Finland-based packaging manufacturer Huhtamaki will appeal against the European Commission's decision to slap €15.6m fine for its alleged anticompetitive activities.

Last month, the European Commission charged ten firms, including Huhtamäki, Coopbox, Linpac, Magic Pack, Nespak, Silver Plastics, Sirap-Gema and Vitembal, and two distributors Ovarpack and Propack - with resorting to cartels in retail food packaging. The collective fines amount to over €115m.

Five of them said to have operated cartels between 2000 and 2008 for polystyrene foam trays used in retail packaging of food, such as, cheese, meat, fish and cakes.

Huhtamaki said in a statement: "The European Commission found certain of Huhtamaki's former operations to have been involved in anticompetitive practices.

"The concerned operations are no longer part of Huhtamaki as they were part of the Group's rigid consumer goods business in Europe that was closed down or divested in years 2006 and 2010."

The European Commission had taken Huhtamaki, which specializes in packaging for food and drink, to task after taking cognizance of infringements in northwest Europe and France during years 2002-2006.

The company has 69 manufacturing units and 23 sales offices across 34 countries.

 

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