Apr 25, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. DS Smith Plc, the international supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods, issues its pre-close statement for the full-year to 30 April 2012. The positive performance reported on 17 January 2012 has continued with like-for-like volume growth in corrugated packaging for the financial year to date in line with target of GDP+1%, driven by a consistent performance among FMCG customer base, with a particularly strong contribution from business in Continental Europe. Paper prices have been volatile in the second half of this financial year. DS Smith remains structurally long in fibre collection, and a net buyer of paper, therefore the impact of this headwind in paper has been mitigated by an improved performance in corrugated packaging. The UK business has been restructured to further improve our competitive position. Performance of Plastic Packaging, particularly liquid packaging and dispensing, has enjoyed strong growth as customers expand their use of bag-in-box for the transportation of liquids. Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive, said: “2012 has been an important year for DS Smith with the announcement in January of the proposed acquisition of SCA Packaging. We are delighted with the support for the transaction given to us by our shareholders and I am pleased to report that the process towards completion is on track. We will update shareholders as appropriate as the regulatory process progresses. We continue to make encouraging progress towards the delivery of the financial and operational targets we have set ourselves.” DS Smith Plc is an international supplier of recycled packaging for consumer goods.