Smurfit Kappa’s earnings increase

Dublin: Packaging group Smurfit Kappa reported a higher first-quarter core profit and forecast overall growth for 2010 as demand picks up.

Europe’s leading producer of containerboard said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the three months to March 31 were €184 million compared to €180m a year ago.

The group’s Latin America business reported strong demand growth in the first three months.