commiss decis decemb relat proceed pursuant articl eec treati iv ldpe spanish german english french italian dutch text authent eec commiss european commun regard treati establish european econom commun regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend act access spain portug articl thereof regard commiss decis march initi proceed initi parti concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul regul eec commiss juli hear provid articl council regul consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit part fact decis concern applic articl eec treati collus arrang amount cartel produc suppli bulk thermoplast ldpe low densiti polyethylen commun pursuanc held regular secret meet order coordin commerci behaviour plan concert price initi fix target minimum price agre target sale quota monitor progress collus arrang introduct undertak undertak decis address major petrochem produc locat insid commun small number headquart commun trade insid commun case plant member state undertak decis address atochem basf bp bayer chemi hold chemi linz dow dsm enichem hoechst ici monsanto montedison nest oy orkem cdf chimi repsol quimica alcudia shell statoil statement object address undertak exxon chemic intern essochem basi suspect peripher involv cartel proceed discontinu file undertak evid consid commiss provid accept explan matter alleg product ldpe develop ici princip bulk thermoplast polym product chief industri outlet ethylen obtain reform crack naphtha deriv crude oil constitu part ldpe produc europ deriv suppli ethylen integr cracker link oil refineri upstream ldpe produc pellet form easili transport domin end applic ldpe newer product lldpe linear low densiti polyethylen flexibl film account consumpt western europ major end user packag industri ldpe market western europ ldpe market world wide basi annual world consumpt region million tonn western europ account million tonn unit state million tonn japan million tonn total demand western europ estim tonn met european base produc import princip middl east product facil account total western european ldpe consumpt european produc number export tonn oversea market estim product capac western europ tonn tonn capac close industri restructur oper rate past year namepl capac equival effect plant util consider inter state trade ldpe trade western europ take place nation boundari ldpe consid commod sale volum grade made produc limit volum special grade price premium standard grade low ldpe produc produc lldpe replac ldpe applic chang newer product slower europ unit state lldpe account combin ldpe lldpe market europ compar unit state largest ldpe produc europ enichem market share bp exxon dow germani largest nation market ldpe commun account western european consumpt itali franc unit kingdom overcapac commiss accept period cover decis ldpe market europ character structur overcapac produc report substanti loss sector overcapac factor account situat sharp fall demand boom year volatil feedstock price uncertainti instal product capac middl east accept consider period prevail price level produc oper break point capac cut plant closur industri restructur upturn demand larg elimin overcapac past year industri oper profit commiss investig exist infring light late investig thermoplast product novemb decemb investig visit made ici dsm shell basi author specif relat suspect agreement contrari articl bulk thermoplast pvc polystyren hdpe ldpe subsequ inform obtain dsm ici decis adopt pursuant articl regul januari unannounc investig made pursuant articl regul premis atochem cdf dow enichem repsol subsequ investig made basf bayer bp exxon commiss oblig adopt seri decis articl refus failur larg number undertak provid inform case undertak maintain initi refus detail infring origin cartel rapid escal oil price fall industri demand western european market ldpe began demonstr substanti excess capac half plan document report date septemb found dsm unknown authorship show scheme share market western european ldpe produc basi equal load respect plant attempt found unsatisfactori subsequ main effort produc septemb devot attempt coordin price initi price initi plan meet call head state senior director appar held zurich domest produc nation market respons lead price upward import produc possess ldpe product facil nation market follow short time scheme prove limit success work parti number produc set charg produc plan control product market share group produc report differ remain refer head state meet zurich septemb chairman work parti produc compromis plan meet propos volum control scheme fulli effect april quota ideal market share base produc rank capac nation figur reach appli formula penal capac brought stream mid propos gener rule futur price initi tonnag control system agre object achiev european price differ countri allow import sell small discount compar domest produc suggest price initi minimum level dm kilogram effect octob list equival price nation currenc annex report regular monthli meet expert suggest exchang statist monitor progress resolv differ assist task chairman envisag continu fide statist exchang system backup fide industri wide statist servic run zurich base account firm subscrib produc suppli month individu data product sale stock movement central offic collat inform produc draw global anonym statist western european market produc determin market share competitor system confidenti safeguard prevent competitor exchang detail inform forum offici fide total envisag check accuraci figur exchang produc composit propos expert group ato basf bayer hoechst cdf carbid group dow dsm ici pekema unidentifi italian repres detail tabl attach work parti report serv basi calcul rank capac show produc market share past year virtual western european ldpe industri involv exercis exxon shell cooper scheme time system regular meet number produc argu propos implement documentari envid obtain commiss beli claim level system meet boss director term head state drop decid broad strategi expert monitor detail implement set envisag chairman work parti precis date meet began inform suppli ici