Brussels, 03/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission imposed a fine of a total of EUR 101.44 million on the companies Carbone Lorraine (EUR 43.05 million), Schunk (EUR 30.87 million), SGL (EUR 23.64 million), Hoffmann (EUR 2.82 million) and Conradty (EUR 1.06 million) for having reached an understanding on carbon and graphite products for electrical and mechanical applications. These products are used in the composition of current electrical household appliances such as razors, vacuum cleaners and air conditioners. The company Morgan Crucible, which took part in the cartel, enjoyed immunity from the fine for being the first to denounce the agreement. The illegal practice began in October 1988 and continued until December 1999. During this period, the companies in question, which controlled 93% of the market, agreed together on price rises to be defined and systematically offered to the large clients at prices lower than those practised by the few existing competitors. During this period, some of these companies also took part in other agreements, namely those on graphite electrodes (July 2001) and special graphite (December 2002). SGL thus took part in three cartels and Carbone Lorraine in two. The Commission, however, did not take this fact into account when increasing the fines.