commiss decis juli relat proceed pursuant articl ec treati articl eea agreement case methionin 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 octob decemb open 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 regard report hear offic case part fact summari infring decis address undertak aventi sa aventi anim nutrit sa nippon soda compani degussa ag infring consist particip abovement produc methionin continu agreement concert action contrari articl ec treati articl eea agreement cover eea agre price target product agre implement mechan implement price increas exchang inform sale volum market share monitor enforc agreement undertak particip infring februari februari methionin industri product methionin import amino acid amino acid organ molecul form protein basic compon food feed amino acid involv build protein amino acid produc natur bodi ad feed quot essenti amino acid quot methionin sulphur amino acid type essenti amino acid present diet synthesi protein live organ stop amino acid absenc interrupt protein synthesi amino acid call quot limit amino acid quot methionin limit amino acid poultri natur methionin content poultri feed low augment supplement methionin ad compound anim feed premix anim speci princip applic poultri feed methionin increasingli ad pig feed special anim feed methionin present princip form dl methionin dlm methionin hydroxi analogu mha dl methionin white crystallis form virtual activ content methionin hydroxi analogu produc liquid form novu successor produc monsanto nomin activ content liquid methionin introduc monsanto account world methionin consumpt rel bio effici rival form subject long run debat produc form purpos deriv raw materi produc wai produc rhône poulenc aventi sa rhône poulenc corpor headquart courbevoi franc materi time intern compani involv research develop product market organ inorgan intermedi chemic special chemic fibr plastic pharmaceut agricultur chemic core busi pharmaceut plant anim health special chemic rhône poulenc group busi total frf billion ecu billion decemb rhône poulenc hoechst ag announc decis merg life scienc activ entiti quot aventi quot own parent compani shed chemic oper year period step complet fusion parent compani acceler programm merger project announc subject regulatori approv august commiss decid articl council regul eec decemb control concentr undertak oppos merger declar compat common market decemb complet merger announc aventi led member manag board execut committe compris board member senior execut group divid busi area aventi pharma aventi agricultur aventi agricultur compris crop scienc plant biotechnolog anim nutrit anim health busi chief execut offic aventi agricultur presid rhône poulenc plant anim health busi sector member execut committe aventi aventi compani headquart strasbourg proforma group sale entiti eur billion compani rhône poulenc group respons methionin materi time rhône poulenc anim nutrit quot rpan quot rpan wholli own subsidiari rhône poulenc produc market nutrit addit includ vitamin aminoacid anim foodstuff poultri pig rumin aventi anim nutrit sa quot aan quot rpan directli attach plant anim health divis rhône poulenc sa answer aventi sa aan addresse decis aan rpan intern headquart antoni pari region sale headquart africa base franc north america south america asia pacif region function rpan part rhône poulenc plant anim health busi sector aan rpan main feed addit product vitamin poultri pig feed methionin rhône poulenc make dl methionin mha bulk product powder form produc dry dl methionin plant franc brazil facil spain usa make liquid form rhône poulenc worldwid sale nutrit feed addit amount ecu million give share global market commun sale ecu million gave share market rhône poulenc report worldwid sale methionin ecu million ecu million previou year degussa ag degussa ag düsseldorf skw trostberg degussa hül merg follow merger respect parent compani viag veba form degussa hül form merger lead german chemic compani degussa ag frankfurt hül ag marl proforma sale merg entiti amount eur billion group compris divis special chemic activ degussa health nutrit construct chemic fine industri chemic coat advanc filler special polym perform chemic prior merger anim feedstuff busi conduct degussa hül merger hül ag marl anim feedstuff busi directli conduct degussa ag frankfurt degussa singl sourc supplier import essenti amino acid methionin lysin threonin degussa produc dry dl methionin nippon soda compani limit nippon soda tokyo larg global busi enterpris activ manufactur pesticid agricultur chemic feed addit pharmaceut compound sodium potassium compound mitsui own novu intern produc mha nippon soda nippon soda compani turnov financi year end march total nippon soda manufactur methionin europ produc powder methionin dlm japan product sold asia eea mitsui dlm manufactur nippon soda japan sale eea rest world sold japan mitsui manufactur product mitsui respons distribut market europ suppli european subsidiari produc sumitomo sumitomo chemic compani