Update: Smurfit WestRock plans to close the Lübbecke and Hanau sites

The international paper and packaging group Smurfit WestRock has announced a strategic realignment in the sales regions of North and Southwest Germany. To this end, two converting plants are to be closed. The Group is also planning capacity reductions in the USA in order to adapt its capacities to future market requirements.

In Germany, Smurfit WestRock is planning the permanent closure of the production sites in Lübbecke and Hanau. The production volumes of these two plants are to be taken over in future from the remaining sites in north and southwest Germany, where corresponding production capacities are available, Smurfit WestRock explained on May 2. The works councils were already informed of the plans on April 28. The packaging manufacturer also announces "major investments" in new processing machines for corrugated board packaging.

Capacity reduction affects cardboard and paper mills in the USA

Smurfit WestRock also announced that it will permanently close its coated recycled paperboard mill in St. Paul, Minnesota, and discontinue the production of corrugated base paper at its Texas paper mill in Forney. The company is thus reducing its capacity for packaging paper and recycled board (CRB) in the USA by over 500,000 tons per year.

The specialty coating facility in Forney is not affected, the company said. Further information indicates that the closures will affect approximately 650 employees in Germany and the USA.