988

Property, plant and equipment (

Property, plant and equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of property, plant and equipment	Details of the Company's property, plant and equipment at December 31 are as follows: 2018 2017 Land $ 110,698 $ 87,878 Timber resources 41,862 41,664 Buildings 535,433 502,046 Machinery and equipment 2,977,156 2,871,622 Construction in progress 159,661 143,403 3,824,810 3,646,613 Accumulated depreciation and depletion (2,590,989) (2,477,236) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 1,233,821 $ 1,169,377

Goodwill and other intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the year ended December 31, 2018, are as follows: Consumer Packaging Display and Packaging Paper and Industrial Converted Products Protective Solutions Total Balance as of January 1, 2018 $ 572,716 $ 203,414 $ 233,778 $ 231,967 $ 1,241,875 Acquisitions 49,298 — 29,722 — 79,020 Other 6,766 — — 6,766 Foreign currency translation (11,448) — (6,553) (493) (18,494) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 617,332 $ 203,414 $ 256,947 $ 231,474 $ 1,309,167
Summary of other intangible assets	Details at December 31 are as follows: 2018 2017 Other Intangible Assets, Gross: Patents $ 22,509 $ 21,957 Customer lists 548,038 497,634 Trade names 31,174 25,148 Proprietary technology 28,748 20,779 Land use rights 282 298 Other 2,093 1,740 Other Intangible Assets, Gross $ 632,844 $ 567,556 Accumulated Amortization: Patents $ (9,539) $ (7,187) Customer lists (246,946) (210,212) Trade names (7,413) (4,427) Proprietary technology (15,400) (13,192) Land use rights (48) (47) Other (1,461) (1,196) Accumulated Amortization $ (280,807) $ (236,261) Other Intangible Assets, Net $ 352,037 $ 331,295

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Instruments	Debt at December 31 was as follows: 2018 2017 5.75% debentures due November 2040 $ 599,208 $ 599,171 4.375% debentures due November 2021 249,116 248,803 9.2% debentures due August 2021 4,315 4,294 1.00% Euro loan due May 2021 169,976 177,218 Term loan due July 2022 158,949 246,328 Commercial paper, average rate of 2.15% in 2018 and 1.24% in 2017 120,000 124,000 Other foreign denominated debt, average rate of 3.7% in 2018 and 3.8% in 2017 57,867 21,735 Other notes 25,731 25,780 Total debt 1,385,162 1,447,329 Less current portion and short-term notes 195,445 159,327 Long-term debt $ 1,189,717 $ 1,288,002

Financial instruments and der_2

Financial instruments and derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 where the carrying amount differs from the fair value. December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Long-term debt $ 1,189,717 $ 1,270,521 $ 1,288,002 $ 1,426,862
Net positions of foreign contracts	The net positions of these contracts at December 31, 2018, were as follows: Currency Action Quantity Colombian peso Purchase 16,977,636 Mexican peso Purchase 444,428 Polish zloty Purchase 70,788 Canadian dollar Purchase 62,753 Czech koruna Purchase 45,255 Turkish lira Purchase 6,603 British pound Purchase 1,937 New Zealand dollar Sell (334) Australian dollar Sell (388) Swedish krona Sell (3,380) Euro Sell (19,010) Russian ruble Sell (126,867)
Net positions of other derivatives contract	The net positions of these contracts at December 31, 2018, were as follows: Currency Action Quantity Colombian peso Purchase 9,275,694 Mexican peso Purchase 386,972 Canadian dollar Purchase 22,097 Saudi riyal Sell (4,131) South African rand Sell (18,784)
Location and fair values of derivative instruments	The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments: Fair Value at December 31 Description Balance Sheet Location 2018 2017 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Commodity Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 282 $ 149 Commodity Contracts Other assets $ — $ — Commodity Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (1,843) $ (1,417) Commodity Contracts Other liabilities $ (10) $ (445) Foreign Exchange Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 770 $ 2,232 Foreign Exchange Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (2,482) $ (1,282) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Prepaid expenses $ 727 $ 90 Foreign Exchange Contracts Accrued expenses and other $ (561) $ (671)
Effect of derivative instruments on financial performance	The following table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, excluding the gains on foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of the capitalized expenditures: Description Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships: Foreign Exchange Contracts $ (2,354) Net sales $ (203) Cost of sales $ (20) Commodity Contracts $ 258 Cost of sales $ 115 Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income Statement Gain or (Loss) Recognized Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Cost of sales $ — Selling, general and administrative $ 41 Description Revenue Cost of Sales Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income $ (203) $ 95 The effects of cash flow hedging: Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in subtopic 815-20: Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ (203) $ (20) Commodity contract: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ — $ 115 The following table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, excluding the gains on foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the carrying value of the capitalized expenditures: Description Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships: Foreign Exchange Contracts $ 5,947 Net sales $ 11,738 Cost of sales $ (6,764) Commodity Contracts $ (3,062) Cost of sales $ 1,667 Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income Statement Gain or (Loss) Recognized Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign Exchange Contracts Cost of sales $ — Selling, general and administrative $ (2,138) Description Revenue Cost of Sales Total amount of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income $ 11,738 $ (5,097) The effects of cash flow hedging: Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships in subtopic 815-20: Foreign exchange contracts: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ 11,738 $ (6,764) Commodity contract: Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income $ — $ 1,667

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: Description December 31, 2018 Assets measured at NAV (g) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Hedge derivatives, net: Commodity contracts $ (1,571) $ — $ — $ (1,571) $ — Foreign exchange contracts (1,712) — — (1,712) — Non-hedge derivatives, net: Foreign exchange contracts 166 — — 166 — Deferred compensation plan assets 260 — 260 — — Postretirement benefit plan assets: Common Collective Trust (a) $ 862,565 $ 862,565 $ — $ — $ — Mutual funds(b) 157,088 — — 157,088 — Fixed income securities(c) 175,543 — — 175,543 — Short-term investments(d) 1,166 38 1,128 — Hedge fund of funds(e) 71,354 71,354 — — — Real estate funds(f) 61,249 61,249 — — — Cash and accrued income 786 — 786 — — Total postretirement benefit plan assets $ 1,329,751 $ 995,168 $ 824 $ 333,759 $ — Description December 31, 2017 Assets measured at NAV (g) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Hedge derivatives, net: Commodity contracts $ (1,713) $ — $ — $ (1,713) $ — Foreign exchange contracts 950 — — 950 — Non-hedge derivatives, net: Foreign exchange contracts (581) — — (581) — Deferred compensation plan assets 268 — 268 — — Postretirement benefit plan assets: Common Collective Trust (a) $ 1,010,274 $ 1,010,274 $ — $ — $ — Mutual funds(b) 214,555 — — 214,555 — Fixed income securities(c) 167,992 — — 167,992 — Short-term investments(d) 2,239 1,052 1,187 — Hedge fund of funds(e) 69,500 69,500 — — — Real estate funds(f) 56,690 56,690 — — — Cash and accrued income 640 — 640 — — Total postretirement benefit plan assets $ 1,521,890 $ 1,136,464 $ 1,692 $ 383,734 $ — a. Common collective trust investments consist of domestic and international large and mid capitalization equities, including emerging markets and funds invested in both short-term and long-term bonds. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds, private securities, and limited partnerships are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. b. Mutual fund investments are comprised of equity securities of corporations with large capitalizations and also include funds invested in corporate equities in international and emerging markets and funds invested in long-term bonds, which are valued at closing prices from national exchanges. c. Fixed income securities include funds that invest primarily in government securities and long-term bonds. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges, fixed income pricing models, and independent financial analysts. Fixed income commingled funds are valued at unit values provided by the investment managers. d. Short-term investments include several money market funds used for managing overall liquidity. Underlying investments are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds are valued at unit values provided by the investment managers. e. The hedge fund of funds category includes investments in funds representing a variety of strategies intended to diversify risks and reduce volatility. It includes event-driven credit and equity investments targeted at economic policy decisions, long and short positions in U.S. and international equities, arbitrage investments and emerging market equity investments. Investments are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. f. This category includes investments in real estate funds (including office, industrial, residential and retail) primarily throughout the United States. Underlying real estate securities are generally valued at closing prices from national exchanges. Commingled funds, private securities, and limited partnerships are valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers. g. Certain assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Share-based compensation plans

Share-based compensation plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Estimated fair values of all SARs applying assumptions	The Company computed the estimated fair values of all SARs using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model applying the assumptions set forth in the following table: 2018 2017 2016 Expected dividend yield 3.1 % 2.7 % 3.5 % Expected stock price volatility 16.2 % 17.2 % 18.5 % Risk-free interest rate 2.8 % 2.0 % 1.3 % Expected life of SARs 6 years 6 years 6 years
Company's SARs	The activity related to the Company’s SARs is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Weighted- average Exercise Price Outstanding, December 31, 2017 1,212,022 915,990 2,128,012 $ 44.53 Vested (434,023) 434,023 — Granted 636,045 — 636,045 $ 50.83 Exercised — (629,537) (629,537) $ 40.61 Forfeited/Expired (294,442) (7,720) (302,162) $ 48.51 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 1,119,602 712,756 1,832,358 $ 47.41 Exercisable, December 31, 2018 — 712,756 712,756 $ 46.65
Share-based compensation, performance shares award unvested activity	The activity related to performance contingent restricted stock units is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Outstanding, December 31, 2017 334,619 486,424 821,043 $37.12 Granted 133,226 — 133,226 $46.33 Performance adjustments 40,812 — 40,812 $57.21 Vested (132,534) 132,534 — Converted — (299,973) (299,973) $36.13 Cancelled (46,591) (6,080) (52,671) $44.37 Dividend equivalents — 9,382 9,382 $52.88 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 329,532 322,287 651,819 $40.21
Activity related to PCSUs and restricted stock units	The activity related to restricted stock units is as follows: Nonvested Vested Total Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Outstanding, December 31, 2017 225,807 199,630 425,437 $ 38.41 Granted 111,988 — 111,988 $ 48.36 Vested (141,281) 141,281 — Converted — (196,915) (196,915) $ 38.26 Cancelled (39,301) — (39,301) $ 46.00 Dividend equivalents 1,168 7,418 8,586 $ 52.37 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 158,381 151,414 309,795 $ 41.26
Schedule of other share-based compensation, activity	The activity related to deferred compensation for equity award units granted to both employees and non-employee directors combined is as follows: Total Outstanding, December 31, 2017 365,048 Deferred 37,127 Converted (23,217) Dividend equivalents 11,396 Outstanding, December 31, 2018 390,354

Employee benefit plans (Tables)

