ES suspects cement additive manufacturers of price-fixing agreements

These chemical additives are mostly used in the construction sector to improve the properties of concrete, cement, and other mortars.

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The commission, which conducted surprise inspections in this sector in 2023, accuses manufacturers and professional organizations from France, Germany, and Spain of forming a cartel in 2021 and 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to jointly raise prices. If the suspicions are confirmed, Brussels could impose heavy fines – up to 10% of the global annual turnover – on the companies involved.

However, they will have the opportunity to defend themselves. Among these companies are the Mexican giant Cemex, the Swiss construction chemicals manufacturer Sika, and its Italian competitor Mapei. The list also includes two smaller specialized French companies: Chryso, a subsidiary of the French giant Saint-Gobain, and TAM Groupe.

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Saint-Gobain told AFP that it applies a “zero tolerance policy” towards anti-competitive behavior and stated that it “has no reason to anticipate any significant financial impact” on its financial results.

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