Acquisition of Diversey Holdings, Inc. (Details) (Diversey Holdings Inc [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 03, 2011
Diversey Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary of the consideration transferred
Cash	$ 2,098.7
31.7 million shares of Sealed Air common stock (at October 3, 2011 average price of $16.18 per share)(2)	512.9
Fair value of Diversey preferred stock investment	262.9
Fair-value-based measure of the portion of the SARs attributed to pre-acquisition service	50.8
Total consideration	$ 2,925.3

Value of equity interests (such as common shares, preferred shares, or partnership interest) issued or issuable to acquire the entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 99-12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant