Mergers & Acquisitions

In a landmark decision, the European Commission has given the green light to the proposed merger between Smurfit Kappa Group plc, headquartered in Ireland, and WestRock Company from the United States. The approval paves the way for the creation of a global packaging powerhouse, dubbed Smurfit WestRock, with a comprehensive reach across continents.

International Paper and its advisers are hoping to reach an agreement on a recommended offer by the end of this week.

Kimberly-Clark will sell its personal protective equipment business to Ansell for US$640 million in cash, agreeing to a deal that the Australian company's chief executive said had been under consideration for years.

DS Smith PLC on Thursday said that an extension had been agreed for its potential takeover by Mondi PLC, though the company still holds a more lucrative offer from International Paper.

DS Smith has completed acquisition of packaging company, Bosis doo. With the acquisition of Bosis doo, DS Smith's total packaging operations in Eastern Europe will comprise 30 box plants and additional facilities, employing more than 7,000 people in the region.

The Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K'ómoks First Nations (the "Nations," all member First Nations of the Nanwakolas Council), and Western Forest Products Inc. ("Western") announced the completion of the previously announced agreement for the Nations to acquire a 34% interest from Western in a newly formed Limited Partnership for $35.9 million.

The cash funded at closing consisted of the previously announced transaction value of $538 million, plus $38 million for a ticking fee that compensates the seller for earnings that inure to Greif, other customary debt/cash adjustment items, and FX impact.

The proposal comes less than three weeks after DS Smith reached an in-principle agreement with its UK-listed rival Mondi, which made an all-share takeover offer valuing DS Smith at 5.14 billion pounds.

Essity has completed the divestment of its entire holding of 51.59% of shares in the Asian hygiene company Vinda International Holdings Limited (Vinda) for HKD 23.50 per share.

Billerud will keep and continue to operate its Wisconsin Rapids converting facility and the 130 employees at that site and will sell the idled mill and related assets to Capital Recovery Group, the company said in a Thursday news release.

Jamestown Container Companies announced an agreement to acquire Midwest Box Company's packaging business in Cleveland, Ohio. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging and material science, today announced the acquisition of UP Paper, a leading producer of recycled kraft paper. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Representing an important win in the bottleneck battle faced by Western Canada's resource industries, Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure Corporation ("Buffalo") is pleased to announce the $7 million acquisition of Canfor Pulp Products' pulp mill assets, including 300+ acres of heavy industrial land, in Taylor, BC.

A unanimous vote from the S.C. Ports Board of Directors Tuesday pushed the purchase of the former WestRock paper mill site forward, and S.C. Ports officials believe the deal will close as soon as it is "practical."

The transaction marks significant investment in RRD's existing digital marketing and print capabilities.

Nordic Paper Holding AB (the "Company") has noted that Shanying International Holding Co., Ltd has announced that Shanying intends to sell all or part of its stake in Nordic Paper. It is further noted by the Company that the intentions are at an early stage and that there can be no guarantee that a sale will be achieved or at what terms, including price.

Irving Forest Products, which operates sawmills in Ashland and Dixfield, Maine, announces the acquisition of Mill Services, Inc's value-added operation in Cobleskill, New York.

Deal represents a 33% premium to DS Smith's closing share price on Feb 7.

On December 15, 2023, Essity announced that Isola Castle Ltd, a company indirectly wholly owned by Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL), has announced that it will make a pre-conditional public offer to the shareholders of Vinda International Holdings Limited (Vinda) to acquire the shares in Vinda for a price per share of HKD 23.50.

Mondi, under UK takeover rules, has a 'put up or shut up' deadline of March 7.

Founded in 1946 by Thom Brawner, the Company has been a driving force in the paper and janitorial supply industry for over 70 years.

The arrangement aims to further increase the flexibility of Metsä Group's wood supply. All Metsä Forest Eesti AS employees will transfer to the new owner's service as existing employees.

SRM Concrete bought the 300-acre industrial parcel for $30 million. The company said this property fits the needs of their ready mix company which specializes in producing materials to make concrete.

The Fedrigoni Group announces the acquisition of certain assets of Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc., the company it entered into an industrial partnership with last September 2022 to strengthen the distribution of specialty fine papers in the North American market.

Veritiv Corporation, a leading specialty distributor of value-added packaging, facility solutions and print products and solutions, announced today that it has acquired Vivabox Solutions, a full-service provider of customized, premium marketing solutions including tailored, multi-brand kitting solutions and packaging products for global luxury and premium consumer brands.