Statement re Launch of a Senior Secured Notes O...

Statement re Launch of a Senior Secured Notes Offering

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES OF SMURFIT KAPPA ACQUISITIONS. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH OFFERS OR SALES WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW

Smurfit Kappa Group Announces the Launch of a Senior Secured Notes Offering

SKG.I SKG.L

Dublin, London | 3rd September 2012: Smurfit Kappa Group plc (the "Group") one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products, with operations in Europe and Latin America, today announces an offering by one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions, of €200 million of euro denominated senior secured notes due 2018 and $250 million of U.S. dollar senior secured notes due 2018. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to repay all of the existing 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2015 that were issued by Smurfit Kappa Funding plc on 31 January 2005 and to pay certain fees and expenses related to the offering. Any excess proceeds will be used to repay term loans outstanding under the Group's senior credit facility. The notes are being offered in a private placement and there will be no public offering of the notes. The notes will be offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act").

About Smurfit Kappa Group

Smurfit Kappa Group is a world leader in paper-based packaging with operations in Europe and Latin America. Smurfit Kappa Group operates in 21 countries in Europe and is the European leader in containerboard, solidboard, corrugated and solidboard packaging and has a key position in several other packaging and paper market segments, including graphicboard and sack paper. Smurfit Kappa Group also has a growing base in Eastern Europe, a bag-in-box facility in Canada and operates in 9 countries in Latin America where it is the only pan regional operator.

Contacts	Â	Â
Seamus Murphy			FTI Consulting
Smurfit Kappa Group
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Tel: [phone]			Tel: [phone]
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Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this announcement are forward-looking. They represent expectations for the Group's business, and involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events. The Group believes that current expectations and assumptions with respect to these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are in some cases beyond the Group's control, actual results or performance, may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction and the securities may not be offered or sold within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state or local securities laws.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is directed only at: (a) persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors (as defined in EU directive 2003/71/EC (as amended) (the "Prospectus Directive"); (b) persons in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors and who are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2) (a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons in (a) and (b) together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited, and, if sent in response to the information contained herein, will not be accepted.