Brussels, 10/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has imposed fines totalling 70 million EUR on companies which were part of a cartel producing organic peroxides, chemicals used by the plastics and rubber industry. Atofina was fined the most, 43.47 million EUR, Peroxid Chemie 8.83 million, Degussa UK Holdings and Peroxid Chemie, jointly and severally, 16.73 million, Peroxidos Organicos (Perorsa) 0.5 million, and AC Treuhand 1000 EUR. This is the longest-lasting cartel ever discovered (29 years), said the Commission, and the fine would have been much higher had Akzo Nobel, which also took part the agreement, not had full immunity for being the first to confess its existence to the Commission. The cartel began in 1971, and continued until 1999. During this time, its members agreed on price increases and to divide up the organic peroxides market, which represents some 250 million EUR a year. Akzo and Atochem are the world's biggest producers of organic peroxides. Akzo has a 43% market share in Europe, Atochem around 25% and Laporte around 20%. Perorsa has 3%, but is the market leader in Spain. The consultancy AC Treuhand played a key part in the agreement, setting up meetings and producing information on market shares. It was fined as well but to a lesser extent, as the approach followed is quite a new one. The Commission is, however, sending out a clear message: "organisers or facilitators of cartels, not just the cartel members, must fear that they will be found out and heavy sanctions imposed from now on".