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Components of net periodic benefit cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost include the following: 2018 2017 2016 Retirement Plans Service cost $ 18,652 $ 18,543 $ 19,508 Interest cost 54,970 55,873 59,719 Expected return on plan assets (91,021) (81,212) (85,466) Amortization of prior service cost 916 910 809 Amortization of net actuarial loss 37,391 39,209 39,009 Effect of settlement loss 730 32,761 — Effect of curtailment loss 256 — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 21,894 $ 66,084 $ 33,579 Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Service cost $ 297 $ 313 $ 309 Interest cost 452 463 482 Expected return on plan assets (1,135) (1,636) (1,579) Amortization of prior service credit (498) (499) (498) Amortization of net actuarial gain (1,120) (759) (667) Net periodic benefit income $ (2,004) $ (2,118) $ (1,953)
Plans' obligations and assets	The following tables set forth the Plans’ obligations and assets at December 31: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 1,837,938 $ 1,777,424 $ 15,691 $ 17,568 Service cost 18,652 18,543 297 313 Interest cost 54,970 55,873 452 463 Plan participant contributions 429 391 620 744 Plan amendments 155 639 — — Actuarial loss/(gain) (115,153) 99,402 (398) (1,249) Benefits paid (93,053) (81,547) (2,569) (2,183) Impact of foreign exchange rates (21,636) 29,753 (45) 35 Effect of settlements (2,210) (62,540) — — Effect of curtailments (253) — — — Acquisitions 4,438 — — — Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 1,684,277 $ 1,837,938 $ 14,048 $ 15,691
Fair value of plan assets	The following tables set forth the Plans’ obligations and assets at December 31: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Benefit Obligation Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 1,837,938 $ 1,777,424 $ 15,691 $ 17,568 Service cost 18,652 18,543 297 313 Interest cost 54,970 55,873 452 463 Plan participant contributions 429 391 620 744 Plan amendments 155 639 — — Actuarial loss/(gain) (115,153) 99,402 (398) (1,249) Benefits paid (93,053) (81,547) (2,569) (2,183) Impact of foreign exchange rates (21,636) 29,753 (45) 35 Effect of settlements (2,210) (62,540) — — Effect of curtailments (253) — — — Acquisitions 4,438 — — — Benefit obligation at December 31 $ 1,684,277 $ 1,837,938 $ 14,048 $ 15,691 Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Change in Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets at January 1 $ 1,494,713 $ 1,325,389 $ 27,177 $ 23,848 Actual return on plan assets (78,447) 198,071 (915) 3,986 Company contributions 24,524 93,662 (13,302) 851 Plan participant contributions 429 443 620 744 Benefits paid (93,053) (81,547) (2,569) (2,183) Impact of foreign exchange rates (22,380) 29,460 — — Effect of settlements (2,210) (62,540) — — Expenses paid (6,670) (8,225) (92) (69) Acquisitions 1,926 — — — Fair value of plan assets at December 31 $ 1,318,832 $ 1,494,713 $ 10,919 $ 27,177 Funded Status of the Plans $ (365,445) $ (343,225) $ (3,129) $ 11,486
Recognized amounts in consolidated balance sheets	The negative contribution reported in 2018 for the Company's Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans reflects $14,025 of cash withdrawn from a collectively bargained VEBA in 2018 pursuant to an IRS private letter ruling dated April 1, 2018, permitting the Company to amend the VEBA to provide benefits to active, non-collectively bargained employees in addition to retired collectively bargained employees. Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Total Recognized Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets Noncurrent assets $ 18,520 $ 24,380 $ — $ 12,851 Current liabilities (12,935) (13,220) (983) (820) Noncurrent liabilities (371,030) (354,385) (2,146) (545) Net (liability)/asset $ (365,445) $ (343,225) $ (3,129) $ 11,486
Component of net periodic pension cost that are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	Items not yet recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost that are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2018 2017 Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 646,254 $ 625,831 $ (6,964) $ (9,822) Prior service cost/(credit) 5,514 3,780 (777) (1,275) $ 651,768 $ 629,611 $ (7,741) $ (11,097)
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income)	The amounts recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) include the following: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 Adjustments arising during the period: Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 58,544 $ (10,732) $ 56,060 $ 1,738 $ (3,525) $ (1,449) Prior service cost/(credit) 2,906 639 1,069 — — — Net settlements/curtailments (986) (32761) — — — — Reversal of amortization: Net actuarial (loss)/gain (37,391) (39,209) (39,009) 1,120 759 667 Prior service (cost)/credit (916) (910) (809) 498 499 498 Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income) $ 22,157 $ (82,973) $ 17,311 $ 3,356 $ (2,267) $ (284) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss/(income) $ 44,051 $ (16,889) $ 50,890 $ 1,352 $ (4,385) $ (2,237)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss/(income) expects to recognize as components of net periodic benefit cost	Of the amounts included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) as of December 31, 2018, the portions the Company expects to recognize as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2019 are as follows: Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Net actuarial loss/(gain) $ 36,192 $ (780) Prior service cost/(credit) 879 (498) $ 37,071 $ (1,278)
Company's projected benefit payments	The following table sets forth the Company’s projected benefit payments for the next ten years: Year Retirement Plans Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans 2019 $ 93,875 $ 1,491 2020 $ 95,990 $ 1,383 2021 $ 94,006 $ 1,360 2022 $ 95,628 $ 1,299 2023 $ 97,657 $ 1,239 2022-2026 $ 509,790 $ 5,480
Major actuarial assumptions used in determining PBO, ABO and net periodic cost	The following tables set forth the major actuarial assumptions used in determining the PBO, ABO and net periodic cost: Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 U.S. Retirement Plans U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Foreign Plans Discount Rate 2018 4.24 % 4.02 % 3.11 % 2017 3.59 % 3.36 % 2.78 % Rate of Compensation Increase 2018 — % 3.06 % 3.65 % 2017 3.40 % 3.28 % 3.62 % Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31 U.S. Retirement Plans U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans Foreign Plans Discount Rate 2018 3.59 % 3.36 % 2.78 % 2017 4.12 % 3.70 % 2.95 % 2016 4.36 % 3.78 % 3.71 % Expected Long-term Rate of Return 2018 6.87 % 6.95 % 4.84 % 2017 6.86 % 6.98 % 4.52 % 2016 7.47 % 7.31 % 4.75 % Rate of Compensation Increase 2018 3.40 % 3.28 % 3.62 % 2017 3.60 % 3.32 % 3.65 % 2016 3.69 % 3.36 % 3.52 %
Health care cost trend rates related to U.S. plan	The U.S. Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plan makes up approximately 96% of the Retiree Health liability. Therefore, the following information relates to the U.S. plan only. Healthcare Cost Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 6.50 % 6.50 % 2017 6.75 % 6.75 % Ultimate Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 4.50 % 4.50 % 2017 4.50 % 4.50 % Year at which the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate Pre-age 65 Post-age 65 2018 2026 2026 2017 2026 2026
Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Weighted-average asset allocations	The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s retirement plans at 2018 and 2017, by asset category. Asset Category U.S. U.K. Canada Equity securities 2018 48.3 % 38.9 % 55.4 % 2017 51.7 % 44.7 % 71.7 % Debt securities 2018 38.4 % 60.5 % 44.0 % 2017 37.1 % 54.7 % 27.9 % Alternative 2018 13.3 % — % — % 2017 11.2 % — % — % Cash and short-term investments 2018 — % 0.6 % 0.6 % 2017 — % 0.6 % 0.4 % Total 2018 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 2017 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Weighted-average asset allocations	The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations by asset category of the Company’s retiree health and life insurance plan. Asset Category 2018 2017 Equity securities 48.3% 63.6% Debt securities 38.4% 30.8% Alternative 13.3% 5.4% Cash —% 0.2% Total 100.0% 100.0%

Income taxes (Tables)

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for taxes on income	Pretax income
Deferred tax liabilities/(assets)
Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate to actual consolidated tax expense	A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the actual consolidated tax expense is as follows: 2018 2017 2016 Statutory tax rate $ 79,491 21.0 % $ 110,094 35.0 % $ 154,447 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 7,534 2.0 % 4,780 1.5 % 7,477 1.7 % Valuation allowance (14,902) (3.9) % (3,333) (1.1) % 639 0.1 % Tax examinations including change in reserve for uncertain tax positions (3,076) (0.8) % 4,895 1.6 % 732 0.2 % Adjustments to prior year deferred taxes (1,899) (0.5) % (1,415) (0.4) % (2,401) (0.5) % Foreign earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates 8,224 2.2 % (16,233) (5.2) % (15,930) (3.6) % Disposition of business — — 537 0.2 % 22,810 5.2 % Effect of tax rate changes (6,218) (1.6) % (22,183) (7.1) % 2,517 0.6 % Deduction related to qualified production activities 341 0.1 % (5,384) (1.7) % (5,215) (1.2) % Transition tax 3,647 1.0 % 76,933 24.5 % — — Tax credits (10,083) (2.7) % (1,197) (0.4) % (1,100) (0.2) % Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) 12,878 3.4 % — — — — Foreign-derived intangible income (1,174) (0.3) % — — — — Other, net 245 0.1 % (905) (0.3) % 655 0.1 % Total taxes $ 75,008 19.8 % $ 146,589 46.6 % $ 164,631 37.3 %
Reconciliation of gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and ending of the periods indicated: 2018 2017 2016 Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits at January 1 $ 17,100 $ 17,700 $ 17,200 Increases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits — 700 1,400 Decreases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits (700) (2,400) (3,500) Increases in current year's unrecognized tax benefits 1,200 1,600 3,000 Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits from the lapse of statutes of limitations (2,600) (300) (100) Settlements (600) (200) (300) Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits at December 31 $ 14,400 $ 17,100 $ 17,700

(Tables)

(Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract asset and liabilities	The following table sets forth information about contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers. The balances of the contract assets and liabilities are located in "Other receivables" and "Accrued expenses and other" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. December 31, 2018 January 1, 2018 Contract Assets 48,786 45,877 Contract Liabilities (18,533) (17,736) Significant changes in the contract assets and liabilities balances during the period were as follows: December 31, 2018 January 1, 2018 Contract Asset Contract Liability Contract Asset Contract Liability Beginning balance 45,877 (17,736) $ — (12,521) Revenue deferred or rebates accrued — (19,730) — — Recognized as revenue — 1,652 — — Rebates paid to customers — 17,281 — — Increases due to rights to consideration for customer specific goods produced, but not billed during the period 48,786 — — — Transferred to receivables from contract assets recognized at the beginning of the period (45,877) — — — Increase as a result of cumulative catch-up arising from changes in the estimate of completion, excluding amounts transferred to receivables during the period — — 45,877 (5,215) Impairment of contract asset — — — — Ending balance $ 48,786 $ (18,533) $ 45,877 $ (17,736)
Disaggregation of revenue	The following table sets forth information about revenue disaggregated by primary geographic regions, and timing of revenue recognition for the year-ended December 31, 2018. The table also includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue with reportable segments. Year Ended Consumer Packaging Display and Packaging Paper and Industrial Converted Products Protective Solutions Primary geographical markets: United States 1,676,204 290,295 1,108,735 415,135 Europe 418,129 294,156 354,705 25,664 Canada 115,183 — 131,025 — Asia 69,242 — 178,509 3,548 Other 81,241 7,858 137,979 83,330 Total 2,359,999 592,309 1,910,953 527,677 Timing of revenue recognition: Products transferred at a point in time 1,440,662 248,034 1,808,997 444,624 Products transferred over time 919,337 344,275 101,956 83,053 Total 2,359,999 592,309 1,910,953 527,677

Shareholders_ equity and earn_2

Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Earnings per share
Shares not included in computations of diluted income per share	The average number of shares that were not dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted income per share was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): 2018 2017 2016 Anti-dilutive stock appreciation rights 786 487 357

Segment reporting (Tables)

Segment reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial segment information	Included in Corporate are interest income, interest expense, restructuring, asset impairment charges, gains from the sale of a business, property insurance settlement gains, non-operating pension costs, and other non-operational income and expenses associated with the following segments:
Sales to unaffiliated customers and long-lived assets by geographic region	$ 3,490,369

Accumulated other comprehensi_2

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income Loss and Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: Foreign Currency Items Defined Benefit Pension Items Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (286,498) $ (453,821) $ 1,939 $ (738,380) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications 88,003 9,840 2,266 100,109 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income — 49,849 (4,675) 45,174 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets — — 64 64 Other comprehensive income/(loss) 88,003 59,689 (2,345) 145,347 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (198,495) $ (467,136) $ (641) $ (666,272) Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (53,504) (50,232) (1,380) (105,116) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income 897 29,988 71 30,956 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to fixed assets — — (305) (305) Other comprehensive income/(loss) (52,607) (20,244) (1,614) (74,465) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings — — (176) (176) Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (251,102) $ (487,380) $ (2,431) $ (740,913)
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income	The following table summarizes the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and the affected line items in the consolidated statements of net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components Twelve Months Ended Twelve Months Ended Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income Foreign currency items Amounts reclassified to net income $ (897) $ — Selling, general and administrative expenses (897) — Defined benefit pension items Effect of settlement loss (a) (730) (32,761) Non-operating pension cost Effect of curtailment loss (a) (256) — Non-operating pension cost Amortization of defined benefit pension items (36,689) (38,861) Non-operating pension cost (37,675) (71,622) 7,687 21,773 Provision for income taxes (29,988) (49,849) Net income Gains and losses on cash flow hedges Foreign exchange contracts (203) 11,738 Net Sales Foreign exchange contracts (20) (6,764) Cost of sales Commodity contracts 115 1,667 Cost of sales (108) 6,641 Income before income taxes 37 (1,966) Provision for income taxes (71) 4,675 Net income Total reclassifications for the period $ (30,956) $ (45,174) Net income (a) See Note 13 for additional details.
Schedule of other comprehensive loss components	The following table summarizes the tax (expense) benefit amounts for the other comprehensive loss components for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017: For the year ended December 31, 2018 For the year ended December 31, 2017 Before Tax Amount Tax (Expense) Benefit After Tax Amount Before Tax Amount Tax (Expense) Benefit After Tax Amount Foreign currency items $ (53,504) $ — $ (53,504) $ 88,003 $ — $ 88,003 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 897 — 897 — — — Gains and losses on foreign currency items: (52,607) — (52,607) — 88,003 — 88,003 Defined benefit pension items: Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (63,259) 13,027 (50,232) 13,118 (3,278) 9,840 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 37,675 (7,687) 29,988 71,622 (21,773) 49,849 Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from defined benefit pension items (25,584) 5,340 (20,244) 84,740 (25,051) 59,689 Gains and losses on cash flow hedges: Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications (2,096) 716 (1,380) 3,355 (1089) 2,266 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to net income 108 (37) 71 (6,641) 1,966 (4,675) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) to fixed assets (305) — (305) 64 — 64 Net other comprehensive income/(loss) from cash flow hedges (2,293) 679 (1,614) (3,222) 877 (2,345) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ (80,484) $ 6,019 $ (74,465) $ 169,521 $ (24,174) $ 145,347 The change in defined benefit plans includes pretax changes of $(71) and $(836) during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, related to one of the Company’s equity method investments.