articl regul june meet ldpe produc begun mid held month level manag attend undertak argu actual proof meet held reason doubt statement ici meet begun mid seventi detail price initi place period plan put effect memorandum found exxon show earli januari ici attempt enlist exxon commit price move dm kilogram februari octob price target dm kilogram reach exxon memorandum refer ldpe industri meet appar held frequent past month attempt establish mechan allow signific upward price movement involv plan industri volum action local meet unit kingdom ldpe produc begun ici answer identifi undertak part intern meet ato predecessor atochem basf bayer bp cdf danubia dow dsm enichem enpetrol ici nest oy hoechst norpolefin montedison saeta unifo acquir nest oy attend list larg confirm dsm name ato basf cdf dow dsm ici montedison enichem pekema part nest oy group saga boss director meet held month technic expert session interv meet senior level begin question arisen expert meet held decid director meet januari expert session continu real us expert meet note state alter polici agre director agre detail implement detail note meet discov found repsol investig made januari detail note director level meet held zurich januari relat expert session milan note director level meet januari includ timet senior level meet schedul rest year undertak charg organ meet note implic ato basf cdf dow enoxi divis enichem ici montedison chemi linz pekema unifo spanish produc organ futur meet pekema part nest oy unifo absorb nest group expert meet particip ato basf cdf dow enoxi ici montepolimeri montedison group compani repsol chemi linz note meet dow repsol zurich octob ldpe produc due meet zurich novemb meet ato basf queri put undertak bayer cdf dow dsm enichem pekema repsol formal invit meet place plan import document irrespect meet fact held show produc name engag continu framework collus spite clear documentari evid attend meet undertak late stage procedur deni knowledg thereof ground declin address commiss request decis articl regul undertak decis address shell monsanto identifi particip system intern meet shell attend plenari session admit occasion telephon contact sale volum place ici shell unit kingdom sale compani part local meet late onward monsanto attend unit kingdom nation meet bp acknowledg particip intern meet contact competitor deni intern meet contact concern anticompetit arrang unit kingdom local meet exist origin attend ici shell chemic uk bxl acquir bp union carbid subsequ bp chemic monsanto local produc join import ident bp monsanto ceas attend repsol close contact spanish produc includ dow spanish subsidiari dow european headquart zurich refer local meet document concern itali repsol note meet milan stage held week present time meet ceas price initi report trade press major european ldpe produc involv form collus novemb year commiss investig commenc late decemb senior offic enichem telephon exxon polyethylen industri dm kilogram februari want circumst commun exxon manner continu concert produc subject matter meet number produc assert produc note minut memoranda support argument meet concern discuss common problem gener natur involv restrict competit claim vagu propos made concert action price quota implement argument rebut documentari evid found commiss plan document show senior meet exist time concern agre concert price initi expert meet propos intend monitor detail progress plan agre director level absenc minut meet subsequ place commiss entitl conclud purpos subject matter envisag work parti report initi stage investig dsm ici firmli deni record meet except repsol meet note discov commiss januari undertak decis address unabl unwil produc document meet commiss oblig present case reli circumstanti evid subject matter meet detail note meet found repsol show conclus meet concern fix target price coordin sell price administr quota volum control system part regular system monthli meet anticompetit purpos meet confirm document juli discov dsm relat price fix boss meet ici document refer pari meet august mention fix target price ldpe documentari evid establish meet boss expert concern negoti annual sale target quota produc set target price level produc attempt rais price mean concert price initi list price nation currenc agre measur support implement concert price initi monitor detail implement quota system volum control mechan progress agre price initi quota scheme chairman work parti septemb propos compromis scheme volum control intend divid market produc rank capac calcul discount capac ad time mid instal capac blame overcapac problem dsm ici origin repli articl decis mere propos put effect document discov repsol origin ici show sale target agre produc formula base rank capac concept featur origin propos target alloc account newli ad capac agre formula increment quota result capac scale match forecast market growth modif target calcul agre procedur propos account low demand formula target ad million tonn total demand forecast million tonn document found ici april final agreement reach quota year form volum control report forc end year monthli annual quota forward estim produc monthli sale note director meet januari compens scheme penal produc exceed monthli alloc propos doubt put effect commiss discov repsol document refer propos peac formula suggest percentag quota produc compar actual sale form quota scheme oper note director meet januari state monthli quota alloc usual subject moment safeti margin translat spanish origin margin compromis measur adopt disagr definit quota system expert meet particip exchang detail estim sale preced month total sale compar global fide total exchang pursuanc form volum control exist volum control mechan demonstr document found cdf purport compar produc actual sale januari octob period ii reconcil total global fide statist report period question comparison fide total check accuraci sale figur declar produc echo refer plan document fide backup cdf claim unabl identifi proven document give inform relat thereto target price task meet produc fix target price ldpe plan coordin effort initi intend secur implement