Thanks to a number of reports, one of which was received through its whistleblowing platform, the Italian Antitrust Authority has opened an investigation against Berlin Packaging Italy, Bormioli Luigi, O-I Italy, Verallia Italia, Vetreria Cooperativa Piegarese, Vetreria Etrusca, Vetri Speciali, Vetropack Italia and Zignago Vetro for an alleged cartel restricting competition in the sale of glass bottles. According to the Authority, the companies allegedly coordinated, at least starting in 2022, in demanding similar price increases for glass bottles from their customers over the same time frame. This coordination could be the result of an agreement or concerted practice to avoid competitive confrontation among the major players in the industry. Authority officials, with the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza, carried out inspections at the main offices of the companies and other parties believed to possess elements useful to the investigation, including Assovetro, the national association of glass industrialists.
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