Huhtamaki to appeal fine for cartel pricing

(HELSINKI) - Finnish packing company Huhtamaki will launch an appeal of a European Commission fine for cartel pricing, the company announced on Friday.

"Based on infringements in North-West Europe and France during years 2002-2006 the European Commission has imposed a 15.6 million euro ($17.1 million) fine on Huhtamaki. Huhtamaki has examined the European Commission's decision and decided to launch an appeal against the decision before the General Court of the European Union," the company wrote in a statement.

The European Commission in June levied a total of 115,9 million euros in fines for alleged cartel activity against eight manufacturers and two distributors of plastic trays used for retail food packaging, including Huhtamaki.

The Commission found the companies agreed to fix the price of food packaging made of polystyrene foam or polypropylene, in violation of EU competition regulations.

The other seven penalised manufacturers were Nespak and Vitembal of France, Germany's Silver Plastics, Coopbox, Magic Pack and Sirap-Gema of Italy and Linpac in the UK. The two distributors concerned were Portugal's Overpack and UK group Propack.

The British manufacturer Linpac was spared fines, as it was the first to unveil the cartel to the Commission.

Espoo-based Huhtamaki said the contested operations are no longer part of the company following their closure or sale between 2006 and 2010.