Statement re Sale of Associate Interest
May 15 2008 - 5:45AM
UK Regulatory
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
Sale of Associate Interest
SKG.I SKG.L
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 Latin America, today announced the sale of its minority shareholding
in Duropack AG Group ('Duropack'), the Group's Austrian associate, to Constantia
Packaging AG ('Constantia') for a total consideration of EUR 55 million. The
proceeds from the sale of the shareholding will used to reduce net debt.
Duropack AG has containerboard and corrugated businesses in Austria, Germany,
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia.
Gary McGann, Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, commented "SKG and Constantia have had a
very positive relationship going back to the early 1990s. For many years the
investment in Duropack was the Group's only involvement in Eastern Europe. As a
result of the merger of Jefferson Smurfit Group and Kappa Packaging AB in 2005,
the Group has wholly owned businesses in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Russia, Lithuania and Latvia, thereby competing directly with Duropack in many
of these countries. As a result, the Boards of both SKG and Constantia agreed
that it is in the best interest of both sets of shareholders, and of Duropack,
that SKG disposes of its shareholding to Constantia."
About Smurfit Kappa Group
Smurfit Kappa Group is a world leader in paper-based packaging with operations
in Europe and Latin America. Smurfit Kappa Group operates in 22 countries in
Europe and is the European leader in containerboard, solid board, corrugated and
solid board packaging and has a key position in several other packaging and
paper market segments, including graphic board, sack paper and paper sacks.
Smurfit Kappa Group also has a growing presence in Eastern Europe. Smurfit Kappa
Group operates in 9 countries in Latin America and is the only pan-regional
operator.
About Constantia Packaging AG
Constantia Packaging AG is a publicly listed Austrian holding company that
invests in manufacturing and related services companies mainly in the three
segments Aluminium, Flexible Packaging and Paper and Corrugated Board.
Constantia Packaging AG is listed on the Prime Market of the Vienna Stock
Exchange.
Contacts Information
Smurfit Kappa Group +353 1 202 7000 Beech Hill, Clonskeagh
Dublin 4, Ireland
K Capital Source +353 1 631 5500 Ph +353 1 202 7000
smurfitkappa@kcapitalsource.com
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