The European Commission announced the closure of its antitrust investigation into potential anticompetitive practices in the wood pulp sector. The investigation, which began with unannounced inspections on 12th October 2021, focused on companies operating in the wood pulp industry across several Member States.
The European Commission had raised concerns that these companies might have engaged in activities that violated EU antitrust rules, specifically those prohibiting cartels and restrictive business practices outlined in Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Following an extensive analysis and careful assessment of the evidence collected during the investigation, the Commission has determined that there are insufficient grounds to continue pursuing the case. The closure of the investigation does not imply a finding that the conduct in question complies with EU competition rules, said Comission in a statement.
