commiss decis juli relat proceed articl ec treati articl eea agreement case comp graphit electrod notifi document number english german text authent text eea relev ec commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard agreement european econom area regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend regul ec articl thereof regard commiss decis januari initi proceed case undertak concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul commiss regul ec decemb hear parti proceed articl ec treati consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit fact summari infring decis impos fine infring articl treati articl eea agreement address undertak sgl carbon ag quot sgl quot ucar intern quot ucar quot vaw aluminium ag quot vaw quot showa denko quot showa denko quot tokai carbon quot tokai quot nippon carbon quot nippon quot sec corpor quot sec quot carbid graphit group quot quot infring consist particip produc graphit electrod continu agreement concert practic contrari articl treati januari articl eea agreement cover commun norwai austria sweden finland fix price product agre implement mechan implement price increas alloc market market share quota agre increas product capac agre transfer technolog circl cartel particip set machineri monitor enforc agreement undertak particip infring period sgl march ucar march vaw end showa denko april tokai februari nippon februari sec februari januari novemb graphit electrod industri product market graphit electrod ceram mould column graphit primarili product steel electr arc furnac refer quot mini mill quot electr process account steel product commun share increas electr arc furnac steelmak essenti recycl process scrap steel convert steel electrod mm inch diamet mm feet length weigh kg electrod form part roof structur furnac furnac fill select scrap electrod lower tip touch scrap electr pass electrod jump electrod tip scrap steel conductor electr graphit electrod gener suffici heat melt scrap steel refin molten steel finish product electrod join column averag phase ac electr arc furnac melt scrap steel intens melt process electrod consum approxim hour graphit electrod produc special quot needl quot coke product oil industri coal tar pitch manufactur process step form bake impregn rebak graphitis machin graphitis product heat electr physic transform graphit crystallin form carbon uniqu materi low electr high heat conduct high strength perform high temperatur make suitabl electr arc furnac process time electrod approxim month product substitut graphit electrod suppli graphit electrod major produc graphit electrod western world multin corpor busi essenti global characteris oligopolist structur high entri barrier total world product graphit electrod million tonn commun tonn graphit electrod produc consider proport export countri graphit electrod produc locat worldwid largest produc graphit electrod ucar total product capac locat commun product facil franc spain itali capac largest produc graphit electrod world sgl carbon capac product site europ north america showa denko rank world produc japan unit state manufactur facil europ demand graphit electrod demand graphit electrod directli link product steel electr arc furnac custom princip steel produc account demand produc electr steel commun norwai world crude steel product million tonn million tonn produc electr furnac commun steel product total million tonn million electr steel germani highest steel product member state million tonn quarter output million tonn produc electr furnac itali produc million tonn steel mini mill steelwork electr arc furnac produc steel scrap oppos quot tradit quot blast furnac oxygen convert rout iron or past twenti year electr furnac product increasingli import world output twenti year ago mini mill construct produc flat roll steel long product addit number larg integr stell mill blast furnac oxygen convert europ move electr steelmak prefer tradit rout product world electr steel product grew million tonn million tonn increas ten year period approxim million tonn net electr steel capac ad worldwid forecast predict global electr steelmak capac catch oxygen steel ten year cartel figur cm report forecast amp point appendix demand electrod commun estim tonn itali largest singl nation market estim tonn germani tonn spain tonn franc tonn unit kingdom tonn norwai demand estim tonn graphit electrod price nation currenc tonn standard inch diamet electrod deliv basi price januari dem tonn equival larger size electrod dc electrod price subject premium industri restructur improv electrod electr steelmak technolog led substanti declin specif consumpt electrod tonn steel produc kg tonn kg west european averag kg steel industri undergo major restructur period includ graphit electrod industri europ characteris larg number produc oper nation level germani main manufactur sigri conradti vaw franc belgium local produc pechinei ucf italian produc union carbid electrocarbonium anglo great lake union carbid produc electrod unit kingdom produc genosa spain own pechinei austria steeg partli own sigri american produc airco own boc great lake carbon export electrod eea market japanes produc includ showa denko tokai nck result fall demand electrod restructur process worldwid electrod industri began late earli plant close sigri gmbh own hoechst merg own produc great lake carbon form sgl acquir ser graphit divis pechinei union carbid corpor set carbon product divis separ entiti ucar airco sold restructur carbid graphit group western produc expand sale asian market order occupi perceiv overcapac japanes graphit electrod industri put pressur number japanes produc reduc smaller german produc graphit electrod vaw carbon gmbh conradti nürnberg gmbh joint sale compani cova gmbh compani ceas trade septemb formal liquid compani separ sale organis global industri rationalis reduc number western produc global leader ucar sgl hold market western europ worldwid industri oper capac result consolid restructur capac utilis run relev geograph market graphit electrod commiss consid market graphit electrod eea wide indic point worldwid market restructur process worldwid graphit electrod industri place late earli led signific reduct number western produc time period refer decis market domin global leader ucar sgl hold eea market worldwid market transport cost tariff barrier lead higher cost prevent produc trade worldwid basi demonstr fact carbid graphit group product site unit state trade europ obtain market share approxim final worldwid charact market graphit electrod confirm structur organis oper cartel produc involv agre scheme world market graphit electrod cartellis held regular meet cover world market point commiss conclud market graphit electrod global interst trade eea market graphit electrod worth eur million member state commun norwai contract parti eea produc electr steel consum graphit electrod main produc electrod sgl ucar product facil member state sgl plant germani itali franc spain austria belgium ucar facil locat franc itali spain european produc conradti vaw carbon produc germani product market member state norwai tabl data suppli commiss graphit electrod suppli commun european product facil ship commun nation boundari substanti trade member state creation eea tabl show combin shipment sgl vaw carbon conradti ucar commun product site member state year import unit state japan countri includ gt tabl gt norwai steel produc domest electrod product norwegian market electrod tonn year suppli primarili commun ucar sgl vaw prior access commun finland sweden suppli import austria small produc steel domest supplier sgl tonn electrod import year member state produc effect western produc suppli european eea market graphit electrod leader sgl carbon ucar suppli smaller european produc vaw conradti locat germani market market share suppli eea market unit state japanes produc eea market indian chines russian produc suppli rest demand commun eea sgl carbon ag sgl world largest produc carbon graphit product global market share roughli world largest produc graphit electrod close ucar compani headquart wiesbaden germani sgl structur focus busi area carbon graphit special graphit technic product share group sale carbon graphit compani import busi area core product area graphit electrod compani evolv merger februari sigri gmbh time wholli own hoechst ag merg activ field carbon graphit product great lake carbon group glc octob graphit activ pechinei sa major french packag aluminium produc transfer sgl decemb sgl transform privat limit liabil compani gmbh public compani ag june compani fulli independ hoechst ag sgl total worldwid turnov dem million approxim eur million estim put share european graphit electrod market sgl product facil eea locat germani itali franc spain austria belgium ucar intern ucar world largest produc graphit electrod world lead manufactur graphit carbon product sale virtual consum countri manufactur facil north south america europ asia compani princip place busi danburi connecticut usa corpor headquart locat nashvil tennesse european headquart rungi franc ucar carbon product divis union carbid corpor februari interest compani sold union carbid mitsubishi corpor ucar carri leverag recapitalis complet initi public offer common stock compani engag develop manufactur market carbon graphit product steel ferroalloi aluminium chemic aerospac transport industri princip product graphit electrod carbon electrod graphit special carbon special cathod block flexibl graphit graphit electrod account ucar total revenu graphit electrod manufactur countri spread graphit electrod sale geograph region usa canada africa middl east western europ eastern europ mexico south america asia pacif eea ucar product facil franc itali spain ucar total turnov usd million approxim eur million share european graphit electrod market vaw aluminium ag larg industri group divers activ network subsidiari product facil carbon graphit product grevenbroich germani vaw aluminium ag produc aluminium roll product flexibl packag cast decemb vaw carbon gmbh quot vaw carbon quot wholli own subsidiari vaw aluminium ag act sale compani carbon graphit product manufactur vaw aluminium ag januari vaw aluminium ag carbon graphit product activ grevenbroich transfer