price level date price initi attempt septemb partial success propos attempt reinforc exist mechan combin period price initi perman volum control document obtain commiss boss decid strategi futur price initi leav detail work ldpe product manag expert session repsol note expert meet milan show target june origin agre dm kilogram dow suggest increas dm kilogram result price increas ethylen meet particip exchang estim respect deliveri previou month report gener price tendenc nation market individu price practis produc document discov dsm date juli similar insight price initi plan recent boss meet june helsinki price level dm foreseen septemb august price remain juli level dsm note describ contact subsequ place basf suggest dsm support propos basf make juli boss session bring price initi forward august wait septemb plan document note meet found alcudia show dm price european target equival price calcul nation market currenc commiss requir undertak involv present case provid document show intern price object price list price instruct nation sale offic case undertak claim document destroi matter routin exist instruct telephon claim price decis custom custom basi polici defin commiss accept price sensit sector undertak specif price object written record maintain undertak visit novemb full document prove compar intern price object produc target price commiss spite absenc record produc document show price object identifi industri price initi ldpe period cover decis detail set tabl period initi industri rais european price target level regularli report specialist trade press report describ prevail market condit invari identifi target price level date increas effect specialist press report price push initi correspond indic document produc price record target set industri concert effort plan implement commiss obtain price document relev period number undertak ici dsm period octob lesser extent dow produc particip intern boss expert meet intern price list produc strongli indic collus attend meet price document show pattern ident list price introduc effect date number case price list ici dsm dow class custom nation currenc ident actual price exact order set ident price list show close tempor link date meet case dsm note juli express connect made meet introduct list price commiss virtual complet absenc price document produc show simultan introduc ident price list appli german mark european target price link concert price initi system meet particip demonstr produc deni industri price initi place part claim initi result concert action spontan independ reaction price leadership oligopolist market attribut parallel price behaviour econom theori barometr price leadership larger produc set price approxim emerg event condit full competit illicit contact take place order accept valid argument commiss ignor consider documentari evid ii purpos boss expert meet foreseen plan document ii detail note meet found repsol dsm note juli iii particip meet produc ldpe iv ident price list found produc word produc intern report strongli suggest price initi part concert plan light attend meet idl produc claim heard impend price increas read commerci journal decid independ support price initi price document dsm dow ici show pattern simultan ident increas list price occas price initi local sale offic strictli enjoin sell list price order overflow month price custom attempt bui heavili advanc anticip price initi discourag volum restrict scheme oper support initi commiss awar spite effort produc ensur common price disciplin concert price initi ldpe met mix success case consid complet failur factor account gap list prevail market price level case custom bought heavili price advanc expect announc price initi produc tardi appli list nation market offer special discount rebat select custom steer middl increas price target level retain market share low price nation market neg effect neighbour market sharp drop demand creat difficulti concert price action true number produc part meet name aggress market produc consid strong support price initi prepar lose volum order forc increas undercut price subject discuss expert meet repsol note milan meet show initi frequent involv upward move price tabl custom face marker refer price market individu custom receiv special condit discount set price target meant inevit opportun negoti custom circumscrib proof exist cartel particip produc core evid exist cartel inher natur infring present case concern decis larg extent base circumstanti evid exist fact constitut infring articl prove logic deduct proven fact present case circumstanti evid commiss obtain substanti bodi direct documentari evid relat fact issu question infring articl occur fall consid light inter alia propos detail work parti document price fix volum control mechan administ tier system regular meet exist system meet essenti plan outlin purpos subject matter meet shown document found repsol dsm ici proven particip meet major undertak decis address document relat market share volum control scheme type envisag plan document phenomenon uniform price increas period undertak regularli meet undertak administr procedur attempt treat singl item evid isol rest argu evid plan implement prove meet concern collus discuss price initi shown connect meet hypothes advanc item evid argu consist exist cartel particip produc concern case argument advanc undertak relat document inconsist express term document commiss consid item direct circumstanti evid present case consid system regular meet divorc plan propos price initi isol exist meet meet document typifi regular meet light element proof reinforc respect fact issu lead conclus market share price fix cartel oper ldpe particip individu produc core evid show exist cartel provid plan document evid system regular meet ostens competitor document relat quota compens scheme practic proof commiss consid demonstr exist cartel convinc evid prove suspect particip adher common scheme documentari proof exist show particip part manifest infring highli improb case natur documentari evid duplic particip item relev documentari evid conveni particip