osaka tokyo japan largest chemic manufactur product rang includ basic chemic petrochem fine chemic agricultur chemic pharmaceut total group sale financi year end march novu novu intern st loui missouri feed addit divis monsanto compani set compani oper addit busi acquir monsanto mitsui amp nippon soda stock own mitsui amp tokyo mitsui amp usa york york remain nippon soda novu produc liquid methionin analogu form trademark alimet plant chocol bayou texa product capac expand novu total turnov market methionin suppli product synthet methionin complex process involv hydrolysi common protein import raw materi produc methionin acrolein methyl mercaptan hydrocyan acid produc methionin larg chemic compani oper worldwid scale methionin produc feed addit divis world largest produc rhône poulenc degussa novu rhône poulenc world market degussa novu unit state japan nippon soda sumitomo oper global scale order evalu size market methionin relev period commiss consider estim provid main produc methionin repli request inform juli decemb commun market worth eur million demand main custom methionin anim feed produc compound pre mixer poultri feed product account major consumpt swine feed pre mixer put concentr vitamin miner packag includ trace element amino acid therapeut drug inclus anim feed compound stage feed product process bui methionin direct manufactur concentr pre mixer demand food increas commerci livestock produc increasingli integr larg industri organis produc feed rais slaughter livestock manufactur prepar process food quot integr quot intra commun trade methionin produc member state germani franc spain market commun addresse decis product facil commun case subsidiari addit sale methionin commun countri japan usa methionin produc aventi sa aan franc spain degussa germani sold commun involv substanti amount trade member state addit nippon soda methionin sale mitsui subsidiari establish member state gener trade flow member state procedur rhône poulenc submit commiss statement admit involv cartel fix price alloc quota methionin invok notic imposit reduct fine cartel case quot lenienc notic quot rhône poulenc unabl suppli documentari evid infring rpan employe creat relev document june commiss offici offici germani bundeskartellamt act commiss decis articl regul carri investig premis degussa hül frankfurt spot investig commiss juli address request inform degussa hül articl regul document obtain undertak degussa hül repli request septemb commiss address request inform nippon soda novu sumitomo chemic decemb mitsui decemb year repli receiv februari nippon soda submit supplementari statement octob commiss initi proceed case adopt statement object produc methionin decemb commiss statement object aventi anim nutrit sa aan subsidiari aventi sa parti submit written observ respons commiss object decemb legal counsel aventi sa aventi anim nutrit sa inform commiss submit respons commiss statement object behalf compani repli statement object receiv januari januari aventi sa aan nippon soda admit infring substanti contest fact degussa admit infring period januari oral hear parti opportun heard decid take account evid pursu procedur parti descript event particip organis structur organis oper cartel base share assess market usual repres compani meet rhône poulenc aventi sa aan degussa nippon soda cartel meet set level earli year cartel period top level quot summit quot meet presid chief execut offic gener manag stage onward technic meet held quot manageri quot quot staff quot level top level nippon soda submiss februari bilater contact compani essenti featur cartel object basi statement made particip document commiss dossier commiss identifi essenti featur cartel agre implement member cartel lifetim draw clear pictur cartel function cartel main object fix target price agre concert price increas share inform sale volum market share target price quot rock bottom quot price cartel member agre target price implement agre price rang discuss quot announc quot list price member cartel recit particip agre need increas price discuss market accept agre price increas base outcom discuss recit gener target price set target price set nation market nation currenc deutschmark price review nation market target price attain refer individu custom recit addit target price particip agre minimum price nation market call quot floor quot quot rock bottom quot price paragraph concert price increas price increas organis quot campaign quot implement review cartel meet price increas campaign individualis recit share inform market share sale volum particip exchang inform sale volum product capac exchang compar respect estim total volum market paragraph nippon soda describ trilater meet work state inter alia inform exchang suppli main materi methionin capac rate oper plant demand product recit earli year cartel express opinion futur increment market growth wai alloc quota produc proport product capac recit necessarili case entir period cartel commiss evid particip occas agre limit