PACKAGING TAKEOVER MAY BE UNDONE BY WATCHDOG

THE Competition and Markets Authority flexed its muscles again today, saying Liqui-Box’s £460 million takeover of DS Smith’s bag-inbox business could hurt food and drink suppliers.

Its Phase 1 investigation notes Liqui-Box and DS Smith are two of the four main makers of the boxes used for wine and other goods.

The watchdog is concerned the deal “could create insufficient competition in the supply of these products, leading to their customers potentially having less choice and paying higher prices”.