wholli own subsidiari compani renam vaw carbon gmbh subsequ absorb quot quot compani manag buyout effect juli asset quot quot vaw carbon gmbh sold newli form compani erftcarbon share capit own natwest ventur nomine london manag vaw carbon share market graphit electrod europ worldwid turnov vaw aluminium ag eur million showa denko sdk part japanes fuyo group lead compani japanes chemic industri consist major busi group handl petrochem chemic electron inorgan materi aluminium strengthen expand aluminium busi sdk merg showa aluminium corpor march sdk head offic tokyo wholli own subsidiari sdk showa denko carbon sdc base south carolina usa european subsidiari sdk locat düsseldorf showa denko europ gmbh sdk total group turnov jpy billion approxim eur million worldwid sdk sale graphit electrod europ germani sale franc sweden unit kingdom tokai carbon tokai lead manufactur carbon black graphit electrod fine carbon japan compani head offic tokyo carbon product account revenu compani twelv consolid subsidiari eleven japan unit state compani start merg tokyo carbon tokai suppli graphit electrod unit kingdom germani franc sweden austria tokai total turnov worldwid jpy billion approxim eur million nippon carbon nippon establish manufactur electrod carbon product artifici graphit electrod carbon black carbon fibr carbon product account revenu head offic tokyo compani world turnov jpy billion approxim eur million period nippon sold graphit electrod europ finland unit kingdom ireland sec corpor sec establish manufactur electrod electr furnac compani affili ohtani steel hold issu stock sec acquir kyowa carbon carbon product manufactur graphit electrod account fiscal unconsolid revenu head offic amagasaki hyogo japan sec sale graphit electrod europ confin german market limit year total worldwid turnov sec jpy billion approxim eur million carbid graphit group successor airco produc graphit electrod needl coke calcium carbid product form result leverag buyout lbo manag airco june manufactur graphit electrod produc needl coke princip raw materi manufactur graphit electrod needl coke sold manufactur graphit electrod corpor offic compani pittsburgh pennsylvania total worldwid turnov usd million approxim eur million product facil unit state europ sell agent market share graphit electrod worldwid europ tabl overview rel import undertak worldwid eea market respect size gt tabl gt procedur previou commiss investig commiss conduct previou investig graphit electrod market begin receiv inform price cartel european produc compani concern includ european subsidiari union carbid corpor predecessor sgl sigri great lake carbon joint distribut compani cova conradti vaw carbon investig reveal price offer major produc graphit electrod ident evid discov consid suffici prove exist price fix agreement file close commiss investig june june act articl regul commiss offici accompani repres nation competit author member state concern carri simultan unannounc investig undertak sgl carbon germani vaw carbon gmbh vaw aluminium ag germani conradti germani ucar franc direct evid cartel illicit practic found time commiss obtain sgl seri tabl show past futur price graphit electrod commun nation market period octob septemb evidenti appar subsequ ident similar tabl obtain produc ucar showa denko point investig vaw carbon repres admit undertak warn sgl expect commiss investig appendix minut notif june sgl confirm repli articl date juli warn vaw conradti forthcom investig ucar state warn sgl advanc time investig start relev file quot review quot incrimin document destroi move safe locat offic privat home investig jurisdict unit state grand juri subpoena issu agent feder bureau investig execut judici search warrant number produc june investig led bring crimin proceed conspiraci fix price contrari section sherman act sgl ag ucar intern showa denko carbon tokai carbon point articl request decemb commiss address request inform articl regul consum graphit electrod provid detail inform supplier price discount set request articl sgl vaw carbon conradti june juli requir detail explan contact competitor sgl warn forthcom investig travel expens record employe decemb request articl gener term address japanes produc sdk sec tokai nippon time suspect direct involv agreement repli name compani claim set price europ quot market inform quot negoti custom request inform april presenc meet basi inform receiv earli set articl request address commiss sgl vaw carbon conradti march june undertak reaction februari receipt request inform japanes produc sdk contact commiss express intent cooper fulli investig suppli inform oral partli document form commiss provid detail inform cartel structur basic rule meet competitor march ucar approach commiss admit oral particip illeg cartel offer cooper investig respons august commiss request articl ucar confirm involv quot illeg contact quot competitor documentari evid provid ucar march april ucar legal advis submit behalf compani written statement made repres ucar cartel meet june ucar provid corpor statement incorpor inform disclos earlier sgl commiss april admit infring cooper inquiri meet commiss offici april april august decemb relev inform document forthcom sgl final june receipt articl request march year sgl provid detail statement oper cartel claim legal oblig articl june unit state produc carbid graphit group contact commiss offer cooper subsequ provid document relev cartel octob carbid graphit provid commiss corpor statement cartel vaw carbon initi claim unabl case oblig provid detail inform respons commiss request inform march announc letter juli wish cooper investig provid statement particip implement cartel conradti admit particip collus arrang sdk japanes produc origin deni particip arrang fix price europ provid committ evas respons confirm contact sgl ucar sdk relev date explain purpos gener exchang inform sec articl repli juli nippon carbon articl repli decemb tokai articl repli novemb march administr procedur januari commiss statement object addresse decis view insuffici direct documentari evid conradti inconsist account particip commiss proce undertak compani access commiss investig file februari vaw aluminium ag nippon particip exercis sgl argu complet access file commiss refus disclos sgl intern document sgl maintain commiss provid list descript intern document sgl complet overview contact commiss compani context cooper sgl letter march sgl repli statement object argument reject establish case law judgment court instanc case hercul commiss ecr ii paragraph join case cimenteri cbr commiss report paragraph commiss oblig regard right defenc grant access intern document procedur list descript intern document request sgl contribut exercis undertak defenc contact undertak context cooper concern commiss consid sgl reason base fundament wrong premis contact compani fact part intern file document normal investig file parti access document treat request compani concern confidenti repli write statement object addresse decis nippon carbon part oral hear case held oral hear undertak opportun comment written repli parti made week earlier written repli statement object produc substanti contest fact commiss base statement object proceed jurisdict investig conduct depart justic feder bureau investig crimin charg file unit state section sherman act produc sdk carbon subsidiari sdk tokai carbon japan ucar intern sgl carbon ag addit sgl chief execut offic charg person conspiraci grant immun prosecut depart corpor amnesti programm accus plead guilti charg agre pai fine set usd million sdk usd million tokai carbon usd million ucar usd million sgl novemb sec nippon plead guilti agre pai fine set usd million usd million addit fine corpor sgl chief execut mr robert köhler person fine agre pai usd million subsequ round case presid chief execut offic ucar mr robert krass agre plead guilti conspiraci serv month prison term pai fine usd million ucar chief oper offic sentenc plea bargain agreement month jail term fine usd million januari crimin charg file japanes compani mitsubishi corpor own stock ucar februari ucar issu civil complaint mitsubishi corpor union carbid order recov monei wrongfulli extract alleg violat compani law februari mitsubishi convict week juri trial aid abet conspiraci graphit electrod produc fine usd million civil proceed file unit state district court behalf class purchas claim tripl damag ucar sgl sdk march ucar convict fine cad million crimin violat section canadian competit act juli sgl plead guilti agre pai fine cad million civil proceed institut purchas steel produc canada june ucar sgl sdk claim damag conspiraci violat canadian competit act case restitut negoti march japan fair trade commiss issu warn japanes manufactur tokai sdk nippon sec base suspect violat japanes anti monopoli act detail infring preliminari observ documentari evid fact set point base princip evid initi contact contact major produc view conclud market share price fix agreement europ origin place initi bilater basi sigri sgl ucar merger sigri glc form sgl effect februari ucar statement indirectli confirm vaw initi sigri contact sale director sigri ucar recognis quot quot increas price agre sigri announc impend price increas germani ucar follow occur bilater contact person held meet repres european produc pechinei vaw carbon contact western japanes produc begun late cover global market meet place york ucar sdk tokai nippon sec milan septemb ucar sdk repres japanes produc tokyo april sgl sdk tokai nippon sec meet includ discuss price condit graphit market worldwid plan set worldwid cartel involv ucar sgl japanes produc develop march ucar sgl met zurich march dai meet wiesbaden agre hold quot summit meet quot japanes counterpart order agre global system market control sgl blame ucar take initi case fact sgl propos plan japanes visit tokyo april written invit result contact top execut world major graphit electrod produc met london invit sgl agre structur method oper organis worldwid cartel control market point organis particip structur produc recognis graphit electrod industri worldwid base quot leg quot sgl repres europ ucar unit state japan sdk tokai nippon sec group structur organis oper cartel base share assess market cartel meet held level period