The Jefferson Smurfit Group has expanded its operations in Europe with the €30 million acquisition of the Danish corrugated paper company, Neopac. In its first direct entry into the Danish market, the group has acquired two plants with a total annual production capacity of 65,000 tonnes and projected year 2000 sales of €60 million.

Smurfit is taking over Neopac debt as part of the €30 million cost. Smurfit Europe chief executive Mr Tony Smurfit said that each of the Danish plants had a strong market position and a good reputation with its customer base.