Smurfit Westrock today announced its intention to invest approximately €600 million in its operations in France, reinforcing its long-term commitment to French manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability, ahead of the Choose France initiative.
The investment, to be deployed over the next 3 to 5 years, is intended to modernize and decarbonize its operations, leveraging the Group’s innovative capabilities to develop packaging solutions that are even more tailored to its customers’ needs and more sustainable.
Present in France for nearly 40 years, Smurfit Westrock employs more than 6,000 people across 50 sites throughout the country, highlighting France’s strategic importance to the group’s European operations and its attractiveness as an industrial investment destination.
Saverio Mayer, CEO Europe, MEA, and APAC at Smurfit Westrock (picture), stated: “This ongoing investment program in France demonstrates our commitment to innovation, quality, and decarbonization efforts. France continues to offer a favorable environment for this development, thanks to long-term industrial investments supported by skilled talent, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability.”
This new phase of investment builds on a solid foundation: the company has already invested more than €500 million in France over the past five years to modernize its operations, improve its service, and expand its capabilities. Today, Smurfit Westrock operates four carbon-neutral mills in France, as well as a nearly fully decarbonized paper mill, confirming its leadership in sustainable packaging production.
Andrew Coffey, CEO of Smurfit Westrock France, added: “It makes sense that sites producing sustainable packaging should themselves be sustainable. Achieving carbon neutrality at these sites was a major milestone and provides us with an excellent foundation for going even further. That’s why strategic investments in key sites are essential to maintaining this momentum. These include a €40 million expansion and modernization of our Épernay site, as well as a €20 million investment to further advance our state-of-the-art corrugated board site in Rethel ; two projects that will further strengthen our capabilities while reducing our environmental impact.”
Smurfit Westrock has also organized open days at several sites in France on May 29 and 30, to welcome local communities, customers and stakeholders and showcase innovations in sustainable packaging manufacturing.
Photo/Smurfit
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