Norton Rose Fulbright advises Citi as sponsor on Smurfit Kappa's merger with WestRock

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright is advising Citi in its capacity as sponsor to Smurfit Kappa Group plc (a FTSE 100 company) in relation to its merger with WestRock Company (an S&P 500 company) to create Smurfit WestRock.

Smurfit WestRock will be dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, and will be a global leader in sustainable packaging with combined adjusted revenues of approximately US$34 billion for full year 2023.

The merger constitutes a reverse takeover by Smurfit Kappa for the purposes of the Listing Rules, requiring the publication of a Class 1 circular by Smurfit Kappa and a U.K. prospectus and US Registration Statement by Smurfit WestRock.

Smurfit Kappa, headquartered in Ireland, is one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world, with more than 47,000 employees in over 350 production sites across 36 countries. WestRock, headquartered in the US, partners with customers to provide differentiated, sustainable paper and packaging solutions and support customers from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

The Norton Rose Fulbright team advising on the transaction was led by London-based corporate partner Kit McCarthy and included counsels Alex Green and Fay Stavrou and associate Katherine Qiu. London-based partner Thomas Vita advised on US securities matters. 

Norton Rose Fulbright regularly advises Listing Rules sponsors on complex cross-border reverse takeovers, mergers and other significant transactions.