English 
Spanish 
4 min read
1 comments
Multinational packaging company Smurfit Westrock invests US$33 million in Maranguape to expand production and strengthen its presence in the Northeast.
Smurfit Westrock, a company multinational giant Irish-American cardboard packaging company, announced the expansion of its factory in Maranguape, in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (RMF). The investment of more than US$33 million (around R$184 million) is part of a strategic plan to expand the company's presence in the Northeast of Brazil, a region considered key to the growth of the packaging industry.
Nordeste Complex and the Maranguape factory
A factory de Maranguape is part of Smurfit Westrock's Northeast Complex, which includes other facilities in Pacajus and a Packaging Solutions Center.
This complex was designed to meet the growing demand for packaging in the region, offering logistical and operational support for various sectors.
- Japan's $20 billion floating airport is starting to sink! One of the world's most expensive projects is defying engineering and scaring off investors
- Ship Graveyard: The shocking Chittagong shipyard where giants of the SEAS are dismantled with human and environmental risks
- Maximum alert! After the collapse of the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, 40 federal bridges in critical condition could collapse in the coming years, according to an alarming report by the Public Prosecutor's Office
- Discover the history of orichalcum, the precious metal of the ancient world that shone in antiquity and still challenges archaeologists with its mysterious secrets!
“With this investment, we diversified our portfolio and increased our production capacity, ensuring a more agile supply for our customers across the region. We serve both consumer goods and durable goods companies, always focused on optimizing logistics costs and promoting sustainable market growth”, says Manuel Alcalá, CEO of Smurfit Westrock in Brazil.
The expansion of the Maranguape factory marks a significant step forward for the multinational in Brazil.
With more than 18.500 m² of built area, the new unit is seen as a pillar for local economic development.
Smurfit Westrock highlights that the investment will support the growth of the corrugated cardboard industry in the region, which already represents 11% of the Brazilian market.
Furthermore, the strategic location of Maranguape, combined with operations in Pacajus, offers Smurfit Westrock an important competitive advantage.
The company expects the new unit to strengthen its operations in the Americas and improve service levels provided to customers.
“The opening of this factory is a proud moment for all of us. It symbolizes our commitment to local development and the corrugated cardboard packaging industry in Brazil”, highlights Jairo Lorenzatto, CEO of Smurfit Westrock Latin America.
New technologies in the multinational
A expansion of the multinational's factory in Maranguape is not only an increase in production capacity, but also an advance in terms of innovation and sustainability.
The unit was designed to obtain certification in Good Manufacturing Practices and has high energy and water efficiency.
One of the main highlights of the new facility is the state-of-the-art corrugator, which will allow Smurfit Westrock to expand its services to different sectors, including consumer goods and durables.
The factory will also be equipped with high-quality printers, focused on shelf-ready solutions, which help increase product visibility at retail.
Furthermore, the company invested in a new Research and Development laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge technology to carry out tests on paper and packaging.
This laboratory will be fundamental for creating innovative and sustainable solutions, a commitment that Smurfit Westrock makes in all its operations.
Packaging solutions center in Maranguape
A factory de Maranguape will be the first in Brazil to house the Smurfit Westrock Packaging Solutions Center, with 450 m².
This multinational center will be equipped with the company's exclusive innovation tools and will allow the development of personalized packaging solutions for each client.
“Our objective with the Solutions Center is to optimize our customers’ logistics costs, increase the visibility of products on the shelves and reduce the environmental impact of packaging”, says Juan Guillermo Ruiz, General Manager of the Northeast Cluster at Smurfit Westrock.
The strategic importance of the Northeast for the multinational Smurfit Westrock
Smurfit Westrock's expansion in the Northeast reflects the growth potential that the company sees in the region.
The Northeast is home to 30% of Brazil's population and represents an expanding market for the corrugated cardboard industry.
A company believes that, by strengthening its operations in the region, it will be able to better serve its customers and capture new market opportunities.
The new corrugator and high-quality equipment will allow Smurfit Westrock to offer a wider range of products and increase its presence in the region.
“The new equipment offers excellent printing quality and allows the production of larger packages, which will help us expand our presence in the Northeast”, highlights Juan Guillermo Ruiz.
Smurfit Westrock aims to position itself as a leader in the sustainable packaging market in Brazil.
The company is constantly investing in improvements and innovation to offer its customers differentiated solutions.
“The strategic location of Maranguape, combined with our unit in Pacajus, strengthens our position in the market and expands our regional reach”, concludes Jairo Lorenzatto.
With the new Maranguape factory and the investment in advanced technologies, Smurfit Westrock demonstrates its commitment to sustainable growth and the development of the communities where it operates. The multinational continues to be a key player in the packaging industry, providing solutions that meet customer needs and contribute to the future of the sector in Brazil.
Good night
Jobs
I am a trained occupational safety technician.