Akzo Nobel received immunity from the fine after cooperating with authorities
European competition authorities have fined sodium chlorate paper bleach producers € 79m for operating a market sharing and price fixing cartel.
The European Commission imposed fines on four groups of companies for fixing prices for sodium chlorate in violation of Article 81, which bans cartels and restrictive business practices.
The companies concerned are EKA Chemicals, Akzo Nobel, Finnish Chemicals, Erikem Luxembourg, Arkema France, Elf Aquitaine, Aragonesas Industrias y Energia and Uralita.
The Commission said that between late 1994 and 2000, these companies fixed prices and allocated markets through a series of meetings and other illicit contacts.
“Akzo Nobel and its subsidiary EKA Chemicals received full immunity from fines under the Commission's 2002 Leniency Programme, as they were first to provide information about the cartel.
Akzo Nobel and its subsidiary EKA Chemicals received full immunity from fines under the Commission’s 2002 Leniency Programme, as they were first to provide information about the cartel.
Finnish Chemicals' fine is reduced by 50% because it co-operated with the investigation.
The fine imposed on Arkema France was increased by 90%, as the company is a repeat offender
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