import eea order maintain price level recit support price increas recit implement sale monitor order successfulli implement cartel agreement particip exchang sale volum figur exchang compil discuss regular meet particip inform basi discuss determin target price fix recit point cooper degussa propos establish actual volum control scheme support compens scheme degussa submit implement recit evid contrari commiss accept implement volum control scheme regular multilater meet hold regular multi bilater meet kei featur cartel organis multilater meet identifi period top level quot summit quot meet technic orient meet quot manageri quot quot staff quot level multilater meet preced bilater meet specif issu discuss inform relev implement cartel arrang exchang initi top level meet organis year allow variat lifetim cartel oper meet gener place time year particip take turn organis meet recit oper cartel agreement cartel distinct period period extend februari time particip account virtual methionin product agreement implement smoothli price upward trend end period mark sumitomo leav arrang entri market monsanto liquid analogu methionin event price start fall dramat rhône poulenc statement speak summer autumn appear remain particip degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda doubt react situat focu regain market share effect focu price appar evid commiss file held meet cartel member agre unanim novemb focu effort increas price interest clariti commiss quot transit period quot period period cartel run end cartel februari period particip compani forc focu sustain price level dramat increas monsanto novu sale liquid product cartel origin mid earli rhône poulenc degussa contact nippon soda sumitomo felt japanes produc encroach quot quot home market nippon soda submiss februari attach fact nippon soda rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda sumitomo met division level februari agre scheme limit japanes import meet division manag nippon soda agre limit compani sale level previou year tonn world market usa japan time similar agreement exist sumitomo limit sale quot japanes quot methionin eea market price rang agre supplement submiss februari page rhône poulenc confirm enter agreement sumitomo sumitomo limit sale eea market corrobor nippon soda version event unabl recollect exact date agreement rhône poulenc situat quot time quot admit contact exist produc sumitomo confirm meet place abovement produc recal met nippon soda rhône poulenc degussa state repres impress knew undertak confirm degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda contact mid nippon soda statement document detail date content cartel consid februari rhône poulenc speak year initi contact sumitomo subject matter meet nippon soda submit page submiss februari februari meet methionin produc discuss agre price rang limit japanes import eea cooper continu particip agre hold high level quot summit meet quot year interspers frequent quot staff quot level meet order continu cooper price arrang question cover world market japan includ european commun sumitomo state accept invit curios confirm meet held frankfurt autumn nippon soda rhône poulenc degussa chair meet sumitomo exchang compar respect estim total volum world market gave opinion futur increment market growth alloc quota produc talk share proport product capac disclos volum sale product capac previou year discuss quot announc quot list price sumitomo articl repli page sumitomo state meet rhône poulenc anim health facil franc autumn particip discuss estim alloc futur market growth rhône poulenc state cartel member meet period constitut quot organis effort quot reach agreement fix price rig market light abovement evid submit nippon soda sumitomo commiss dismiss version event rhône poulenc admit supplement submiss februari quot time quot enter quot gentlemen agreement quot sumitomo sumitomo sell methionin europ rhône poulenc stai japan contact competitor innoc rhône poulenc initi claim respect aventi state repli commiss statement object fact put emphasi meet held interpret effort conceal contact expect recollect record complet final sumitomo concern claim reason attend meet rhône poulenc anim health facil franc autumn announc intent attend meet confirm cartel member supplement submiss februari page rhône poulenc state contact broken sumitomo quot believ riski quot nippon soda state summit meet origin form end end sumitomo announc intent withdraw cooper market expand longer prepar accept limit sale develop rhône poulenc state earlier arrang end stand separ arrang repli commiss statement object degussa point earlier cartel arrang end degussa argu evid commiss file support alleg quot cartel quot continu commiss reject argument particip includ rhône poulenc submit evid support claim sumitomo broke cooper end evid submit support claim remain parti cartel announc intent termin arrang end contact contrari commiss evid oper cartel nippon soda make clear break continu high level annual quot summit quot