quot top gui quot meet ucar sgl japanes produc year frequent regular quot work level quot meet produc vaw carbon time year group meet quot european quot produc japanes year nation region meet market bilater contact compani particip meet gt tabl gt detail date locat attend cartel meet set presenc meet repres tokai nippon sec admit demonstr travel record repli tokai novemb march nippon decemb sec juli repli statement object basic principl cartel quot top gui quot meet held london major produc agre scheme world market graphit electrod cartellis particip sgl ucar mitsubishi major sharehold ucar sale agent produc sdk tokai repres interest nippon sec vaw carbon invit attend meet led sgl spoke behalf ucar western produc adopt common posit vi vi japanes counterpart sdk tokai claim sgl ucar threaten japanes produc act aggress tokai repli statement object meet basic principl set agre price graphit electrod set global basi decis compani price commerci manag chairman gener manag quot home produc quot market leader establish market price home area produc quot follow quot unit state part europ ucar design leader sgl led rest europ japanes produc market leader japan part east quot home quot market export market quot home quot produc market leader price decid consensu home produc compet aggress market share alloc home produc requir eventu withdraw home market alloc home export market decid regular quot work level quot meet expans capac japanes suppos reduc capac transfer technolog circl produc particip cartel subsequ meet cartel involv implement monitor modifi basic scheme agre quot top gui quot meet implement cartel agreement cartel meet quot top gui quot quot work level quot meet london quot top gui quot meet immedi quot work level quot meet zurich particip sgl ucar sdk tokai sec nippon vaw carbon world graphit market review region region east middl east africa western europ eastern europ latin america north america appendix share market alloc sgl design contact partner japanes produc eea market sgl repli statement object european region price fix meet place berlin june attend sgl ucar produc agre inter alia target price eea market sgl contest exist agreement sgl repli statement object pp sgl admit presenc corpor offic berlin trade associ meet commiss consid ucar statement convinc point august high level meet cover european market price held pari hotel sofitel execut sgl ucar quot work level quot meet japanes produc lugano septemb ucar sgl met shortli agre minimum price european market price commun japanes particip meet lugano meet volum quota set region europ middl east latin america meet ucar sgl discuss european market place milan octob furtiv circumst told meet advanc superior relev meet quot work level quot place vienna march particip sgl ucar tokai sec nippon sdk gener exchang graphit electrod market inform region region inform price custom exchang discuss quot work level quot meet sgl ucar japanes group place juli singapor septemb zurich novemb zurich juli zurich februari tokyo septemb rohrschach april kyoto juli meitingen septemb rohrschach april tokyo august south east asia novemb hong kong februari bangkok ucar sgl japanes produc quot work level quot meet vaw carbon admit meet end attend frequent particip attend meet europ quot work level quot meet cover world market region north america latin america western europ eastern europ asia pacif middl east north africa consid separ addit discuss price custom particip exchang inform individu sale volum cover year previou year current year project come year inform total region broken countri countri produc japanes form group volum data area includ europ updat revis meet quot top gui quot meet place august zurich februari tokyo march pari meet london novemb involv quot top gui quot meet principl agre london reaffirm particip remind follow decid quot top gui quot agre charg premium price larg size electrod surcharg price charg standard inch electrod premium inch electrod premium inch electrod matter cover includ product market showa denko subsidiari sdc inch electrod produc object sdc product compet inch electrod price sdc line cheaper inch product sgl ucar allegedli put pressur sdk stop sell product price line inch inch electrod eventu product model sdc discontinu assur effect sdk april ii european group meet addit quot top gui quot quot work level quot meet japanes produc quot group quot meet respect west european price place zurich lugano attend repres major produc ucar sgl vaw carbon ucar quot european group quot meet discontinu year sgl acquisit graphit electrod interest pechinei ucar longer perceiv european produc meet group ucar sgl close contact german produc vaw carbon conradti ucar direct knowledg believ sgl commun directli aros coordin price europ vaw carbon state part meet quot year quot impli continu iii bilater contact ucar sgl continu numer bilater contact meet telephon convers coordin price market conduct europ contact made regularli level european involv frequent meet telephon convers respect ucar sgl specif purpos keep contact secret sgl sale special dedic telephon instal home fax machin convers place time month involv agreement quot relev market paramet quot sgl put bilater telephon contact ucar sgl supplement person meet occur time year time hilton hotel zürich airport hotel close geneva airport holidai inn hotel sofitel pari meet place typic autumn price increas year plan sgl meet invari agenda market data exchang includ inform sale volum price level particip discuss price achiev sale forecast basi ucar sgl develop target price nation market agre partli itali respect quot home market quot mainten quot kei account client quot iv precaut conceal meet contact order disguis conceal contact meet particip elabor precaut document distribut meet destroi expens meet paid cash explicit refer meet travel expens claim telephon call initi directli corpor offic pass secretari earli stage sgl inadvert identifi telephon call ucar subsequ refer cryptic quot quot mobil telephon home fax separ dedic line contact competitor author began investig contact made strictli ucar obtain mobil telephon oper swiss network system code name compani individu devis cover real ident sgl refer quot bmw quot ucar quot pinot quot japanes group dub quot cold quot deriv letter individu code name quot chiva quot quot ocean quot quot lawn quot quot dry quot vaw carbon quot wave quot individu code name ucar quot artemi quot name quot moustach quot quot tauru quot agreement european price period frequent bilater contact ucar sgl agre monitor price europ list europ compani attend quot work level quot cartel meet develop price recommend basi inform receiv countri sale manag quot recommend quot discuss ucar sgl person meet telephon convers point discuss price ucar sgl occur sidelin quot work level quot meet japanes produc japanes inform european price global meet price discuss part world place sgl ucar agre bilater contact price western europ german mark refer currenc price nation market fix currenc basic idea ensur price europ stai ten cent differenti sgl ucar agre price decis refer compani ucar provid commiss tabl show region member state price appli juli januari appendix price shown nation currenc countri netherland portug greec german mark denmark finland norwai price equival swedish krona price nation currenc document fax ucar sgl fact price list agre quot work level quot meet meet berlin sgl ucar june real decis maker price europ sgl ucar matter subject contact meet major smaller produc suppli west european market vaw carbon statement european meet attend particip exchang view amount price increas market bear countri sgl led discuss vaw carbon larg produc lead price increas publicli sgl commun price appli quot target quot nation market europ produc investig sgl june commiss discov price tabl period give electrod price countri region world part price fix exercis target futur price increas set advanc price tabl date august found show price effect appli date octob juli part relat western europ reproduc gt tabl gt main evidenti signific tabl face collus produc explain pure intern document deriv fact virtual ident tabl possess produc suppli commiss ident version tabl refer gv obtain commiss sdk march version date august fax sdk sgl august appendix tabl sdk august fax sgl ucar chairman august appendix octob document fax carbid graphit group german sale agent receiv fax vaw carbon appendix articl repli juli similar price tabl found investig sgl annex appendic spreadsheet part exercis fix price european market typic document produc cartel oper provid handwritten tabl made appendic explain quot exampl list world graphit electrod market current futur price object price list prepar sgl period basi distribut graphit electrod produc quot attach ii activ role sgl promulg price appli europ confirm appendix note made chief execut offic telephon convers sgl target price european market pp articl repli juli implement price increas order implement price agre commun produc sgl ucar arrang advanc act announc increas custom price establish undercut devic agre principl meet geneva octob sgl ucar agre respect exist quot custom structur quot seek attract offer quot establish quot custom rival compani design quot lead quot price increas nation market europ depend respect posit market sgl import presenc germani scandinavia ucar respons announc lead price increas market ucar gener led price increas franc unit kingdom major commun market electrod itali spain ucar sgl roughli equal market share decid occas quot publicli quot act price leader price establish market price increas announc custom countri nation sale manag contact counterpart implement price normal practic issu written price list custom itali point price increas appar announc oral custom request confirm letter ucar sgl invari appli agre list price level custom case confidenti discount shown invoic refer write ucar price increas custom gener quot stuck quot contrast period establish cartel price increas stagger effect date countri group countri countri product invoic german mark price increas time germani increas franc belgium luxembourg date time bring price line europ process start price move dem zone occas plan price increas postpon earli ucar propos price