Smurfit Kappa: Setting the Standard S

Smurfit Kappa is thriving through a combination of resilience and agility, as it leads the way in innovation and sustainability in the international corrugated packaging and containerboard market.

Faced with the challenges of the global pandemic and significant inflationary pressure, Smurfit Kappa has demonstrated agility and resilience to navigate and grow during the past year. “We’ve never been in better shape financially, strategically or operationally. And while it is early into in the year 2023, the year has started well,” noted Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, Tony Smurfit.

Smurfit Kappa, headquartered in Dublin, is the leading company in Europe producing corrugated packaging, and the only Pan-American producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging. The key to the company’s success can be attributed to its market-leading innovations, high sustainability targets, and its skilled and dedicated team.

The commitment to service and quality by Smurfit Kappa has been critical to its growing success. “We have put ourselves in a position with the steps that we have taken and continue to take to deliver high quality performance and to take advantage of the many opportunities we see around us,” stated Tony Smurfit.

Smurfit Kappa understands the importance of products which sustain and renew the natural resources that future generations rely on. Through its global experience across packaging and paper, the company is committed to solving realworld problems in a sustainable manner.

With the recent acquisition of a packaging plant in Rio de Janeiro, Smurfit Kappa has expanded its footprint in Brazil to meet the growing demand for innovative and sustainable packaging. Manuel Alcalá, Chief Executive of Smurfit Kappa in Brazil, stated: “Smurfit Kappa believes in Brazil and in the opportunities to deliver growth by continuing to add value to our customers’ business.”

Furthermore, its new Moroccan plant will provide packaging for numerous sectors including industry, agriculture and pharmaceutical, as well as creating 300 direct and indirect jobs in the region, with significant potential for further growth.

The €6 million that Smurfit Kappa is to invest at the Sanguesa paper mill in Spain during 2023 will help the company on its path towards carbon neutrality through the construction and installation of up to 12,000 solar panels on land adjacent to the mill. These solar panels will reduce CO2 emissions by over 3,200 tonnes annually, while also providing significant cost savings.

Here in Ireland, Smurfit Kappa is continuing to invest in new machinery, production plants, and product innovation. The Belfast plant will soon welcome a new Rotary Die-Cutter machine, which will facilitate the production of large format die cuts more efficiently and safely. The recent installation of a new boiler in the Dublin plant will contribute to increased sustainability in the production process and reducing energy consumption. In addition, the Cork plant is addressing customers’ needs by investing in new machines this year and will become one of only three Smurfit Kappa plants in Europe to manufacture solid board divisions.

As expressed by the company’s Regional General Manager, Conor Timmons, “Our performance demonstrates the benefits of our recent investments, along with our focus on customer-led innovation and sustainability initiatives.”

The sustainability of paper-based packaging is becoming increasingly important in the age of plastic waste reduction. The economic goals of Smurfit Kappa are aligned with its social, community and environmental responsibilities.

As part of its deep commitment to the environment, the company launched a Green Finance Framework, which reflects the sustainable nature of Smurfit Kappa’s business model. This considers its efforts to produce circular products, re-use recycled paper or certified sustainable raw materials, and to implement circular production processes, which are continuously improving. The company’s approach to sustainable financing mirrors what the group is: a global business which places sustainability at the centre of its operating model.

Smurfit Kappa is delivering sustainability through innovation, such as the introduction of the ‘Click-to-Lock’ detergent box. This ‘first-to-market’ solution includes a child-safe lock on a corrugated container and will replace 930 tonnes of polypropylene in 2023. This innovation demonstrates that there is a world of plastic ready to be replaced by Smurfit Kappa’s sustainable corrugated packaging.

Analytics company Morningstar Sustainalytics have once again recognised Smurfit Kappa as a top ESG performer through leading research, while Smurfit

Kappa’s 2022 ESG Risk Rating improved, seeing the FTSE 100 listed company positioned in Sustainalytics’ list of top rated companies both for the industry and regional categories.

Furthermore, Smurfit Kappa has once again taken home multiple WorldStar awards this year, receiving eight awards for packaging innovations from the Czech Republic, Poland and Spain. Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Europe, said: “At Smurfit Kappa, we have a relentless commitment to making our customers’ packaging better all the time.”

Through its holistic approach to product design and manufacture, Smurfit Kappa offers packaging solutions that minimises inefficiency and waste. Sustainability is designed into every fibre.

Smurfit Kappa is deeply committed to supporting the local communities where it operates. Its work in this area is guided by the united Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The company empowers these communities through volunteering its time, effort, and expertise, in addition to financial donations.

Smurfit Kappa was the proud platinum sponsor of the 2022 International MixedAbility Rugby Tournament (IMART) held in Ireland. Volunteers from multiple sites assisted in the tournament and encouraged participants. This initiative gave many deserving people wonderful memories to treasure.

Through working with Down Syndrome Cork, the Cork plant has employed a new colleague, Michael Barry, who holds an assembly role in the factory. Michael has integrated into the company and is a valued team member.

Supporting local charities and communities across Ireland and further afield is a core commitment of Smurfit Kappa. It has supported charities including Cork Simon Community, NOW Group and Cope Galway, in addition to raising much-needed funds to help the people of uk raine.

The Smurfit Kappa Foundation recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. The foundation funds many lifechanging projects, particularly in the area of education for young people.

As part of its dedication to sustainability, Smurfit Kappa supports future generations through education. The Cork plant has worked alongside STEAM Education for several years, sponsoring their programmes which support and enhance the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) capacity of local primary schools.

The packaging design trends for 2023 reflect a mixed bag of reactions to the current state of affairs: rising inflation, global wars and the climate crisis. From cutesy escapism to nostalgia, design aesthetics for packaging depict optimism and enthusiasm with lots of bright colours and fun imagery, as well as leaning on comfort in the familiar.

While there’s a wide variety of tastes, one thing for sure is that these packaging design trends are shaping up to be a playful, bright and fun bunch.