cartel present case absenc price document prove actual particip produc concert price initi commiss consid relat suspect particip suffici reliabl evid prove adher cartel proof particip aspect thereof present case core evid fact demonstr exist common scheme identifi virtual particip cartel undertak name work parti document dsm ici identifi attend meet confirm evid found document found investig repsol produc atochem basf bayer cdf chemi linz chemi hold dow dsm enichem enoxi ici montedison repsol pekema unifo combin nest oy implic system regular meet bp hoechst monsanto shell saga statoil identifi document relat quota evid involv scheme albeit case lesser degre produc context articl cartel combin particip common unlaw end infring essenti joint enterpris undertak bear share respons commiss consid role plai produc evid particip cartel full particular suppli produc administr procedur produc classifi broad categori part meet cartel plai peripher role atochem basf bayer cdf chemi linz chemi hold dow dsm enichem hoechst ici montedison pekema unifo combin nest oy repsol saga statoil fall categori part plenari meet chemi linz repsol saga suggest member expert group precis regular attend meet ascertain ow refus undertak provid relev inform event cartel ventur continu number year fact member miss meet part frequent practic import dsm instanc claim attend meet begin mid quota document price instruct show fulli activ cartel period atochem bayer cdf dow dsm enichem pekema basf plan meet late novemb repsol contact dow invit time montedison hoechst divest ldpe activ ici unit kingdom ldpe busi transfer bp industri engag collus bp chemi linz ici shell statoil western european produc due attend novemb meet bp involv form inform exchang cdf document compar sale bp exxon mark mean estim fact intern price document exist undertak visit exoner aspect cartel oper commiss accept produc conduct busi price sensit product intern direct price polici degre respons particip depend document fortuit undertak particip cartel note meet attend show meet larg extent concern price collus case volum control mechan produc shown implic separ price initi case bp shell monsanto requir special examin involv cartel consid partial question involv suffici implic infring albeit minor actor clear mere knowledg exist cartel constitut involv infring hand undertak direct indirect contact cartel attach unlaw enterpris parti concert practic plai major role cartel bp shell monsanto alloc quota mention connect peac formula claim attribut quota necessarili implic system produc establish quota system argu account expect sale outsid order make system workabl appear report monthli basi actual sale year commun cartel reason accuraci indic bp shell document produc awar impend industri price initi plan polici basi parallel price attribut undertak follow market claim knowledg price initi plan obtain sole legitim market intellig publish sourc absenc evid attend meet contact commiss undertak benefit doubt fact remain bp shell uk monsanto attend regular unit kingdom local meet bp shell admiss meet market leader ici commun propos price increas clear intent seek support case bp unnecessari determin disput question part plenari cartel meet admiss relat unit kingdom local meet bp attitud quota system ici assum join compens scheme evid time time foreknowledg support price initi confirm regular correl bp post price target price period suffici document make comparison view particip local meet commiss accept knowledg intent cartel legitim sourc shell admit attend plenari meet occasion telephon contact ici seek confirm estim shell compani sale european market shell claim precis inform unlik exxon rebuff approach ici inform gave facilit work cartel control volum shell involv consid cooper cartel admit telephon contact ici particip shell uk oper compani local meet constitut channel flow inform mutual benefit shell member cartel shell inform plan price initi adjust conduct cartel inform shell sale purpos administ volum control scheme documentari evid monsanto commerci polici price polici particip local meet ici inform propos price coupl document link albeit partial quota scheme suffici implic infring procedur issu administr procedur undertak assert commiss infring right defenc reject demand full access administr file commiss posit question set cover letter statement object undertak involv case receiv document support alleg made statement object full set repli made articl regul commiss provid inventori document file indic undertak access wish made clear reason confidenti undertak allow sight intern commerci document obtain competitor articl regul except document attach statement object commiss subsequ initi provid undertak document assist defenc expiri time allow repli statement object major undertak made joint approach commiss basi reciproc waiver confidenti demand commiss permit inspect document obtain commiss signatori commiss immedi inform undertak copi document suppli commiss consid purpos serv reciproc disclosur object arrang exchang document point waiver undertak confidenti intern busi document subject overrid public interest ensur competitor inform commerci activ intent competit restrict exist commiss file document disclos undertak cast doubt alleg made statement object undertak origin doubt drawn attent administr procedur document forthcom court justic emphas frequent occas judgment januari join case vbvb vbbb commiss ecr provis requir commiss divulg content administr file undertak right defenc fulli protect undertak opportun make view document reli commiss support find subsequ decis extent decis commiss base find document disclos parti decis annul present case commiss requir set court justic disclos undertak document support alleg made statement object provid document origin cite statement object consid assist defenc document reli undertak full account decis part ii legal assess articl articl articl eec treati prohibit incompat common market agreement undertak concert practic affect trade member state object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market directli indirectli