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Treasury Wine has handed over $49 million in a class action settlement over allegations it breached its disclosure obligations as an ASX-listed company in 2013.

 

The class action was instigated in 2014 following a major writedown by the company on excess, aged and deteriorating stock in the United States.

 

After overestimating the amount of wine required to supply the US market, TWE announced plans to destroy more than $35 million of stock and offer heavy discounts.

 

According to TWE, the settlement was made without admission of liabilty, and because it is fully insured, would not affect its financial results.

 

“The agreement to settle was a commercial decision made in the best interests of TWE shareholders to enable the Company to remain focused on executing against its strategy without the distraction and expense of the legal proceeding,” the company said in a statement.

 

TWE recently announced a 55 per cent rise in 2017 net profit after tax to $269m.

Packaging News

New European rules on generic environmental claims have prompted the Australasian Bioplastics Association to warn that packaging carrying poorly substantiated claims could be marketed in Australia.

Australia's environment ministers have declared packaging reform urgent and named soft plastics as an initial priority, but offered no firm timetable or regulatory commitments. SPSA has welcomed the soft plastics focus, while Boomerang Alliance and WMRR have raised concerns about the lack of concrete action.

Economic analysis commissioned by SPSA estimates national recycling reforms could deliver up to $278m in net productivity gains and stimulate up to $2.6b in capital investment each year.