The class-action containerboard price-fixing lawsuit filed by Artuso Pastry Foods Corp. in July 2025 continues to progress in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Initially, eight major containerboard manufacturers were named as defendants, including International Paper, Georgia-Pacific, Packaging Corporation of America, Smurfit WestRock, Cascades, Greif, Pratt Industries, and Graphic Packaging International.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
However, on 25 September 2025, Graphic Packaging International was voluntarily dismissed from the case.
The remaining defendants are accused of conspiring to inflate containerboard prices by approximately 30% since late 2020, a claim that has drawn significant attention within the packaging industry.
Allegations of coordinated price increases and market consolidation
The lawsuit alleges that the named companies engaged in a coordinated effort to raise containerboard prices through multiple rounds of increases, despite relatively weak demand during the same period.
Specifically, the complaint points to seven price hikes initiated between November 2020 and the present, which plaintiffs argue were unjustified and synchronized among the defendants.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe plaintiffs further contend that these actions constitute a violation of U.S. antitrust laws, as they believe the companies acted as a “cartel” to manipulate market prices.
A key aspect of the lawsuit is the assertion that the defendants’ coordinated pricing strategies occurred against a backdrop of significant industry consolidation.
Reports indicate that over 85% of the U.S. containerboard market is controlled by a small number of companies, potentially facilitating collusive behaviour.
Industry response and legal proceedings
In response to the allegations, most of the defendants have declined to comment publicly on the pending litigation. Georgia-Pacific, however, has issued a statement denying the claims, asserting that they are without merit and will be vigorously defended.
The voluntary dismissal of Graphic Packaging International from the lawsuit has reduced the number of active defendants, but the case against the remaining companies is set to proceed.
Court documents indicate that the involved parties are required to provide a status update to the assigned judge by 17 December 2025.
The plaintiffs are seeking treble damages, which could incentivise settlements or prompt further scrutiny of pricing practices across the sector.
Implications for containerboard pricing and market stability
The ongoing litigation has implications for the broader containerboard market.
While some analysts suggest that market conditions, such as recent reductions in production capacity, could support future price increases, others caution that sustained price hikes may require stronger demand and resolution of tariff uncertainties.
The lawsuit underscores the need for transparency and competitive practices within the industry, as companies navigate the complexities of market dynamics and regulatory scrutiny.
For the global packaging industry, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining fair pricing strategies and adhering to antitrust laws.
As the legal proceedings continue, stakeholders across the sector are closely monitoring developments, which could influence future pricing and operational strategies within the containerboard market.
