Norcross, Georgia, and Creve Coeur, Missouri, USA, 07 February 2011 -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- RockTenn (NYSE: RKT) and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NYSE: SSCC) announced today that the Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 in connection with the previously announced acquisition of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation by RockTenn.

The transaction remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including approval by the stockholders of both companies.

In connection with the proposed transaction, RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation will be filing documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the filing by RockTenn of a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of RockTenn. RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation stockholders are urged to read the registration statement on Form S-4 and the related joint proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they will contain important information. The final joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders 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 10,400 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 revenue 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.