Jul 28, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. International Paper reported 2Q 2011 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $224 million compared with net earnings of $342 million in the 1Q 2011 and $93 million in the 2Q 2010. Amounts in all periods include the impact of special items, as the company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the 2Q 2011 totaled $343 million, compared with $322 million in the 1Q 2011 and $181 million in the 2Q 2010. Quarterly net sales were $6.6 billion in the 2Q compared with $6.4 billion in the 1Q 2011 and $6.1 billion in the 2Q 2010. Operating profits were $483 million in the 2Q 2011, compared with $585 million in the 1Q 2011 and $353 million in the 2Q 2010, all of which included special items. "In what remains a slow and extended economic recovery, International Paper continues to demonstrate solid performance and strong free cash flow," said John Faraci, Chairman and CEO. "We are the only paper and packaging company in the world with a truly global footprint, and it's this balanced global portfolio, along with favorable cost management and a sharp focus on operations that have driven our results the last four quarters." Industrial Packaging segment's operating profit was $269 million compared with an operating profit of $274 million in the 1Q 2011. 2Q earnings were positively impacted by seasonally higher box shipments (generating 150 thousand tons of higher shipments), partly offset by increased mill outage costs. Printing Papers segment's operating profit was $222 million compared with an operating profit of $209 million in the 1Q 2011. 2Q earnings improvement in North America of $32 million versus the1Q 2011 reflected improved mill operations, lower planned maintenance expense, partially offset by continued increases for input and distribution fuel costs. Earnings in Europe and Brazil decreased primarily due to higher mill maintenance outage costs. Consumer Packaging segment's operating profit was $98 million compared with an operating profit of $101 million in the 1Q 2011. xpedx, the company's North American distribution business, reported operating earnings of $14 million compared with $12 million in the 1Q 2011. The improvement in earnings was due to higher sales volumes and lower operating costs partially offset by lower margins. International Paper is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company's North American distribution company.