A FTSE 100 Company.
Smurfit Kappa is one of the leading producers of paper-based packaging

We operate in 32 countries - 21 in Europe, and 11 in the Americas - with around 41,000 employees and third party sales revenue amounted to €7.9 billion in 2013.

We are an integrated producer, with our packaging plants sourcing the major part of their raw material requirements from our own paper mills. In turn, the sourcing of recovered fibre and wood for the mills is managed through a combination of our own reclamation and forestry operations and purchases from third parties.

We primarily produce corrugated packaging, with our operations supported by a strong network of containerboard mills. As the market leader in both regions, we are strongly focused on the needs of our customers, with a market driven approach aimed at optimising the value of the package. In addition to corrugated and containerboard, we have leading positions in several other market segments including solid board and solid board packaging and graphic board.

Our headquarters are in Dublin with regional headquarters in Paris (Europe) and Miami (the Americas).

We are

No. 1 European market position in corrugated packaging, containerboard, solid board and solid board packaging

No. 2 World market position for the production of corrugated packaging

We turnover

€7.9 billion sales revenue in 2013


We employ

41,000 people worldwide


We operate in

21 countries in Europe


11 countries in the Americas


We own

38 mills (27 produce containerboard)


231 packaging converting plants


47 recovered fibre facilities


32 other production facilities


104,000 hectares of Latin American forest plantations


http://www.smurfitkappa.com/vHome/com/Pages/Default.aspx

Market Buzz
Smurfit Kappa discount from 'temporary' margin squeeze attracts Goldman
Mon, 24 April 2017



(ShareCast News) - Goldman Sachs recommended clients 'buy' Smurfitt Kappa on Monday after the shares fell by around 7% over the past month to open an attractive entry point, while Jefferies also rated the Irish packaging company highly.
Smurfit remained Goldman's top-pick in the European paper and packaging space, as although the market has become increasingly concerned about a margin squeeze, this "is temporary in our view" as box prices are expected to increase in the second half to enable margins to recover quickly.

Smurfit trades at an 26% discount to peers on a ratio of enterprise value to adjusted operating profits (EV/EBITDA), despite offering a 10.5% free cash flow yield, which is significantly above the 5.6% average for packaging peers.

Rivals DS Smith and Mondi are both rated 'neutral' by Goldman.

"A key risk to our packaging view is increased uncertainty in Europe related to the upcoming elections. Packaging is closely linked to economic growth and could come under pressure if uncertainty increases," Goldman said.

Analysts trimmed their London target price to 2,425p from 2,500p.

Jefferies, meanwhile, explained that the margin squeeze on Smurfit was from rising old corrugated containers (OCC) prices but that China's "National Sword" program aimed at improving quality of imported materials has led to imported Chinese old corrugated containers (OCC) prices falling 15%-20% over past month and hence European OCC prices easing 3% in the past fortnight.

EU containerboard prices have continued to grind higher despite easing OCC prices, but while this reduces raw material headwind for Europe's largest OCC buyers, Smurfit Kappa & DS Smith, easing OCC "might taint second round EU containerboard price hopes and box price hikes", Jefferies said.

Smurfit's quarterly results, the first of the peer group, are likely to provide an update on current price negotiations.

Jefferies, which has a 'buy' rating and a €23.4 target price on Smurfit, said it expected to see benefits from higher kraftliner given a net long position for both.

However analysts believe investors will focus on European testliner and kraftliner price hikes and the feed-through to higher box prices in the second half.

First quarter results

Friday 12 May Dividend 49.65p

8 May
Jefferies...
2,730.00
Buy

10:00 18/07/2017
Broker Forecast - Jefferies International issues a broker note on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Jefferies International today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC (LON:SKG) and raised its price target to 2635p (from 2550p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

09:10 27/07/2017
Broker Forecast - Deutsche Bank issues a broker note on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Deutsche Bank today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC (LON:SKG) and raised its price target to 2650p (from 2460p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

12:40 12/09/2017
Broker Forecast - Goldman Sachs issues a broker note on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Goldman Sachs today upgrades its investment rating on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC (LON:SKG) to buy (from neutral) and raised its price target to 2750p (from 2600p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

23 Oct
Jefferies...
2,635.00
Buy

Notice of Results
BUS
Notice of Results
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

Announcement Date for 2017 Third Quarter Results
SKG:ID


SKG:LN

Dublin, London, 20 October, 2017: Smurfit Kappa Group plc (SKG or the Group), one of the worlds largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products, with operations in Europe and the Americas, announces it will release 2017 third quarter results on Wednesday, 01 November 2017 at 07.00 GMT (02.00 ET).
The Groups management team will host a conference call for analysts and institutional investors at 10.00 GMT (05.00 ET) on this date.

Third quarter results

Third Quarter and First Nine Months Key Points
Group revenue growth of 4% for the third quarter and year-to-date
Continued box price progression in the third quarter
Increased sequential EBITDA margin of 15.1%
Solid free cash flow delivery of 152 million for the quarter
Acquisitions in Russia and Greece, expanding the Groups packaging footprint

2 Nov
Numis
2,600.00
Add
2 Nov
Deutsche Bank
2,650.00
Buy
2 Nov
Jefferies...
2,635.00
Buy

10:10 27/11/2017
Broker Forecast - Jefferies International issues a broker note on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Jefferies International today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Smurfit Kappa Group PLC (LON:SKG) and raised its price target to 2930p (from 2635p). Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

29 Jan
Numis
2,800.00
Add

Final results

Sharecast - a note on packaging and paper.



Goldman said it likes Smurfit in the packaging space, along with Mondi, which had been trading up earlier. The bank said it expects Smurfit and Mondi to benefit from already achieved price increases throughout 2017 and continuous solid demand.
"Smurfit Kappa Group and DS Smith, two of the biggest box producers in Europe are targeting box prices after rising input costs through 2017 caused margin contraction. At 4Q results, Smurfit highlighted it had achieved a 5% box price increase and remained confident in achieving the 6%-8% it guided for earlier in 2017.
"DS Smith is targeting an 8%-10% increase and had achieved around 3.5% at 1H18 results and price increases are progressing in line with expectations. We expect the recovery to continue in 1H18 and drive a margin expansion in 2018 as producers benefit from already achieved box prices and get additional gains in 1H18 contract negotiations."

Smurfit Kappa rejects 'opportunistic' takeover bid from International Paper Company
StockMarketWire.com
Packaging group Smurfit Kappa said it had rejected a takeover proposal from International Paper Company, claiming that it under-valued the company.

'The proposal fails entirely to reflect the group's strong growth prospects and attractive industry outlook,' Smurfit Kappa said.

Smurfit Kappa did not provide details of the offer, other than to state that it involved a combination of cash and a minority holding in the combined business.

The bid would involve our shareholders receiving a high proportion of their consideration in the form of International Paper's shares, it added.



Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

:-))

Statement re First Digital Post-Print Corrugated Press
BUS
Statement re First Digital Post-Print Corrugated Press
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

5 April 2018
Smurfit Kappa and HP bring first digital post-print corrugated press to Europe
Smurfit Kappa is installing a revolutionary new industrial-scale HP PageWide C500 digital press for corrugated printing which will provide greater customisation and flexibility for customers.
The HP PageWide C500 Press, which will be the first commercial HP single pass press in Europe, is HPs most technologically advanced digital press for corrugated application. The press will be installed in Smurfit Kappas Interwell plant in Austria.
With a fully integrated stack-to-stack workflow, the press combines digital simplicity with off-set replaceable print quality on both coated and uncoated paper. The cutting-edge technology will provide brand owners with customised packaging solutions that can drive sales across both online and traditional sales channels.
Smurfit Kappa is the European leader in shelf-ready and eCommerce packaging development which are delivered through its ShelfSmart and eSmart services. The graphic flexibility and quality of the new HP PageWide C500 Press will further enhance the companys service to drive brand recognition and provide fit-for-purpose packaging.
Furthermore, the HP water-based inks facilitate printing on both primary and secondary food packaging without an additional barrier which can comply with even the most stringent global food safety regulations.
Speaking about the investment Saverio Mayer, Smurfit Kappa CEO of Europe, said: This new press is the perfect solution for our Interwell plant. It comes after a successful collaboration between Smurfit Kappa and HP.
We are both early adopters in our respective industries and constantly strive to provide pioneering, market-leading solutions for our customers.
We are delighted that Smurfit Kappa will be the first in Europe to install the C500 Press which showcases brand new technology and offers all the flexibility of digital printing. This press is going to fundamentally change the corrugated industry by digitalising it, said Cristbal Macedo, Director, EMEA Corrugated Business Director, HP Inc.
The press will be installed in April and will support Smurfit Kappas extensive customer base in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector by strengthening the power of their brands in an increasingly competitive, consumer-focused world.

Statement re Sustainability Goals
BUS
Statement re Sustainability Goals
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

15th May 2018
Smurfit Kappa takes another stride forward in reaching sustainability goals
Smurfit Kappa has achieved a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions three years ahead of time, according to its annual Sustainable Development Report, which was published today.
The packaging leader had set an ambitious target to reduce the relative total fossil CO2 emissions in its mill system by 25%. In todays report, the packaging leader confirmed that it had surpassed the target, which had a 2020 deadline, at the end of 2017.
While Smurfit Kappas paper-based packaging is renewable and recyclable, the paper production process itself is energy intensive. Reaching the climate change goal further reinforces the companys ongoing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by focusing on energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of fuel such as biomass, where feasible.
Climate change is one of Smurfit Kappas five strategic areas of focus for sustainability along with Forest, Water, Waste and People. The 2017 Sustainable Development Report announces several other key achievements including reaching two other targets in 2017. The first was a reduction in the chemical oxygen demand in its water, also reached three years early, and the second was in the area of health and safety with a 9% reduction year-on-year in lost time accident frequency rate over the five year period of 2013-2017, exceeding the targeted decrease of 5% year-on-year for the same period. Smurfit Kappa continues to provide Chain of Custody certified deliveries to packaging customers across Europe and the Americas approaching the target level of 90% certification. This is unique to the packaging industry for a company of Smurfit Kappas size.
Other highlights include Smurfit Kappa's ranking in the top 1% of the EcoVadis Sustainability ratings and its listing on the FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, Ethibel and STOXX Global ESG Leaders investor rating systems.
Smurfit Kappa's commitment to investing in social and scientific projects to benefit the communities in which the company operates amounted to approximately 5 million with an emphasis on the area of childhood education.
Tony Smurfit, Group CEO said: "2017 was yet another year with a strong performance on sustainability metrics for Smurfit Kappa and I am confident this will continue into the future. In the next five years we plan to allocate significant capital to projects that will contribute further towards lowering our environmental footprint and we will continue to invest significant resources in the development, safety and wellbeing of our people.
This report is also evidence of our industry-leading transparency and demonstrates how Smurfit Kappa is making progress in supporting the UNs 2030 Sustainability Development Goals.
Steven Stoffer, Group VP Development at Smurfit Kappa, added: For Smurfit Kappa, sustainability is not only about mitigating climate change and reducing inefficiency. For packaging to be truly sustainable, it must be produced and designed in a sustainable fashion and be biodegradable within a relatively short time after multiple usages. This results in minimal impact on the planet.
Paper-based packaging is uniquely positioned to do this, and we strongly support the growing concern and efforts to put an end to the increasing mass of non-biodegradable, primarily plastic packaging floating in our oceans. This is why we believe that paper is the future of packaging.
Key findings from the 2017 report include:
Forest
All fibres sourced sustainably
Climate Change
Achieved 26.1% against a target reduction of relative CO2 emissions of 25%
Water
Achieved 37.5% against a target reduction of relative COD discharge of 1/3
Waste
Reduced waste sent to landfill intensity by 13.3% since 2013
People
Achieved 9% annual reduction of lost time accident frequency rate between 2013 2017.

SKG to acquire Reparenco for approximately 460 million
BUS
675,000 tonne paper mill in Netherlands strengthens SKGs integrated business
Accelerates SKGs strategic objectives under its Medium Term Plan
SKG to acquire Reparenco for approximately 460 million
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Smurfit Kappa Group plc (SKG or the Group), one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products with operations in Europe and the Americas, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire Reparenco, a privately owned paper and recycling business in the Netherlands, for a cash consideration of approximately 460 million (the Transaction) following a competitive process.
Reparenco operates a two machine paper mill in the Netherlands with a capacity of 675,000 tonnes together with a 750,000 tonne recovered fibre operation. Reparenco employs 315 people with Gross Assets of 189 million and generated EBITDA of 41 million in the 12 months to April 2018, during which time the business continued to ramp up production.
The acquisition represents a transaction multiple, pre-synergies, of 6.4x the expected full year 2018 EBITDA for Reparenco of 72 million.
Reparencos strong strategic fit with SKGs existing European businesses is expected to deliver significant synergies in the near-term in a number of areas, including increased integration of containerboard and the recycling operations into the Group.
The cash consideration will be funded from the Group's existing resources. It is expected that the Transaction will complete within four to six weeks subject to customary completion conditions and adjustments and regulatory approval.
Smurfit Kappa Group will host a conference call, for analysts and institutional investors today, 24May, at 9.00 BST (04.00 ET). Dial in details call are included at the end of this release.
Transaction Highlights
Accelerates the Groups strategic objectives under its Medium Term Plan;
Delivers EBITDA day 1 with no start-up risk;
Acquisition of a paper mill with a capacity of 675,000 tonnes in SKGs core operating region in Europe;
Mill comprises two machines with capacity of 405,000 tonnes of recycled containerboard and 270,000 tonnes of graphic paper (with the potential for conversion to containerboard);
Mill includes a 750,000 tonne recovered fibre operation; and,
Strengthens SKGs paper integration the Group is currently short 700,000 tonnes of recycled containerboard in Europe.
Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, Tony Smurfit, commented: We are pleased to announce our agreement to acquire Reparenco, successfully concluding a process which began on February 1st this year. The acquisition of Reparenco is complementary with our existing business; strengthens our integrated business model; and accelerates a central element of our medium term plan.
We welcome all the Reparenco employees to Smurfit Kappa. We believe there is a strong cultural fit between our businesses and that, together, we will generate value in the short, medium and long term for all our stakeholders.