NYSE’s Post

The largest packaging company on Earth has been formed. The European Commission has approved the merger of Smurfit Kappa Group and WestRock. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. Even if International Paper successfully overcomes Mondi and acquires DS Smith, it will still maintain its leadership in terms of size. What does this mean for your business? #pulp #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #packaging #packagingindustry #merge #mergeandacquisition #strategy

In light of the impressive Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company merger to become #SmurfitWestRock, the global packaging industry is abuzz with possibilities. It naturally leads us to ponder: Could we be on the brink of another merger powerhouse of orange and green? With the market dynamics shifting rapidly, it's thrilling to speculate about such potential collaborations. 🌍📦 #FEFCO #CorrugatedPackaging #NextBigThing #MergersAndAcquisitions

📦HUGE PACKAGING NEWS📦 Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company are in serious discussions regarding a potential merger. In terms of geography this move would make sense as Westrock are one of North America’s preeminent packaging companies whilst Smurfit have a much larger presence in Europe. Combined they would be the largest packaging company in the world. A potential merger would continue to consolidate the market at the very top. Recent years have seen smaller, one-site companies be acquired by the larger organisations. I would be very interested to hear any thoughts that you may have about this news? Certainly worth watching! #PackagingNews #Mergers

𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭?   I’ve seen the recent news that an agreement in principle has been reached for Mondi Group to acquire DS Smith within the paper and packaging space which will really form a European leader in sustainable packaging solutions.   The merger would create a company boasting a value of over £10 Billion, solidifying its position as a packaging leader.    This comes after the recent mega-merger between paper and packaging giants WestRock Company and Smurfit Kappa. Regulatory approval is still needed, but if the merger goes through, it could be a significant development in the sustainable packaging space.   𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓? 𝑰𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑴&𝑨 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏?    #packaging #mondi #dssmith #merger

Following discussions last week around a potential merger, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company have confirmed an agreement to combine their businesses into a $20 billion company To get access to unmissable exclusive content and enhanced personalisation options, become a Packaging Europe subscriber (for free): https://lnkd.in/e3xexKss   Follow our hashtag to stay up to date with the latest packaging news: #PackagingEurope

Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company in merger negotiations #SmurfitKappa Group confirms that the boards of directors of Smurfit Kappa and #WestRock Company, a S&P 500 company, are discussing the key terms of a potential combination to create Smurfit WestRock, a global leader in #sustainablepackaging. The Potential Combination would be expected to involve the creation of a new holding company, Smurfit WestRock (the “Combined Group”). Smurfit WestRock would be incorporated and domiciled in Ireland with global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and North and South American operations headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The Potential Combination would be effected through an Irish scheme of arrangement involving Smurfit Kappa and a merger of a subsidiary with WestRock. Any such combination would result in WestRock shareholders receiving consideration consisting primarily of shares of the Combined Group. Strategic and Operational Rationale The Boards of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock believe the Potential Combination will create the global “Go-To” packaging partner of choice: - Combining two highly complementary portfolios to create a global leader in sustainable packaging. - Unparalleled geographic reach across 42 countries with a significant presence across both Europe and the Americas - Complementary portfolios with unique product diversity and innovative sustainability capabilities, with breadth and depth across renewable, recyclable and biodegradable packaging solutions - Culturally aligned with strong customer focus - Broader opportunities for approximately 100,000 employees - Improved operating efficiency and increased returns across over 500 converting operations and 67 mills - Shared sustainability ambitions for a sustainable future - Experienced management teams with strong track records of execution and delivery to support global operations - Immediate and long-term value creation opportunity for both sets of shareholders #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry

Over the past 15 years or so, IP’s major investment in Packaging in Europe occurred between 2017 and 2019. During this period, Machine PM62 at the Madrid site was converted from Newsprint to Containerboard. In 2023, its total production in Europe accounted for only 3% of the company’s total output. Now, IP is bidding for DS Smith, which has over 85% of its production in Europe. Has IP shifted its strategy towards Europe? While it’s hard to be certain, IP might be seeking growth in that vast market (Europe) or attempting to emulate the merger of WestRock & Smurfit Kappa. In any case, this might compel Modi to disburse an additional seven hundred million dollars to close the DS Smith deal… #pulp #pulpandpaper #pulpandpaperindustry #packaging #packagingindustry #mergeandacquisition #merge #strategy

What will change in the market ? Comment below 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

Learn more about the potential challenges and opportunities for competitors amidst the news of the Smurfit Kappa and Westrock merger in our latest blog.

SMURFIT/WESTROCK MERGER Smurfit has always been ambitious and entrepreneurial. The drive toward the switch to paper from plastic packaging is an important consideration in the future development of the combined company`s markets. While Smurfit WestRock might give huge geographic reach, the performance of all operations will be scrutinized in minute detail post acquisition, to assess underperforming operations. A period of industry rationalization and consolidation will inevitably follow a mega-deal such as this, in my experience.