Italian competition watchdog clears Verallia of collusion charges

Core Insights - The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has concluded its inquiry into alleged anti-competitive practices among glass bottle producers, including Verallia Italia, without finding evidence of collusion [1][2] - The investigation, initiated in 2023, focused on price increases in the glass wine bottle sector that began in 2022 [1][2] Group 1: Investigation Findings - The AGCM confirmed that "no infringement was found" and attributed price adjustments to exceptional rises in costs for energy and raw materials, along with strong market demand [2][3] - The inquiry was prompted by multiple complaints, including one via a whistleblowing channel, and involved several companies in Italy's glass bottle industry [3] Group 2: Company Profile - Verallia employs nearly 11,000 people across 35 glass manufacturing sites in 12 countries and supplies glass packaging for beverages and food to over 10,000 clients globally [3][4] - In 2024, Verallia produced over 16 billion glass bottles and jars, generating €3.5 billion ($4.07 billion) in revenue [4]