State logging company Metsähallitus has filed a claim for damages against UPM, Stora Enso and Metsäliitto Co-operative at the District Court of Helsinki.
The claim relates to a Market Court decision in 2009 which ruled that UPM, Stora Enso Oyj and Metsäliitto Co-operative breached competition rules in the roundwood market.
Metsähallitus is claiming an aggregate capital of €282.6m from the three companies as damages allegedly incurred by Metsähallitus in connection with the competition infringement.
Metsähallitus is also claiming for compensation relating to value added tax and interests.
UPM said it would review Metsähallitus’ application for summons in detail but initially described the claims as “unfounded”.
“UPM is of the view that it has not caused any damage to Metsähallitus in connection with the competition infringements,” it said.
Metsäliitto has also refuted the claims.
“During 1997–2004 the companies had shared information and discussed non-binding price expectations in a scale that can only be considered as a slight competition breach,” Metsäliitto said.
“Thus Metsäliitto has not caused any damage to forest owners and the company considers the application of summons of Metsähallitus unfounded.
“Furthermore, the Market Court could not either demonstrate any proof of the negative market effects that would have caused damage to the forest owners.”
