The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) announced this Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into "possible anticompetitive practices" in the market dedicated to the manufacture of corrugated cardboard, as a preliminary step to the eventual opening of a sanctioning file.
The regulator is studying whether agreements or coordinated conduct have occurred among companies in the sector to share clientele, align prices, exchange sensitive commercial information, and establish non-aggression pacts, in addition to other possible exchanges of strategic data.
In the context of these investigations, the Commission carried out inspections at the offices of "several" companies in the sector between October 6 and 9 of this 2026, as detailed in an official note that does not identify the affected entities.
These inspection actions constitute "a preliminary step to the possible initiation of a sanctioning file and do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation or the guilt of the affected companies," the agency specifies.
The CNMC emphasizes that the pursuit of cartels is among its main lines of work, due to the harm they cause to consumers and the deterioration they provoke in the proper functioning of markets.
In this regard, it recalls that the 'leniency program' allows companies that are part of a cartel to access exemption from the payment of the sanction if they provide evidence that allows it to be uncovered. Furthermore, in the event of being ultimately fined, they would be exempt from the prohibition of contracting with Public Administrations.
It also points out that the Anonymous Competition Informants System (SICA) offers the possibility to anonymously report anticompetitive practices, such as agreements between companies to set prices or other commercial conditions, or to share markets, clients, or tenders.