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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies  
Basis of Consolidated Statements

Basis of Consolidated Statements    The consolidated financial statements of Owens-Illinois, Inc. (the "Company") include the accounts of its subsidiaries. Newly acquired subsidiaries have been included in the consolidated financial statements from dates of acquisition. Results of operations for the Company's Venezuelan subsidiaries expropriated in 2010 have been presented as a discontinued operation.

        The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in which it has a significant ownership interest, generally 20% to 50%. Other investments are accounted for at cost. The Company monitors other than temporary declines in fair value and records reductions in carrying values when appropriate.
Nature of Operations Nature of Operations    The Company is a leading manufacturer of glass container products. The Company's principal product lines are glass containers for the food and beverage industries. The Company has glass container operations located in 21 countries. The principal markets and operations for the Company's products are in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, at which time the Company would revise its estimates accordingly.
Foreign Currency Translation  Foreign Currency Translation    The assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Any related translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in share owners' equity.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition    The Company recognizes sales, net of estimated discounts and allowances, when the title to the products and risk of loss are transferred to customers. Provisions for rebates to customers are provided in the same period that the related sales are recorded.
Shipping and Handling Costs  Shipping and Handling Costs    Shipping and handling costs are included with manufacturing, shipping and delivery costs in the Consolidated Results of Operations.
Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation    The Company has various stock-based compensation plans consisting of stock option grants and restricted share awards. Costs resulting from all share-based compensation plans are required to be recognized in the financial statements. A public entity is required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the required service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the required service.
Cash Cash    The Company defines "cash" as cash and time deposits with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 Accounts Receivable    Receivables are stated at amounts estimated by management to be the net realizable value. The Company charges off accounts receivable when it becomes apparent based upon age or customer circumstances that amounts will not be collected.

        Allowance for Doubtful Accounts    The allowance for doubtful accounts is established through charges to the provision for bad debts. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts on a periodic basis. The evaluation includes historical trends in collections and write-offs, management's judgment of the probability of collecting accounts and management's evaluation of business risk.
Inventory Valuation  Inventory Valuation    Inventories are valued at the lower of average costs or market.
Goodwill Goodwill    Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is evaluated annually, as of October 1, for impairment or more frequently if an impairment indicator exists.
Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets    Intangible assets are amortized over the expected useful life of the asset. Amortization expense directly attributed to the manufacturing of the Company's products is included in manufacturing, shipping and delivery. Amortization expense related to non-manufacturing activities is included in selling and administrative and other. The Company evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets and other long-lived assets based on undiscounted projected cash flows, excluding interest and taxes, when factors indicate that impairment may exist. If impairment exists, the asset is written down to fair value.
Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment    Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") is carried at cost and includes expenditures for new facilities and equipment and those costs which substantially increase the useful lives or capacity of existing PP&E. In general, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method and recorded over the estimated useful life of the asset. Factory machinery and equipment is depreciated over periods ranging from 5 to 25 years with the majority of such assets (principally glass-melting furnaces and forming machines) depreciated over 7 to 15 years. Buildings and building equipment are depreciated over periods ranging from 10 to 50 years. Depreciation expense directly attributed to the manufacturing of the Company's products is included in manufacturing, shipping, and delivery. Depreciation expense related to non-manufacturing activities is included in selling and administrative. Depreciation expense includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital leases. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Costs assigned to PP&E of acquired businesses are based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant, and equipment based on undiscounted projected cash flows, excluding interest and taxes, when factors indicate that impairment may exist. If impairment exists, the asset is written down to fair value.
Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments    The Company uses forward exchange contracts, options and commodity futures contracts to manage risks generally associated with foreign exchange rate and commodity market volatility. Derivative financial instruments are included on the balance sheet at fair value. When appropriate, derivative instruments are designated as and are effective as hedges, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. If the underlying hedged transaction ceases to exist, all changes in fair value of the related derivatives that have not been settled are recognized in current earnings. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes and is not a party to leveraged derivatives. Cash flows from fair value hedges of debt and short-term forward exchange contracts are classified as a financing activity. Cash flows of commodity futures contracts are classified as operating activities.
Fair Value Measurements

 Fair Value Measurements    Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Generally accepted accounting principles defines a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

  • Level 1:    Observable inputs such as quoted 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 requires the Company to develop assumptions.

        The carrying amounts reported for cash, short-term investments and short-term loans approximate fair value. In addition, carrying amounts approximate fair value for certain long-term debt obligations subject to frequently redetermined interest rates. Fair values for the Company's significant fixed rate debt obligations are generally based on published market quotations.

        The Company's derivative assets and liabilities consist of natural gas forwards and foreign exchange option and forward contracts. The Company uses an income approach to valuing these contracts. Natural gas forward rates and foreign exchange rates are the significant inputs into the valuation models. These inputs are observable in active markets over the terms of the instruments the Company holds, and accordingly, the Company classifies its derivative assets and liabilities as Level 2 in the hierarchy. The Company also evaluates counterparty risk in determining fair values.