Brussels, 23/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 January, the European Commission imposed fines totalling € 34 230 000 on the Bayer (Germany) and Zeon (Japan) groups for fixing prices for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR). This is the fourth fine imposed on synthetic rubber producers in three years.
NBR is used mainly in car manufacturing for fuel and oil handling hoses, seals, o-rings and water handling applications. Between late 2000 and 2002, Bayer and Zeon managed to raise, or otherwise stabilise, prices through a series of meetings and other illicit contacts. Bayer's and Zeon's fines are reduced by 30% and 20%, respectively, because they co-operated with the investigation under the Commission's 2002 Leniency Notice. However Bayer's fine was increased by 50% because it had been fined for cartel activity in a previous Commission decision (December 2005).
The Commission's investigation started with surprise inspections in March 2003, prompted by an application for immunity lodged by a third company under the 2002 Leniency Notice. Both Bayer and Zeon co-operated with the Commission and submitted additional evidence. (C.D.)