Acquisitions and dispositions - Acquisitions, Supplemental Table (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,143,066
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 178,205
Earnings per share:
Pro forma basic (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 1.78
Pro forma diluted (usd per share) \| $ / shares	$ 1.77
Packaging Holding and Clear Lam
Earnings per share:
Actual net sales	$ 215,227
Actual net income	$ 3,886

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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