Norcross, Georgia, USA, 27 April 2011 -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rock-Tenn Company (NYSE: RKT) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NYSE: SSCC) today announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has declared effective the form S-4 registration statement concerning the agreement and plan of merger between them. The joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in the registration statement will be mailed on or about 29 April 2011, to RockTenn shareholders and Smurfit-Stone stockholders of record as of 08 April 2011.

The issuance of RockTenn shares of common stock in connection with the merger is subject to the approval of RockTenn shareholders. RockTenn shareholders will vote at a special meeting of RockTenn shareholders on 27 May 2011, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta at 3300 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30305. In addition, the approval and adoption of the merger agreement is subject to the approval of Smurfit-Stone stockholders. Smurfit-Stone stockholders will vote at a special meeting of stockholders of Smurfit-Stone on 27 May 2011, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, at 6 City Place Drive, Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141.

As of 27 April 2011, the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has expired and certain other designated competition-related regulatory approvals required for closing the merger have been obtained. Accordingly, the parties expect to close the proposed merger transaction soon after the companies conduct their special meetings and receive the requisite shareholder approvals.

In connection with the proposed transaction, RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation have made various filings with the SEC, including the filing by RockTenn of a registration statement on form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement/prospectus of RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of RockTenn.

RockTenn shareholders and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation stockholders are urged to read the registration statement on form S-4 and the related joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they contain important information. The final joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of RockTenn and stockholders of Smurfit-Stone. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov, or by contacting RockTenn Investor Relations at 678-291-7900 or Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation Investor Relations at 314-656-5553.

RockTenn (NYSE:RKT) is one of North America's leading manufacturers of paperboard, containerboard and consumer and corrugated packaging, with annual net sales of USD 3 billion. RockTenn's 10,000 employees are committed to exceeding their customers' expectations -- every time. The company operates locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. For more information, visit www.rocktenn.com.

Smurfit-Stone (NYSE:SSCC) is one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers and one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Smurfit-Stone generated revenues of USD 6.3 billion in 2010; has led the industry in safety every year since 2001; and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health, and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association.