AGCM

According to the Authority, Berlin Packaging Italy, Bormioli Luigi, O-I Italy, Verallia Italia, Vetreria Cooperativa Piegarese, Vetreria Etrusca, Vetri Speciali, Vetropack Italia and Zignago Vetro agreed to define the price increases of glass wine bottles.

Following some complaints, one of which was received through its whistleblowing platform, the Italian Competition Authority has initiated 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 allegedly making an anti-competitive agreement for the sale of glass bottles.

According to the Authority, at least since 2022, the companies have agreed to request similar price increases for glass bottles from their customers over the same period of time. This circumstance could be the result of an agreement or an agreed practice to avoid competition between the main operators in the sector.

With the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza), the Authority officials carried out inspections at the main offices of the companies and other entities deemed to be in possession of elements that could be useful to the investigation, including Assovetro, the national association of glass industries.

Rome, 9 November 2023