rise europ effect juli increas januari year sgl quot enthusiast quot agre support ucar institut increas event increas implement price increas announc market leader accept custom smaller produc quot follow quot major produc appli price price increas begin cartel quot european quot price graphit electrod stood dem tonn market german mark germani scandinavia netherland greec portug switzerland price german mark rose seri step increas identifi reach dem juli increas year appendix view upcom cartel investig price increas plan juli postpon price reportedli stagnat level dem tonn januari price dem tonn market share market share quota assign produc agre zurich contemporan record actual quota agre meet significantli sgl intern paper novemb set strategi year appendix observ quot market share competit market share stai stabl sgl ucar japanes quot recommend quot follow equilibrium stabl market share sgl ucar japanes quot refer worldwid market share western europ predict market share produc sgl ucar japanes quot quot conradti vaw carbon appendix absenc evid contest parti written repli statement object figur correspond quota agre subsequ quot work level quot meet particip review sale market exchang inform order monitor observ quota alloc ucar particip brought meet inform sale volum collat tabul column sgl ucar japanes produc inform total region broken countri region confirm tokai quot demand forecast quot show estim futur tokai repli statement object purpos formalis exchang volum inform make collect data effici sgl propos quot top gui quot meet tokyo februari adopt quot central monitor system quot cm tokai design cartel collect data japanes produc ucar sgl appendix report head quot cm report forecast amp quot begin gener overview global market posit region basi sgl ucar japanes quot leg quot world industri liken triangl balanc market share maintain quot balanc market share triangl year inclin pinot quot mean ucar quot sign enlarg distort balanc market share triangl result destruct reaction lose part easi balanc vari sic care balanc enjoi fruit cooper quot quot come year till import adequ promot symbiosi secur reason profit hand point view year disorderli releas power accumul reserv cooper year destruct form shape quot tabl attach quot sale volum share overview quot miss present purpos relev tabl quot world review sale volum demand end august quot quot world forecast sale volum demand end august quot west european region steel produc countri includ norwai shown benelux treat singl entiti ireland appear includ unit kingdom total broken countri head quot japan quot quot sgl quot quot ucar quot quot vaw carbon quot quot quot ucar recollect inform tabul column appear overlook data vaw carbon text report emploi code name quot bmw quot quot cold quot quot pinot quot quot wave quot disguis slip attach tabl quot sale volum share overview quot tabl quot gener overview quot commentari world market base miss cover year scheme similar shown tabl head quot east review market end august quot quot guidelin quot market share produc quot adjust quot actual sale compli quota forecast market share worldwid basi close quot stabl market share quot refer sgl strategi paper point ucar sgl japanes western europ forecast sgl ucar vaw carbon japanes tokai deni detail volum market share alloc european market specif discuss japanes produc tokai repli statement object pp correct state tokai japanes produc inform relev figur european market object sgl claim central monitor system realis sgl repli statement object deni express word documentari evid appendix sgl assert contradict produc statement tokai repli statement object ucar volum inform exchang group meet hong kong novemb bangkok februari point local meet contact gener oper cartel frequent contact meet particip level individu countri purpos implement monitor price agre higher level work meet individu concern instruct precaut conceal disguis contact competitor abund direct evid gener pattern collus behaviour appar contact meet cover germani franc itali spain unit kingdom ii germani sgl princip local produc clear market leader germani countri ucar import market ucar custom graphit electrod typic prospect market price year produc price quot autumn year sgl commun level time propos price increas ucar appli basic price claim discount price increas year occasion meet place quot local quot level sgl claim contact sporad unplan place quot chanc quot occas trade associ meet sgl repli statement object ucar account indic spontan repres compani met occasion discuss price exchang summaris inform respect sale germani ucar claim gener underst sale specif custom discuss meet place restaur bar occas annual quot eisenhüttentag quot düsseldorf attend repres vaw carbon vaw carbon part admit attend meet specif european nation market statement sgl impli specif sporad contact conradti independ evid corrobor statement iii franc late earli ucar franc contact counterpart sgl check price offer custom contact form telephon convers month meet time year ucar quot lead quot produc franc point establish price marketplac occas concert price increas ucar repres check sgl appli price ucar telephon contact made public call box iv itali substanti disagr ucar sgl time quot basic rule quot collus italian market determin attribut initi octob sgl ucar met milan compani employe ucar sgl repres contact discuss detail implement agre price italian market regular meet frequent month market manag venu sgl offic restaur milan manag director ucar sgl italian subsidiari met period purpos meet coordin measur implement price increas analys market develop ensur agre market share respect price undercut avoid custom inform forthcom price increas individu letter end novemb price list dispatch custom give price valid januari provid commiss document italian sale agent relat meet quot competitor quot mean manufactur supplier activ italian market appendic sale agent appendix quot announc meet place fridai novemb agreement decis novemb address custom letter enclos offici list price sell term offici price offici list itl kg net price quot itl kg quot articl repli quot competitor quot sgl ucar sdk cova cova activ refer vaw carbon conradti evid sdk take part local meet itali sgl state statement meet italian market place ucar conradti vaw carbon begin cartel pechinei meet held year restaur milan determin price analys market develop spain manag director sale manag ucar sgl spanish oper regular clandestin contact relev period cartel price spanish market fix european level sale manag spain inform made contact telephon fictiti name order decid practic quot announc quot price increas effect price increas schedul forc februari need month warn contact quarter year addit telephon call meet arrang discuss spanish market year meet sale manag confirm sgl bilater ucar sgl meet occasion contact sgl german produc suppli spanish market vaw repres telephon sgl year order find sgl intend announc price increas amount vi unit kingdom market repres ucar sgl unit kingdom period telephon contact mid cross check price custom suspect give deliber mislead inform supplier bring price call made pai telephon occas short meet place hotel motorwai derbi involv cartel vaw carbon unit state produc sell commun agent histor posit price follow polici set price slightli major supplier european market reflect lack sale support statu supplier account attend quot top gui quot quot work level quot meet cartel admit awar contact competitor graphit electrod busi admit part bilater meet telephon contact competitor price market princip sgl ucar japanes compani vaw carbon contact began late sgl initi meet chief execut offic york discuss includ profit price industri cover specif meet discuss busi condit price place account januari lunch park lane hotel sgl hand price list lost destroi countri column date told sgl target price articl repli note mid intern record suggest knew arrang divid market point admit meet telephon convers sgl volum price articl repli pp septemb execut met sgl appendix subject matter meet record inform vaw carbon price increas plan januari receiv sgl price list sourc point remain vagu account contact competitor record contact sgl typifi subject matter contact period summer sgl telephon call chairman ceo suppli current target price note time telephon contact subject sgl deni sgl repli statement object appar record convers appendix sgl bring pressur bear restrain sale europ note bottom page read quot prepar hit anymor volum control show restraint europ consumpt graphit tonn sgl take hit quot no import custom account fear target retali compli sgl wish articl repli juli sgl appar occas blame sell europ subsequ fax chief execut offic septemb appendix list estim sale countri region world respons demand chief execut offic note quot real quot sale estim made sgl fax back articl repli juli meet repres sgl frankfurt airport novemb gener manag electrod busi unit sale insist sgl estim sale fax septemb incorrect addit meet convers sgl admit period contact ucar japanes produc fragment sporad contact depict left execut doubt expect produc sgl attempt minimis contact necessit fact want sell needl coke sgl sgl repli statement object contradict statement articl repli juli abovement document demonstr sgl volunt inform graphit electrod target price implement date complain volum sale european market part argu quot inform sgl set price set price export market base varieti factor includ custom told agent pai graphit electrod make decis respect price inform relev custom price driven inform inform sgl happen futur quot commiss consid explan disingenu inform advanc price increas target price decid ucar sgl european market ensur hinder upset plan awar price paid custom target price sgl commun thing pass target price advanc gave ringlead cartel secur know price evid show event adapt behaviour fit wish cartel sgl argu commiss alleg statement object execut awar exist cartel support fact repli statement object context commiss state earli juli month quot top gui quot meet london weekli report chairman observ appendix quot effect book share germani half dm mt quot refer quot share quot strongli indic understand exist sale restrict market vaw carbon impress appendix agre limit sale germani profess ignor vaw carbon