Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in these estimates will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, the customer takes title and assumes risk and rewards of ownership or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on transfer of title which is normally either on exit from our plants (i.e., shipping point) or on arrival at customer’s location (i.e., destination point). Shipping and handling billings to a customer are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs, such as freight to our customers' destinations, are included in cost of sales. We present taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Planned Major Maintenance Costs

The Company accounts for its planned major maintenance activities in accordance with ASC 360, "Property, Plant, and Equipment," using the deferral method. All maintenance costs incurred during the year are expensed in the year in which the maintenance activity occurs.

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for awards granted under the PCA long-term equity incentive plans based on the fair value on the grant date. We recognize the cost of the equity awards expected to vest over the period the awards vest. See Note 13, Share-Based Compensation, for more information.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amount charged to expense was $13.1 million, $12.3 million, and $11.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Foreign Currency

Local currencies are the functional currencies for our operations outside the United States. Assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. Revenue and expense items are remeasured into U.S. dollars using an average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Any resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The foreign exchange gain (loss) resulting from remeasuring transactions into the functional currencies is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with a stated maturity of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $184.2 million and $124.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which included cash equivalents of $140.9 million and $79.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had $3.1 million and $10.4 million, respectively, of cash at our operations outside the United States.

Trade Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, and Customer Deductions

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount we expect to collect. The collectability of our accounts receivable is based upon a combination of factors. In circumstances where a specific customer is unable to meet its financial obligations to PCA (e.g., bankruptcy filings, substantial downgrading of credit sources), a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due to the Company to reduce the net recorded receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, reserves for bad debts are recognized based on historical collection experience. If collection experience deteriorates (i.e., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to the Company), the estimate of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount. We periodically review our allowance for doubtful accounts and adjustments to the valuation allowance are recorded as income or expense. Trade accounts receivable balances that remain outstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $3.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively.

The customer deductions reserve represents the estimated amount required for customer returns, allowances, and earned discounts. Based on the Company’s experience, customer returns, allowances, and earned discounts have averaged approximately 1% of gross selling price. Accordingly, PCA reserves 1% of its open customer accounts receivable balance for these items. The reserves for customer deductions of $6.4 million for both December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are also included as a reduction of the accounts receivable balance.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records its derivatives, if any, in accordance with ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging." The guidance requires the Company to recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use and designation of the derivative instrument. For a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized in earnings in the period of change at fair value together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognized in earnings. We were not party to any derivative-based arrangements at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Fair Value Measurements

PCA measures the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." The guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. It is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes the following hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the fair value of our pension and postretirement benefit assets and liabilities. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits for more information. Other assets and liabilities measured and recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions and our asset retirement obligations. Given the nature of these assets and liabilities, evaluating their fair value from the perspective of a market participant is inherently complex. Assumptions and estimates about future values can be affected by a variety of internal and external factors. Changes in these factors may require us to revise our estimates and could require us to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we recorded for the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations. These adjustments could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, and Note 12, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information.

Inventory Valuation

We value our raw materials, work in process, and finished goods inventories using lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or market. Supplies and materials are valued at the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods.

The components of inventories were as follows (dollars in millions):



	December 31
	2015		2014
Raw materials	$	260.6	$	261.9
Work in process	14.2		11.3
Finished goods	189.7		216.3
Supplies and materials	212.3		175.4
Inventories	$	676.8	$	664.9

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Cost includes expenditures for major improvements and replacements and the amount of interest cost associated with significant capital additions. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset's carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in "Net income" in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (dollars in millions):



	December 31
	2015			2014
Land and land improvements	$	146.4		$	143.5
Buildings	640.9			654.6
Machinery and equipment	4,747.1			4,508.0
Construction in progress	119.1			154.8
Other	61.3			54.5
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost	5,714.8			5,515.4
Less accumulated depreciation	(2,882.7		)	(2,657.8		)
Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	2,832.1		$	2,857.6

The amount of interest capitalized from construction in progress was $2.0 million, $2.8 million, and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Assets under capital leases are depreciated on the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the useful life, if shorter. The following lives are used for the various categories of assets:



Buildings and land improvements	5 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment	3 to 25 years
Trucks and automobiles	3 to 10 years
Furniture and fixtures	3 to 20 years
Computers and hardware	3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements	Period of the lease or useful life, if shorter

The amount of depreciation expense was $323.0 million, $348.2 million, and $191.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $9.0 million and $42.0 million, respectively, of incremental depreciation expense primarily related to shortening the useful lives of assets related to the restructuring at the DeRidder, Louisiana, mill.

Pursuant to the terms of an industrial revenue bond, title to certain property, plant, and equipment was transferred to a municipal development authority in 2009 in order to receive a property tax abatement. The title of these assets will revert back to PCA upon retirement or cancellation of the bond. The assets are included in the consolidated balance sheet under the caption "Property, plant, and equipment, net" as all risks and rewards remain with the Company.

