Brussels, 28/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - €73,401,000: that is the total of the fines imposed by the European Commission on four groups of companies on Wednesday 28 March for allocating sales volumes and fixing prices for sodium chlorate, an oxidising agent used mainly for bleaching paper, in breach on the ban on cartels and restrictive business practices in the EC Treaty and the EEA Agreement. The companies concerned are EKA Chemicals, Akzo Nobel, Finnish Chemicals, Erikem Luxembourg, Arkema France, Elf Aquitaine, Aragonesas Industrias y Energia and Uralita. Between the end of 1994 and 2000, these companies fixed prices and allocated markets through a series of meetings and other illicit contacts. Akzo Noble and its subsidiary EKA Chemicals were granted total immunity from fines under the Commission's 2002 Leniency Programme, as they were the first to provide information about the cartel. The fine imposed on Finnish Chemicals was reduced by 50% as a result of its cooperation during investigations to €10,150,000. Arkema France and Elf Aquitaine were fined €59,020,000. Arkema France's fine was increased by 90% as it is a repeat offender (having been found guilty of participation in three previous cartels). Aragonesas Industrias y Energia and Uralita were fined €4,231,000. (OL/transl.rt)