Smurfit-Stone to Issue New Senior Notes

Chicago, Illinois, USA, 12 March 2007 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NASDAQ:SSCC) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc. (SSCE), plans to issue up to USD 675 million of Senior Notes, maturing in 2017.

The new notes will be issued in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Act. The net proceeds from the issuance of the notes, together with additional borrowings under SSCE's senior secured credit facility, will be used to repurchase all of SSCE's outstanding 93/4% Senior Notes due 2011.

The new notes will not be registered under the Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's (NASDAQ:SSCC) innovative packaging solutions help its customers to grow their businesses and profits. As North America's premier packaging company, Smurfit-Stone is the industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging. Smurfit-Stone also is one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company has led the industry in safety performance every year since 2001 and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association. Smurfit-Stone operates approximately 180 facilities and employs approximately 25,200 people.

Source: Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation

Web site: http://www.smurfit-stone.com/