Brussels, 03/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to impose a fine of EUR 222.3 million on a group of companies that had formed a cartel in the European market for plumbing tubes in copper between June 1988 and March 2001. The tubes are mainly used for water, gas and heating installations, a market that was worth around EUR 1.15 billion in 2000, the last complete year during which the cartel operated. Groups concerned are Swedish Boliden (a fine of EUR 32.6 million),...