Smurfit-Stone Recycling International Opens New European Recycling Sales Office

EUROPEAN PRESENCE WILL STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL CUSTOMERS

CREVE COEUR, Missouri and CHICAGO, February 5 - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's Recycling division today announced
the opening of its European office in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070129/SMURFIT-STONELOGO)

The Rotterdam office is part of Smurfit-Stone Recycling International,
which represents the Company's recycling and waste solutions business outside
North America.

"This is an important expansion of our global activities, which focus on
identifying and implementing new and improved ways to support our customers'
international businesses," said Mike Oswald, senior vice president and
general manager of the Company's Recycling division.

The Rotterdam location will source recovered paper in Europe for sale in
China through the Company's Shanghai office. The material will also be sold
to Smurfit-Stone's customers elsewhere in Asia as well as in Europe and
Central and South America.

"Having an 'on-the-ground' presence in Europe will help us to better
anticipate and respond to global market conditions and support increased
material recovery efforts in Europe," Oswald said. "The bottom line is that
this allows us to provide the same high quality and service we are known for
in North America to our new and existing customers around the world."

Smurfit-Stone is investing in automated sort systems and focusing on
strategic partnerships with municipalities, waste haulers, communities and
environmental organizations in order to mine deeper into the waste stream.

Smurfit-Stone operates 30 materials recovery facilities and has sales and
procurement offices in North America, Asia and Europe. The Company's experts
provide waste management solutions to some of the world's largest
corporations.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is one of the industry's leading
integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers, and one of the
world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable
Forestry Initiative(R) and the Chicago Climate Exchange. Smurfit-Stone
generated revenue of US$7.04 billion in 2008; has led the industry in safety
every year since 2001; and conducts its business in compliance with the
environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper
Association.

www.smurfit-stone.com

Mike Mullin, +1-314-656-5845, or Lisa Esneault, +1-314-656-5786, both for Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation