- Business
- Smurfit Kappa Group plc operates as a leading producer of paper-based packaging solutions prior to its combination with WestRock Company in July 2024 to form Smurfit Westrock plc, the world's largest listed packaging company by pro forma revenue; the combined entity designs, manufactures and supplies corrugated containers, containerboard, solid board, folding cartons, Bag-in-Box systems, paper sacks, retail displays, point-of-sale units and packaging machinery including case formers, tray erectors and filling lines; its product portfolio serves diverse sectors such as food and beverage, consumer goods, eCommerce, industrial applications, pharmaceuticals, beauty, automotive and electronics with specialized solutions like produce packaging, bottle carriers, high-graphic packaging and EnShield paperboard for grease resistance. Smurfit Westrock maintains global operations across 40 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, with approximately 100,000 employees and over 500 locations; it produces around 23 million tons of paper annually, including renewable containerboard and Tango paper for commercial print, while recovering 14 million tons of fiber for recycling; the company sources virgin fiber from FSC/PEFC-certified forests and emphasizes circular economy practices. Founded in 1934 and formerly headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Smurfit Kappa completed its strategic merger with WestRock in July 2024, creating Smurfit Westrock with primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker SW and a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange under SWR; recent developments include the acquisition of Artemis Ltd., a Bag-in-Box facility in Bulgaria in June 2024 to expand Eastern European operations, and recognition as one of TIME Magazine's World's Best Companies of 2025.