Smurfit Westrock plc (SW)

Smurfit Westrock plc is a global provider of sustainable, paper-based packaging. It was created in July 2024 through a strategic combination of Smurfit Kappa Group, a leading integrated corrugated packaging manufacturer in Europe with a large pan-regional presence in Latin America, and WestRock Company, a North American leader in corrugated and consumer packaging. The company was incorporated in Ireland in 2017 as Cepheidway Limited and became the new holding company of the combined group, with Smurfit Kappa and WestRock as wholly-owned subsidiaries. Its shares are dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange's main market. It aims to be the "go-to" packaging partner for its customers.

The company operates a vertically integrated system in which wood or recovered fiber is turned into various grades of board, which are then converted into packaging. Its main categories are corrugated containers, made from containerboard (linerboard and corrugating medium), and consumer packaging, made from paperboard. Corrugated products include containers and displays. Consumer packaging includes folding cartons, carriers, express mail packages, inserts, labels, rigid packaging, printed materials and healthcare packaging for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. It also produces solidboard and solidboard packaging, graphic board, kraft paper and paper sacks, and bag-in-box packaging. It operates through three segments: North America (the U.S., Canada and Mexico); Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific; and Latin America. Each segment is highly integrated and primarily produces containerboard that is converted into corrugated containers internally or sold to third parties. North America also produces paperboard, kraft paper, market pulp, folding cartons, inserts, labels and displays, and distributes packaging. Europe, MEA and APAC also produces solidboard, graphic board, kraft paper, graphic paper, honeycomb and bag-in-box packaging. Latin America also includes forestry, paperboard, kraft paper, folding cartons and paper sacks.

Customers include consumer and industrial products manufacturers and corrugated box manufacturers, with end uses across food, beverages, dairy, confectionery, health and beauty, paper, household goods, agriculture, chemicals, building materials, pet food, retail (including club stores), horticulture, overnight couriers and healthcare. The company operates in 40 countries, primarily in North America, Latin America and Europe, with some operations in Asia, Africa and Australia. It describes itself as a leader in corrugated and consumer packaging, containerboard and paperboard in North America. In Europe it is among the leaders by production volume in corrugated packaging, containerboard and bag-in-box, and a leading producer of consumer packaging. In Latin America it is a large-scale pan-regional player in corrugated packaging and containerboard.

The company operates 57 paper mills, 450 converting plants (329 converting containerboard into corrugated containers, 84 for consumer packaging, five sack plants and 32 other conversion facilities), 70 recovered fiber facilities, two wood procurement operations in Europe, two forestry operations in Latin America, 57 distribution facilities in North America and 30 other production facilities. It also has about 308,000 acres of forests and plantations, mostly owned in Latin America, which support its mills. Its footprint lets it serve customers close to its corrugated box plants. The text does not name its competitors or headquarters location, other than its Irish incorporation.