18.05.2011 • Newscartelsodium chlorateElf Aquitaine

EU Court Upholds €59 Million Fine on Arkema, Elf

Europe's second-highest court on Tuesday upheld European Union antitrust fines totaling €59 million ($84 million) on French groups Elf Aquitaine and Arkema for participating in a cartel in a paper-bleaching chemical.

The General Court upheld a 2008 ruling they had fixed prices for sodium chlorate, divided up market volumes and shared sensitive information in a cartel with several other firms from 1995-2000.

Elf Aquitaine later merged with French oil major Total and spun off chemicals group Arkema France.

The cartel also included Finnish Chemicals, Erikem of Luxembourg, Spanish firm Aragonesas/Uralita, Swedish group EKA Chemicals and Dutch company AkzoNobel.

Sodium chlorate is mainly used to produce chlorine dioxide used in the pulp and paper industry to bleach wood pulp.

Interview

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration
Specialty Chemicals Distributor IMCD’s Strategy

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

Valerie Diele-Braun, CEO of IMCD, shares her vision for sustainability, global expansions, and strategic direction in an exclusive CHEManager International interview.

Whitepaper

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
Setting the Standard

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Are you ready to elevate your pharmaceutical operations? Download our exclusive whitepaper and discover how compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is essential for the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals.