Corrugated Cardboard Cash-out

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) completed a complex investigation on July 17, 2019, resulting in the ascertainment of two cartel agreements aimed at distorting normal competition in the markets for corrugated cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging.

These agreements involve the major manufacturers of corrugated cardboard sheets and packaging, as well as the trade association Gruppo Italiano Fabbricanti Cartone Ondulato (GIFCO). The Authority imposed fines of more than 287 million euros, opening up the possibility of claiming compensation for the damage suffered.

Thirty of the companies condemned by this Authority decision have appealed to the Lazio Regional Administrative Court to seek its annulment.

On May 24, 2021, the Lazio Regional Administrative Court issued twenty-five rulings, rejecting twenty-one of the twenty-five appeals filed by cartel members. Only four of the companies were barred from participating in the cartels.

In essence, the anticompetitive conduct and related penalties were upheld for the majority of cartel participants, in line with the findings of the Authority’s investigation.

Finally, in its January 2023 rulings, the Council of State definitively confirmed the existence of the cartels.

Companies that purchased corrugated sheets and/or packaging between 2004 and 2018 may be entitled to compensation for the damage suffered.

Libra, upon verification of the necessary documentation, offers injured parties the opportunity to assign their potential compensation claim and receive immediate payment.

Participants in the Libra Campaign will then be able to collect the transfer fee immediately without the need to take legal action against corrugated cardboard producers and wait for the outcome of the litigation.

The campaign is active from May 9, 2024 until the available ceiling is exhausted.

Case sheet

• corrugated cardboard sheets
• corrugated cardboard packaging

Damaging parties for the corrugated cardboard sheets:

Pro-Gest S.p.A., Cartonstrong Italia S.r.l., Ondulato Trevigiano S.r.l., Ondulati Maranello S.p.A., Plurionda S.p.A., Laveggia S.r.l., Scatolificio Laveggia S.p.A., Ondulati Santerno S.p.A., DS Smith Packaging Italia S.p.A., Smurfit Kappa Italia S.p.A., Innova Group Stabilimento di Caino S.r.l., Adda Ondulati Società per Azioni, Imballaggi Piemontesi S.r.l., Ondulati Nordest S.p.A., Ondulati ed Imballaggi del Friuli S.p.A., Ondulato Piceno S.r.l., ICOM S.p.A.

Damaging parties for corrugated cardboard packaging:

Smurfit Kappa Italia S.p.A., DS Smith Packaging Italia S.p.A., Toscana Ondulati S.p.A., International Paper Italia S.r.l., Saica Pack Italia S.p.A., Mauro Benedetti S.p.A., Ondulati ed Imballaggi del Friuli S.p.A., Scatolificio Idealkart S.r.l., Laveggia S.r.l., Scatolificio Laveggia S.p.A., Innova Group –Stabilimento di Caino S.r.l., Antonio Sada & Figli S.p.A., ICO Industria Cartone Ondulato S.r.l., ICOM S.p.A., Grimaldi S.p.A., Ondulato Piceno S.r.l., MS Packaging S.r.l., Trevikart S.r.l., Ondulati Maranello S.p.A.