Class-Action Lawsuit Alleges Containerboard Price-Fixing by Major U.S. Producers

A class-action lawsuit filed in July 2025 alleges that eight leading U.S. containerboard manufacturers conspired to inflate prices by approximately 30% since late 2020. Defendants include International Paper, Georgia-Pacific, Packaging Corporation of America, Smurfit WestRock, Cascades, Greif, and Pratt Industries, with Graphic Packaging International dismissed from the case on September 25, 2025. The complaint charges coordinated price hikes through seven rounds of increases amid weak demand, suggesting cartel-like behavior violating U.S. antitrust laws. Over 85% of the U.S. containerboard market is controlled by a few firms, potentially facilitating collusion. While Georgia-Pacific denies the claims, the legal case advances, with a status update due by December 17, 2025. This litigation highlights industry consolidation risks and the need for competitive pricing practices amid production and tariff challenges.