Paper and packaging giant Smurfit Kappa Group will return surplus cash to shareholders this year if it fails to land any target acquisitions.

Earnings per share at Smurfit Kappa Group are expected to grow by up to 5% next year, with the company saving more than €20 million in annual interest costs on the back of it repaying €500m worth of debt five years ahead of maturity.

Paper and packaging giant Smurfit Kappa Group stands to make annual interest cost savings of around €3m, by repaying €500m of debt four years ahead of schedule.