Selected quarterly financial _2

Selected quarterly financial data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data	The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial data of the Company: (unaudited) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter* 2018 Net sales $ 1,304,187 $ 1,366,373 $ 1,364,762 $ 1,355,616 Gross profit 250,602 276,460 259,636 254,308 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 3,063 3,567 22,061 11,380 Net income attributable to Sonoco 74,055 89,412 72,415 77,678 Per common share: Net income attributable to Sonoco: - basic $ 0.74 $ 0.89 $ 0.72 $ 0.78 - diluted $ 0.73 $ 0.88 $ 0.72 $ 0.77 Cash dividends - common $ 0.39 $ 0.41 $ 0.41 $ 0.41 Market price - high 55.43 53.80 58.69 58.31 - low 46.55 46.94 51.18 50.30 2017 Net sales $ 1,172,324 $ 1,240,674 $ 1,324,634 $ 1,299,018 Gross profit 222,979 238,385 252,879 242,420 Restructuring/Asset impairment charges 4,111 7,897 511 25,900 Net income attributable to Sonoco 53,733 43,125 72,812 5,675 Per common share: Net income attributable to Sonoco: - basic 0.54 0.43 0.73 $ .06 - diluted 0.53 0.43 0.72 .06 Cash dividends - common 0.37 0.39 0.39 0.39 Market price - high 55.58 54.00 53.77 55.77 - low 51.87 49.66 47.10 50.39 * Net income attributable to Sonoco in the fourth quarter of 2017 includes an additional tax provision of $51,265 resulting from new U.S. tax reform legislation

Summary of significant accoun_4

Summary of significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity investments	$ 55,516	$ 107,722
Largest customer revenue percentage	4.00%	4.00%	5.00%
Single customer percentage of receivable	4.00%	4.00%
Second largest customer revenue percentage	4.00%	3.00%	4.00%
Research and development costs	$ 23,200	$ 21,000	$ 22,500
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	14.00%	14.00%
LIFO inventory amount	$ 18,854	$ 17,632
Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life	3 years
Minimum | Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Minimum | Buildings
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, useful life	15 years
Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Maximum | Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, useful life	11 years
Maximum | Buildings
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, useful life	40 years
Net sales | Multi-Vendor Supply Chain Finance Arrangement
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Consolidated annual sales, percent	9.00%	7.00%
Chilean tube
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of investments accounted for under the cost method (percent)	19.50%
Finland Small Recycling Business
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of investments accounted for under the cost method (percent)	12.19%
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity investments					$ 57,327
Percentage of interest acquired (percent)				70.00%

Summary of significant accoun_5

Summary of significant accounting policies - Company Held Significant Investment (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018
RTS Packaging JVCO
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	35.00%
Cascades Conversion, Inc.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	50.00%
Cascades Sonoco, Inc.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	50.00%
Showa Products Company Ltd.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	20.00%
Papertech Energia, S.L.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	25.00%
Weidenhammer New Packaging, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership interest (percent)	40.00%

New accounting pronouncements (

New accounting pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2019	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement					$ 1,721					$ 1,721
Decrease in cost of services									$ (4,349,932)	(4,077,998)	$ (3,836,594)
Decrease in selling, general and administrative expense									(563,306)	(507,824)	(503,049)
Increase in operating profit									437,629	412,409	504,643
Reclassification out of cash flows from operating activities									(589,898)	(348,254)	(398,679)
Reclassification of proceeds into cash flows from investing activities									(444,128)	(564,576)	(3,142)
Net sales	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	5,390,938	5,036,650	4,782,877
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease in cost of services										9,262	8,857
Decrease in selling, general and administrative expense										35,848	2,952
Increase in operating profit										45,110	$ 11,809
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification out of cash flows from operating activities										1,104
Reclassification of proceeds into cash flows from investing activities										$ 1,104
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease in cost of services									553
Increase in operating profit									931
Reclassification out of cash flows from operating activities									0
Net sales				$ 1,721					378
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement													$ (176)	$ (73,239)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement	(73,239)								(73,239)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement													176
Retained Earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement													1,897	$ 72,921
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement	$ (73,239)								$ (73,239)
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) for impact of new accounting pronouncement													$ 176
Subsequent event | Expected impact | Minimum | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right-of-Use asset												$ 325,000
Lease liability												325,000
Subsequent event | Expected impact | Maximum | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Right-of-Use asset												350,000
Lease liability												$ 350,000

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on B

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances	$ 737,420		$ 725,251
Other receivables	111,915		64,561
Inventories
Finished and in process	174,115		196,204
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	47,297		62,053
Total Assets	4,583,465		4,557,721	$ 3,923,203
Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other	237,197		283,355
Deferred Income Taxes	64,273		74,073
Sonoco Shareholders' Equity
Retained earnings	2,188,115		2,036,006
Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity	1,759,086		1,707,066
Total Equity	1,772,278		1,730,060	$ 1,554,705	$ 1,532,873
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,583,465		$ 4,557,721
Balances without Adoption of ASC 606
Current Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances	734,507	$ 728,887
Other receivables	69,176	105,912
Inventories
Finished and in process	212,115	158,757
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	47,659
Total Assets	4,576,175	4,565,261
Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other	230,939	288,570
Deferred Income Taxes		74,677
Sonoco Shareholders' Equity
Retained earnings	2,187,083	2,037,727
Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity	1,758,054	1,708,787
Total Equity	1,771,246	1,731,781
Total Liabilities and Equity	4,576,175	4,565,261
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments
Current Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances	(2,913)	3,636
Other receivables	(42,739)	41,351
Inventories
Finished and in process	38,000	(37,447)
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	362
Total Assets	(7,290)	7,540
Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other	(6,258)	5,215
Deferred Income Taxes		604
Sonoco Shareholders' Equity
Retained earnings	(1,032)	1,721
Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity	(1,032)	1,721
Total Equity	(1,032)	1,721
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ (7,290)	$ 7,540

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on I

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650	$ 4,782,877
Cost of sales									4,349,932	4,077,998	3,836,594
Gross profit	254,308	259,636	276,460	250,602	242,420	252,879	238,385	222,979	1,041,006	958,652	946,283
Operating profit									437,629	412,409	504,643
Income before income taxes									378,531	314,554	441,277
Provision for income taxes									75,008	146,589	164,631
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates									303,523	167,965	276,646
Net income									314,739	177,447	287,881
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 77,678	$ 72,415	$ 89,412	74,055	$ 5,675	$ 72,812	$ 43,125	$ 53,733	313,560	$ 175,345	$ 286,434
Balances without Adoption of ASC 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									5,391,316
Cost of sales									4,349,379
Gross profit									1,041,937
Operating profit									438,560
Income before income taxes									379,462
Provision for income taxes									75,250
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates									304,212
Net income									315,428
Net income attributable to Sonoco									314,249
Adjustments | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers				$ 1,721					378
Cost of sales									(553)
Gross profit									931
Operating profit									931
Income before income taxes									931
Provision for income taxes									242
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates									689
Net income									689
Net income attributable to Sonoco									$ 689

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on S

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	$ 314,739	$ 177,447	$ 287,881
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(54,763)	89,108	(32,405)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(76,621)	146,452	(34,891)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	238,118	323,899	252,990
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,179)	(2,102)	(1,447)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Sonoco	239,095	$ 320,692	$ 250,587
Balances without Adoption of ASC 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	315,428
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(54,690)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(76,548)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	238,880
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(417)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Sonoco	239,857
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	689
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	73
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	73
Comprehensive income/(loss)	762
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	762
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Sonoco	$ 762

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on C

Impact of Adopting ASC 606 on Cash Flow Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	$ 314,739	$ 177,447	$ 287,881
Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes	(9,420)	(20,553)	2,591
Trade accounts receivable	38,193	(43,773)	(44,672)
Inventories	(6,150)	(16,067)	(11,515)
Other assets and liabilities	(10,184)	(29,071)	9,154
Accrued expenses	19,153	(14,606)	(11,742)
Income taxes payable and other income tax items	(19,014)
Net cash provided by operating activities	589,898	$ 348,254	$ 398,679
Balances without Adoption of ASC 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	315,428
Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes	(11,811)
Trade accounts receivable	37,545
Inventories	(6,703)
Other assets and liabilities	(8,871)
Accrued expenses	18,110
Income taxes payable and other income tax items	(16,381)
Net cash provided by operating activities	589,898
Adjustments | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net income	689
Net (decrease)/increase in deferred taxes	(2,391)
Trade accounts receivable	(648)
Inventories	(553)
Other assets and liabilities	1,313
Accrued expenses	(1,043)
Income taxes payable and other income tax items	2,633
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 0

Acquisitions and dispositions -

Acquisitions and dispositions - Acquisitions, Narrative (Details)

Oct. 01, 2018USD ($)employeefacilitycountry

Apr. 12, 2018USD ($)

Jul. 24, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 14, 2017USD ($)facility

Nov. 01, 2016USD ($)employeefacility

Sep. 19, 2016USD ($)

Aug. 30, 2016USD ($)installment

Jun. 24, 2016USD ($)

Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)acquisition

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

$ 277,177,000

$ 383,725,000

$ 88,632,000

Borrowings

226,885,000

448,511,000

241,180,000

Carrying value of equity investments

55,516,000

107,722,000

Loss on remeasurement of previously held interest in acquiree

(4,784,000)

0

0

Acquisition-related costs

14,446,000

13,790,000

$ 4,569,000

Number of acquisitions during period (acquisition) | acquisition

4

Acquisition cost of entity

$ 88,632,000

Goodwill

1,309,167,000

1,241,875,000

Consumer Packaging

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Goodwill

617,332,000

$ 572,716,000

Loans Payable

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Debt instrument, term

5 years

3 years

Highland Packaging Solutions

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

$ 141,039,000

Other intangible assets

45,524,000

Goodwill

46,787,000

Total consideration

148,539,000

Contingent purchase liability

7,500,000

Conitex Sonoco and Compositub

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Expected value of goodwill to be tax deductible

$ 2,000,000

Compositub

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

9,956,000

Other intangible assets

2,512,000

Goodwill

2,512,000

Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

127,782,000

Fair value of interest held in acquiree immediately before subsequent acquisition

52,543,000

Carrying value of equity investments

$ 57,327,000

Loss on remeasurement of previously held interest in acquiree

$ (4,784,000)

Foreign currency translation losses reclassified out of AOCI

897,000

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

13

Number of countries entity operates | country

10

Entity number of employees (employee) | employee

1,250

Other intangible assets

$ 21,850,000

Goodwill

29,722,000

Total consideration

134,847,000

Consideration transferred, liabilities incurred

$ 7,065,000

Percentage of controlling asset acquired (percent)

70.00%

Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

$ 164,951,000

Cash proceeds from working capital adjustments

1,600,000

Adjustment to intangibles

(1,300,000)

Adjustment to property, plant and equipment

(1,168,000)

Adjustment to deferred tax liability, increase (decrease)

1,385,000

Adjustments to goodwill

1,568,000

Packaging Holdings, Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

$ 218,774,000

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

5

Decrease in deferred tax assets

(6,916,000)

Fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory

2,381,000

Adjustment to deferred tax liability, increase (decrease)

(664,000)

Adjustments to goodwill

5,199,000

Packaging Holdings, Inc. | U.S.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

4

Packaging Holdings, Inc. | Mexico

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

1

Packaging Holding and Clear Lam

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquisition-related costs

4,345,000

Fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory

$ 5,750,000

Plastic Packaging Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Expected value of goodwill to be tax deductible

$ 0

Acquisition cost of entity

$ 67,568,000

Entity number of employees (employee) | employee

170

Net assets, excluding intangibles

$ 22,756,000

Other intangible assets

18,900,000

Goodwill

$ 25,912,000

Plastic Packaging Inc. | North Carolina

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

2

Laminar Medica

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash paid during acquisition

$ 17,201,000

Expected value of goodwill to be tax deductible

0

Net assets, excluding intangibles

2,739,000

Other intangible assets

5,654,000

Goodwill

$ 8,808,000

AAR Corporation

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquisition cost of entity

$ 3,000,000

Net assets, excluding intangibles

200,000

Other intangible assets

4,100,000

Goodwill

1,700,000

Total consideration

6,000,000

Consideration transferred, liabilities incurred

2,000,000

Contingent purchase liability

$ 1,000,000

Number of installments for non-contingent payments (installment) | installment

2

Non-contingent deferred payments, payable in 12 months after closing

$ 1,000,000

Non-contingent deferred payments, payable in 24 months after closing

$ 1,000,000

Number of installments for contingency payments (installment) | installment

2

AAR Corporation | Contingent Consideration Due 36 Months after Closing

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Contingent purchase liability