Leases

We assess lease classification as either capital or operating at lease inception or upon modification. We lease some of our locations, as well as other property and equipment, under operating leases. For purposes of determining straight-line rent expense, the lease term is calculated from the date of possession of the facility, including any periods of free rent and any renewal option periods that are reasonably assured of being exercised.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

Long-lived assets other than goodwill and other intangibles are reviewed for impairment in accordance with provisions of ASC 360, "Property, Plant and Equipment." In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of any long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed. If an evaluation is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset (or group of assets) is compared to the assets (or group of assets) carrying amount to determine if a write-down to fair value is required.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company has capitalized certain intangible assets, primarily goodwill, customer relationships, and trademarks and trade names, based on their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Amortization is provided for customer relationships on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from ten to 40 years, and trademarks and trade names over periods ranging from three to 20 years.

Goodwill, which amounted to $544.0 million and $546.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test in accordance with ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other." We test goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may exceed fair value. Additionally, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of our finite-lived purchased intangible assets to determine whether any adjustments to the useful lives are necessary. The Company concluded that none of the goodwill or intangible assets were impaired in the 2015, 2014, and 2013 annual impairment tests. See Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets for additional information.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

Several estimates and assumptions are required to record pension costs and liabilities, including discount rate, return on assets, and longevity and service lives of employees. We review and update these assumptions annually unless a plan curtailment or other event occurs, requiring we update the estimates on an interim basis. While we believe the assumptions used to measure our pension and postretirement benefit obligations are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our pension and postretirement benefit obligations and future expense. See Note 11, Employee Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, for additional information.

For postretirement health care plan accounting, the Company reviews external data and its own historical trends for health care costs to determine the health care cost trend rate assumption.

Environmental Matters

Environmental expenditures that extend the life of the related property or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. Liabilities are recorded for environmental contingencies when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable. These liabilities are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Environmental expenditures related to existing conditions resulting from past or current operations from which no current or future benefit is discernible are expensed as incurred.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company accounts for its retirement obligations related predominantly to landfill closure, wastewater treatment pond dredging, closed-site monitoring costs, and certain leasehold improvements under ASC 410, "Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations," which requires recognition of legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets whether these assets are owned or leased. These legal obligations are recognized at fair value at the time that the obligations are incurred. When we record the liability, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset which is amortized to expense over the useful life of the asset. See Note 12, Asset Retirement Obligations, for additional information.

Deferred Financing Costs

PCA has capitalized certain costs related to obtaining its financing. These costs are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the related financing, which range from five to ten years. Unamortized deferred financing costs of $12.3 million and $14.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were recorded in "Other long-term assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cutting Rights and Fiber Farms

We lease the cutting rights to approximately 83,000 acres of timberland and we lease 9,000 acres of land where we operate fiber farms as a source of future fiber supply. For our cutting rights and fiber farms, we capitalized the annual lease payments and reforestation costs associated with these leases. Costs are recorded as depletion when the timber or fiber is harvested and used in operations or sold to customers. Capitalized long-term lease costs for our cutting rights and fiber farms, primarily recorded in "Other long-term assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, were $40.2 million and $38.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amount of depletion expense was $7.0 million, $7.3 million, and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Deferred Software Costs

PCA capitalizes costs related to the purchase and development of software which is used in its business operations. The costs attributable to these software systems are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on various factors such as the effects of obsolescence, technology, and other economic factors. Net capitalized software costs recorded in "Other long-term assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets were $6.9 million and $6.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Software amortization expense was $3.0 million, $2.9 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Income Taxes

PCA utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby it recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets will be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon management’s estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. The estimates utilized in the recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to revision in future periods based on new facts or circumstances. PCA’s practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Trade Agreements

PCA regularly trades containerboard with other manufacturers primarily to reduce shipping costs. These agreements are entered into with other producers on an annual basis, pursuant to which both parties agree to ship an identical number of tons of containerboard to each other within the agreement period. These agreements lower transportation costs by allowing each party’s containerboard mills to ship containerboard to the other party’s closer corrugated products plant. PCA tracks each shipment to ensure that the other party’s shipments to PCA match PCA’s shipments to the other party during the agreement period. Such transfers are possible because containerboard is a commodity product with no distinguishing product characteristics. These transactions are accounted for at carrying value, and revenue is not recorded as the transactions do not represent the culmination of an earnings process. The transactions are recorded into inventory accounts, and no sale or income is recorded until such inventory is converted to a finished product and sold to an end-use customer.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17 (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The new guidance conforms U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and eliminates the requirement to classify deferred taxes between current and noncurrent. The ASU requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. We early adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2015. Related to the adoption of this guidance, we reclassified $75.7 million from current assets to long term liabilities on our December 31, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheet to conform with the current period presentation.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, as part of its simplification initiative. Under the ASU, inventory is measured at the "lower of cost and net realizable value," which eliminates the other two options that currently exist for "market," including replacement cost and net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. The ASU is effective January 1, 2017, and we we do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07 (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent), which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Further, the guidance removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires the new guidance be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 (Topic 835): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This ASU conforms the presentation of debt issuance costs with that required for debt discounts under U.S. GAAP. Under the ASU, debt issuance costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires the new guidance be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU makes targeted amendments to the current consolidation guidance and affects both the variable interest entity and voting interest entity consolidation models. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements and converges areas under this topic with those of the International Financial Reporting Standards. The ASU implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. Entities can transition to the standard either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14: Revenue From Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This ASU defers the effective date of the revenue standard, ASU 2014-09, by one year so that it is now effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are still assessing the impact of ASU 2014-09, but we do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

There were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.