Earlier this week, the European Commission said it was carrying out inspections at a number of wood pulp manufacturers, due to “concerns that the inspected companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices”.

Metsä-Fibre has confirmed that it is among the businesses targeted by the investigation.

Metsä Fibre is a subsidiary of Metsäliitto Cooperative, in turn part of the giant Metsä Board group.

In a statement, Metsäliitto said: “According to current information Metsä Board is not subject to investigations.”

It said Metsä Fibre would cooperate in full with the European Commission authorities.

“The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself,” the firm added, a point also made by the EC.

UPM and Stora Enso have issued statements confirming that they have also been subject to inspection.

According to a Bloomberg report a number of other pulp manufacturers: SCA, Holmen, Ahlstrom and Norske Skog, are not involved in the EC probe.