$ 500,000

AAR Corporation | Contingent Consideration Due 48 Months after Closing

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Contingent purchase liability

$ 500,000

Australian Tube and Core Business

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Expected value of goodwill to be tax deductible

$ 0

Acquisition cost of entity

863,000

Net assets, excluding intangibles

149,000

Other intangible assets

297,000

Goodwill

$ 417,000

Subsequent event | Compositub

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Payment for contingent consideration liability

$ 371,000

Subsequent event | Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Payment for contingent consideration liability

$ 84,000

Other production | Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

2

Cone and tube conversion operations | Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

7

Paper mill operations | Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Number of manufacturing facilities (facility) | facility

4

Other liabilities | Highland Packaging Solutions

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Contingent purchase liability

2,500,000

Accrued expenses and other | Highland Packaging Solutions

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Contingent purchase liability

$ 5,000,000

Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Interest held in acquiree before subsequent acquisition (percent)

30.00%

Acquisitions and dispositions_2

Acquisitions and dispositions - Acquisitions, Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Apr. 12, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,309,167			$ 1,241,875
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable		$ 50,937
Inventories		29,025
Property, plant and equipment		97,261
Goodwill		29,722
Other intangible assets		21,850
Trade accounts payable		(23,429)
Short-term debt		(7,065)
Deferred income taxes, net		(11,744)
Noncontrolling interests		(2,655)
Other net tangible assets /(liabilities)		(3,577)
Net assets		180,325
Compositub
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable		2,173
Inventories		750
Property, plant and equipment		3,430
Goodwill		2,512
Other intangible assets		2,512
Trade accounts payable		(1,273)
Short-term debt		0
Deferred income taxes, net		0
Noncontrolling interests		0
Other net tangible assets /(liabilities)		(148)
Net assets		$ 9,956
Highland Packaging Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable			$ 6,072
Inventories			27,225
Property, plant and equipment			29,586
Goodwill			46,787
Other intangible assets			45,524
Trade accounts payable			(6,006)
Other net tangible assets /(liabilities)			649
Net assets			$ 148,539
Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other net tangible assets /(liabilities)	$ 685

Acquisitions and dispositions_3

Acquisitions and dispositions - Acquisitions, Supplemental Table (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,143,066	$ 5,080,492
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 178,205	$ 271,749
Earnings per share:
Pro forma basic (usd per share)	$ 1.78	$ 2.69
Pro forma diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.77	$ 2.67
Packaging Holding and Clear Lam
Earnings per share:
Actual net sales	$ 215,227
Actual net income	$ 3,886

Acquisitions and dispositions_4

Acquisitions and dispositions - Dispositions, Narrative (Details) - Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations - Amcor Rigid Plastics USA, LLC	Nov. 07, 2016USD ($)employeefacility	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of production facilities sold (facility) | facility	7
Entity number of employees (employee) | employee	850
Disposal group, consideration	$ 280,000,000
Proceeds from sales of business	271,817,000	$ 0
Escrow deposit	7,775,000
Accounts receivable	35,031,000
Inventory	14,700,000
Accounts payable	18,494,000
Net fixed assets	41,210,000
Disposal group, net assets	499,000
Disposal group, goodwill	76,435,000
Disposal group, intangible assets	14,735,000
Disposal costs	4,407,000
Disposal group, gain on disposition	$ 104,292,000	$ 0
U.S.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of production facilities sold (facility) | facility	6
Canada
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of production facilities sold (facility) | facility	1

Restructuring and asset impai_3

Restructuring and asset impairment - Total Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$ 11,380	$ 22,061	$ 3,567	$ 3,063	$ 25,900	$ 511	$ 7,897	$ 4,111	$ 40,071	$ 38,419	$ 42,883
Income tax benefit									(10,038)	(13,064)	(7,520)
Restructuring cost/(benefit) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax									(191)	(71)	(161)
Total impact of restructuring/asset impairment charges, net of tax									29,842	25,284	35,202
2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges									32,293	0	0
2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges									7,870	15,329	0
2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges									(92)	4,505	40,266
Other asset impairments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges									$ 0	$ 18,585	$ 2,617

Restructuring and asset impai_4

Restructuring and asset impairment - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)facilityposition	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)buildingfacility	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Future additional charges expected in connection with previous restructuring			$ 1,800
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility				5
Gain (loss ) on sale of land and buildings			(8,635)	$ (2,039)	$ (14,173)
Gain (loss) on disposition of business			$ 0	0	$ 108,699
Foreign exchange remeasurement losses on net monetary assets				$ 425
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss		$ 2,617
Number 9 Boiler
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off / impairment of assets	$ 17,822
U.S.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility				3
Belgium
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility				1
China
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility				1
Venezuela
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other asset impairments				$ 338
2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			5
Elimination of positions due to realign in cost structure (position) | position			120
Asset impairment/disposal of assets			$ 32,293
Termination fee			9,600
2018 Actions | Asset Impairment, Disposal of Assets, Land and Building
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of building			2,019
Write off / impairment of assets			1,747
Disposal group, gain on disposition			272
2018 Actions | Hollister, California | Asset Impairment, Disposal of Assets, Packaging Plant
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net fixed assets			1,924
Inventory			$ 117
2018 Actions | Norway
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			1
2018 Actions | Russia
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			1
2018 Actions | Indonesia
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			1
2018 Actions | Atlanta, GA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment/disposal of assets			$ 4,516
Proceeds from sale of building			22,163
Net fixed assets			24,869
Inventory			$ 1,810
2018 Actions | Alabama
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			1
2018 Actions | Canada
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of facilities closed (facility) | facility			1
2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment/disposal of assets			$ 7,870	15,329
2017 Actions | Asset Impairment, Disposal of Assets, Packaging Plant
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other asset impairment charges				1,238
2017 Actions | Closure of Packaging Plant and Sale of Vacated Buildings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of building				636
Write off / impairment of assets				525
2017 Actions | Asset Impairment, Disposal of Assets, Vacated Buildings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gain (loss ) on sale of land and buildings				$ 111
Number of buildings vacated (building) | building				2
2017 Actions | Sale of Land and Buildings of Closed Tube Facilities and Recovered Paper Facilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of building			2,006
Write off / impairment of assets			577
Gain (loss) on disposition of business			1,429
2017 Actions | Other Restructuring Actions Initiated in 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off / impairment of assets			620
2017 Actions | Closure of Packaging Services Center in Mexico
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Termination fee			1,931
2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment/disposal of assets			$ (92)	$ 5,614
Proceeds from sale of building				2,741
Write off / impairment of assets				719
Future pretax charges	$ 100			100
2016 and Earlier Actions | Asset Impairment, Disposal of Assets, Land and Building
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment/disposal of assets				$ 2,022

Restructuring and asset impai_5

Restructuring and asset impairment - Actions and Related Expenses by Type Incurred and Estimated for Given Years (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 32,293
Estimated Total Cost	33,793
2018 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	4,700
Estimated Total Cost	4,700
2018 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	2,688
Estimated Total Cost	2,688
2018 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	2,390
Estimated Total Cost	2,990
2018 Actions | Display and Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	1,939
Estimated Total Cost	1,939
2018 Actions | Display and Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	4,625
Estimated Total Cost	4,625
2018 Actions | Display and Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	9,850
Estimated Total Cost	9,950
2018 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	3,111
Estimated Total Cost	3,211
2018 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	118
Estimated Total Cost	118
2018 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	1,761
Estimated Total Cost	2,461
2018 Actions | Protective Solutions | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	1,075
Estimated Total Cost	1,075
2018 Actions | Protective Solutions | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(243)
Estimated Total Cost	(243)
2018 Actions | Protective Solutions | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	46
Estimated Total Cost	46
2018 Actions | Corporate | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	243
Estimated Total Cost	243
2018 Actions | Corporate | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(10)
Estimated Total Cost	(10)
2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	7,870	$ 15,329
Estimated Total Cost	23,399
Total Incurred to Date	23,199
2017 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	3,819	4,191
Estimated Total Cost	8,010
Total Incurred to Date	8,010
2017 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	107	351
Estimated Total Cost	458
Total Incurred to Date	458
2017 Actions | Consumer Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	1,399	879
Estimated Total Cost	2,278
Total Incurred to Date	2,278
2017 Actions | Display and Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	53	741
Estimated Total Cost	794
Total Incurred to Date	794
2017 Actions | Display and Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	377	0
Estimated Total Cost	377
Total Incurred to Date	377
2017 Actions | Display and Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	1,979	789
Estimated Total Cost	2,868
Total Incurred to Date	2,768
2017 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	40	4,018
Estimated Total Cost	4,058
Total Incurred to Date	4,058
2017 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(1,320)	(95)
Estimated Total Cost	(1,415)
Total Incurred to Date	(1,415)
2017 Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	817	1,001
Estimated Total Cost	1,818
Total Incurred to Date	1,818
2017 Actions | Protective Solutions | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	172	1,398
Estimated Total Cost	1,570
Total Incurred to Date	1,570
2017 Actions | Protective Solutions | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	93	871
Estimated Total Cost	964
Total Incurred to Date	964
2017 Actions | Protective Solutions | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	334	742
Estimated Total Cost	1,176
Total Incurred to Date	1,076
2017 Actions | Corporate | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	452
Estimated Total Cost	452
Total Incurred to Date	452
2017 Actions | Corporate | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	(9)
Estimated Total Cost	(9)
Total Incurred to Date	(9)
2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(92)	4,505	$ 40,266
2016 and Earlier Actions | Consumer Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	121	1,087	5,554
2016 and Earlier Actions | Consumer Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	(1,377)	1,352
2016 and Earlier Actions | Consumer Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(19)	1,620	1,680
2016 and Earlier Actions | Display and Packaging | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(23)	34	4,401
2016 and Earlier Actions | Display and Packaging | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	90	3,047
2016 and Earlier Actions | Display and Packaging | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	394	492
2016 and Earlier Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(26)	743	5,881
2016 and Earlier Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	(252)	308	13,490
2016 and Earlier Actions | Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	52	1,435	1,820
2016 and Earlier Actions | Protective Solutions | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	0	678
2016 and Earlier Actions | Protective Solutions | Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	0	(28)	3
2016 and Earlier Actions | Protective Solutions | Other Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	55	179	337
2016 and Earlier Actions | Corporate | Severance and Termination Benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 0	$ 20	$ 1,531

Restructuring and asset impai_6

Restructuring and asset impairment - Restructuring Accrual Activity for Given Years (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	$ 0
Charges	32,293
Cash receipts/(payments)	2,589
Asset write downs/disposals	(31,488)
Foreign currency translation	(21)
Liability, ending balance	3,373	$ 0
2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	4,102	0
Charges	7,870	15,329
Adjustments	0
Cash receipts/(payments)	(7,488)	(9,502)
Asset write downs/disposals	(1,271)	(1,763)
Foreign currency translation	(2)	38
Liability, ending balance	3,211	4,102
2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	3,044	7,806
Charges	(92)	5,614
Adjustments	0	(1,109)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(1,920)	(7,537)
Asset write downs/disposals	0	(2,167)
Foreign currency translation	(44)	437
Liability, ending balance	988	3,044
Severance and Termination Benefits | 2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	0
Charges	11,068
Cash receipts/(payments)	(7,858)
Asset write downs/disposals	0
Foreign currency translation	(16)
Liability, ending balance	3,194	0
Severance and Termination Benefits | 2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	3,889	0
Charges	4,084	10,800
Adjustments	0
Cash receipts/(payments)	(6,610)	(6,951)
Asset write downs/disposals	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(27)	40
Liability, ending balance	1,336	3,889
Severance and Termination Benefits | 2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	2,093	7,166
Charges	72	2,480
Adjustments	0	(596)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(1,376)	(7,236)
Asset write downs/disposals	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(26)	279
Liability, ending balance	763	2,093
Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets | 2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	0
Charges	7,188
Cash receipts/(payments)	24,300
Asset write downs/disposals	(31,488)
Foreign currency translation	0
Liability, ending balance	0	0
Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets | 2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	0	0
Charges	(743)	1,127
Adjustments	0
Cash receipts/(payments)	2,014	636
Asset write downs/disposals	(1,271)	(1,763)
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Liability, ending balance	0	0
Asset Impairment/Disposal of Assets | 2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	0	0
Charges	(252)	(1,007)
Adjustments	0	0
Cash receipts/(payments)	252	2,921
Asset write downs/disposals	0	(1,914)
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Liability, ending balance	0	0
Other Costs | 2018 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	0
Charges	14,037
Cash receipts/(payments)	(13,853)
Asset write downs/disposals	0
Foreign currency translation	(5)
Liability, ending balance	179	0
Other Costs | 2017 Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	213	0
Charges	4,529	3,402
Adjustments	0
Cash receipts/(payments)	(2,892)	(3,187)
Asset write downs/disposals	0	0
Foreign currency translation	25	(2)
Liability, ending balance	1,875	213
Other Costs | 2016 and Earlier Actions
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Liability, beginning balance	951	640
Charges	88	4,141
Adjustments	0	(513)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(796)	(3,222)
Asset write downs/disposals		(253)
Foreign currency translation	(18)	158
Liability, ending balance	$ 225	$ 951

