The European Commission has revealed that it will be closing its investigation into firms in the softwood pulp industry due to a lack of evidence. The investigation was launched following suspicions of violations of competition law, with the Commission believing that companies had colluded in order to fix prices through a cartel. Although the companies involved were not named, Stora Enso, UPM and Metsä Fibre from Finland had confirmed that they were among the targets.
Following a thorough analysis and assessment of all the evidence gathered, the Commission has concluded that there is not enough evidence to justify further pursuit of the investigation. This comes as a relief to the companies involved, who have faced uncertainty and potential penalties throughout the investigation process. However, this decision may also raise concerns about the Commission’s ability to effectively regulate competition in the industry.
The investigation began in 2018, with the Commission conducting surprise inspections of the companies involved in order to gather evidence. The softwood pulp industry is a key component of the paper and packaging industry, and is worth billions of euros. The Commission had been concerned that the alleged cartel activity could have had a significant impact on the market, leading to higher prices for consumers and reduced competition.
The decision to close the investigation has been met with mixed reactions. While the companies involved are no doubt pleased, some critics have argued that the Commission’s failure to find evidence of wrongdoing may indicate a lack of resources or expertise in this area. Others have suggested that the investigation may have been flawed from the outset, with insufficient evidence to justify the initial suspicions.
Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, the closure of the investigation will have significant implications for the softwood pulp industry. Companies will be able to continue operating without fear of penalties or further investigations, and the market will be able to operate more freely. However, it remains to be seen whether the Commission will be able to effectively regulate competition in the industry in the future.
Overall, the decision to close the investigation into softwood pulp companies is a significant one, with implications for both the companies involved and the wider industry. While some may see it as a sign of weakness on the part of the Commission, others will view it as a positive step towards a more open and competitive market. Only time will tell whether this decision will ultimately benefit consumers and businesses in the long run.