fix purchas sell price trade condit share market sourc suppli natur structur agreement produc ldpe suppli commun parti complex collus scheme arrang measur pursuant common plan work framework system regular meet meet concern arrang restrict competit ldpe market includ set target price modal concert price initi intend rais price level agre target divis western european market ideal market share target quota exchang detail inform market activ order facilit coordin commerci behaviour order restrict constitut agreement mean articl parti legal bind secret cartel parti awar illeg behaviour intend collus arrang contractu forc agreement mean articl exist parti reach consensu plan limit limit commerci freedom determin line mutual action abstent action market enforc procedur foreseen case civil law contract requir agreement made write present case continu restrict arrang ldpe produc period year origin propos made constitut implement practic commiss consid complex scheme arrang agre produc constitut singl continu agreement prohibit articl context plan produc time time plan price initi annual quota system revis account industri relat aspect arrang produc group produc time time reserv dissatisfi specif point matter quota temporari compromis arrang oper collus consid seri discret agreement execut broad continu agreement particip procedur common object establish mechan volum control concert price word agreement commiss take object relat continu enterpris partnership produc prevent restrict distort competit ldpe market period year agreement continu fact produc absent meet possibl frequent particip meet absenc evid shown implement price initi detract common natur enterpris engag essenc present case combin produc long period common unlaw end particip respons direct role individu share respons oper cartel concert practic commiss consid oper cartel constitut agreement mean articl articl refer agreement concert practic case aris case complic long run cartel numer adher collus present element form prohibit cooper concert practic relat form cooper undertak reach stage agreement properli call conclud knowingli substitut practic cooper risk competit object treati creat separ concept concert practic forestal possibl undertak evad applic articl collud anti competit manner fall short definit agreement inform advanc attitud intend adopt regul commerci conduct knowledg competitor behav judgment court justic juli imperi chemic industri commiss case ecr judgment decemb relat european sugar cartel suiker uni commiss join case ecr court justic expand definit concert practic held criteria coordin cooper laid case law court requir work actual plan understood light concept inher provis treati relat competit econom oper determin independ commerci polici intend adopt market requir independ depriv undertak adapt intellig exist anticip conduct competitor strictli preclud direct indirect contact object effect whereof influenc conduct market actual potenti competitor disclos competitor conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market collus conduct fall short agreement equal fall ambit articl court definit concert practic apt cover involv bp monsanto shell peripheri cartel cooper knowingli object contact cartel enabl adapt market behaviour particip permit account intent import concept concert practic result distinct agreement distinct form collus fall articl mere parallel behaviour element concert turn present case precis form collus arrang object effect agreement articl expressli mention restrict competit agreement directli indirectli fix sell price share market produc essenti characterist agreement consider basic purpos institut system regular meet continu collus produc creat perman mechan control tonnag sold achiev concert price increas plan common action price initi target price effect agre date produc aim elimin competit risk involv unilater attempt increas price control volum object creation artifici market condit favour price rise inextric link price initi pursuit object produc aim organ ldpe market basi substitut institution systemat collus produc free oper competit forc amount cartel commiss awar circumst industri consider period ldpe oper produc loss make price initi plan line feedstock price rise consider reliev agreement anti competit object competit condit product area larg number supplier difficult produc oper profit remedi lie collus produc rais price level respect argument advanc montedison effect meet occur prompt desir part industri ensur fair competit prevent unprofit price cut reject fact price cut occur circumst justifi infring commun rule competit judgment court justic januari vbvb vbbb commiss loc cit pp strictli manifestli anti competit object agreement advers effect competit demonstr view avail price instruct major produc commiss attempt demonstr produc appli uniform simultan increas list price period cover decis remain matter specul long term price level significantli lower absenc collus commiss accept assert produc arrang effect competit place success concert price initi produc put effect continu machineri monitor individu action context perceiv mutual solidar set industri european target price level meant free plai market forc establish competit price level restrict normal circumst condit suppli demand favour price increas lead produc test market price level market eventu stabil level singl target list price set oper process restrict prevent present case establish singl list refer price limit opportun custom negoti discount special condit determin refer list price place actual price level rose target level occas identifi price initi produc reach target full document initi judg success produc stop trend lower price substanti improv price appar produc intern report success price initi depend consider extent factor control characterist market futil attempt concert price initi condit favour increas arrang wholli ineffect produc argu continu regular meet concert price initi year final quota scheme detail commiss show vagu propos put forward quota system put practic albeit modif deviat ideal share close monitor meet effect