Book overdrafts and cash pool_2

Book overdrafts and cash pooling - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120,389	$ 254,912	$ 257,226	$ 182,434
Outstanding A/P check
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Outstanding A/P checks	13,205	17,343
Outstanding payroll checks
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Outstanding A/P checks	114	259
Notional Pooling Arrangement
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,562	$ 3,328

Property, plant and equipment -

Property, plant and equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	$ 110,698	$ 87,878
Timber resources	41,862	41,664
Buildings	535,433	502,046
Machinery and equipment	2,977,156	2,871,622
Construction in progress	159,661	143,403
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,824,810	3,646,613
Accumulated depreciation and depletion	(2,590,989)	(2,477,236)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,233,821	$ 1,169,377

Property, plant and equipment_2

Property, plant and equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated costs for completion of capital additions under construction	$ 111,300
Depreciation and depletion expense	188,533	$ 178,049	$ 173,295
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases in 2019	48,200
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases in 2020	41,700
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases in 2021	32,500
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases in 2022	27,300
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases in 2023	21,400
Future minimum rentals under noncancelable operating leases, thereafter	92,300
Total rental expense under operating leases	$ 80,300	$ 68,900	$ 71,800

Goodwill and other intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,241,875
Acquisitions	79,020
Other	6,766
Foreign currency translation	(18,494)
Ending Balance	1,309,167
Consumer Packaging
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	572,716
Acquisitions	49,298
Other	6,766
Foreign currency translation	(11,448)
Ending Balance	617,332
Display and Packaging
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	203,414
Acquisitions	0
Other	0
Foreign currency translation	0
Ending Balance	203,414
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	233,778
Acquisitions	29,722
Other	0
Foreign currency translation	(6,553)
Ending Balance	256,947
Protective Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	231,967
Acquisitions	0
Other
Foreign currency translation	(493)
Ending Balance	$ 231,474

Goodwill and other intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2018	Apr. 12, 2018	Nov. 01, 2016	Sep. 19, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquired during period					$ 79,020
Goodwill					1,309,167	$ 1,241,875
Aggregate amortization expenses					47,177	$ 38,165	$ 31,887
Amortization expense on intangible assets in 2019					50,400
Amortization expense on intangible assets in 2020					48,000
Amortization expense on intangible assets in 2021					46,400
Amortization expense on intangible assets in 2022					43,700
Amortization expense on intangible assets in 2023					$ 37,300
Customer lists
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired				$ 2,071
Intangible assets, weighted average useful life					12 years
Display and Packaging Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 203,414
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquired during period			$ 29,722
Goodwill								$ 29,722
Intangible assets acquired					21,850
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd. | Customer lists
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired					9,650
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd. | Trademarks
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired					8,000
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd. | Proprietary technology
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired					4,200
Highland Packaging Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquired during period			$ 46,786
Goodwill									$ 46,787
Intangible assets acquired	$ 45,524
Compositub
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquired during period		$ 2,512
Goodwill								$ 2,512
Intangible assets acquired	$ 2,512
Packaging Holdings, Inc.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustments to goodwill					5,199
Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustments to goodwill					1,568
Adjustment to intangibles					$ (1,300)
Plastic Packaging Inc.
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill										$ 25,912
Laminar Medica
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill											$ 8,808

Goodwill and other intangible_5

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 632,844	$ 567,556
Accumulated Amortization	(280,807)	(236,261)
Other Intangible Assets, Net	352,037	331,295
Patents
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	22,509	21,957
Accumulated Amortization	(9,539)	(7,187)
Customer lists
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	548,038	497,634
Accumulated Amortization	(246,946)	(210,212)
Trade names
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	31,174	25,148
Accumulated Amortization	(7,413)	(4,427)
Proprietary technology
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	28,748	20,779
Accumulated Amortization	(15,400)	(13,192)
Land use rights
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	282	298
Accumulated Amortization	(48)	(47)
Other
Other Intangible Assets, Gross:
Other Intangible Assets, Gross	2,093	1,740
Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,461)	$ (1,196)

Debt - Debt Instruments (Detail

Debt - Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 1,385,162	$ 1,447,329
Less current portion and short-term notes	195,445	159,327
Long-term Debt	$ 1,189,717	1,288,002
5.75% debentures due November 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.75%
Total debt	$ 599,208	599,171
4.375% debentures due November 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.375%
Total debt	$ 249,116	248,803
9.2% debentures due August 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	9.20%
Total debt	$ 4,315	4,294
1.00% foreign loan due May 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.00%
Total debt	$ 169,976	177,218
Term loan, due July 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 158,949	$ 246,328
Commercial paper, average rate of 1.24% in 2017 and 0.63% in 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	1.24%	0.63%
Total debt	$ 120,000	$ 124,000
Other foreign denominated debt, average rate of 3.7% in 2017 and 3.8% in 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	3.70%	3.80%
Total debt	$ 57,867	$ 21,735
Other notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 25,731	$ 25,780

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 20, 2017	Mar. 13, 2017	May 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 12, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement					$ 1,385,162,000	$ 1,447,329,000
Borrowings					226,885,000	448,511,000	$ 241,180,000
Unused short-term lines of credit					225,000,000
Debt maturing, 2019					195,445,000
Debt maturing, 2020					16,763,000
Debt maturing, 2021					440,658,000
Debt maturing, 2022					124,197,000
Debt maturing, 2023					1,781,000
LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis points	1.125%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Medium-term Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 250,000,000
Debt repaid					75,000,000
Annual amortization payments	12,500,000
Medium-term Notes | Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings	100,000,000
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					350,000,000
Bank of America | Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity								$ 100,000,000
Debt repaid					100,000,000
Eight Banks Syndicate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	750,000,000
Term Loan entered into March 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt face amount		$ 150,000,000
Debt instrument, term		3 years
Extinguishment of debt, amount	$ 150,000,000
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan agreement					120,000,000	124,000,000
1.00% foreign loan due May 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term			5 years
Loan agreement					$ 169,976,000	$ 177,218,000
Stated interest rate					1.00%
Term Loan used to fund acquisition of Weidenhammer Packaging Group
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term				3 years

Financial instruments and der_3

Financial instruments and derivatives - Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	$ 1,189,717	$ 1,288,002
Long-term debt, Fair Value	$ 1,270,521	$ 1,426,862

Financial instruments and der_4

Financial instruments and derivatives - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands, BTU in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)BTUt	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2017USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Impact of new accounting pronouncements		$ 1,721
Anticipated usage percentage of natural gas covered by a swap contract for the first succeeding fiscal year	71.00%
Anticipated usage percentage of natural gas covered by swap contract for the second succeeding fiscal year	31.00%
Anticipated usage percentage of aluminum covered by a swap contract for the first succeeding fiscal year	51.00%
Fair value of commodity cash flow hedges	$ (1,571)	(1,713)
Commodity gain (loss) expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next 12 months	(1,500)
Fair value of foreign currency cash flow hedges	(1,624)	950
Foreign currency gain (loss) expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next 12 months	(1,624)
Total fair value of other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	166	(581)
Foreign exchange forward contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Net position of derivative	$ (88)	330
Natural gas swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Approximate amount of commodity covered by swap contracts outstanding (btu) | BTU	7
Aluminum Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Approximate amount of commodity covered by swap contracts outstanding (tonne) | t	4,082
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Derivative [Line Items]
Impact of new accounting pronouncements			$ (176)	$ (73,239)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (305)	$ 64
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12
Derivative [Line Items]
Impact of new accounting pronouncements			176
Retained Earnings
Derivative [Line Items]
Impact of new accounting pronouncements			1,897	$ 72,921
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2017-12
Derivative [Line Items]
Impact of new accounting pronouncements			$ 176

Financial instruments and der_5

Financial instruments and derivatives - Net Positions of Foreign Contracts (Details) - Dec. 31, 2018 ₽ in Thousands, ₺ in Thousands, € in Thousands, ر.س in Thousands, £ in Thousands, zł in Thousands, kr in Thousands, R in Thousands, Kč in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands

NZD ($)

GBP (£)

SEK (kr)

RUB (₽)

EUR (€)

COP ($)

CZK (Kč)

CAD ($)

PLN (zł)

ZAR (R)

SAR (ر.س)

MXN ($)

AUD ($)

TRY (₺)

Long

Derivative [Line Items]

Net purchase / (sales) position of derivatives

$ 9,275,694

$ 22,097

$ 386,972

Long | Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative [Line Items]

Net purchase / (sales) position of derivatives

₽ 126,867

€ 19,010

$ 16,977,636

Kč 45,255

$ 62,753

$ 444,428

₺ 6,603

Short

Derivative [Line Items]

Net purchase / (sales) position of derivatives

R 18,784

ر.س 4,131

Short | Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative [Line Items]

Net purchase / (sales) position of derivatives

$ 334

£ 1,937

kr 3,380

zł 70,788

$ 388

Financial instruments and der_6

Financial instruments and derivatives - Net Position of Other Derivatives Contracts (Details) - Dec. 31, 2018 $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	COP ($)	CAD ($)	MXN ($)
Long
Derivative [Line Items]
Net purchase / (sales) position of derivatives	$ 9,275,694	$ 22,097	$ 386,972

Financial instruments and der_7

Financial instruments and derivatives - Location and Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Prepaid expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives as hedging instruments, assets	$ 282	$ 149
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives as hedging instruments, assets	0	0
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Accrued expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives hedging instrument, liabilities	(1,843)	(1,417)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts | Other liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives hedging instrument, liabilities	(10)	(445)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives as hedging instruments, assets	770	2,232
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Accrued expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives hedging instrument, liabilities	(2,482)	(1,282)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives as hedging instruments, assets	727	90
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts | Accrued expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives hedging instrument, liabilities	$ (561)	$ (671)

Financial instruments and der_8

Financial instruments and derivatives - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Financial Performance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ (2,354)	$ 5,947
Foreign exchange contracts | Net sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	(203)	11,738
Foreign exchange contracts | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	(20)	(6,764)
Foreign exchange contracts | Cost of sales | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized	0	0
Foreign exchange contracts | Selling, general and administrative | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized	41	(2,138)
Commodity contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	258	(3,062)
Commodity contracts | Cost of sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI Into Income (Effective Portion)	$ 115	$ 1,667

Fair value measurements - Asset

Fair value measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets	$ 260	$ 268
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	1,329,751	1,521,890
Common collective trust
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	862,565	1,010,274
Mutual funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	157,088	214,555
Fixed income securities
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	175,543	167,992
Short-term investments
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	1,166	2,239
Hedge fund of funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	71,354	69,500
Real estate funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	61,249	56,690
Cash and accrued income
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	786	640
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Assets
Derivatives	(1,571)	(1,713)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	(1,712)	950
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	166	(581)
Level 1
Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets	260	268
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	824	1,692
Level 1 | Common collective trust
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Mutual funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Fixed income securities
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Short-term investments
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	38	1,052
Level 1 | Hedge fund of funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Real estate funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 1 | Cash and accrued income
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	786	640
Level 1 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Level 1 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Level 1 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Level 2
Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	333,759	383,734
Level 2 | Common collective trust
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Mutual funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	157,088	214,555
Level 2 | Fixed income securities
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	175,543	167,992
Level 2 | Short-term investments
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	1,128	1,187
Level 2 | Hedge fund of funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Real estate funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Cash and accrued income
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 2 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Assets
Derivatives	(1,571)	(1,713)
Level 2 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	(1,712)	950
Level 2 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	166	(581)
Level 3
Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Common collective trust
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Mutual funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Fixed income securities
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Short-term investments
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Hedge fund of funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Real estate funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Cash and accrued income
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Level 3 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Level 3 | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Level 3 | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Assets measured at NAV
Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets	0	0
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	995,168	1,136,464
Assets measured at NAV | Common collective trust
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	862,565	1,010,274
Assets measured at NAV | Mutual funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Assets measured at NAV | Fixed income securities
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Assets measured at NAV | Short-term investments
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets
Assets measured at NAV | Hedge fund of funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	71,354	69,500
Assets measured at NAV | Real estate funds
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	61,249	56,690
Assets measured at NAV | Cash and accrued income
Assets
Total postretirement benefit plan assets	0	0
Assets measured at NAV | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Commodity contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Assets measured at NAV | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	0	0
Assets measured at NAV | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contracts
Assets
Derivatives	$ 0	$ 0

