Smurfit Westrock has announced significant operational changes that include the permanent closure of two paper mills in the United States and the potential closure of two converting facilities in Germany.
The company will shut down its coated recycled board (CRB) mill in St. Paul, Minnesota, and end containerboard production at its Forney, Texas mill. However, the specialty coating operations in Forney will remain unaffected. Combined, the closures will reduce Smurfit Westrock’s containerboard and CRB capacity by more than 500,000 tons annually.
In Germany, the company has started consultations with local works councils regarding the permanent closure of two converting sites. These discussions are ongoing.
An estimated 650 employees will be impacted by the closures across the U.S. and Germany. Smurfit Westrock stated it will offer career transition assistance, relocation opportunities, and severance in line with company policy and labor agreements.
“While closing facilities is never an easy decision, it is based on a realistic expectation of current and future capacity needs, operating costs and an unrelenting focus on improving our business,” said Tony Smurfit, President & Group CEO. He expressed gratitude for the dedication of affected employees and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting them during the transition.
About Smurfit Westrock
Smurfit Westrock is a global leader in sustainable paper-based packaging solutions, formed from the 2024 merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock. The company operates across more than 40 countries.