gain impress articl repli understand consist sgl repeat insist sold quot quot europ employe knew quot unwritten promis quot world graphit produc increas capac decid london appendix agent brussel refer openli major custom franc award busi sgl quot benefit neg action biggi sgl mean custom question hope destabilis cartel make parti unhappi quot appendix polici cartel sum fax letter novemb german agent explain agent withdraw immedi offer dem discount scandinavian custom invoic german mark senior execut write quot explain take posit ve told distant electrod product world ucar sgl japanes group control world product posit disrupt willing abil increas price world quot appendix claim contact sgl place novemb inform contrari point ii vaw initi repli commiss request inform march vaw carbon admit present quot inform quot meet repres sgl ucar japanes produc vaw carbon meet attend held switzerland place year produc relev document claim unabl provid detail date locat particip meet involv vaw carbon repres step conceal particip meet deliber gener travel expens claim letter juli vaw carbon admit particip period januari end regular meet involv plan implement cartel led sgl ucar volum quota price graphit electrod fix vaw carbon posit price quot follow quot major particip meet success cartel sgl claim quot inform quot vaw carbon date locat meet sgl repli statement object vaw carbon sgl insist vaw particip regular meet vaw carbon present quot work level quot meet zurich market alloc particip price list produc end manag director vaw carbon attend multilater quot work level quot session held europ period compani longer invit explain vaw carbon admit part separ european group meet year meet discuss nation market vaw carbon act link cartel german sell agent appendic vaw carbon manag director receiv price list sgl involv vaw carbon monitor sale volum cm scheme demonstr appendix vaw carbon claim stop attend quot inform quot meet competitor end inform cartel member contrari point continu cartel meet investig simultan investig conduct commiss unit state anti trust author june put end cartel sdk claim announc intent ceas particip meet quot work level quot meet tokyo april late custom unit state strongli resist announc price increas due effect earli publicli state complain depart justic account possibl investig foreseen month commiss carri visit immedi commiss inspect june sgl warn produc sgl ucar discuss outcom investig sgl assur ucar incrimin document found meet held malaysia mid juli attend repres sgl nippon tokai sec sdk ucar declin attend meet held absenc detail discuss transact novemb meet held hong kong last dai half particip sgl ucar tokai sec nippon discuss stage reach commiss proceed revis cm central monitor system volum chart region market sgl repli statement object tripartit meet held bangkok februari particip sgl ucar japanes side tokai sec nippon central monitor system tabl updat accord usual practic sgl ucar inform japanes compani current european price quot work level quot meet japanes european sale director ucar sgl remain regular contact coordin price european market ucar appar implement price increas europ juli plan increas postpon januari telephon contact meet concern inter alia matter addit frequent contact price european ucar sgl regular convers includ mobil telephon regist switzerland bilater contact continu march sgl repli statement object deni give advic sec repli statement object confirm senior execut sgl told japanes produc cooper commiss investig repli articl request inform sgl warn cartel member forthcom inspect point sdk japanes produc initi cooper commiss repli commiss articl request remain vagu account credibl commiss ucar sgl continu phone ucar director sale dismiss compani contact place april octob legal assess ec treati eea agreement relationship ec treati eea agreement arrang appli steel produc countri eea present member state norwai iceland liechtenstein produc steel arrang question extend austria sweden finland prior access commun januari eea agreement eea provis competit analog treati forc januari decis cover applic date rule primarili articl eea agreement arrang object arrang affect competit trade member state articl treati applic oper cartel norwai effect trade commun efta state part eea quot efta eea state quot efta eea state fall articl eea agreement jurisdict articl eea commiss compet present case appli articl treati articl eea agreement cartel appreci effect trade member state competit commun applic articl treati articl eea agreement articl treati articl eea agreement articl treati prohibit incompat common market agreement undertak decis associ undertak concert practic affect trade member state object effect prevent restrict distort competit common market directli indirectli fix purchas sell price trade condit limit control product market share market sourc suppli articl eea agreement model articl treati ident prohibit agreement replac condit affect trade quot member state quot quot contract parti quot prevent restrict distort competit common market quot territori cover eea agreement quot agreement concert practic prohibit articl treati articl eea agreement relat agreement decis associ concert practic agreement exist parti adher common plan limit limit individu commerci conduct determin line mutual action abstent action market made write formal contractu sanction enforc measur requir fact agreement express implicit behaviour parti judgment join case limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv commiss pvc ii ecr ii court instanc state paragraph quot establish case law agreement mean articl treati suffici undertak express joint intent behav market quot articl treati distinguish quot concert practic quot quot agreement undertak quot quot decis associ undertak quot object bring prohibit articl form coordin undertak reach stage agreement properli call conclud knowingli substitut practic cooper risk competit case imperi chemic industri commiss ecr criteria coordin cooper laid case law court requir elabor actual plan understood light concept inher provis treati relat competit econom oper determin independ commerci polici intend adopt common market requir independ depriv undertak adapt intellig exist anticip conduct competitor strictli preclud direct indirect contact oper object effect influenc conduct market actual potenti competitor disclos competitor conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market join case suiker uni commiss ecr conduct fall articl treati quot concert practic quot parti explicitli subscrib common plan defin action market knowingli adopt adher collus devic facilit coordin commerci behaviour judgment court instanc case hercul commiss ecr ii paragraph term articl treati concept concert practic requir concert conduct market result concert causal connect presum subject proof contrari undertak take part concert remain activ market account inform exchang competitor determin conduct market concert occur regular basi long period judgment court justic case hül commiss ecr paragraph case complex infring long durat commiss characteris conduct exclus form illeg behaviour concept agreement concert practic fluid overlap realist make distinct infring present simultan characterist form prohibit conduct consid isol manifest accur artifici analyt subdivid continu common enterpris object discret form infring present type judgment court instanc case hercul commiss paragraph pvc ii judgment point court instanc state paragraph quot context complex infring involv produc seek number year regul market commiss expect classifi infring precis undertak moment event form infring cover articl ec treati quot quot agreement quot purpos articl treati requir certainti enforc commerci contract civil law case complex cartel long durat term quot agreement quot properli appli plan term expressli agre implement agre basi mechan pursuanc common purpos court justic uphold judgment court instanc point case commiss anic partecipazioni spa ecr paragraph express term articl treati agreement consist isol act seri act conduct complex cartel properli view singl continu infring time frame exist agreement vari time time mechan adapt strengthen account develop valid assess affect possibl element seri action continu conduct individu constitut violat articl treati cartel joint enterpris particip agreement plai role exercis domin role ringlead intern conflict rivalri cheat occur prevent arrang constitut agreement concert practic purpos articl treati singl common continu object mere fact particip cartel plai role specif circumst rule respons infring includ act commit particip share unlaw purpos anti competit effect undertak take part common unlaw enterpris action contribut realis share object equal respons period adher common scheme act particip pursuant infring case establish undertak question awar unlaw behaviour particip foreseen awar prepar risk judgment court justic anic paragraph natur infring present case evid collus produc graphit electrod affect commun began contact earli develop late earli part order infring articl treati particip agre advanc comprehens common plan concept quot agreement quot articl treati appli inchoat understand partial condit agreement bargain process lead definit agreement process negoti prepar culmin adopt plan regul market depend circumst correctli characteris concert practic purpos present case commiss begin assess definit adopt implement produc common cartel plan quot top gui quot meet london major produc sgl ucar japanes quot group quot agre basic principl cartelis world market graphit electrod agre fix price implement price increas mechan alloc nation market market share quota agre increas product capac transfer technolog circl cartel particip monitor enforc scheme set detail point plan subscrib vaw carbon implement period year emploi mechan pursu common purpos elimin competit work plan regular meet give rise discret quot agreement quot constitut implement illeg scheme common design common object produc steadili pursu elimin competit graphit electrod industri commiss consid regard eea market conduct question constitut singl continu infring articl treati articl eea agreement particip bear respons durat adher common scheme arrang produc correctli consid present characterist