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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES General The Company is involved in various inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation relating to environmental and safety matters, personal injury, product liability, labor and employment, contracts, sales of property, intellectual property, tax, and other matters, that arise in the normal course of business. These matters may raise difficult and complicated legal issues and may be subject to many uncertainties and complexities. Moreover, some of these matters allege substantial or indeterminate monetary damages. International Paper reviews inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation, including with respect to environmental matters, on an ongoing basis and establishes an estimated liability for specific legal proceedings and other loss contingencies when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, if the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome with respect to material loss contingencies is reasonably possible and International Paper is able to determine an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, whether in excess of a related accrued liability of where there is no accrued liability, International Paper will disclose the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. When no amount in a range of loss is more likely than any other amount in the range, the low end of the range is used as the estimate of the possible loss. International Paper’s assessment of whether a loss is probable is based on management’s assessment of the ultimate outcome of the matter. Assessments of lawsuits and claims and the estimates reflected herein, are subject to significant judgments about future events, rely heavily on estimates and assumptions, and are otherwise subject to significant known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying such estimates may change from time to time and actual losses may vary significantly from current estimates. Additionally, the estimated liability for loss contingencies does not include matters or losses that are not reasonably estimable and probable. Based on information currently known to International Paper, management believes that loss contingencies arising from pending matters, including the matters described herein, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or liquidity of the Company. However, in light of the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, some of which are beyond the Company's control, and the large or indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, a future adverse ruling, settlement, unfavorable development, or increase in accruals with respect to these matters could result in future charges that could be materially adverse to the Company's results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting period. Environmental The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") in environmental remediation actions under various U.S. federal and state laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"). Many of these proceedings involve the cleanup of hazardous substances at large commercial landfills that received waste from many different sources. While joint and several liability is authorized under CERCLA and equivalent state laws, as a practical matter, liability for CERCLA cleanups is typically allocated among the many PRPs. There are other remediation costs typically associated with the cleanup of hazardous substances at the Company’s current, closed and formerly-owned facilities, and recorded as liabilities in the balance sheet. Remediation costs are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they become probable and reasonably estimable and reserve amounts can decline quarter over quarter as remediation costs are incurred and paid. International Paper has estimated the probable liability associated with these environmental remediation matters, including those described herein, to be approximately $276 million and $279 million in the aggregate as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Cass Lake: One of the matters included above arises out of a closed wood-treatment facility located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. In June 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") selected and published a proposed soil remedy at the site. In April 2020, the EPA issued a final plan concerning clean-up standards at a portion of the site. The Company is performing remedial action ("RA") and continues to cooperate with the EPA on the remaining remediation goals at the site. The estimated liability for the Cass Lake superfund site was $47 million and $48 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Kalamazoo River: The Company is a PRP with respect to the Allied Paper, Inc./Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund Site in Michigan. The EPA asserts that the site is contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls primarily as a result of discharges from various paper mills located along the Kalamazoo River, including a paper mill formerly owned by St. Regis Paper Company ("St. Regis"). The Company is a successor in interest to St. Regis. •Operable Unit 5, Area 1: In March 2016, the Company received a special notice letter from the EPA (i) inviting participation in implementing a remedy for a portion of the site known as Operable Unit 5 ("OU5"), Area 1, and (ii) demanding reimbursement of EPA past costs totaling $37 million. In December 2016, the EPA issued a unilateral administrative order ("UAO") to the Company and other PRPs to perform the remedy. The Company responded to the UAO, agreeing to comply with the order subject to its sufficient cause defenses. The Company continues to comply with the UAO in performing remediation activities at OU5, Area 1. •Operable Unit 1 ("OU1"): In October 2016, the Company and another PRP received a special notice letter from the EPA inviting participation in the remedial design ("RD") component of the landfill remedy for the Allied Paper Mill, which is also known as Operable Unit 1. A Record of Decision ("ROD") establishing the final landfill remedy for the Allied Paper Mill was issued by the EPA in September 2016. The Company responded to the Allied Paper Mill special notice letter in December 2016 denying liability for OU1. In 2021, the EPA initiated RA activities. In October 2022, the Company received a unilateral administrative order to perform the RA. The Company began performing the RA in 2023 and established a $27 million reserve to account for this liability in the fourth quarter of 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company increased the reserve by $27 million to account for the reasonably estimable costs for the next phases of the RA. In the third quarter of 2025, the Company increased the reserve by $7 million to account for the reasonably estimable costs for the next phases of the RA. The total reserve for the combined liabilities for OU5, Area 1 and OU1 at the Kalamazoo River superfund site was $27 million and $29 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The Company was named as a defendant by Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP, Fort James Corporation