The European Commission has decided to levy a fine of €173.9 mln on several plastics additives producers for price fixing and market sharing cartels. According to the Commission, Akzo, Baerlocher, Ciba, Elementis, Elf Aquitaine (Arkema France), GEA, Chemson, Faci, Reagens and AC Treuhand fixed prices and exchanged sensitive commercial information about tin stabilisers between 1987 and 2000, and about ESBO/esters between 1991 and 2000. The combined markets for tin stabilisers and ESBO/esters in the EEA were worth around €121m during this period.
The heaviest fine was imposed on Ciba to the tune of €68.4 mln, that has sold the particular business in 1998 to BASF. BASF plans to appeal the fine. Akzo Nobel was fined €40.6 mln while Swiss consultancy AC Treuhand was also fined €348,000 for aiding the cartel and hosting monthly meetings at its Zurich offices.The fine amount for Arkema/Elf Aquitaine has been increased because of its previous record of joining cartels. Since Arkema, Baerlocher and Ciba cooperated with investigations, their fine amounts were reduced.
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