full quot agreement quot factual element illicit ventur aptli concert practic involv fring cartel attend group meet peripheri cooper knowingli object cartel contact cartel sgl enabl knowingli adapt market conduct close produc permit oper assumpt follow lead disrupt plan price initi concern categoris infring precis pvc ii judgment paragraph involv consid characterist concert practic event exact classif behaviour term articl treati immateri purport dissoci scheme knowingli particip restrict competit complex agreement present case object effect restrict competit commun eea articl treati articl eea agreement expressli includ restrict competit agreement concert practic directli indirectli fix sell price trade condit limit control product market technic develop share market sourc suppli essenti object horizont arrang consider present case price main instrument competit collus arrang mechan adopt produc ultim aim inflat price benefit level determin condit free competit market share price fix natur restrict competit mean articl treati articl eea present cartel consid light total circumst princip aspect complex agreement arrang characteris restrict competit fix price alloc market market share quota requir quot home market quot produc withdraw compet quot aggress quot market freez restrict close product capac limit transfer technolog cartel princip aspect implement cartel member agre concert price increas design produc quot lead quot price increas nation market circul list current futur target price order coordin price increas devis appli report monitor system ensur implement restrict agreement particip regular meet contact order agre restrict implement modifi requir effect trade member state eea contract parti continu agreement produc appreci effect trade member state eea contract parti articl treati aim agreement harm attain singl market member state partit nation market affect structur competit common market similarli articl eea agreement direct agreement undermin achiev homogen european econom area demonstr quot interst trade quot section point graphit electrod market characteris substanti volum trade member state consider volum trade commun efta norwai import requir primarili sgl ucar vaw carbon prior access austria finland sweden austria import substanti quantiti countri total graphit electrod requir applic articl treati eea agreementto cartel limit part member sale involv transfer good state order provis appli show individu conduct particip oppos cartel affect trade member state judgment court instanc case imperi chemic industri commiss ecr ii paragraph present case cartel arrang cover virtual trade commun eea import industri sector withdraw market quot home market quot produc exist price fix quota mechan result result automat divers trade pattern judgment court justic join case van landewyck commiss ecr paragraph activ cartel relat sale countri member commun eea lie scope decis provis competit rule applic austria finland norwai sweden eea agreement enter forc januari period prior date cartel oper provis relev present proceed articl treati cartel arrang cover austria finland norwai sweden prior date efta member state regard violat articl treati period januari decemb provis eea agreement appli efta member state join eea cartel constitut violat articl eea agreementa articl treati commiss compet appli provis oper cartel efta state year period fall articl eea access austria finland sweden commun januari articl treati applic cartel affect market oper cartel norwai remain violat articl eea practic forego cartel oper austria finland norwai sweden constitut violat eea commun competit rule januari durat infring appar statement sdk ucar contact ucar sigri japanes produc start earli commiss present case limit assess competit rule applic fine period date quot top gui quot meet london basic principl cartellis market agre note cartel cover austria finland norwai sweden constitut infring competit rule prior januari eea agreement effect particip infring ucar sgl japanes produc establish particip quot top gui quot meet respect presid gener manag case nippon sec undertak repres interest event fact nippon sec attend quot top gui quot meet immateri repres tokai present quot work level quot meet dai vaw carbon involv collus januari collus price openli discuss time point spite investig conduct feder bureau investig commiss cartel meet continu februari quot work level quot meet place date particip repres sgl ucar japanes produc sec nippon tokai sgl ucar continu illeg contact month point ucar state point contact initi sgl month absenc corrobor commiss purpos assess fine proce basi particip sgl ucar cartel end march japanes produc sec nippon tokai relev date mid februari sdk withdrawn meet state senior manag tokyo issu direct earli januari effect particip anti competit behaviour toler sdk repres meet tokyo april supposedli inform member cartel longer particip cartel member mention sdk particip meet indirectli confirm april date sdk withdrew arrang showa denko repli statement object vaw carbon claim ceas attend meet end absenc contrari evid commiss relev date determin durat case gener manag request sgl stop telephon articl repli meet admit attend frankfurt novemb date withdrew cartel addresse present proceed establish fact part present decis sgl ucar showa denko tokai nippon sec directli particip cartel compani bear respons infring addresse present decis question addresse aris case attribut conduct subsidiari parent compani discuss case vaw carbon origin vaw carbon gmbh regist grevenbroich act decemb quot mere sell compani quot rein vertriebsgesellschaft carbon graphit product manufactur vaw aluminium ag vaw carbon repli juli commiss request inform june point wholli own subsidiari vaw aluminium ag vaw aluminium ag larg industri group divers activ network subsidiari carbon graphit electrod sector subject corpor restructur occas period cartel januari entir carbon graphit activ includ product sale vaw aluminium ag transfer wholli own subsidiari compani ingal gmbh bonn renam confusingli vaw carbon gmbh quot quot vaw carbon gmbh januari absorb vaw carbon gmbh grevenbroich delet compani regist septemb leverag buyout oper manag financ natwest ventur nomine london quot natwest quot busi asset quot quot vaw carbon gmbh acquir consent vaw newli form compani erftcarbon gmbh amp kg natwest own manag share capit articl purchas contract respons fine penalti quot quot vaw carbon gmbh liabl commiss investig present case remain compani quot quot vaw carbon gmbh continu exist dormant compani commerci activ current asset moni receiv sale commiss address statement object vaw aluminium ag parent compani vaw carbon gmbh administr procedur present case vaw aluminium ag argu statement object decis address vaw carbon gmbh vaw aluminium ag subsidiari respons sell market product vaw aluminium ag involv cartel vaw repli statement object pp commiss reject vaw aluminium ag argument recent judgment case stora kopparberg bergslag sg commiss ecr paragraph court justic upheld court instanc find parent compani held liabl subsidiari conduct state quot subsidiari wholli own court instanc legitim assum parent compani fact exercis decis influenc subsidiari conduct quot presumpt rebut present case vaw aluminium ag submit evid support assert vaw carbon gmbh behav autonom vaw aluminium ag alleg total unawar anti competit behaviour wholli own subsidiari contradict fact commiss found inspect vaw aluminium ag notic mr müller vaw carbon gmbh inform vaw aluminium ag forthcom cartel inspect commiss point appendix minut notif june commiss consid vaw aluminium ag held liabl vaw carbon conduct commiss note januari vaw aluminium ag primarili directli involv product carbon graphit product quot quot vaw carbon gmbh event owner corpor ident sale organis fact approxim year carbon graphit product activ vaw aluminium ag locat wholli own subsidiari affect commiss assess regard final commiss consid difficulti collect fine dormant compani commerci activ continu exist depend tax advantag bring vaw aluminium ag reason present decis address vaw aluminium ag remedi articl regul commiss find infring articl treati articl eea agreementit requir undertak concern bring infring end accord articl regul infring continu long simultan investig carri commiss unit state author document destroi advanc anticip investig januari sgl attempt persuad japanes produc cooper commiss circumst imposs certainti infring ceas indic contrari commiss requir undertak present decis address bring infring end henceforth refrain agreement concert practic decis associ undertak similar object effect articl regul gener consider articl regul commiss decis impos undertak fine eur eur million sum excess thereof exceed turnov preced busi year undertak particip infring intention neglig infring articl ec treati articl eea agreement fix amount fine commiss regard relev circumst graviti durat infring criteria explicitli refer articl regul role plai undertak parti infring assess individu basi commiss reflect fine impos aggrav mitig circumst appli notic imposit reduct fine cartel case quot lenienc notic quot basic amount fine basic amount determin graviti durat infring graviti assess graviti infring commiss account natur actual impact market size relev geograph market natur infring forego present infring consist market share price fix practic natur violat articl treati eea cartel constitut deliber infring articl treati eea full knowledg illeg action lead produc combin set secret institutionalis system design restrict competit major industri sector cartel arrang permeat industri conceiv direct encourag highest level undertak concern oper benefit particip produc detriment custom ultim gener public commiss consid present infring constitut natur infring articl treati articl eea actual impact infring graphit electrod market eea commiss consid infring commit produc period relev decis repres worldwid eea market graphit electrod actual impact graphit electrod market eea price agre announc implement cartel characteris continu concern set target price point major produc sgl ucar agre price arrang advanc announc increas custom price increas accept custom smaller produc quot quot major produc appli price notwithstand fact plan price increas occasion