*First quarter net earnings of $56 million *First quarter results negatively impacted by approximately $52 million (pre-tax) due to January freeze and Ixtac, Mexico fire *First quarter cash provided by operations of $395 million and returned $161 million to shareholders in dividends

*Net sales decreased 2% year-over-year to $1.7 billion as strong pricing was offset by lower overall volume. *GAAP operating profit increased 36% year-over-year as gains on asset sales and lower acquisition related costs offset lower price cost and lower volume and mix. *GAAP net income increased 29% and Adjusted Earnings decreased 25% from the same period last year. *Diluted GAAP EPS increased 28% while diluted Adjusted EPS decreased 24% from the same period last year.

Smurfit Kappa is installing a revolutionary new industrial-scale HP PageWide C500 digital press for corrugated printing which will provide greater customisation and flexibility for customers. The HP PageWide C500 Press, which will be the first commercial HP single pass press in Europe, is HP’s most technologically advanced digital press for corrugated application. The press will be installed in Smurfit Kappa’s Interwell plant in Austria. With a fully integrated stack-to-stack workflow, the press combines digital simplicity with off-set replaceable print quality on both coated and uncoated paper. The cutting-edge technology will provide brand owners with customised packaging solutions that can drive sales across both online and traditional sales channels. The graphic flexibility and quality of the new HP PageWide C500 Press will further enhance the company’s service to drive brand recognition and provide fit-for-purpose packaging. Furthermore, the HP water-based inks facilitate printing on both primary and secondary food packaging without an additional barrier which can comply with even the most stringent global food safety regulations. Click Read More below for additional information.