Smurfit Westrock acquires corrugated packaging company in Ecuador

Smurfit Westrock has completed the acquisition of Cartomanabí, one of the main corrugated packaging companies in Ecuador. 

The move represents a further step in Smurfit Westrock’s plan to grow in the region and, with the paper supplied from its North American mill system, increases its regional integration. 

Alvaro Henao, president and CEO at Smurfit Westrock Latin America, says: “The transaction in Ecuador is our first as Smurfit Westrock. It is an important milestone for us in Latin America, where we are the only pan-regional supplier with a fully integrated supply chain and the broadest range of sustainable and innovative paper-based solutions. We look forward to working together with customers in this country and sharing all our knowledge, expertise, and value-driven innovation.”

Regional growth

Cartomanabí is located in Montecristi, Ecuador, and has an annual production capacity of more than 50,000 metric tons, primarily serving the agriculture, protein, FMCG, and industrial sectors. 

The acquisition allows Smurfit Westrock to capitalize on corrugated packaging growth opportunities in Ecuador and the broader Latin American region.

Smurfit Westrock is delivering sustainable packaging solutions across Latin America. Its Três Barras paper mill in Brazil operates with a biomass-based boiler. The mill produces HyPerform kraft paper, which serves customers based in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador.

Last year, Smurfit Westrock Chesterfield equipped Dermalux, a medical LED phototherapy device company, with a recyclable and reusable corrugated cardboard box for protection, eliminating the need for expanded PS.

The company also recently introduced its Bag-in-Box Powergrip to replace traditional HDPE bottles and jerrycans from two to five liters.