meet end regular staff level meet continu uninterrupt august meet place nippon soda degussa rhône poulenc recit cartel member contact issu rais methionin price juli recit rhône poulenc admit meet degussa june discuss fall price recit novemb particip met agre increas price recit remain parti manifest intent termin arrang contrari degussa aventi submiss oper cartel continu unab support statement regular meet nippon soda submit background paper date prepar nippon soda discuss degussa show meet fact organis nippon soda degussa rhône poulenc august addit note show cartel member discuss price increas recit meet nippon soda rhône poulenc persuad degussa match low price offer monsanto sumitomo degussa visit japan autumn discuss nippon soda price justifi degussa quot discount quot sale maintain sale volum reduc fix cost note confirm cartel oper particip confus react market situat monsanto entri market note explain degussa polici earli win back methionin custom monsanto offer small custom low price nippon soda quot disregard effect conduct entir methionin market quot nippon soda indign degussa gave clear impress believ price unstabl competitor japanes market evid difficulti coordin action note show particip continu meet share view price declin revers nippon soda record degussa secur desir shipment volum plant load discount action increas profit oper propos price increas monsanto announc increas place month quot juli good time announc price increas degussa sound nisso rhône poulenc possibl tri parti meet futur quot rhône poulenc agenda degussa price aim maintain price level quot rhône poulenc interest propos joint effort increas price rhône poulenc interest cope possibl declin price propos concert action increas price quot crucial question nippon soda rhône poulenc back propos price initi quot joint price increas effort success rhône poulenc particip quot recent chang personnel rpan replac nippon soda believ continu make effort maintain close contact superior rhône poulenc percept particip market situat entri monsanto attitud degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda met time discuss price market data plan joint reaction market situat result mid complet agreement scheme organis market focus price note date show parti discuss increas price juli show parti implement discuss price increas minut cartel meet novemb suggest quot quot price increas campaign prior recit event establish parti contrari aventi degussa submiss contact exchang inform price sale discuss price increas rhône poulenc state met repres degussa june frankfurt offic order discuss fall price meet attend rhône poulenc degussa supplement submiss rhône poulenc correct earlier statement nippon soda present meet manag director degussa industri fine chemic divis rhône poulenc anim nutrit divis rpan rhône poulenc add supplement submiss page join compani april quot encourag quot predecessor contact degussa view quot initi quot regular contact rhône poulenc meet june rhône poulenc degussa decid contact nippon soda bring scheme fact shown nippon soda admit cartel stop nippon soda parti arrang set meet nippon soda place hong kong novemb nippon soda provid attach submiss februari minut manag meet held seoul novemb fact meet rhône poulenc place hong kong prior tripartit meet met versail exchang market inform rhône poulenc prepar posit vi vi nippon soda provid rhône poulenc sale figur attempt determin size world market rhône poulenc novemb meet compani agre need increas price discuss market bear agre rais price usd kg usd kg rhône poulenc repres degussa nippon soda particip agre continu regular meet locat europ asia eventu includ taipei singapor bangkok tokyo pari vienna london nice brussel rome copenhagen düsseldorf hamburg strasbourg nippon soda note seoul meet rhône poulenc identifi held hong kong novemb fuller pictur discuss rhône poulenc degussa quot nervou propos price increas quot weak dollar monsanto appar silenc plan increas clear context note parti agre quot price increas quot quot campaign quot involv stage increas januari april provid clear evid agreement cartel member implement price increas nippon soda minut meet novemb show earlier quot quot price increas price increas discuss juli confirm contrari impress rhône poulenc cartel set late juli price increas concert quot campaign quot recit dollar price refer note higher mention rhône poulenc statement usd kg increas januari suppos push dollar price usd kg level usd kg april price quot show juli price increas time tripartit meet east novemb restor price fallen half year level start year price europ concern memorandum explicit quot consider forego parti agre german mark area price level dem kg equival usd kg practic difficult increas price current price level remain unchang quarter defens purpos price increas announc effect april rhône poulenc degussa independ contact monsanto persuad monsanto join price increas campaign readi propos price increas schedul januari meet monsanto place novemb sic meet held late februari