BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Note)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Business Description and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments that are necessary for the fair presentation of International Paper Company’s ("International Paper's", "the Company’s" or "our") financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Except as disclosed herein, such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Results for the first three months of the year may not necessarily be indicative of full year results. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which have previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States that require the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates.

Printing Papers Spinoff

On October 1, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced spin-off of its Printing Papers segment along with certain mixed-use coated paperboard and pulp businesses in North America, France and Russia into a standalone, publicly-traded company, Sylvamo Corporation. The transaction was implemented through the distribution of shares of the standalone company to International Paper's shareholders (the "Distribution"). As a result of the Distribution, Sylvamo Corporation is an independent public company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SLVM".

In addition to the spin-off of Sylvamo Corporation, the Company completed the sale of its Kwidzyn, Poland mill on August 6, 2021. All historical operating results of the Sylvamo Corporation businesses and Kwidzyn mill have been presented as Discontinued Operations, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. See Note 9 - Divestitures and Impairments of Businesses for further details regarding the Sylvamo Corporation spin-off and discontinued operations.

Russia/Ukraine Conflict

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, including escalating sanctions, possible actions by the Russian government, and associated domestic and global economic and geopolitical conditions, could materially and adversely affect our Ilim joint venture and could otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are currently unable to predict the impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions imposed to date or that may be imposed in the future, geopolitical instability and the possibility of broadened military conflict may have on us or our Ilim joint venture, including on our receipt of dividends from our Ilim joint venture. Moreover, we have announced our intention to explore strategic options with respect to Ilim S.A., including a sale of our 50% equity interest in Ilim S.A. In addition, we have disclosed our intent to monetize our remaining equity stake in Sylvamo Corporation (which has certain operations in Russia, and announced in March 2022 that it began the suspension of operations in Russia and that it was continuing to assess various options for its operations in that country). While we may sell our equity interests in the Ilim joint venture and/or Sylvamo in the future, we cannot be certain if and when this may occur, or the impact that possible disruptions in the capital markets, or conditions associated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, could have on the value of and our ability to sell our equity interests in the Ilim joint venture and/or Sylvamo and the timing of any such sales.