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EU clamps down on cartels

February 25, 2010 - 00:00 GMT

KEYWORDS: price fixing , cartels , anti-trust , European Commission , Cement , graphite , glass

Cement, glass and speciality graphite all in the spotlight as the European Union investigates price fixing in industrial mineral markets

With unannounced inspections by competition authorities, it can all add up to a harrowing and costly time for the companies involved, especially if they are found guilty of the charge.

In the European Union this currently represents a fine of up to 10% of a company’s earnings.

Within the EU, the competition laws are clearly defined, and the European Commission is active in pursuing allegations of cartels, and could be described as having a zero tolerance.

However, on a countrywide basis within the EU itself there are wide discrepancies between competition laws and how they are enforced.

In the industrial minerals industry and end markets there have been several high profile cases in Europe over last few years involving cement, glass, speciality graphite, and aluminium fluoride to name but a few.

Commission cracks cement cartels

The cement industry in particular...

All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. © Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.

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