European Commission Clears Merger Between Smurfit Kappa and WestRock

April 8, 2024 - The European Commission on April 5 approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the merger between Smurfit Kappa Group plc of Ireland and WestRock Company of the U.S.

On September 7, 2023, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock announced a "possible combination" of the two companies. Five days later, the Boards of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock signed a definitive transaction agreement to create Smurfit WestRock.

The European Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction.

The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure, the Commission said.

SOURCE: European Commission

Read a related article on PaperAge's website: WestRock and Smurfit Kappa Sign Definitive Agreement to Combine Companies - Sept. 12, 2023.