Smurfit Kappa, one of the world's largest paper-based packaging companies, has announced the construction of a new packaging plant in Morocco, its first corrugated plant in the country.

Located in Rabat and extending to 25,000 square metres, construction began this week when the first stone of the foundations was laid at an official ceremony.

The company said the facility will manufacture packaging for sectors including industrial, agriculture, FMCG, automotive, pharma and ceramics, and serve local customers and multinationals based in Morocco.

Demand for corrugated packaging currently exceeds supply in Morocco.

Saverio Mayer, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Europe, said: “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.

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

Ignacio Sevillano, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Spain, Portugal and Morocco, added: “This investment is a reflection of 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.

Smurfit Kappa has over 350 production sites across 36 countries and with revenue of €10.1 billion in 2021. The group is located in 23 countries in Europe, and 13 in the Americas.

Edwin Goffard, COO of Corrugated & Converting, Smurfit Kappa Europe, said: “High demand for corrugated is ongoing and customers want to know that their products are being transported and presented in the most efficient and sustainable way.”

The new facility is expected to be operational in early 2023.