Restructuring Charges and Other Items (Note)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Related Activities
NOTE 6 RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND OTHER ITEMS

2019: During 2019, restructuring and other charges, net, totaling $57 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:
In millions
 
2019
Overhead cost reduction initiative (a)
 
$
21

EMEA packaging restructuring (b)
 
15

Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 16)
 
21

Total
 
$
57


(a) Includes pre-tax charges of $11 million, $6 million and $4 million in Corporate, the Printing Papers segment and the Global Cellulose Fibers segment, respectively, for severance related to an overhead cost reduction initiative. The majority of the severance charges will be paid in 2020.
(b) Includes $14 million of severance and $1 million in other charges in conjunction with the restructuring of our EMEA Packaging business. The majority of the severance charges will be paid in 2020.
 

2018: During 2018, restructuring and other charges, net, totaling $29 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:
In millions
 
2018
EMEA packaging restructuring (a)
 
$
47

Gain on sale of investment in Liaison Technologies Inc.
 
(31
)
Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 16)
 
10

Riverdale mill conversion severance
 
3

Total
 
$
29


(a) Includes $33 million of severance, $6 million in accelerated depreciation, $2 million in accelerated amortization and $6 million in other charges in conjunction with the optimization of our EMEA Packaging business. The majority of the severance charges recorded were paid throughout the year.





2017: During 2017, restructuring and other charges, net, totaling $67 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:
In millions
 
2017
Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 16)
 
$
83

Gain on sale of investment in ArborGen
 
(14
)
Other
 
(2
)
Total
 
$
67