# Construction industry price‑fixing probes in Europe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/construction-industry-pricefixing-probes-in-europe
> Updated: 2026-08-06T14:24:54.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2.

In July 2026 the European Commission opened formal antitrust proceedings against manufacturers and trade associations in Spain, France and Germany for colluding to fix prices of chemical additives used in cement, concrete and mortar. The firms were accused of coordinating price increases in 2021‑2022 and preparing joint press releases to justify the hikes. The Commission issued statements of objections and gave the companies a deadline to respond, warning that confirmed violations could lead to fines of up to 10 % of worldwide turnover.

In early August 2026 Germany’s Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) imposed €60.3 million in fines on six road‑construction companies for a long‑running cartel that manipulated prices and contract allocations in the “thin asphalt layers in cold construction” market. The cartel operated from 2010 until it dissolved in September 2019, using coded language to exchange price directives. The fines were levied after coordinated raids and an investigation that uncovered the scheme’s impact on public‑infrastructure projects across the country.

The situation remains unchanged, with no additional construction‑sector antitrust measures reported through early August 2026.

## Claims

- Esso stations accounted for roughly a quarter of all recorded violations. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The German government introduced a rule on 1 April 2026 that allows fuel price changes only at 12:00 noon. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- SWR data show that about 1 100 fuel stations increased prices more than 5 500 times outside the allowed window in July 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Approximately 1 000 violations were recorded in Baden‑Württemberg, involving about 180 stations. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Only the states of Niedersachsen, Berlin, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern and Saarland have opened investigations into the violations. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Fines for violations can be up to €100 000 per station. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Average gasoline price rose from €1.946 per litre on 4 July 2026 to €2.225 per litre on 31 July 2026, an increase of €0.279 per litre. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The federal government plans to present an assessment of the 12‑o'clock rule after one year of operation. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- More than 240 000 suspected violations have accumulated since the rule’s introduction. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: German fuel‑price rule sees widespread violations, limited enforcement

Germany’s 12‑Uhr fuel‑price rule faces thousands of violations, with limited state investigations and potential €100 k fines.

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bundeskartellamt-fines-german-roadconstruction-firms-603-million-for-pricefixing

### 2026-07-20: EU probes price‑fixing cartel in construction chemicals

EU regulators accused dozens of construction‑chemical makers in Spain, France and Germany of a 2021‑22 price‑fixing cartel, citing coordinated hikes and joint press releases; firms face possible fines up to 10

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-commission-probes-pricefixing-cartel-among-constructionchemical-makers-in-spain-france-and-german

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Cite as: Construction industry price‑fixing probes in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/construction-industry-pricefixing-probes-in-europe