Smurfit Kappa pulled out of the country in order to cut costs when it was the Jefferson Smurfit Group, prior to its merger with Kappa Group.

The group's management reported last week that it was looking to enter the Chinese market again, although the firm has denied closing any immediate returns to the country.

Smurfit Kappa has said it plans to target possible takeovers and joint ventures in China.

The group's headquarters are based in Dublin and it operates in more than 31 countries, with sales in excess of €7 billion.