Independent packaging association AICC has objected to the latest containerboard price rise announcements, saying that the “increases are without merit”. The group said there have been three separate price rise announcements from the main containerboard producers within five months. According to AICC, PCA, Smurfit Westrock and International Paper together account for about 63% of the containerboard and linerboard supply market. International Paper and Smurfit Westrock have significant open-market sales, although AICC said independent operators represent only 10% to 12% of the market. The association said that, even so, the increases announced this year are larger than those seen in either of those years.