and Georgia Pacific LLC (collectively, "GP") in a contribution and cost recovery action for alleged pollution at the site related to the Company's potential CERCLA liability. NCR Corporation and Weyerhaeuser Company were also named as defendants. The lawsuit seeks contribution under CERCLA for costs purportedly expended by plaintiffs ($79 million as of the filing of the complaint) and for future remediation costs. In June 2018, the District Court issued its Final Judgment and Order, which fixed the past cost amount at approximately $50 million (plus interest to be determined) and allocated to the Company a 15% share of responsibility for those past costs. The District Court did not address responsibility for future costs in its decision. In July 2018, the Company and each of the other parties filed notices appealing the Final Judgment and prior orders incorporated into the Final Judgment. In April 2022, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Sixth Circuit") reversed the Final Judgment of the Court, finding that the lawsuit against the Company was time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations. In May 2022, GP filed a petition for rehearing with the Sixth Circuit, which was denied in July 2022. In November 2022, GP filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. In October 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court denied GP's writ petition, thus rendering final the Sixth Circuit's decision that GP's lawsuit against the Company was time-barred. In January 2024, GP requested that the District Court’s final order declare that each party is jointly and severally liable for future costs, arguing that the Sixth Circuit decision only applies to past costs. On April 9, 2024, the District Court entered Final Judgment After Remand, declaring, consistent with the Sixth Circuit's decision, that GP’s past costs are time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The District Court also entered Final Judgment on Remand that all three parties, including the Company, are jointly and severally liable for future response costs at the site. The Company believes that the District Court’s Final Judgment on Remand regarding liability for future costs was in error and subsequently appealed the Final Judgment on Remand on future costs liability to the Sixth Circuit. On May 12, 2025, the Sixth Circuit issued its ruling, granting the Company’s appeal and vacating the District Court’s Final Judgment on Remand. GP filed a petition for writ of certiorari on September 10, 2025, which the U.S. Supreme Court denied on October 14, 2025. Harris County: International Paper and McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corporation ("MIMC"), a subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc. ("WMI"), are PRPs at the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site in Harris County, Texas. The PRPs have been actively participating in the activities at the site and share the costs of these activities. In October 2017, the EPA issued a ROD selecting the final remedy for the site: removal and relocation of the waste material from both the northern and southern impoundments. In April 2018, the PRPs entered into an Administrative Order on Consent ("AOC") with the EPA, agreeing to work together to develop the RD for the northern impoundment. The AOC does not include any agreement to perform waste removal or other construction activity at the site. In 2020, the Company reserved the following estimated liability amounts in relation to remediation at this site: (a) $10 million for the southern impoundment; and (b) $55 million for the northern impoundment, which represented the Company's 50% share of our estimate of the low end of the range of probable remediation costs. A series of increases to the reserve was made from 2020 through 2024 as updated engineering estimates were completed and remediation costs for the southern impoundment were higher than originally estimated due to higher than anticipated waste volumes discovered during remedy implementation. The Company submitted the Final Design Package for the southern impoundment to the EPA, and the EPA approved the plan in May 2021. The EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order for RA of the southern impoundment in August 2021. An addendum to the Final 100% RD (amended April 2021) was submitted to the EPA for the southern impoundment in June 2022. The Company substantially completed the RA for the southern impoundment in 2024. With respect to the northern impoundment, the PRPs submitted a Final 100% RD to EPA in July 2024. The EPA provided comments at the end of October 2024, and a Revised Final 100% RD was submitted by the PRPs at the end of November 2024. In 2024, the Company increased the northern impoundment portion of the reserve by $27 million to account for the design changes in the Revised Final 100% RD. In April 2025, the EPA provided comments on the Revised Final 100% RD and the PRPs submitted their responses to the EPA’s comments in May 2025. In September 2025, EPA approved the Revised Final 100% RD with conditions. The total estimated liability for the southern and northern impoundment was $97 million and $98 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The current reserve is primarily for the northern impoundment and represents the Company’s 50% share of our estimate of the low end of the range of probable costs to implement the RD. Because of ongoing questions regarding cost effectiveness, timing and gathering other technical data, additional losses in excess of our recorded liability are possible. Versailles Pond: The Company is a responsible party for the investigation and remediation of Versailles Pond, a 57-acre dammed river impoundment that historically received paperboard mill wastewater in Sprague, Connecticut. A comprehensive investigation has determined that Versailles Pond is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, and metals. A preliminary remediation plan was prepared in the third quarter of 2023 and a $30 million reserve was established to account for the projected costs to implement the plan. Negotiations with state and federal governmental officials are ongoing regarding the scope and timing of the remediation. The total estimated liability for Versailles Pond was $29 million and $30 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Asbestos-Related Matters We have been named as a defendant in various asbestos-related personal injury litigation, in both U.S. state and federal court, primarily in relation to the prior operations of certain companies previously acquired by the Company. The Company's total recorded liability with respect to pending and future asbestos-related claims was $97 million and $100 million net of insurance recoveries as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. While it is reasonably possible that the Company may incur losses in excess of its recorded liability with respect to asbestos-related matters, we are unable to estimate any loss or range of loss in excess of such liability, and do not believe additional material losses are probable. Antitrust On July 29, 2025, 12 containerboard producers, including International Paper, were named as defendants in a purported class action complaint that alleges a civil violation of Sections 1 and 3 of the Sherman Act. The suit is captioned Artuso Pastry Foods Corp v. Packaging Corp. of America (N.D. Ill.). The complaint alleges that the defendants, beginning in November 1, 2020 through the time of filing, conspired to fix, raise, maintain, and/or stabilize prices of containerboard products and finished packaging products made from containerboard. The alleged class is formed from persons who purchased containerboard products directly from one or more defendants for use or delivery in the United States during the period November 1, 2020 to the present. The complaint seeks to recover an unspecified amount of treble damages, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and actual damages on behalf of the purported class. Given the early stage of the claim and our intention to defend robustly against such claim, it is too early to predict or reasonably estimate the overall outcome or ultimate potential liability (if any) that might be incurred. There can be no guarantee that the aggregate of possible damages could not have a material impact on our financial condition. In March 2017, the Italian Competition Authority ("ICA") commenced an investigation into the Italian packaging industry to determine whether producers of corrugated sheets and boxes violated the applicable European competition law. In April 2019, the ICA concluded its investigation and issued initial findings alleging that over 30 producers, including International Paper's Italian packaging subsidiary ("IP Italy") and certain subsidiaries of DS Smith operating in Italy ("DS Smith Italy"), improperly coordinated the production and sale of corrugated sheets and boxes. In August 2019, the ICA issued its decision and assessed IP Italy a fine of €29 million (approximately $31 million at the then-current exchange rates) for participation in the boxes coordination, which was recorded in the third quarter of 2019. Following a series of appeals by IP Italy to the Italian Council of State, IP Italy's fine was reduced by €6 million (approximately $6 million). As of September 30, 2025, after giving effect to this development, the Company did not have any remaining liability related to IP Italy's fine. IP Italy has further appealed the most recent decision (in July 2024) seeking further reduction. DS Smith Italy was also subject to the ICA decision but not fined, given its position as leniency applicant. IP Italy, DS Smith Italy, and other producers also have been named in lawsuits, and we have received other claims, by a number of customers for damages associated with the alleged anticompetitive conduct. Given the early stages of these claims and the intention of the Company to defend robustly against such claims, it is too early to predict with any real degree of certainty, the overall outcome and ultimate potential liability (if any) that might be incurred in connection therewith, and there can be no guarantee that the aggregate of possible damages against IP Italy and DS Smith Italy could not, together, have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition. Guarantees In connection with sales of businesses, property, equipment, forestlands and other assets, International Paper commonly makes representations and warranties relating to such businesses or assets, and may agree to indemnify buyers with respect to tax and environmental liabilities, breaches of representations and warranties, and other matters. Where liabilities for such matters are determined to be probable and reasonably estimable, accrued liabilities are recorded at the time of sale as a cost of the transaction. Brazil Goodwill Tax Matter: The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service has challenged the deductibility of goodwill amortization generated in a 2007 acquisition by Sylvamo do Brasil Ltda. ("Sylvamo Brazil"), which was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company until the October 1, 2021 spin-off of the Printing Papers business, after which it became a subsidiary of Sylvamo Corporation ("Sylvamo"). Sylvamo Brazil received assessments for the tax years 2007-2015 totaling approximately $110 million (adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates) in tax, plus interest, penalties and fees. The interest, penalties and fees currently total approximately $279 million (adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates). Accordingly, the assessments currently total approximately $389 million (adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates). After an initial favorable ruling challenging the basis for these assessments, Sylvamo Brazil received subsequent unfavorable decisions from the Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals. Sylvamo Brazil appealed these decisions. On October 11, 2024, the federal regional court issued a ruling favorable to Sylvamo Brazil in the first stage of judicial review on the assessments for tax years 2007 and 2008-2012, comprising approximately $255 million of the total $389 million as of September 30, 2025. On December 18, 2024, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service appealed this ruling. This tax litigation matter may take many years to resolve. Sylvamo Brazil and International Paper believe the transaction underlying these assessments was appropriately evaluated, and that Sylvamo Brazil's tax position should be sustained, based on Brazilian tax law. This matter pertains to a business that was conveyed to Sylvamo on October 1, 2021, as part of our spin-off transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the tax matters agreement entered into between the Company and Sylvamo, the Company will pay 60% and Sylvamo will pay 40%, on up to $300 million of any assessment related to this matter, and the Company will pay all amounts of the assessment over $300 million. Under the terms of the tax matters agreement, decisions concerning the conduct of the litigation related to this matter, including strategy, settlement, pursuit and abandonment, will be made by the Company. Sylvamo thus has no control over any decision related to this ongoing litigation. The Company intends to vigorously defend this historical tax position against the current assessments and any similar assessments that may be issued for tax years subsequent to 2015. The Brazilian government may enact a tax amnesty program that would allow Sylvamo Brazil to resolve this dispute for less than the assessed amount. As of October 1, 2021, in connection with the recording of the distribution of assets and liabilities resulting from the spin-off transaction, the Company established a liability representing the initial fair value of the contingent liability under the tax matters agreement. The contingent liability was determined in accordance with ASC 460 "Guarantees" based on the probability weighting of various possible outcomes. The initial fair value estimate and recorded liability as of December 31, 2021 was $48 million and remains this amount at September 30, 2025. This liability will not be increased in subsequent periods unless facts and circumstances change such that an amount greater than the initial recognized liability becomes probable and estimable.

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