Statement re Board Appointment

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
                  

                    Smurfit Kappa Announces Board Appointment

                          Mr. Paul Stecko to join Board

                                   SKG.I SKG.L

Dublin, London, February 08, 2008: Smurfit Kappa Group plc ('SKG' or the
'Group'), one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based
packaging products with operations in Europe and Latin America, is pleased to
announce the appointment of Mr Paul T. Stecko to the Board as an independent,
non-executive Director with effect from February 7th 2008.

Mr Stecko has served as Chief Executive Officer of Packaging Corporation of
America (PCA) since January 1999 and as Chairman of PCA since March 1999.

From November 1998 to April 1999, Mr Stecko served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Tenneco Packaging Inc. (Tenneco). From January 1997 to
November 1998, Mr Stecko served as Tenneco's Chief Operating Officer and from
December 1993 through to January 1997, Mr Stecko was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Tenneco.

Prior to joining Tenneco, Mr Stecko spent 16 years with International Paper
Company. Mr Stecko is currently a member of the board of directors of Tenneco
Automotive Inc., State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, and the American Forest
and Paper Association.

Mr Stecko was selected as the 2004 CEO of the Year in the Paper and Packaging
industry by Wall Street analysts in an annual survey conducted by RISI.

Mr Sean Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the SKG Board commented, 'We are delighted that
Paul Stecko is joining the Smurfit Kappa Group Board. His reputation in the
paper packaging industry is renowned and his knowledge of and experience in this
sector will be invaluable to the Smurfit Kappa Group Board. PCA has no
operations in SKG's markets and exports less than 2% of its production (approx
40k tons) of containerboard to Europe'.

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 22 countries in Europe and is the European
leader in containerboard, solid board, corrugated and solid board packaging and
has a key position in several other packaging and paper market segments,
including graphic board, sack paper and paper sacks. Smurfit Kappa Group also
has a growing presence in Eastern Europe. Smurfit Kappa Group operates in 9
countries in Latin America and is the only pan-regional operator.

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Contacts                                                             Information

Smurfit Kappa Group                                  [phone] Beech Hill, Clonskeagh
                                                                     Dublin 4, Ireland
K Capital Source                                     [phone] Ph [phone]
                                                                     [e-mail]
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