trade member state agreement ldpe produc appreci effect trade member state collus agreement present case extend member state cover virtual trade commun major industri product produc suppli product commun imbal suppli demand nation market consider intra commun trade fix target price distort pattern trade member state effect price level differ effici produc arrang intend discourag call custom tourism freez custom turn inquiri intend prevent develop trade relationship volum control system involv explicit breakdown quota member state exist constraint oper restrict competit opportun open produc produc exchang inform sale nation level local meet distinct drawn document nation domest produc import signific indic separ treatment nation basi jurisdict articl eec treati appli restrict agreement affect trade member state undertak involv headquart commun present case undertak concert part commun base produc wider agreement restrict competit commun dow unit state own compani largest ldpe undertak oper commun european ldpe product facil locat netherland spain fact chemi hold nest oy statoil ldpe product main busi centr commun affect liabil respect agreement implement commun commun import market produc account quarter half total ldpe busi agreement implement insid commun applic articl eec treati austrian finnish norwegian produc preclud free trade agreement european econom commun hand austria finland norwai judgment court justic septemb ahlstroem osakeyhtio commiss join case case repsol fact evid particip relat period access spain commun exclud articl repsol argu spanish produc concern protect nation market repsol sale commun increas substanti extent involv cartel affect competit commun eec competit rule appli repsol undertak ident period cover decis western european petrochem industri includ ldpe sector undergon substanti restructur process receiv support commiss undertak part ration programm transfer ldpe activ competitor continu oper petrochem sector case industri group substanti reorgan corpor level problem applic eec competit rule restructur undertak exist todai held liabl involv cartel predecessor produc absorb subject eec competit rule undertak concept ident legal person purpos nation law term undertak defin treati refer entiti engag commerci activ case larg industri group circumst appli term parent subsidiari compani econom unit form parent subsidiari case produc subject reorgan divest ldpe activ essenti task identifi undertak commit infring ii determin undertak essenti form exist liquid question undertak ident determin commun law organ nation compani law decis irrelev undertak sold ldpe busi purchas liabl particip seller cartel undertak commit infring continu exist remain respons spite transfer hand infring undertak absorb produc respons follow attach merg entiti acquir shown carri adopt unlaw conduct determin factor function econom continu origin infring undertak merg atochem absorb sister compani ato chimi particip cartel date begin septemb context reorgan french chemic industri atochem chloe chimi merger ato express term acquisit legal person ato atochem denomin main issu purpos eec competit law function econom continu undertak legal ident atochem fact continu econom activ predecessor ato chimi reorgan particip cartel austrian state own chemic sector recent organ chemi linz undertak particip cartel chang chemi hold ag suggest function financi hold compani plastic divis transfer compani call petrochemi danubia gmbh chemi hold sharehold notwithstand financi organiz chemi linz chemi hold exist undertak undertak decis address enichem compris italian state own chemic sector period cartel undergon continu organiz chang anic chemic arm eni group coordin sale commerci activ compani sir rumianca januari thermoplast activ anic sir rumianca combin enoxi eni american oil group occident petroleum held sharehold year enoxi partnership dissolv eni bui occident share oper revert sole ownership eni group constitut part enichem notwithstand reorgan function econom continu anic enoxi enichem particip cartel onward undertak purpos articl commiss hold enichem respons involv sir rumianca prior montedison transfer ldpe activ enichem end remain exist undertak divestitur affect liabil montedison articl nest oy compris separ produc particip cartel pekema finland unifo sweden pekema implic plan cartel control nest oy sharehold act distributor manag director director nest plastic divis nest oy acquir remaind share pekema novemb compani formal merg unifo name particip meet own kemanobel ab sweden union carbid corpor unifo acquir nest oy group april nest polyeten ab acquisit commiss address proceed unifo parent union carbid kemanobel oper undertak unifo integr part nest oy group account consolid group nest oy decis address respect involv unifo cartel acquisit repsol nueva alcudia form merger emp petrochem subsidiari call alcudia particip cartel formal merger subsidiari extinguish liabil origin alcudia decis address repsol statoil deni respons particip cartel saga petrokjemi polyethylen manufactur capac norwegian petrochem industri own norpolefin equal partnership norsk hydro statoil saga petrokjemi saga petrokjemi respons oper plant market output saga petrokjemi owner januari ceas exist legal entiti absorb statoil form petrochem divis statoil perform function saga petrokjemi previous public emphas continu saga petrokjemi divis evid form cdf document point acquisit statoil continu particip cartel determin factor import undertak commit infring continu exist albeit divis larger entiti statoil continu econom activ saga petrokjemi retain essenti function commiss decis eec case iv polypropylen decis address statoil case union carbid corpor parti proceed requir special mention plan document suggest union carbid repres attend expert group time wholli own union carbid subsidiari ucc belgium bxl unit kingdom produc ldpe unifo union carbid kemanobel evid confirm union carbid part meet ici identifi particip unifo oper separ undertak union carbid withdrew direct involv western european ldpe sector late retain share unifo exclud prior divest union carbid fact repres ucc belgium bxl unifo cartel commiss attribut bp liabil particip bxl prior acquisit similarli particip unifo cartel date earliest time union carbid dispos direct involv ldpe sector europ late addresse decis concept undertak subject eec competit rule depend compani law purpos enforc identifi entiti possess legal person consider difficulti regard collect fine articl treati decis address legal entiti case larg industri group normal address decis group hold compani headquart undertak consist unit form parent subsidiari undertak enichem montedison claim addresse decis subsidiari compani insid group respons thermoplast activ commiss note case market respons share compani compani group instanc enichem anic spa respons enichem ldpe sale itali intern market oper direct zurich base compani enichem intern sa member state ldpe sale undertaken nation subsidiari enichem commiss consid address decis main hold compani head enichem montedison group royal dutch shell group present problem consist larg number compani group hold compani royal dutch shell hold interest singl headquart compani address decis shell intern chemic compani sicc servic compani respons coordin strateg plan group thermoplast activ oper compani chemic sector larg degre manag autonomi sicc repres centr shell chemic oper present case sicc contact cartel ici unit kingdom local meet attend local oper compani reason respons plan coordin activ shell group thermoplast shell intern chemic compani consid commiss addresse decis dow argu proper dow parti present proceed dow europ sa compani direct european oper horgen switzerland oral hear put forward dow ag compani own subsidiari locat commun altern addresse decis consider degre function autonomi appar accord dow chemic compani region oper unit state central south america europ part dow undertak financi result consolid group presid dow europ vice presid dow chemic compani member board director unit state parent ultim owner dow subsidiari western europ decis address council regul eec produc claim commiss preclud regul eec impos fine relat alleg involv cartel novemb regul imposit fine subject limit period year time run date infring case continu infring date infring ceas limit period interrupt action commiss investig parti suspect agreement action mean articl regul commiss present case investig articl regul novemb regul eec infring ceas prior novemb subject fine present case undertak benefit regul limit appli relat condit met objection agreement practic definit termin novemb agreement wholli separ conduct novemb limit claim fail ground place documentari evid show termin plan envisag work parti report full vigour regular price initi continu year accept conduct undertak subsequ novemb bore relat origin plan work common object fact method oper cartel precis propos plan commiss consid agreement behaviour complain part continu infring durat infring collus arrang ldpe exist propos framework meet commiss proce basi present infring commenc septemb date work parti report clear system tier meet began time establish certainti date individu produc began attend meet weight documentari evid deni knowledg meet document ident involv plan collus arrang propos membership expert group saga statoil petrochem divis enter market except special circumst bp nest oy unifo particip undertak appear date detail individu meet appar cartel continu commiss carri investig ldpe sector late document found cdf show form volum control monitor oper inform exchang octob repsol note appar meet plan produc late novemb decemb enichem inform exxon propos price increas industri circumst strongli suggest continu collus enichem produc absenc inform produc establish collus form end phenomenon initi involv produc simultan attempt rais price level level report trade press concret evid cartel meet contact enichem exxon show initi manifest continu mutual solidar produc spontan occurr commiss make distinct durat purpos assess fine articl regul purpos termin order articl remedi articl regul commiss find infring articl requir undertak concern bring infring end accord articl regul undertak deni infring articl occur continu disput weight evid regular meet touch matter affect competit deni knowledg meet undertak inform commiss step ensur repres avoid suspect contact competitor meet commun firm price volum fact ceas includ decis formal requir undertak activ ldpe sector termin infring refrain futur collus arrang similar object effect articl regul articl regul commiss decis impos undertak fine ecu ecu million sum excess thereof exceed turnov preced busi year undertak particip infring intention neglig infring articl fix amount fine regard graviti durat infring undertak decis address intention infring articl deliber set oper secret institution system regular meet fix price volum target import industri product undertak concern basf hoechst ici subject fine impos commiss collus chemic industri dyestuff commiss decis eec commiss take account evid atochem bayer cdf dow dsm enichem pekema doubt basf deliber involv framework collus meet year began investig novemb addit penalti impos enichem activ end fix gener order fine impos commiss account consider collus price market share natur restrict competit ldpe major industri product sale ecu million annual western europ undertak particip infring account market collus institution system regular cartel meet set organ detail market ldpe meet held condit great secreci accept mitig fine larg part period cover decis undertak concern report substanti loss ldpe sector commiss take account fact major undertak subject substanti fine particip cartel thermoplast sector polypropylen period cover decis assess fine impos individu undertak commiss consid degre involv consider role ascertain plai collus arrang respect import ldpe market substanti distinct made produc attend meet basi percept produc individu degre commit arrang individu interest diverg time time produc attend meet respect import market involv common ventur case repsol commiss consid substanti lower order fine impos produc particip cartel meet view seper natur iberian market prior access