postpon implement price appli market agre cartel consider extent period year point due substanti declin consumpt graphit electrod restructur process affect industri european graphit electrod price plung result price lower end cartel agreement implement seri step increas period price doubl view upcom cartel investig price increas plan postpon stagnat point price increas clear effect market price agre announc implement ucar claim cartel limit impact steel industri unprofit level price earli price increas justifi continu manufactur graphit electrod price increas allow qualiti improv benefit steel industri ucar repli statement object contrari ucar argument commiss consid signific increas price graphit electrod point interpret light fact cartel member agre target price market share alloc report monitor system point difficult extent price cartel consciou implement cartel agreement creat risk price higher normal condit competit commiss reject suggest benefit industri commerci activ qualiti improv employ offset neg effect infring competit rule case ucar establish clear link alleg improv qualiti cartel argu small presenc europ histori price follow conduct advers impact competit contact competitor chang price behaviour price contact occur repli statement object econom studi present oral hear commiss agre price follow market clear ow particip cartel receiv crucial price sale inform complet posit fring player market hand inform claim continu pursu independ price strategi credibl dismiss conclus commiss consid parti concern present decis rebut find actual impact infring graphit electrod market eea size relev geograph market purpos assess graviti import note cartel cover common market creation eea commiss conclus graviti take factor account commiss consid undertak concern present decis commit infring differenti treatment categori infring propos scale fine make appli differenti treatment undertak order account effect econom capac offend signific damag competit set fine level ensur suffici deterr effect commiss note exercis present case consider dispar size undertak particip infring circumst case involv undertak set basic amount fine account specif weight real impact offend conduct undertak competit purpos undertak concern principl divid categori rel import market concern subject adjust account factor ensur effect deterr basi compar rel import undertak market concern commiss consid present case worldwid product turnov support fact global cartel object inter alia alloc market worldwid level withhold competit reserv eea market worldwid turnov parti cartel indic contribut effect cartel convers instabl effect cartel particip comparison made basi worldwid product turnov year infring clear tabl point sgl ucar major produc graphit electrod worldwid eea market categori sdk tokai significantli lower market share worldwid market categori vaw sec nippon worldwid market share categori basi forego start point fine result criterion rel import market concern categori sgl ucar eur million sdk tokai eur million vaw sec nippon eur million order ensur fine suffici deterr effect account fact larg undertak legal econom knowledg infrastructur enabl easili recognis conduct constitut infring awar consequ stem conduct competit law commiss determin adjust start point need undertak case vaw aluminium ag sdk commiss consid start point fine result criterion rel import market concern requir upward adjust account size resourc basi forego commiss consid case vaw aluminium ag deterr requir start point fine determin recit increas eur million case sdk largest undertak concern decis start point fine determin recit increas eur million ii durat infring mention commiss consid sgl ucar tokai nippon sec infring articl treati articl eea agreement februari march commit long term infring year month start amount fine determin graviti increas compani sdk vaw commit medium term infring year month start amount fine determin graviti increas compani commit infring medium durat year month start amount fine determin graviti increas iii conclus basic amount commiss set basic amount fine sgl ucar eur million vaw aluminium ag eur million sdk eur million tokai eur million eur million sec nippon eur million individu fine basi conclus basic amount fine commiss assess compani individu basi aggrav mitig circumst appli lenienc notic sgl aggrav circumst graviti infring aggrav sgl case circumst sgl role ringlead instig cartel attempt obstruct commiss proceed give warn compani forthcom investig continu clear cut indisput infring investig argument sgl sgl contest commiss find ringlead instig cartel argu ucar parent compani union carbid mitsubishi corpor initi contact plai lead role sgl repli statement object pp argument commiss appar fact part decis sgl quot european quot leg cartel recit sgl ucar main decis regard target price market alloc member state regular contact vaw carbon final fact ucar plai lead role infring excus lessen sgl behaviour undertak power cartel member ambit leader world graphit market conclus abovement substanti aggrav circumst justifi increas basic amount fine mitig circumst mitig circumst relat infring sgl case justifi reduct fine eur million applic lenienc notic commiss grant reduct fine recognit sgl cooper lenienc notic section notic undertak compli condit set section benefit signific reduct fine impos statement object commiss inform document evid materi contribut establish exist infring receiv statement object inform commiss substanti contest fact commiss base object infring continu month investig sgl cooper earli stage adequ recognit accord reduct grant argument sgl sgl claim cooper substanc contribut compani occur earlier stage contact commiss place earli april compani announc willing cooper parallel crimin civil law proceed unit state incompat prosecut system prevent sgl provid relev inform sgl argu plea agreement reach depart justic provid commiss june detail voluntari statement sgl repli statement object pp argument commiss condit compani wish cooper commiss grant reduct fine set lenienc notic compani carefulli benefit result cooper commiss difficulti possibl aris proceed unit state cooper lenienc notic provid voluntari basi compani individu decis choos mean time commiss account real effect contribut actual cooper provid sgl contact april commiss march compani formal request inform pursuant articl regul contrari sgl argument commiss perfectli entitl question set request sgl repli part remind commiss reserv adopt formal decis pursuant articl regul sgl provid june corpor statement particip cartel cooper lenienc notic voluntari exercis investigatori power commiss consid substanti part inform provid statement fact constitut sgl repli commiss formal request inform sgl statement regard voluntari contribut mean lenienc notic inform provid request articl regard detail meet commiss unawar nation implement cartel europ due consider circumst commiss reduc fine impos sgl accord indent section lenienc notic sgl requir pai fine eur million liabil infring regard ne bi idem principl procedur sgl rais argument regard liabil fine standpoint ne bi idem sgl written repli statement object pp legal studi ne bi idem principl present oral hear sgl claim various consist gener ne bi idem principl crimin law prosecut sanction time action ec competit law convict fine unit state expung total culpabl unit state fine sgl basi total world turnov basi gener principl justic equiti commiss calcul fine quot set quot amount fine impos unit state punit element civil damag award argument commiss commiss reject sgl argument fine impos unit state bear fine impos infring european competit rule exercis unit state countri crimin jurisdict cartel behaviour limit exclud commiss jurisdict ec competit law importantli case untru sgl argu commiss intend sanction fact court virtu principl territori articl treati limit restrict competit common market articl eea limit restrict competit eea market antitrust author exercis jurisdict extent conduct direct intend effect unit state commerc sake complet commiss refer reduct crimin fine commiss demonstr oral hear produc sentenc memorandum fine calcul procedur public document basic fine unit state calcul sgl sale unit state agre sgl fine calcul show sgl negoti substanti reduct crimin fine normal minimum order account quot abil pai quot test expect liabil penalti commun canada civil damag sgl act contradictori manner secur reduct fine unit state refer penalti commun claim jurisdict subject fine final possibl undertak requir pai damag civil action relev payment damag civil law action object compens harm caus cartel individu compani consum compar public law sanction illeg behaviour abil pai argument sgl sgl argu compani financi situat weaken high fine impos competit author civil damag payment sanction commiss forc compani bankruptci argument commiss consider argument commiss request detail inform compani financi posit examin compani repli june commiss conclud present case adjust amount fine account mere fact undertak loss make financi situat due gener market condit compani corpor structur tantamount confer unjustifi competit advantag undertak adapt condit market final present case justif set fine impos competit author civil damag payment point total fine impos sgl eur million ii ucar aggrav circumst graviti infring aggrav ucar case circumst ucar role ringlead instig cartel continu clear cut indisput infring investig argument ucar ucar argu sgl plai lead role eea market ucar repli statement object sgl gener lead price increas higher market share ucar argument commiss ucar sgl drive forc cartel initi contact develop plan set cartel organis quot top gui quot meet adopt quot common posit quot vi vi produc regard eea market appear fact ucar sgl agre target price nation market respect home market mainten quot kei account client quot ucar admit gener led price increas franc unit kingdom point eea market decid occas ucar sgl lead fact sgl plai lead role infring excus ucar behaviour undertak power cartel member ambit leader market regard forego basic amount fine increas case ucar fine eur million mitig circumst complianc programm argument ucar ucar claim compani involv infring specif action employe respons infring set comprehens complianc programm ucar repli statement object pp