The European Commission formally accused construction chemical manufacturers in Germany, France and Spain of operating a cartel to inflate prices for cement, concrete and mortar additives between 2021 and 2022, the bloc's antitrust arm announced Sunday.
The alleged coordination was carried out through jointly prepared press releases issued by national industry associations, according to the Commission's statement of objections. Companies named in Germany include Cemex, Mapei, Master Builders Solutions, MC Bauchemie, Sika and the German construction chemicals association, while Chryso, Mapei, Sika and Spain's ANFAH trade group face charges in the Spanish market.
The charges follow unannounced inspections of industry premises across several member states in October 2023. If the allegations are proven, the Commission may impose fines of up to 10 percent of each company's global annual turnover.