Nov 08, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Smurfit Kappa Group plc (‘SKG’) announced results for the 3 months and 9 months ending 30 September 2012. The Group reported revenue of Euro 5,510 million for the nine months to September, down marginally year on year, as Smurfit Kappa said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. However, 3Q EBITDA of Euro 280 million, an increase of 6% year on year, reflects SKG’s robust operational performance despite a worsening macroeconomic environment. Increased EBITDA margins were due to a combination of continued cost take-out and lower fibre costs, underpinned by the strengths of its integrated model. In July, the Group’s kraftliner mill in France was forced to temporarily cease production following the collapse of a black liquor tank. Adjusting for the impact of lost revenue in this mill, SKG’s margin would have been approximately 14% for the nine months compared to the reported 14.2%. Gary McGann, Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, commented: “SKG is pleased to report a strong EBITDA outcome of Euro 280 million in the 3Q 2012. This performance reflects the strength of the Group’s integrated model and the benefits of its operating efficiency in a generally soft macroeconomic environment. Our differentiated European offering and extensive market footprint has underpinned a strong performance in the period. Following a number of one-off items in the first half of the year, our Latin American operations improved their overall profitability in the 3Q, and continue to provide important diversity and growth opportunities for SKG.” At Euro 1,830 million, sales revenue in the 3Q 2012 was 1% lower than the Euro 1,857 million reported in the 2Q. Comparable sales decreased by Euro 69 million compared to the 3Q 2011, with revenue boosted by a net Euro 24 million from currency movements and hyperinflationary adjustments, reflecting the relative weakness of the euro, and by Euro 7 million from acquisitions. The Group’s pre-exceptional EBITDA for the 3Q 2012 was Euro 280 million, 6% higher than the 3Q 2011, mainly reflecting earnings growth in Europe. EBITDA increased by Euro 25 million when compared to the 2Q 2012. Earnings per share was 33.4 cent for the quarter to September 2012. There were no exceptional items in the 3Q 2012 or 2011. Revenue for the nine months fell marginally from Euro 5,538 million in 2011 to Euro 5,510 million in 2012. As was the case in the quarter, revenue was boosted by Euro 77 million in positive currency movements and hyperinflationary adjustments and Euro 23 million from acquisitions net of disposals, resulting in a decrease in comparable sales by Euro 128 million year-on-year. At Euro 780 million, the Group’s EBITDA for the nine months to September 2012 was over 1% higher than 2011’s Euro 771 million. However, allowing for the positive impact of currency movements, hyperinflationary adjustments, acquisitions and closures, the underlying move was a decrease of Euro 8 million in EBITDA. Smurfit Kappa Group is a world leader in paper-based packaging with operations in Europe and Latin America. Smurfit Kappa Group operates in 21 countries in Europe and is the European leader in containerboard, solidboard, corrugated and solidboard packaging and has a key position in several other packaging and paper market segments, including graphicboard and sack paper. Smurfit Kappa Group also has a growing base in Eastern Europe, a bag-in-box facility in Canada and operates in 9 countries in Latin America where it is the only pan regional operator.