The European Commission has launched an investigation into several major players in the construction materials sector, including Mexican firm Cemex, Swiss manufacturer Sika, Italian competitor Mapei, and two smaller French entities, Chryso (a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain) and TAM Groupe. The scrutiny originates from Brussels, where the Commission alleges that these companies engaged in coordinated behavior regarding price increases. Specifically, the investigation focuses on the justifications provided for raising the prices of essential chemical additives used in cement, concrete, and mortar.
Evidence cited by the Commission stems from press releases published by industrial associations in France, Germany, and Spain across 2021 and 2022. According to reports, the companies appeared to coordinate their public statements explaining these price hikes. While the industry has cited global economic pressures—such as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine—the Commission is examining whether the stated reasons mask an underlying agreement among the producers of these crucial chemicals.
The focus on these large corporations and their coordinated messaging raises concerns about market competition within the European Union. The Commission’s actions aim to determine if the pricing strategies for these foundational building chemicals were set independently or if they involved an anti-competitive arrangement among the implicated parties. The findings from this inquiry in Brussels could significantly impact market regulations for the entire construction materials supply chain.
Topics: #french #brussels #chemicals
