INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Note)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

International Paper’s business segments, Industrial Packaging, Global Cellulose Fibers and Printing Papers, are consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. All segments are differentiated on a common product, common customer basis consistent with the business segmentation generally used in the Forest Products industry.

Business segment operating profits are used by International Paper's management to measure the earnings performance of its businesses. Management believes that this measure allows a better understanding of trends in costs, operating efficiencies, prices and volumes. Business segment operating profits are defined as earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity earnings, but including the impact of noncontrolling interests, and excluding interest expense, net, corporate expenses, net, corporate net special items, business net special items and non-operating pension expense.

Net sales by business segment for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
In millions	2021		2020		2021		2020
Industrial Packaging	$	4,056	$	3,633	$	8,009	$	7,452
Global Cellulose Fibers	671		605		1,252		1,173
Printing Papers	846		583		1,627		1,491
Corporate and Intersegment Sales	43		45		91		102
Net Sales	$	5,616	$	4,866	$	10,979	$	10,218

Operating profit (loss) by business segment for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
In millions	2021		2020		2021		2020
Industrial Packaging	$	408	$	449	$	855	$	919
Global Cellulose Fibers	10		(10)		(72)		(64)
Printing Papers	76		(11)		156		85
Business Segment Operating Profits	$	494	428		$	939	$	940
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity earnings	$	432	$	261	$	831	$	245
Interest expense, net	57		116		149		233
Noncontrolling interests adjustment	(1)		—		(2)		—
Corporate expenses, net	7		(3)		32		29
Corporate net special items	101		54		70		87
Business net special items	(50)		14		(36)		366
Non-operating pension expense (income)	(52)		(14)		(105)		(20)
Business Segment Operating Profits	$	494	$	428	$	939	$	940