Smurfit Kappa launches Moroccan plant amid booming demand for corrugated packaging

25 May 2022 --- Smurfit Kappa is constructing a new packaging plant in Morocco, the company’s first corrugated plant in the country. The company says the plant will enable Smurfit Kappa to supply innovative and environmentally sustainable packaging solutions quickly and efficiently to its local customer base. 

The facility is located in the capital Rabat and covers an area of 25,000 square meters. 

In a market where the demand for corrugated packaging currently exceeds supply, the new plant will play an important and strategic role, says the company. 

The plant will also create packaging for sectors including industrial, agriculture, fast-moving consumer goods, automotive, pharma and ceramics and serve both local customers and multinationals based in Morocco. 

Construction of the new facility began this week when the first stone of the foundations was laid at an official ceremony. The plant is expected to be operational in early 2023.

With supply exceeding corrugated packaging consumer demand, the new plant will play an important and strategic role.Job creation for circular economy 
The expansion into Morocco is expected to boost the country's employment rate and strengthen the local packaging industry’s ability to operate in a circular manner. 

Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Europe, says: “We are very proud to announce the construction of this advanced new facility, the first of its kind owned by the company in Morocco. It will be located in an area with significant growth potential and create 300 direct and indirect jobs in the region.” 

“Our customers will also benefit from our fully integrated and circular business model, which will ensure a reliable supply of quality, value-adding and [environmentally] sustainable products.” 

Ignacio Sevillano, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Spain, Portugal and Morocco, adds: “This investment reflects our ‘think global, act local’ approach, which combines our global scale and expertise with our local team’s best-in-class knowledge to understand and satisfy our Moroccan customers’ needs. 

The new plant will also incorporate an “Experience Centre,” Smurfitt Kappa’s 30th worldwide, which will foster enhanced collaboration with our customers and provide creative ideas and insights.”

Corrugate demand on the rise 
Morocco and the MENA region are seeing a boom in demand for corrugated products – something Smurfit Kappa intends to capitalize on. 

Edwin Goffard, COO of corrugated & converting, Smurfit Kappa Europe, says: “This new plant is being built at the right time and in the right place. High demand for corrugated is ongoing and customers want to know that their products are being transported and presented in the most efficient and [environmentally] sustainable way.” 

“We use the huge wealth of data gained from working with over 65,000 customers worldwide to identify the best solution for the task at hand.” 

Last week, Smurfit Kappa launched a water-resistant paper that does not sacrifice recyclability. Branded AquaStop, the paper is part of the company’s TechniPaper portfolio, which consists of an array of high-performance papers designed to handle the most complex supply chains.

Also this month, Smurfit Kappa became the first vegan-certified packaging company after obtaining the Vegan Society trademark for corrugated solutions produced at its Markham Vale site in the UK. 

By Natalie Schwertheim

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