Fair value measurements - Addit

Fair value measurements - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Percentage of postretirement benefit plan assets comprised of pension plan assets (more than)	99.00%

Share-based compensation plan_2

Share-based compensation plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 16, 2014	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares of common stock issued (in shares)	10,381,533
Number of additional shares authorized (in shares)	4,500,000
Shares available for grant (in shares)		6,038,715						6,038,715
Compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements		$ 10,730,000	$ 13,488,000	$ 19,289,000
Related tax benefit recognized in net income		2,678,000	5,058,000	7,040,000
Additional net excess tax benefit realized		3,528,000	2,453,000	2,695,000
Cash received on option exercises			0
Noncash stock-based compensation associated performance contingent restricted stock units		4,725,000	3,896,000	10,568,000
Compensation deferrals in current year		$ 1,452,000	$ 2,850,000	$ 2,721,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of SARs		6 years	6 years	6 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards		$ 2,185,000						$ 2,185,000
Weighted-average period		24 months
Aggregate intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised		$ 9,029,000	$ 3,786,000	$ 9,510,000
Weighted-average fair value of awards granted (usd per share)		$ 6.55	$ 7.29	$ 5.04
Weighted average remaining contractual life for SAR's, outstanding		7 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life for SAR's, exercisable		4 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value for SAR's, outstanding		$ 10,905,000						10,905,000
Aggregate intrinsic value for SAR's, exercisable		$ 6,088,000						$ 6,088,000
Fair market value of the Company’s stock used to calculate intrinsic value (usd per share)		$ 53.13						$ 53.13
Stock options outstanding (in shares)		1,832,358	2,128,012				2,128,012	1,832,358
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Fifteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum vesting period								3 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Six
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum vesting period		2 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Fourteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum vesting period								3 years
Term of award		10 years
Expected life of SARs								10 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Fourteen | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage								33.33%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Fourteen | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage								33.33%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | After Two Thousand Fourteen | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage								33.33%
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Sars
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements		$ 2,415,000	$ 3,719,000	$ 2,878,000
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum vesting period		3 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards		$ 8,587,000						$ 8,587,000
Weighted-average period		22 months
Performance period		3 years
Vesting at end of 4 years, if performance targets are not met		50.00%
Vesting at end of 5 years, if performance targets are not met		50.00%
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)		$ 46.33	$ 50.11	$ 36.33
Performance Shares | Two Thousand and Sixteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total performance contingent restricted stock units vested , minimum (in shares)		0
Total performance contingent restricted stock units, maximum (in shares)		258,904
Performance Shares | Two Thousand and Seventeen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total performance contingent restricted stock units vested , minimum (in shares)			0
Total performance contingent restricted stock units, maximum (in shares)			204,744
Performance Shares | Two Thousand and Fifteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested units in period (in shares)		132,534	135,695
Fair value of vested units		$ 7,042,000	$ 7,211,000
Performance Shares | Two Thousand and Fourteen
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested units in period (in shares)				247,554
Fair value of vested units				$ 13,046,000
Performance Shares | Two Thousand And Twelve
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested units in period (in shares)				4,140	4,387	143,519
Fair value of vested units				$ 218,000	$ 179,000	$ 6,272,000
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested units in period (in shares)		0
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)		$ 48.36
Restricted Stock Awards | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum vesting period		3 years				5 years	3 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested awards		$ 3,743,000						$ 3,743,000
Weighted-average period		42 months
Fair value of vested units		$ 6,900,000	$ 2,790,000	$ 1,291,000
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share)		$ 48.36	$ 51.68	$ 38.40
Noncash stock-based compensation associated performance contingent restricted stock units		$ 2,138,000	$ 3,554,000	$ 3,122,000
Restricted Stock Awards | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage						33.33%	33.33%
Restricted Stock Awards | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage						33.33%	33.33%
Restricted Stock Awards | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage						33.33%	33.33%
Restricted Stock Awards | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage						33.33%
Restricted Stock Awards | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five | Executives and Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage						33.33%

Share-based compensation plan_3

Share-based compensation plans - Estimated Fair Value of all SARs Applying Assumptions (Details) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	3.10%	2.70%	3.50%
Expected stock price volatility	16.20%	17.20%	18.50%
Risk-free interest rate	2.80%	2.00%	1.30%
Expected life of SARs	6 years	6 years	6 years

Share-based compensation plan_4

Share-based compensation plans - Company's SARs (Details) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	2,128,012
Vested (in shares)	0
Granted (in shares)	636,045
Exercised (in shares)	(629,537)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	(302,162)
Ending Balance (in shares)	1,832,358
Exercisable (in shares)	712,756
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, weighted-average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 44.53
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	50.83
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	40.61
Forfeited/Expired, weighted average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	48.51
Ending Balance, weighted average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	47.41
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 46.65
Nonvested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	1,212,022
Vested (in shares)	434,023
Granted (in shares)	636,045
Exercised (in shares)	0
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	(294,442)
Ending Balance (in shares)	1,119,602
Exercisable (in shares)	0
Vested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	915,990
Vested (in shares)	434,023
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(629,537)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	(7,720)
Ending Balance (in shares)	712,756
Exercisable (in shares)	712,756

Share-based compensation plan_5

Share-based compensation plans - Activity Related to PCSUs, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Compensation Plans (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / sharesshares
Performance Contingent Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	821,043
Granted (in shares)	133,226
Performance adjustments (in shares)	40,812
Vested (in shares)	0
Converted (in shares)	(299,973)
Cancelled (in shares)	(52,671)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	9,382
Ending Balance (in shares)	651,819
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 37.12
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	46.33
Performance adjustments, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	57.21
Converted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	36.13
Cancelled, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	44.37
Dividend equivalents, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	52.88
Ending Balance, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 40.21
Performance Contingent Restricted Stock Units | Nonvested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	334,619
Granted (in shares)	133,226
Performance adjustments (in shares)	40,812
Vested (in shares)	132,534
Converted (in shares)	0
Cancelled (in shares)	(46,591)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	0
Ending Balance (in shares)	329,532
Performance Contingent Restricted Stock Units | Vested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	486,424
Granted (in shares)	0
Performance adjustments (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	132,534
Converted (in shares)	(299,973)
Cancelled (in shares)	(6,080)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	9,382
Ending Balance (in shares)	322,287
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	425,437
Granted (in shares)	111,988
Vested (in shares)	0
Converted (in shares)	(196,915)
Cancelled (in shares)	(39,301)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	8,586
Ending Balance (in shares)	309,795
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 38.41
Granted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	48.36
Converted, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	38.26
Cancelled, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	46
Dividend equivalents, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	52.37
Ending Balance, weighted-average grant date fair value (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 41.26
Restricted Stock Awards | Nonvested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	225,807
Granted (in shares)	111,988
Vested (in shares)	141,281
Converted (in shares)	0
Cancelled (in shares)	(39,301)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	1,168
Ending Balance (in shares)	158,381
Restricted Stock Awards | Vested
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	199,630
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	141,281
Converted (in shares)	(196,915)
Cancelled (in shares)	0
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	7,418
Ending Balance (in shares)	151,414
Deferred Compensation Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)	365,048
Deferred (in shares)	37,127
Converted (in shares)	(23,217)
Dividend equivalents (in shares)	11,396
Ending Balance (in shares)	390,354

Employee benefit plans - Compon

Employee benefit plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Retirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 18,652	$ 18,543	$ 19,508
Interest cost	54,970	55,873	59,719
Expected return on plan assets	(91,021)	(81,212)	(85,466)
Amortization of prior service cost / (credit)	916	910	809
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	37,391	39,209	39,009
Effect of settlement loss	730	32,761	0
Other	256	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	21,894	66,084	33,579
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	297	313	309
Interest cost	452	463	482
Expected return on plan assets	(1,135)	(1,636)	(1,579)
Amortization of prior service cost / (credit)	(498)	(499)	(498)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	(1,120)	(759)	(667)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ (2,004)	$ (2,118)	$ (1,953)

Employee benefit plans - Plans'

Employee benefit plans - Plans' Obligation and Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	$ 1,521,890
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	1,329,751	$ 1,521,890
Retirement Plan
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at January 1	1,837,938	1,777,424
Service cost	18,652	18,543	$ 19,508
Interest cost	54,970	55,873	59,719
Plan participant contributions	429	391
Plan amendments	155	639
Actuarial loss/(gain)	(115,153)	99,402
Benefits paid	(93,053)	(81,547)
Impact of foreign exchange rates	(21,636)	29,753
Effect of settlements	(2,210)	(62,540)
Other	(253)	0
Acquisitions	4,438	0
Benefit obligation at December 31	1,684,277	1,837,938	1,777,424
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	1,494,713	1,325,389
Actual return on plan assets	(78,447)	198,071
Company contributions	24,524	93,662
Plan participant contributions	429	443
Benefits paid	(93,053)	(81,547)
Impact of foreign exchange rates	(22,380)	29,460
Effect of settlements	(2,210)	(62,540)
Expenses paid	(6,670)	(8,225)
Acquistions	1,926	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	1,318,832	1,494,713	1,325,389
Funded Status of the Plans	(365,445)	(343,225)
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at January 1	15,691	17,568
Service cost	297	313	309
Interest cost	452	463	482
Plan participant contributions	620	744
Plan amendments	0	0
Actuarial loss/(gain)	(398)	(1,249)
Benefits paid	(2,569)	(2,183)
Impact of foreign exchange rates	(45)	35
Effect of settlements	0	0
Other	0	0
Acquisitions	0	0
Benefit obligation at December 31	14,048	15,691	17,568
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	27,177	23,848
Actual return on plan assets	(915)	3,986
Company contributions	(13,302)	851
Plan participant contributions	620	744
Benefits paid	(2,569)	(2,183)
Impact of foreign exchange rates	0	0
Effect of settlements	0	0
Expenses paid	(92)	(69)
Acquistions	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at December 31	10,919	27,177	$ 23,848
Funded Status of the Plans	$ (3,129)	$ 11,486

Employee benefit plans - Recogn

Employee benefit plans - Recognized Amounts in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Total Recognized Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent liabilities	$ (374,419)	$ (355,187)
Retirement Plan
Total Recognized Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	18,520	24,380
Current liabilities	(12,935)	(13,220)
Noncurrent liabilities	(371,030)	(354,385)
Net (liability)/asset	(365,445)	(343,225)
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Total Recognized Amounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Noncurrent assets	0	12,851
Current liabilities	(983)	(820)
Noncurrent liabilities	(2,146)	(545)
Net (liability)/asset	$ (3,129)	$ 11,486

Employee benefit plans - Comp_2

Employee benefit plans - Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost that are Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	$ 646,254	$ 625,831
Prior service cost/(credit)	5,514	3,780
Amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	651,768	629,611
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	(6,964)	(9,822)
Prior service cost/(credit)	(777)	(1,275)
Amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	$ (7,741)	$ (11,097)

Employee benefit plans - Amount

Employee benefit plans - Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Retirement Plan
Adjustments arising during the period:
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	$ 58,544	$ (10,732)	$ 56,060
Prior service cost/(credit)	2,906	639	1,069
Net settlements/curtailments	(986)	(32,761)	0
Reversal of amortization:
Net actuarial (loss)/gain	(37,391)	(39,209)	(39,009)
Prior service (cost)/credit	(916)	(910)	(809)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income)	22,157	(82,973)	17,311
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss/(income)	44,051	(16,889)	50,890
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Adjustments arising during the period:
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	1,738	(3,525)	(1,449)
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	0	0
Net settlements/curtailments	0	0	0
Reversal of amortization:
Net actuarial (loss)/gain	1,120	759	667
Prior service (cost)/credit	498	499	498
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss/(income)	3,356	(2,267)	(284)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss/(income)	$ 1,352	$ (4,385)	$ (2,237)

Employee benefit plans - Accumu

Employee benefit plans - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss/(Income) Expects to Recognize as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	$ 36,192
Prior service cost/(credit)	879
Expected amortization of defined benefit plan amounts from AOCI in next fiscal year	37,071
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss/(gain)	(780)
Prior service cost/(credit)	(498)
Expected amortization of defined benefit plan amounts from AOCI in next fiscal year	$ (1,278)

