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ARTICLE · 05 JUNE 2006

Commission imposes fourth largest cartel fine ever

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang
Explore more from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang

The European Commission has fined Arkema (formerly Atofina), ICI, Lucite and Quinn Barlo (formerly Barlo) a total of €344.5 million for their involvement in a cartel which fixed the price of acrylic glass (otherwise known as Plexiglas, Perspex, Acrylite, Acrylplast and Lucite) in the EU between 1997 and 2002.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Mark Tyler
Mark Tyler
Amanda Beery
Amanda Beery

The European Commission has fined Arkema (formerly Atofina), ICI, Lucite and Quinn Barlo (formerly Barlo) a total of €344.5 million for their involvement in a cartel which fixed the price of acrylic glass (otherwise known as Plexiglas, Perspex, Acrylite, Acrylplast and Lucite) in the EU between 1997 and 2002.

Two of the cartel members’ fines were increased by 50% each as they were repeat cartel offenders (Arkema and ICI). Degussa was also part of the cartel but it blew the whistle to the European Commission and received 100% immunity from cartel fines under the Commission’s leniency programme.

The total fines of €344.5 million make this the fourth largest cartel fine ever imposed by the European Commission.

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