Smurfit Westrock has confirmed that production at its SSK paper mill in Birmingham, UK, will cease on 27 July, following the consultation process announced at the end of April. According to the company, no viable alternatives to closing the site were identified.
Smurfit Westrock said the decision was driven by persistently challenging market conditions, combined with the need to optimise its UK manufacturing footprint and improve its long-term competitiveness. The mill's annual production capacity of around 200,000 t of fluting and liner will be redistributed across other paper mills within the company's European network.
The Birmingham mill primarily supplies the UK and Irish corrugated packaging markets. Smurfit Westrock said customers would continue to be served through its wider European mill network without disruption.
The closure will affect 117 employees. According to the company, affected staff will receive career transition support and, where possible, be offered redeployment opportunities within the group.
The closure of the Birmingham mill had already been announced as a proposal on 30 April. With the consultation process now completed, Smurfit Westrock has confirmed that operations at the site will end on 27 July.