Employee benefit plans - Additi

Employee benefit plans - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			108 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)year	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plans, accumulated benefit obligation		$ 1,668,396	$ 1,810,462		$ 1,668,396
Projected benefit obligation (PBO) with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets		1,397,040	1,554,395		1,397,040
Accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets		1,391,129	1,538,350		1,391,129
Fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets		$ 1,013,173	1,186,789		1,013,173
Percentage of retiree health liability		96.00%
Total postretirement benefit plan assets		$ 1,329,751	1,521,890		1,329,751
Projected contributions to retirement plan		$ 31,000			$ 31,000
Sonoco Savings Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan contribution percentage, Minimum		1.00%
Defined contribution plan contribution percentage, Maximum		100.00%
Percentage of participants modified matching contribution to be matched towards safe Harbor under companies savings plan					50.00%
Modify matching employee contribution to profit sharing under companies savings plan					4.00%
Companies expense related to the plan		$ 12,500	11,200	$ 11,400
Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Companies expense related to the plan		$ 14,995	14,540	13,655
Contribution rate of annual eligible earnings under companies investment and retirement plan		4.00%
Contribution rate of annual eligible earnings in excess of social security wage base under companies investment and retirement plan		4.00%
Vesting period		3 years
Age limit of participants (year) | year		55
Cash contributions to the SIRP		$ 14,151	14,066	13,352
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash withdrawn from a collectively bargained VEBA		14,025
Total postretirement benefit plan assets		10,919	27,177	23,848	$ 10,919
Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total postretirement benefit plan assets		1,318,832	1,494,713	$ 1,325,389	1,318,832
U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Effect of one percentage point increase on postretirement benefit obligation		128
Effect of one percentage point increase of health care cost trend rate on total of service and interest cost		11
Effect of one percentage point decrease on postretirement benefit obligation		119
Effect of one percentage point decrease of health care cost trend rate on total of service and interest cost		10
Terminated vested participants, percentage	15.00%
Election rates, percentage	47.00%
Non-cash settlement charges		730	$ 32,761
U.S. | Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total postretirement benefit plan assets		$ 995,207			$ 995,207
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Equity securities | Inactive Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		49.00%			49.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Equity securities | Active Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		57.00%			57.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Debt securities | Inactive Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		40.00%			40.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Debt securities | Active Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		30.00%			30.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Alternative | Inactive Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		11.00%			11.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Alternative | Active Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		13.00%			13.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Cash and short-term investments | Inactive Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		0.00%			0.00%
U.S. | Retirement Plan | Cash and short-term investments | Active Plan Investment Portfolio
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		0.00%			0.00%
U.K. | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		48.00%			48.00%
U.K. | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		52.00%			52.00%
U.K. | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		0.00%			0.00%
U.K. | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		0.00%			0.00%
Canada | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		53.00%			53.00%
Canada | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		45.00%			45.00%
Canada | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		0.00%			0.00%
Canada | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current target allocation for investment portfolio		2.00%			2.00%

Employee benefit plans - Compan

Employee benefit plans - Company's Projected Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Retirement Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,019	$ 93,875
2,020	95,990
2,021	94,006
2,022	95,628
2,023	97,657
2023-2027	509,790
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,019	1,491
2,020	1,383
2,021	1,360
2,022	1,299
2,023	1,239
2023-2027	$ 5,480

Employee benefit plans - Major

Employee benefit plans - Major Actuarial Assumptions Used in Determining PBO, ABO and Net Periodic Cost (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
U.S. | Retirement Plan
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount Rate	4.24%	3.59%
Rate of Compensation Increase	0.00%	3.40%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount Rate	3.59%	4.12%	4.36%
Expected Long-term Rate of Return	6.87%	6.86%	7.47%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.40%	3.60%	3.69%
U.S. | Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount Rate	4.02%	3.36%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.06%	3.28%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount Rate	3.36%	3.70%	3.78%
Expected Long-term Rate of Return	6.95%	6.98%	7.31%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.28%	3.32%	3.36%
Foreign Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations
Discount Rate	3.11%	2.78%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.65%	3.62%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount Rate	2.78%	2.95%	3.71%
Expected Long-term Rate of Return	4.84%	4.52%	4.75%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.62%	3.65%	3.52%

Employee benefit plans - Health

Employee benefit plans - Health Care Cost Trend Rates Related to U.S. Plan (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pre-age 65
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Healthcare Cost Trend Rate	6.50%	6.75%
Ultimate Trend Rate	4.50%	4.50%
Post-age 65
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Healthcare Cost Trend Rate	6.50%	6.75%
Ultimate Trend Rate	4.50%	4.50%

Employee benefit plans - Weight

Employee benefit plans - Weighted-Average Asset Allocations (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
U.K.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Canada
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Retirement Plan | U.S. | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	48.30%	51.70%
Retirement Plan | U.S. | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	38.40%	37.10%
Retirement Plan | U.S. | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	13.30%	11.20%
Retirement Plan | U.S. | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.00%	0.00%
Retirement Plan | U.K. | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	38.90%	44.70%
Retirement Plan | U.K. | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	60.50%	54.70%
Retirement Plan | U.K. | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.00%	0.00%
Retirement Plan | U.K. | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.60%	0.60%
Retirement Plan | Canada | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	55.40%	71.70%
Retirement Plan | Canada | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	44.00%	27.90%
Retirement Plan | Canada | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.00%	0.00%
Retirement Plan | Canada | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.60%	0.40%
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	100.00%	100.00%
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	48.30%	63.60%
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans | Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	38.40%	30.80%
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans | Alternative
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	13.30%	5.40%
Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans | Cash and short-term investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total	0.00%	0.20%

Income taxes - Provision for Ta

Income taxes - Provision for Taxes on Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pretax income
Domestic	$ 225,442	$ 168,180	$ 318,702
Foreign	153,089	146,374	122,575
Income before income taxes	378,531	314,554	441,277
Current
Federal	37,345	120,398	110,567
State	6,164	5,623	10,808
Foreign	38,648	40,328	40,788
Total current	82,157	166,349	162,163
Deferred
Federal	(5,571)	(16,797)	(861)
State	(738)	3,499	(869)
Foreign	(840)	(6,462)	4,198
Total deferred	(7,149)	(19,760)	2,468
Total taxes	$ 75,008	$ 146,589	$ 164,631

Income taxes - Deferred Tax Lia

Income taxes - Deferred Tax Liabilities/(Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 102,007	$ 83,584
Intangibles	178,883	174,395
Gross deferred tax liabilities	280,890	257,979
Retiree health benefits	(2,989)	595
Foreign loss carryforwards	(57,581)	(59,975)
U.S. Federal loss carryforwards	(86,655)	(17,977)
Capital loss carryforwards	(2,757)	0
Employee benefits	(114,872)	(115,771)
Accrued liabilities and other	(102,349)	(100,031)
Gross deferred tax assets	(367,203)	(293,159)
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets	103,289	47,200
Total deferred taxes, net	$ 16,976	$ 12,020

Income taxes - Additional Infor

Income taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 20, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards			$ 71,800		$ 71,800
Loss carryforwards not subject to expiration			207,500		207,500
Tax Act, additional income tax expense			51,265	$ 3,647
Tax Act, change in tax rate, additional benefit				4,152
Tax Act, provisional amount related to transition tax				80,580
Tax Act, transition tax payable, non-current			61,777		61,777
Increase (decrease) in reserve for uncertain tax positions					(3,076)	$ 4,895	$ 732
Tax Act, benefits included in valuation allowance			16,100
Tax credits					(10,083)	(1,197)	(1,100)
Tax credit offsetting GILTI tax					8,319
Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI)					(12,878)		0
Net GILTI tax					4,559
Undistributed earnings			868,395		868,395
Unrecognized tax benefits			13,500	15,500	13,500	15,500
Accrued for interest			2,100	2,300	2,100	2,300
Interest benefit					(200)
Interest benefit					700
Interest expense					500
Reserve for uncertain tax benefits			2,600		2,600
U.S. Federal
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards			67,700		67,700
U.S. Federal | Plastic Packaging Inc.
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards				$ 15,700		15,700
Foreign
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards			226,700		226,700
Foreign | 2014 to 2019
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration			8,800		8,800
Foreign | 2022 to 2034
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration			10,400		10,400
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Loss carryforwards			10,500		10,500
State credit carry forwards			$ 17,300		17,300
Uncertain Items Arising During Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in reserve for uncertain tax positions					1,700	2,600	3,000
Uncertain Items Arising During Prior Years
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in reserve for uncertain tax positions					$ (2,900)	$ (2,300)	$ (2,300)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax examination, estimate of possible loss, penalties		$ 18,000
Income tax examination, estimate of possible loss	$ 89,000

Income taxes - Reconciliation o

Income taxes - Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Actual Consolidated Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Statutory tax rate	$ 79,491	$ 110,094	$ 154,447
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	7,534	4,780	7,477
Valuation allowance	(14,902)	(3,333)	639
Tax examinations including change in reserve for uncertain tax positions	(3,076)	4,895	732
Adjustments to prior year deferred taxes	(1,899)	(1,415)	(2,401)
Foreign earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates	8,224	(16,233)	(15,930)
Disposition of business		537	22,810
Effect of tax rate changes enacted during the year	(6,218)	(22,183)	2,517
Deduction related to qualified production activities	341	(5,384)	(5,215)
Transition tax	3,647	76,933
Tax credits	(10,083)	(1,197)	(1,100)
Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI)	12,878		0
Foreign-derived intangible income	(1,174)
Other, net	245	(905)	655
Total taxes	$ 75,008	$ 146,589	$ 164,631
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Statutory tax rate	21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	2.00%	1.50%	1.70%
Valuation allowance	(3.90%)	(1.10%)	0.10%
Tax examinations including change in reserve for uncertain tax positions	(0.80%)	1.60%	0.20%
Adjustments to prior year deferred taxes	(0.50%)	(0.40%)	(0.50%)
Foreign earnings taxed at other than U.S. rates	2.20%	(5.20%)	(3.60%)
Disposition of business		0.20%	5.20%
Effect of tax rate changes enacted during the year	(1.60%)	(7.10%)	0.60%
Deduction related to qualified production activities	0.10%	(1.70%)	(1.20%)
Transition tax	1.00%	24.50%
Tax credit	(2.70%)	(0.40%)	(0.20%)
Global intangible low-tax income (GILTI)	(3.40%)
Foreign-derivative intangible income	(0.30%)
Other, net	0.10%	(0.30%)	0.10%
Total taxes	19.80%	46.60%	37.30%

Income taxes - Reconciliation_2

Income taxes - Reconciliation of Gross Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, Beginning Balance	$ 17,100	$ 17,700	$ 17,200
Increases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits	0	700	1,400
Decreases in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits	(700)	(2,400)	(3,500)
Increases in current year's unrecognized tax benefits	1,200	1,600	3,000
Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits from the lapse of statutes of limitations	(2,600)	(300)	(100)
Settlements	(600)	(200)	(300)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, Ending Balance	$ 14,400	$ 17,100	$ 17,700

Revenue Recognition - Narrative

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Retained earnings	$ 2,188,115	$ 2,036,006

Revenue Recognition - Contract

Revenue Recognition - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract asset	$ 48,786	$ 45,877
Contract liability		$ (17,736)

Revenue Recognition - Significa

Revenue Recognition - Significant Changes in Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 0	$ 45,877
Increases due to rights to consideration for customer specific goods produced, but not billed during the period		48,786
Transferred to receivables from contract assets recognized at the beginning of the period		(45,877)
Increase as a result of cumulative catch-up arising from changes in estimate of completion, excluding amounts transferred to receivables during period	45,877
Ending balance	45,877	48,786
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Beginning balance	(12,521)	(17,736)
Revenue deferred of rebates accrued		(19,730)
Recognized as revenue		1,652
Rebates paid to customers		17,281
Increase as a result of cumulative catch-up arising from changes in estimate of completion, excluding amounts transferred to receivables during period	(5,215)
Ending balance	$ (17,736)	$ (18,533)

Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregated Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650	$ 4,782,877
Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									2,359,999
Consumer Packaging | Products transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,440,662
Consumer Packaging | Products transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									919,337
Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									592,309
Display and Packaging | Products transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									248,034
Display and Packaging | Products transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									344,275
Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,910,953
Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Products transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,808,997
Paper and Industrial Converted Products | Products transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									101,956
Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									527,677
Protective Solutions | Products transferred at a point in time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									444,624
Protective Solutions | Products transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									83,053
U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									3,490,369	3,263,975	3,112,016
U.S. | Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,676,204
U.S. | Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									290,295
U.S. | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,108,735
U.S. | Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									415,135
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,092,654	981,178	951,783
Europe | Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									418,129
Europe | Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									294,156
Europe | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									354,705
Europe | Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									25,664
Canada
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									246,208	245,992	268,556
Canada | Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									115,183
Canada | Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									0
Canada | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									131,025
Canada | Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									0
Asia | Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									69,242
Asia | Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									0
Asia | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									178,509
Asia | Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									3,548
All other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									561,707	$ 545,505	$ 450,522
All other | Consumer Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									81,241
All other | Display and Packaging
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									7,858
All other | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									137,979
All other | Protective Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									$ 83,330

