CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 292,668	$ 314,739	$ 177,447
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		8,270	(54,763)	89,108
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax	[1]	(87,033)	(20,244)	59,924
Change in derivative financial instruments, net of tax	[1]	2,035	(1,614)	(2,580)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(76,728)	(76,621)	146,452
Comprehensive income/(loss)		215,940	238,118	323,899
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(883)	(1,179)	(2,102)
Other comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests		838	2,156	(1,105)
Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco		$ 215,895	$ 239,095	$ 320,692

[1] net of tax