REVENUE RECOGNITION
EXTERNAL NET SALES BY PRODUCT
External net sales by major products were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In millions | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Europe | | | | | | |
Uncoated Papers | | $ | 656 | | | $ | 703 | | | $ | 733 | |
Market Pulp | | 83 | | | 96 | | | 88 | |
Europe | | 739 | | | 799 | | | 821 | |
Latin America | | | | | | |
Uncoated Papers | | 809 | | | 884 | | | 885 | |
Market Pulp | | 49 | | | 61 | | | 64 | |
Latin America | | 858 | | | 945 | | | 949 | |
North America | | | | | | |
Uncoated Papers | | 1,678 | | | 1,951 | | | 1,891 | |
Market Pulp | | 76 | | | 78 | | | 60 | |
North America | | 1,754 | | | 2,029 | | | 1,951 | |
Total | | $ | 3,351 | | | $ | 3,773 | | | $ | 3,721 | |
REVENUE CONTRACT BALANCES
A contract asset is created when the Company recognizes revenue on its customized products for which we have an enforceable right to payment.
A contract liability is created when customers prepay for goods prior to the Company transferring control over those goods to the customer. The contract liability is reduced once control of the goods is transferred to the customer. The majority of our customer prepayments are received during the fourth quarter each year for goods that will be transferred to customers over the following twelve months. Contract liabilities of $3 million and $2 million are included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities primarily results from the difference between the price and quantity at comparable points in time for goods which we have an unconditional right to payment or receive pre-payment from the customer, respectively.
PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS
The Company’s principal business is to manufacture and sell uncoated freesheet papers, along with pulp. As a general rule, none of our businesses provide equipment installation or other ancillary services outside of producing and shipping paper and pulp goods to customers.
The nature of the Company’s contracts can vary based on the business, customer type, and region; however, in all instances it is the Company’s customary business practice to receive a valid purchase order from the customer, in which each party’s rights and related payment terms are clearly identifiable.
Contracts or purchase orders with customers could include a single type of product or it could include multiple types/grades of products. Regardless, the contracted price with the customer is agreed to at the individual product level outlined in the customer contracts or purchase orders. The Company does not bundle prices; however, we do negotiate with customers on pricing and rebates for the same products based on a variety of factors (e.g. level of contractual volume, geographical location, etc.). Management has concluded that the prices negotiated with each individual customer are representative of the stand-alone selling price of the product.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.