Commitments and contingencies -

Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 20, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2011
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental accrual		$ 20,100	$ 20,306
Total future payments		164,500
Payments in 2019		81,100
Payments in 2020		55,700
Payments in 2021		11,300
Payments in 2022		8,200
Payments in 2023 - 2027		8,200
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax examination, estimate of possible loss	$ 89,000
Tegrant Holding Corporation
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental accrual		15,964	16,504	$ 17,400
Payment for remediation		$ 1,453
Expense (reversal of expense) due to revision of estimates			$ 17

Shareholders_ equity and earn_3

Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 10, 2016
Equity [Line Items]
Cost of shares repurchased											$ 14,561	$ 6,335	$ 106,739
Cash dividends per common share (usd per share)			$ 0.41	$ 0.41	$ 0.41	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 0.37	$ 1.62	$ 1.54	$ 1.46
Noncontrolling interest, increase from business combination											$ 2,870
Joint Venture for Asia Markets Operation
Equity [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture	$ 35,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	11,695
Increase Decrease In Capital in Excess of Stated Value	$ 23,305
Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.
Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, increase from business combination		$ 2,655
Tax Withholding Obligations
Equity [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased (in shares)											266,652	119,349	148,129
Cost of shares repurchased											$ 14,561	$ 6,335	$ 6,739
Non- controlling Interests
Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, increase from business combination								$ 1,341			$ 2,870
February 2016 Share Repurchase Authorization
Equity [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased (in shares)											0		2,030,389
Cost of shares repurchased													$ 100,000
Number of shares authorized for repurchase (in shares)														5,000,000
Number of shares to be repurchased under authorization plan (in shares)	2,969,611		2,969,611								2,969,611
Asian Joint Venture | Joint Venture for Asia Markets Operation
Equity [Line Items]
Owned subsidiary, percentage	98.33%		98.33%	79.25%							98.33%
PFE Hong Kong Limited | Joint Venture for Asia Markets Operation
Equity [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of Graffo				19.08%
Conitex Sonoco | Conitex Sonoco Holding BVI Ltd.
Equity [Line Items]
Owned subsidiary, percentage				70.00%
Saudi Arabia Joint Venture
Equity [Line Items]
Owned subsidiary, percentage								51.00%

Shareholders_ equity and earn_4

Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 77,678	$ 72,415	$ 89,412	$ 74,055	$ 5,675	$ 72,812	$ 43,125	$ 53,733	$ 313,560	$ 175,345	$ 286,434
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									100,539	100,237	101,093
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)									477	615	689
Diluted (in shares)									101,016	100,852	101,782
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.72	$ 0.89	$ 0.74	$ 0.06	$ 0.73	$ 0.43	$ 0.54	$ 3.12	$ 1.75	$ 2.83
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.77	$ 0.72	$ 0.88	$ 0.73	$ 0.06	$ 0.72	$ 0.43	$ 0.53	$ 3.10	$ 1.74	$ 2.81

Shareholders_ equity and earn_5

Shareholders’ equity and earnings per share - Shares Not Included in Computations of Diluted Income Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock appreciation rights (in shares)	786	487	357

Segment reporting - Additional

Segment reporting - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (segment)	4

Segment reporting - Financial S

Segment reporting - Financial Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									$ 5,531,203	$ 5,188,107	$ 4,892,538
Net sales	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	5,390,938	5,036,650	4,782,877
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									378,531	314,554	441,277
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	4,583,465				4,557,721				4,583,465	4,557,721	3,923,203
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									236,245	217,625	205,182
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									192,574	188,913	186,741
Consumer Packaging
Total Revenue
Net sales									2,359,999
Display and Packaging
Total Revenue
Net sales									592,309
Operating Segments | Consumer Packaging
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									2,363,292	2,129,022	2,048,621
Net sales									2,359,999	2,123,465	2,043,112
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									224,505	255,759	245,573
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	1,993,417				1,890,516				1,993,417	1,890,516	1,447,886
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									116,841	98,882	88,875
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									66,659	63,617	86,369
Operating Segments | Display and Packaging
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									595,855	511,099	522,955
Net sales									592,309	508,236	520,413
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									13,291	2,632	14,922
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	440,972				480,892				440,972	480,892	446,906
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									18,020	17,090	16,716
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									19,849	23,908	11,542
Operating Segments | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									2,042,732	2,007,321	1,793,512
Net sales									1,910,953	1,866,180	1,693,453
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									211,122	161,591	136,487
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	1,472,148				1,346,391				1,472,148	1,346,391	1,164,365
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									74,434	74,850	74,742
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									91,423	61,443	60,601
Operating Segments | Protective Solutions
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									529,324	540,665	527,450
Net sales									527,677	538,769	525,899
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									42,902	42,357	51,753
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	535,443				552,425				535,443	552,425	573,949
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									26,950	26,803	24,849
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									5,879	19,031	12,860
Consolidation, Eliminations
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									140,265	151,457	109,661
Consolidation, Eliminations | Consumer Packaging
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									3,293	5,557	5,509
Consolidation, Eliminations | Display and Packaging
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									3,546	2,863	2,542
Consolidation, Eliminations | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									131,779	141,141	100,059
Consolidation, Eliminations | Protective Solutions
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									1,647	1,896	1,551
Corporate
Total Revenue
Total Revenue									0	0	0
Net sales									0	0	0
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Before Income Taxes									(113,289)	(147,785)	(7,458)
Identifiable Assets
Identifiable Assets	$ 141,485				$ 287,497				141,485	287,497	290,097
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization									0	0	0
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures									$ 8,764	$ 20,914	$ 15,369

Segment reporting - Restructuri

Segment reporting - Restructuring Asset Impairment and Acquisition Related Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	$ 55,130	$ 127,801	$ (44,099)
Operating Segments | Consumer Packaging
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	18,391	9,990	(80,500)
Operating Segments | Display and Packaging
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	19,046	2,082	7,883
Operating Segments | Paper and Industrial Converted Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	11,773	24,281	27,567
Operating Segments | Protective Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	1,529	3,071	1,018
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring, asset impairment and acquisition-related costs	$ 4,391	$ 88,377	$ (67)

Segment reporting - Sales to Un

Segment reporting - Sales to Unaffiliated Customers and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650	$ 4,782,877
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived Assets	2,950,540				2,850,268				2,950,540	2,850,268	2,484,146
U.S.
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									3,490,369	3,263,975	3,112,016
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived Assets	1,953,391				1,962,196				1,953,391	1,962,196	1,671,168
Europe
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									1,092,654	981,178	951,783
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived Assets	641,600				659,615				641,600	659,615	599,698
Canada
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									246,208	245,992	268,556
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived Assets	113,782				120,062				113,782	120,062	111,452
All other
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers									561,707	545,505	450,522
Long-lived Assets
Long-lived Assets	$ 241,767				$ 108,395				$ 241,767	$ 108,395	$ 101,828

Accumulated other comprehensi_3

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss and Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,730,060	$ 1,554,705
Ending Balance	1,772,278	1,730,060
Foreign Currency Items
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(198,495)	(286,498)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(53,504)	88,003
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(52,607)	88,003
Ending Balance	(251,102)	(198,495)
Foreign Currency Items | Fixed assets
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Foreign Currency Items | Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Foreign Currency Items | Net Income
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss		0
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(467,136)	(453,821)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(50,232)	9,840
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(20,244)	59,689
Ending Balance	(487,380)	(467,136)
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Fixed assets
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Net Income
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	29,988	49,849
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(641)	1,939
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(1,380)	2,266
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,614)	(2,345)
Ending Balance	(2,431)	(641)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Fixed assets
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(305)	64
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(176)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Net Income
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	71	(4,675)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(666,272)	(738,380)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(105,116)	100,109
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(305)	64
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(74,465)	145,347
Ending Balance	(740,913)	(666,272)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Fixed assets
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(305)	64
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(176)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Net Income
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 30,956	$ 45,174

Accumulated other comprehensi_4

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Effects on Net Income of Significant Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									$ 563,306	$ 507,824	$ 503,049
Net sales	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	5,390,938	5,036,650	4,782,877
Cost of sales									(4,349,932)	(4,077,998)	(3,836,594)
Income before income taxes									378,531	314,554	441,277
Provision for income taxes									(75,008)	(146,589)	(164,631)
Net income									314,739	177,447	$ 287,881
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification from AOCI, current period, net of tax									(30,956)	(45,174)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Foreign Currency Items
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(897)	0
Net income									(897)	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Effect of settlement
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-operating pension costs									(730)	(32,761)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Effect of curtailment loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-operating pension costs									(256)	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Amortization of defined benefit pension items
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Non-operating pension costs									(36,689)	(38,861)
Income before income taxes									(37,675)	(71,622)
Provision for income taxes									7,687	21,773
Net income									(29,988)	(49,849)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales									(203)	11,738
Cost of sales									95	(5,097)
Income before income taxes									(108)	6,641
Provision for income taxes									37	(1,966)
Net income									(71)	4,675
Foreign exchange contracts | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales									(203)	11,738
Cost of sales									(20)	(6,764)
Commodity contracts | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0
Cost of sales									$ 115	$ 1,667

Accumulated other comprehensi_5

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ (76,621)	$ 146,452	$ (34,891)
Foreign Currency Items
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Before Tax Amount	(53,504)	88,003
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Tax (Expense) Benefit	0	0
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(53,504)	88,003
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	(52,607)	88,003
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	0
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(52,607)	88,003
Foreign Currency Items | Net Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	897	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	897	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Before Tax Amount	(63,259)	13,118
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Tax (Expense) Benefit	13,027	(3,278)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(50,232)	9,840
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	(25,584)	84,740
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	5,340	(25,051)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(20,244)	59,689
Defined Benefit Pension Items | Net Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	37,675	71,622
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	(7,687)	(21,773)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	29,988	49,849
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Before Tax Amount	(2,096)	3,355
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications, Tax (Expense) Benefit	716	(1,089)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(1,380)	2,266
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	(2,293)	(3,222)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	679	877
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,614)	(2,345)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Fixed assets
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	(305)	64
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	(305)	64
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Net Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	108	(6,641)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	(37)	1,966
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	71	(4,675)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Before Tax Amount	(80,484)	169,521
Other comprehensive income/(loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	6,019	(24,174)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ (74,465)	$ 145,347	$ (35,847)

Accumulated other comprehensi_6

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Defined benefit plan adjustment	$ (71)	$ (836)

Selected quarterly financial _3

Selected quarterly financial data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 01, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017	Apr. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,355,616	$ 1,364,762	$ 1,366,373	$ 1,304,187	$ 1,299,018	$ 1,324,634	$ 1,240,674	$ 1,172,324	$ 5,390,938	$ 5,036,650	$ 4,782,877
Gross profit	254,308	259,636	276,460	250,602	242,420	252,879	238,385	222,979	1,041,006	958,652	946,283
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	11,380	22,061	3,567	3,063	25,900	511	7,897	4,111	40,071	38,419	42,883
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 77,678	$ 72,415	$ 89,412	$ 74,055	$ 5,675	$ 72,812	$ 43,125	$ 53,733	$ 313,560	$ 175,345	$ 286,434
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.72	$ 0.89	$ 0.74	$ 0.06	$ 0.73	$ 0.43	$ 0.54	$ 3.12	$ 1.75	$ 2.83
Diluted (usd per share)	0.77	0.72	0.88	0.73	0.06	0.72	0.43	0.53	3.10	1.74	2.81
Cash dividends
Cash dividends (usd per share)	0.41	0.41	0.41	0.39	0.39	0.39	0.39	0.37	$ 1.62	$ 1.54	$ 1.46
Market price
Market price - high (usd per share)	58.31	58.69	53.80	55.43	55.77	53.77	54	55.58
Market price - low (usd per share)	$ 50.30	$ 51.18	$ 46.94	$ 46.55	$ 50.39	$ 47.10	$ 49.66	$ 51.87
Additional tax provision from new U.S. tax reform legislation	$ 51,265				$ 3,647

Schedule II (Details)

Schedule II (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 9,913	$ 10,884	$ 11,069
Charged to Costs and Expenses	3,471	1,439	1,566
Charged to Other	(425)	243	(86)
Deductions	1,267	2,653	1,665
Balance at End of Year	11,692	9,913	10,884
LIFO Reserve
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	17,632	17,319	18,894
Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,222	313	(1,575)
Charged to Other	0	0	0
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance at End of Year	18,854	17,632	17,319
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	47,199	49,797	49,464
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(11,187)	6,967	3,273
Charged to Other	70,993	(2,365)	(306)
Deductions	3,716	7,200	2,634
Balance at End of Year	$ 103,289	$ 47,199	$ 49,797

Uncategorized Items - son-20181

Label	Element	Value
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ 318,000