Independent auditors for FSC awarded the environmental certification to the firm's pulp management practices, enabling any coated paper produced at its Kent-based Snodland mill to carry the FSC trademark.

Smurfit Townsend Hook chief executive Laurent Sellier said the certification underlined the firm's environmental stance.

"This allows us to demonstrate our awareness of and commitment to the environment," said Sellier.

Smurfit joins the UK's recent additions to the ranks of FSC certified mills, including ArjoWiggins Ivybridge and Stowford mills, and St Andrews based speciality paper maker Curtis Fine Paper.

The Fineblade range of papers, produced by Smurfit, is made from elemental chlorine free (ECF) pulp, and the mill also produces the 75% recycled Revive range for the Robert Horne Group.

Smurfit Townsend Hook also produces 260,000 tonnes of packaging material at Snodland, made from recycled material.

Story by Andy Scott