DS Smith wins immunity in €287m

August 8, 2019 Off By Sebastian Reisig

One of Smurfit Kappa’s main rivals, DS Smith, secured immunity in an Italian cartel investigation for providing information that led to €287 million of fines being imposed on companies in the paper packaging industry, including the Irish-based cardboard box maker.

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) issued a statement on Tuesday detailing the main findings of a more than two-year investigation into alleged price-fixing and other anti-competitive practices in the industry.

Smurfit Kappa came out on Monday ahead of the Italian authority’s announcement, saying it had been fined €124 million but would “vigorously appeal the decision on both administrative and substantive grounds”.