Smurfit WestRock reports merger, high throughput and higher county payments

Will Howard, general manager for Smurfit WestRock’s Marietta material recovery facility (MRF), told the Solid Waste Management Authority on March 11 that the plant posted strong throughput in 2024 and that corporate changes and market shifts are affecting operations.

Howard said the company formally merged with Smurfit Kappa on July 8, 2024, and is now operating as Smurfit WestRock. He described the Marietta facility as a single‑stream MRF that processes roughly 120,000–130,000 tons per year, operates about 40 tons per hour on its line, employs roughly 20 sorters and occupies about 226,000 square feet.

Howard walked commissioners through the plant’s equipment (Harris baler, IPS, optical sorters, AI pick robot, magnets and eddy current separators) and identified primary outgoing material grades: OCC (old corrugated containers), mixed paper, sorted office paper, PET, HDPE (natural and color), steel and aluminum UBCs.

Howard said fiber prices in early 2025 were below five‑year averages (for example, OCC around $80/ton, mixed paper about $45/ton), while HDPE natural commanded stronger prices. He told the authority that Marietta produced its best financial return to Cobb County in 2024 — roughly $399,800 — and that contractual rent terms changed in June (rent stepped from $5,000 to $15,000 in year 1, then to $17,000 and later $30,000 in subsequent years under the presented contract schedule).

Howard also highlighted safety, reporting a five‑year injury‑free safety record at the plant since June 25, 2019.

The presentation was informational; no procurement or contract vote was taken during the meeting.