spain portug arrang repsol low level sale commun fine chemi hold nest oy statoil account fact larg proport total european sale made commun similarli dow lead ldpe produc half ldpe sale made spain member state commun commiss draw distinct assess fine full number cartel oper peripheri fine impos shell bp reflect consider lesser degre involv compar produc attend plenari cartel meet case monsanto commiss consid view peripher involv minor import produc laps year particip unit kingdom local meet open proceed impos moder fine absenc detail inform produc particip meet made imposs determin precis date involv infring end case hoechst montedison particip exclud reason leav ldpe sector case bp ici possibl shell particip meet direct contact end investig octob atochem bayer cdf dow dsm enichem nest oy subsidiari pekema activ involv collus late repsol lesser degre commiss assess fine basi undertak involv particip infring continu novemb adopt decis articl atochem sa basf ag bp chemic bayer ag chemi hold ag dow chemic compani dsm nv enichem spa hoechst ag imperi chemic industri plc monsanto compani montedison spa nest oy orkem sa cdf chimi sa repsol quimica sa shell intern chemic statoil den norsk stat oljeselskap infring articl eec treati particip period identifi decis agreement concert practic origin septemb produc suppli ldpe commun part regular meet order fix target price target quota plan concert initi rais price level monitor oper collus arrang articl undertak name articl involv ldpe sector commun forthwith bring infring end henceforth refrain relat ldpe oper agreement concert practic similar object effect includ exchang inform kind cover busi secreci particip directli indirectli inform output deliveri stock level sell price cost invest plan individu produc monitor adher express tacit agreement concert practic cover price market share insid commun scheme exchang gener inform produc subscrib ldpe sector conduct exclud inform behaviour individu produc identifi undertak refrain exchang addit inform competit signific cover system articl fine impos undertak name respect infring found articl xvii atochem sa fine ecu ii basf ag fine ecu iii bp chemic fine ecu iv bayer ag fine ecu chemi hold ag fine ecu vi dow chemic compani fine ecu vii dsm nv fine ecu viii enichem spa fine ecu ix hoechst ag fine ecu imperi chemic industri plc fine ecu xi montedison spa fine ecu xii monsanto compani fine ecu xiii nest oy fine ecu xiv orkem sa fine ecu xv repsol quimica sa fine ecu xvi shell intern chemic fine ecu xvii statoil den norsk stat oljeselskap fine ecu articl fine impos articl paid month date notif decis bank account belgium monsanto kredietbank agenc schuman rond point schuman brussel banqu bruxel lambert agenc européenn rond point schuman brussel germani bayer basf chemi hold hoechst sal oppenheim und cie unter sachsenhausen cologn franc atochem orkem société générale agenc international direct de etrang rue de la paix pari itali enichem montedison istituto bancario san paolo di torino piazza san carlo turin cassa di risparmio dell provinci lombard biscegli milan unit kingdom bp ici shell statoil lloyd bank oversea centr paradis street birmingham ab lloyd bank intern divis hai lane london ec ab netherland dow dsm nest algemen bank nederland vijzelstraat amsterdam algemen bank nederland kneuterdijk ap hagu spain repsol banco español de crédito departamento extranjero paseo de la castellana madrid expiri period interest automat payabl rate charg european monetari cooper fund ecu oper work dai month decis adopt percentag point payment made nation currenc member state bank nomin payment situat exchang rate applic prevail dai preced payment articl decis address atochem sa la défens cedex pari basf ag karl bosch strass ludwigshafen bp chemic buckingham palac road uk london sw osu bayer ag bayerwerk leverkusen chemi hold ag st peter strass linz chemi linz italia mascheroni milan dow chemic compani willard dow center midland michigan unit state america dow chemic nederland bv benelux po box nl aa terneuzen dsm nv po box nl heerlen enichem spa piazza boldrini san donato milanes hoechst ag postfach frankfurt main imperi chemic industri plc imperi chemic hous millbank uk london sw jf monsanto compani lindbergh blvd st loui mo unit state america monsanto europ sa avenu de tervuren brussel montedison spa rosellini milan nest oy kielaniemi sf espoo finland nest chemic benelux bv wilhelminasingel nl ac breda orkem sa cdf chimi sa tour auror place de reflet pari la défens cedex repsol quimica sa juan bravo madrid shell intern chemic compani shell centr uk london se pg statoil den norsk stat oljeselskap stathel norwai statoil uk queen street maidenhead uk berk sl nb decis enforc pursuant articl eec treati brussel decemb commiss sutherland member commiss oj oj septemb oral hear case cdf chimi chang orkem reason decis undertak refer cdf titl statement object undertak chang date alleg infring open proceed refer statement object style chemi hold repsol quimica unifo joint ventur set union carbid kemanobel identifi particip meet union carbid own compani produc ldpe sold bp view regul eec proceed open union carbid enpetrol parent repsol saeta spanish produc longer exist danubia product compani own chemi linz basf norpolefin product compani saga petroleum incorpor statoil curiou ici product compani danubia norpolefin sell function fact ampl evid chemi linz saga particip spain consid special case purpos quota system refer made document agreement spain connect quota detail target categori custom case bp shell admit regular particip unit kingdom local meet monsanto identifi particip local meet hoechst part deni take part plenari meet statoil admit deni saga identifi dsm particip meet part gather confirm bp content late onward undertook intern review contact competitor order prevent competit law problem activ cartel relat sale ldpe member state scope decis oj oj except union carbid transfer european ldpe busi bp late oj payment ecu payment nation currenc payment ecu payment nation currenc annex ssho ssno gt tabl gt offici journal european commun gt tabl gt gt tabl gt