Tax Strategy
This strategy is published in accordance with paragraph 19(2), Schedule 19 of the Finance Act 2016 and applies to Smurfit Westrock Packaging UK Limited and its UK subsidiaries (“legacy Smurfit Kappa UK group”) and WRK Merger Holding Sub Limited and its UK subsidiaries, The Mead Retirement Plan Trustee Company Limited, Multi Packaging Solutions International Limited and Smurfit WestRock Bristol Ltd (“legacy WestRock/MPS UK group”). It sets out the approach to tax for the year ending 31 December 2025.
References to “UK Taxation” include the taxes and duties listed in paragraph 15(1) of the Schedule, such as Corporation Tax, Income Tax, PAYE, NIC, VAT, Insurance Premium Tax, and Stamp Duty Land Tax. References to “tax”, “taxes” or “taxation” include UK taxation and all equivalent taxes and duties globally for which the Group has legal obligations.
OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS
Smurfit Westrock was created in July 2024 as a strategic combination between Smurfit Kappa Group plc (“Smurfit Kappa”), one of the leading integrated corrugated packaging manufacturers in Europe, with a large-scale pan-regional presence in Latin America, and WestRock Company (“WestRock”), one of the leaders in North America in corrugated and consumer packaging solutions and a multinational provider of sustainable fiber-based paper and packaging solutions.
We are a global leader in sustainable, paper-based packaging with extensive scale, quality products and geographic reach and diversity.
OUR UK BUSINESS
This document outlines the tax strategy for both the legacy Smurfit Kappa UK group and the legacy WestRock/MPS UK group for the year ended 31st December 2025.
Our legacy Smurfit Kappa UK group operations include 2 paper mills in our Paper division, 6 recycling plants in our Recycling division, 30 manufacturing operations and various office locations in our Corrugated division. Our external supplier network is predominantly based in the UK and Europe. Our Global Sourcing Category Management team coordinate the sourcing of each main category within SK, ensuring consistent oversight of our suppliers and their compliance with our expectations. They are assisted by a team of Project Managers for Group tenders and sourcing Cost-Take-Out and Best Practice projects. They work in partnership with all operations and in close cooperation with Country/ Business Sourcing Coordinators.
Our legacy WestRock/MPS UK group operations include 11 manufacturing operations and various office locations in our Consumer division. Our external supplier network is predominantly based in the UK, U.S. and Europe. The SW Global Sourcing Category Management team coordinate the sourcing of large category spends within SW – primarily energy, board, ink and some maintenance items. The legacy Westrock operations also have a strong dedicated sourcing department working on categories that are more specific to the Consumer division. This team works in partnership with all operations and in close cooperation with Country/ Business Sourcing Coordinators.
OUR TAX STRATEGY
Our operations give rise to a broad range of taxes, including corporation tax, VAT, employment taxes and various indirect taxes. We recognise the importance of meeting these obligations and are committed to complying with all applicable tax laws in a fair, transparent and responsible manner.
We aim to maintain open, professional and collaborative relationships with tax authorities in the UK and in every country in which we operate. As part of this approach, we support efforts to improve the clarity, consistency and efficiency of tax systems and contribute to initiatives that promote transparency and certainty for businesses.
We also have a responsibility to our shareholders to manage our tax affairs efficiently and to ensure our effective tax rate appropriately reflects the commercial activities of the Group. Where governments offer tax incentives or reliefs to encourage investment, innovation or employment, we will make use of these measures in a way that aligns with their intended purpose and supports the long-term development of our business.