argument commiss commiss welcom fact cartel investig ucar conduct intern investig set complianc programm initi dispens commiss duti sanction infring competit rule ucar commit past econom difficulti graphit electrod industri argument ucar ucar commiss account mitig circumst graphit electrod industri ucar face econom difficulti earli ucar repli statement object argument commiss commiss situat invok ucar constitut mitig circumst made clear attempt cope difficult market condit fall demand undertak mean consist competit rule price fix market share legitim mean combat difficult market condit undertak entitl flout commun competit rule alleg overcapac conclus commiss conclud mitig circumst relat ucar infring justifi reduct fine fine calcul ucar eur million final amount calcult method case exce worldwid turnov ucar laid articl regul fine set eur million exce permiss limit applic lenienc notic lenienc notic appli ucar compani provid commiss decis evid contribut substanti establish import aspect case ucar contact commiss march intent cooper june provid document price tabl ident commiss found investig sgl compani acknowledg quot illicit contact competitor quot repli formal request inform march april submit commiss statement employe give detail organis structur cartel intern european level june ucar provid detail corpor statement commiss grant ucar indent section lenienc notic reduct abil pai argument ucar ucar argu due recent declin price sale graphit electrod industri financi situat deterior extent abil pai fine larg reduc approxim ucar busi consist graphit electrod concern situat ucar repli statement object pp ucar claim parent compani union carbid mitsubishi benefit cartel seri dividend transact culmin leverag recapitalis januari final ucar argu compani financi situat weaken high fine impos unit state canadian competit author civil damag payment argument commiss regard ucar argument commiss request detail inform compani financi posit examin compani repli commiss conclud present case adjust amount fine account determin fine undertak loss make financi situat due gener market condit compani corpor structur tantamount confer unjustifi competit advantag undertak adapt condit market ucar argument chang graviti ucar particip cartel effect deterr final present case justif set fine impos competit author civil damag payment recit total fine impos ucar eur million iii sdk tokai sec nippon aggrav circumst tokai sec nippon commiss account aggrav circumst continu clear cut indisput infring commiss carri investig fine tokai sec nippon increas mitig circumst tokai sec argu commiss account mitig circumst exclus passiv role arrang eea market similar nippon carbon argu plai limit role sec repli statement object pp nippon carbon repli statement object tokai suggest partial implement quot home produc principl quot increas sale commun period investig consid mitig tokai repli statement object pp role japanes produc commiss opinion substanc regard activ member particip quot top gui quot quot work level quot meet long period behaviour meet activ part discuss true particulari tokai sdk largest japanes produc japanes produc attend specif european group meet date sgl ucar target price contest basic principl cartel home produc compet aggress valid eea market abstent japanes produc eea market consid context adher basic principal cartel sign passiv behaviour consider regard tokai argument partial implement home produc principl tokai slightli increas sale respect basic principl cartel commiss conclud mitig circumst appli tokai sec nippon fine undertak consid reduct notic imposit reduct fine sdk eur million tokai eur million sec eur million nippon eur million applic lenienc notic sdk lenienc notic commiss account fact sdk compani provid substanti decis evid cartel crucial document hand commiss march quot cm report quot price list evid assist commiss significantli establish fact decis base accord section lenienc notic fine sdk reduc tokai sec nippon tokai sec nippon carbon contest factual alleg made statement object sec submit list meet particip annex repli statement object commiss reject sec nippon carbon argument maintain continu complet cooper investig sec repli statement object pp nippon carbon letter vagu repli commiss request inform articl regul regard voluntari cooper context lenienc notic commiss reject sec attempt justifi behaviour maintain sgl japanes compani recommend cooper true sec corpor decis respons cooper commiss investig compani receiv reduct indent section lenienc notic conclus total fine impos undertak sdk eur million tokai eur million sec eur million nippon eur million iv vaw mitig circumst vaw carbon claim plai passiv role cartel posit quot price follow quot particip meet success cartel vaw carbon regard activ member cartel repres present quot work level quot meet europ separ european group meet involv discuss price monitor sale volum recit activ involv price discuss contradict vaw carbon argument quot price follow quot final commiss dismiss vaw carbon argument vaw carbon particip cartel part scheme cartel control worldwid market includ import produc vaw carbon suggest act pressur sgl commiss note reliev vaw corpor respons report case commiss commiss conclud mitig circumst appli vaw applic lenienc notic repli commiss detail request inform march pursuant articl regul vaw carbon initi claim oblig answer question event unabl provid document inform letter juli vaw carbon announc willing cooper provid statement particip commiss consid substanti part inform provid statement fact constitut vaw carbon repli commiss formal request inform march extent inform provid request articl inform commiss possess vaw carbon statement consid relev contribut mean lenienc notic take consider fact vaw carbon cooper start commiss adopt statement object continu vaw aluminium ag receiv reduct accord indent section lenienc notic state recit commiss hold vaw aluminium ag parent compani vaw carbon gmbh respons anti competit conduct wholli own subsidiari total fine impos vaw aluminium ag eur million mitig circumst mitig circumst commiss account fact plai passiv role infring attend quot top gui quot quot work level quot meet posit quot price follow quot recit reduct grant basi partial implement offend agreement increas sale europ respect basic principl cartel restrict sale quot home quot market fine reduc fine eur million commiss accept argument act econom pressur correct produc put pressur remain decis respons particip infring regard structur overcapac sector state recit undertak mean consist commun competit rule cope difficult market condit applic lenienc notic accord indent section lenienc notic fine reduc recognit suppli inform commiss contrari claim entitl reduct juli suppli document contact competitor commiss octob corpor statement submit ambigu regard role cartel repli juli commiss formal request inform pursuant articl regul regard voluntari contribut mean lenienc notic abil pai claim current financi situat due downturn market graphit electrod steel crisi high oil price strength currenc highli leverag todai high civil damag payment result lawsuit unit state weaken compani consider argument commiss request detail inform compani financi posit examin compani repli commiss conclud adjust amount fine present case account mere fact undertak lossmak financi situat due gener market condit compani corpor structur tantamount confer unjustifi competit advantag undertak adapt condit market final present case justif set fine impos competit author civil damag payment recit total fine impos eur million amount fine impos present proceed conclus commiss set fine impos pursuant articl regul sgl carbon ag eur million ucar intern eur million vaw aluminium ag eur million showa denko eur million tokai carbon eur million nippon carbon eur million sec corpor eur million carbid graphit group eur million adopt decis articl undertak infring provis articl treati articl eea agreement particip complex agreement concert practic graphit electrod sector sgl carbon ag march ucar intern march vaw aluminium ag end showa denko april tokai carbon februari nippon carbon februari sec corpor februari carbid graphit group januari novemb articl undertak refer articl immedi bring end infring refer articl refrain repeat act conduct refer articl adopt measur equival object effect articl infring refer articl fine impos sgl carbon ag eur million ucar intern eur million vaw aluminium ag eur million showa denko eur million tokai carbon eur million nippon carbon eur million sec corpor eur million carbid graphit group eur million articl fine impos articl paid month date notif decis bank account account european commiss banco bilbao vizcaya argentaria bbva swift code bbvabebb iban code avenu de art brussel expiri period interest automat payabl interest rate appli european central bank main refinanc oper work dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address sgl carbon ag rheingaustraß wiesbaden ucar intern west end avenu suit nashvil tennesse usa vaw aluminium ag georg von boeselag straße bonn showa denko shiba daimon chome minato ku tokyo japan tokai carbon aoyama build kita aoyama chome minato ku tokyo japan nippon carbon hatchobori chome chuo ku tokyo japan sec corpor doi build misonomachi amagasaki hyogo hy japan carbid graphit group gatewai center floor pittsburgh pa usa decis enforc pursuant articl treati brussel juli commiss mario monti member commiss oj oj oj squar bracket mark asterisk denot confidenti inform delet text refer decis number appendic appendic statement object vaw carbon figur benelux countri includ quot belgium quot portug quot spain quot ireland quot uk quot declar commiss respons request inform articl figur produc underst actual posit oj case law court justic court instanc relat interpret articl treati appli equal articl eea articl council regul ec novemb arrang implement agreement european econom area quot commun rule give effect principal set articl articl ec treati appli mutati mutandi quot oj state recit commiss hold parent compani vaw aluminium ag respons anti competit behaviour vaw carbon gmbh wholli own subsidiari commiss request inform pursuant articl regul date commiss request inform pursuant articl regul date commiss request inform pursuant articl regul date