Smurfit Westrock Shifts Paper Transport to Rail Between Germany and Poland

Smurfit Westrock has introduced new rail connections linking its paper mill in Hoya, Germany, with production facilities in Poland, aiming to reduce road freight and emissions across its logistics network.

The company said the initiative will eliminate more than 1,400 truck journeys annually by shifting transportation to rail. Paper collected by VGH is transported via 600-metre-long trains operated by PKP Cargo and Transwaggon, forming part of an expanded intermodal logistics strategy.

According to Saverio Mayer, President and CEO for Europe, Middle East, Africa and APAC, the move is intended to enhance both operational efficiency and environmental performance. He said increasing rail usage in the company’s paper and board logistics network improves reliability for customers while significantly lowering emissions.

Smurfit Westrock operates multiple packaging production sites across Poland, with its primary facility located in Pruszków, near Warsaw. That site was recently expanded and now has the capacity to produce up to 500 million boxes annually.

The company was formed following the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock in July 2024. The combined group employs nearly 100,000 people across 40 countries and produces approximately 23 million tonnes of paper annually from 60 mills worldwide.

The rail initiative reflects a broader industry shift toward lower-carbon transport solutions in paper and packaging supply chains.