The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of cartelization within a professional association in the corrugated box manufacturing industry (Gujarat Paper Mills Association / Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers’ Association)

KEY POINTS A no presumption of appreciable adverse effect on competition (“AAEC”) cannot arise without first establishing the existence of an agreement in terms of the provisions Act. BRIEF FACTS An information was filed before CCI by the Gujarat Paper Mills Associations (“GPMA / Informant”), alleging that there existed a cartel in the corrugated box manufacturing industry. GPMA, which is the association of kraft paper mills within the state of Gujarat, alleged that the following regional and pan Indian associations of corrugators had cartelized and directed their members to not accept deliveries of kraft paper from GPMA members for certain days. Allegations were made against Indian Corrugated Case Manufacturers’ Association (“ICCMA / OP1”), Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers’