Italian Competition Authority closes glass bottle cartel investigation

Compass Lexecon assisted glass packaging manufacturer Verallia Italia during the Italian Competition Authority’s (‘ICA’) investigation into an alleged agreement amongst producers of glass wine bottles to coordinate price increases. The ICA did not find sufficient evidence to confirm the existence of an agreement between the Parties and concluded its inquiry in January 2026.

Situation

In 2023, following an anonymous complaint submitted through its whistleblowing platform, the ICA opened an investigation into the hollow glass packaging manufacturing sector. In the decision initiating the proceedings, the ICA alleged a coordination of commercial strategies among the parties, at least since the beginning of 2022. In particular, the alleged coordination concerned increases in list prices for glass wine bottles.

Our role

Compass Lexecon advised Verallia Italia during the cartel investigation. In particular, we analysed the evolution of prices and costs over time. We also assisted in responding to data-intensive requests for information and provided economic support to legal counsel during the Authority’s hearings.

Outcome

The evidence collected by the ICA regarding the ways in which the Parties communicated price increases and the distribution channels used, showed a sufficient degree of heterogeneity to rule out the existence of an agreement between the Parties. The decision from the ICA confirmed that the observed price increases reflected an extraordinary cost environment (energy and raw materials) and strong demand, rather than coordinated behaviour among market players.

The team

A Compass Lexecon team composed of Lorenzo Coppi, Alessandro Castellani, and Stefano Selis assisted the client’s external legal counsel from Linklaters, led by Lucio D’Amario, and including Matteo Farneti and Gaia Bozzolan.