04.02.2014 • NewsDede WillamsCMIEU

EU Fines Flexible Foam Producers for Price Fixing

In its latest trust-busting move, the European Commission has closed a case dating from 2010, fining three manufacturers of flexible polyurethane foam €114 million for price fixing.
The Commission said four companies had founded a cartel aimed at passing on raw material price increases for bulk chemicals to customers and avoiding aggressive price competition among themselves.

Four players, including Luxembourg-based Vita; Carpenter of Richmond, Virginia; Belgium's Recticel and Austria's Eurofoam - the latter a joint venture of Recticel and Austrian Greiner Holding - were deemed to have fixed prices of various types of PU foam in 10 EU member states.

Whistleblower Vita's fine, which would have totaled €61.7m, was excused. In exchange for their cooperation, Eurofoam and its partners had their fines reduced by 50% to a total of €39.1m. Carpenter paid the highest, fine, of €75 million.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

Special Issue

Circular Plastics Economy
Explore the Future of Plastics

Circular Plastics Economy

This special CHEManager issue explores the industry’s pivotal shift towards a more sustainable, circular plastics value chain. Readers will find expert analysis and real-world solutions for today’s most pressing recycling and regulatory challenges.

most read

Photo
28.07.2025 • NewsChemistry

VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.