Nov 11, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. The EU has cleared the way for Jefferson Smurfit's proposed merger with Dutch firm, Kappa paving the way for the creation of Europe's biggest paper group. The commission said the deal, which was originally notified to its competition arm in September, had raised "serious competition concerns" in its original form. These problems related to four market segments: corrugated boxes; solid board boxes; graphic board, and solid board partitions. The commission identified specific competition difficulties in Denmark, Sweden, France, the UK, Ireland and in the graphic board market across the European Economic Area. Under proposals presented by Smurfit and Kappa, the two companies will sell off three corrugated box plants in Denmark, three in Sweden, one solid board box plant in the Netherlands, two graphic board plants in the Netherlands and one solid board partition business in Scotland.