EU probes price‑fixing cartel in construction chemicals

The European Commission has formally accused about a dozen manufacturers and trade associations in Spain, France and Germany of colluding to fix prices of chemical additives used in cement, concrete and mortar. Companies named include Cemex, Mapei, Chryso, Master Builders Solutions, MC Bauchemie, Sika, TAM, Ha‑be, Liesen and Remei, together with the Spanish association ANFAH, the French association SYNAD and the German association Deutsche Bauchemie. The alleged coordination took place in 2021‑2022, with firms allegedly agreeing on future price increases and preparing joint press releases to justify the hikes amid higher raw‑material costs caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Commission sent statements of objections to the firms, which now have a deadline to reply. If the investigation confirms the cartel, the companies could face fines of up to 10 % of their worldwide annual turnover. The probe follows surprise inspections carried out in October 2023 across several member‑state premises, and has already prompted a drop in Sika’s share price.