Brussels, 17/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 17 May, the General Court ruled in favour of upholding the fine of €59 million imposed on Elf Aquitaine and Arkema France for their participation in a cartel on the sodium chlorate market.
On 11 June 2008, the Commission had imposed penalties on several companies, including Arkema France and its parent company at the time, Elf Aquitaine, for their anti-competitive behaviour on the sodium chlorate market (paper whitening product). The cartel primarily consisted in the allocation of sales volumes, price fixing and the exchange of commercially sensitive information during the period from 17 May 1995 to 9 February 2000. In this decision, Elf Aquitaine and Arkema France had fines imposed on them (Arkema France and Elf Aquitaine: €22.70 million, Arkema France: €20.43 million and Elf Aquitaine: €15.89 million).
With its rulings, the General Court rejected the appeal made by Arkema France and Elf Aquitaine for annulment of the Commission's decision and for a reduction in the fines. (L.C./transl.jl)