German metallurgical company Ilsenburger Grobblech Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and and the Austrian Voestalpine Grobblech fined 646 million euros for operating a cartel when pricing in the segment of heavy steel plate (Quarto). Open joint-stock company Dillinger Hüttenwerke, which was also involved in the agreement and actively cooperated with law enforcement officers, and so she was granted full immunity from fines. This is stated in the message on the official website of the regulator.
Quarto Plate is a hot rolled steel sheet, which is produced in a rolling installation with four rolls (rolled edge). Because of its thickness, this sheet comes in rolls and is cut into plates. There is overlap between the quarto-plate and coils for thickness up to 15-20 mm.
In Germany the price of the corresponding tiles traditionally consists of a base price that is tailored according theturns out with the customer and various price increases and surcharges. Price supplements are levied for certain quality characteristics, such as, for example, high strength or toughness, as well as for additional services, such as, for example, ultrasonic testing.
At the Federal office of Germany for the cartel Bundeskartellamt (Bundeskartellamt) announced that the company's data, as well as three individuals exchanged information and agreed on the setting of certain prices in this segment in the period from 2002 to 2016.
the Agreement was based on mutual understanding and desire of a company to negotiate with its clients about the basic prices, and not on additional prices and surcharges. Traditional pricing system, as a rule, became less important during the relevant period. In General, price premiums accounted for about 20-25% of the base price.
competition authority of Germany said that representatives of the companies agreed on the setting of certain prices in the framework of the meetings of the so-called "working group" German Association of metal.
the Company recognized charges made by Bundeskartellamt, and agreed to a settlement. It was considered anti-cartel authority in the calculation of fines. Voestalpine Grobblech GmbH has also cooperated with law enforcement authorities in the course of the proceedings, which was taken into account when imposing a fine.
the Decision on the imposition of fines are not yet final and can be appealed along with findings in the Higher regional court of Dusseldorf, said in Bundeskartellamt.