februari europ discuss product sic price april quot agre east meet novemb repres degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda met time year citi europ asia particip take turn organis meet rhône poulenc supplement submiss nippon soda repli document relat meet found degussa mark quot summit quot nippon soda situat regular meet quot manageri quot quot staff quot top level nippon soda repli nippon soda provid submiss februari pp list trilater meet detail point meet place time year rhône poulenc meet incomplet inform nippon soda set page submiss februari rhône poulenc suppli complet list meet onward date approxim necessarili accur appendix supplement submiss degussa provid list regular meet page articl repli date septemb begin lisbon meet march admit earlier meet rhône poulenc pari frankfurt claim unconnect quot summit quot meet produc conduct gener exchang market develop product capac methionin meet identifi rhône poulenc take place frankfurt june august pari late east meet nippon soda clear rhône poulenc account innoc natur claim degussa repli commiss statement object degussa state simpli recollect meet organis prior meet current employe degussa recollect arrang prior submit commiss exact date meet light evid contain preced paragraph commiss dismiss argument investig degussa commiss obtain comprehens hand written note seri regular meet head market degussa feed addit sector octob end note concern meet held lisbon march abbrevi speaker show particip includ rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda document appear relat bilater meet degussa rhône poulenc shortli meet exchang forecast price level current year meet review region countri current price level prospect increas price individu custom busi europ comment begin quot russian materi oct feb stock effect stepwis price increas novu deg rp mha month quot clear implic particip hope set dem target price degussa articl repli quot gener disappoint quot produc price methionin stabilis dem intern price list found degussa suggest end februari quot target quot price quarter dem limit price dem focu regular quarterli meet price fact meet record list format attach note reason assum connect degussa intern quot list quot meet close review nation market europ price dem announc germani degussa report custom bela mühle receiv offer dem dem quarter rhône poulenc increas price dem dem discuss continu line belgium franc greec uk ireland netherland itali norwai finland sweden austria portug spain switzerland summit meet record taipei juli discuss counter import russia dealer particip examin volum situat europ degussa quot lost quot tonn month judg main quot loser quot rhône poulenc nippon soda slightli big winner novu russian balanc sheet drawn show shortfal tonn offset fewer export import tokyo meet novemb subject russian import review world market compar previou year conclud increas demand note made authorship disput late earli insight relat novemb meet held singapor februari uncertain time price begun fall note begin quot europa preis avg avg quot produc discuss price increas announc rhône poulenc appar mha note read quot rp price increas announc np increas rarr dem frf week publish week jan quot degussa price list format intern note found degussa made exchang rate februari show target quot ziel quot quarter dem quot limit quot dem handwritten annot lower figur subsequ adopt quot target quot note made meet nice june particip discuss raw materi situat russian problem examin detail review individu nation market region observ novu sell alimet germani dem equival dem crystallin form nippon soda suppli commiss note bilater meet degussa week earlier includ prepar quot club quot meet nice fact subject quot common interest quot discuss degussa relat china taiwan philippin australia separ preparatori meet nippon soda rhône poulenc dai quot club quot met nice concern european market topic cover introduct price rise delai product offer price accept activ quot troublemak quot custom resel cheap price netherland nippon soda price propos bp unit kingdom nippon soda submit detail note june quot club meet quot nice set agreement rhône poulenc russian russian export limit tonn commit rhône poulenc tonn sold weld trader germani rhône poulenc contact weld quot hold sale make current effort increas market price methionin quot nippon soda note june club meet detail european market degussa half meet spent quot discuss ing recent develop region market set target price calendar quarter quot long discuss report target price europ previous agre dem kg recit nippon soda execut travel europ note typic market price nlg netherland gbp uk bef belgium market consid sluggish rhône poulenc aggriev degussa sell target price result product return europ resel dem kg difficulti price europ quot basic agre current target price dem kg remain unchang calendar quarter target price applic portug spain currenc devalu uk target price agre previous increas phase fix quot wide gap european target price dem kg usd east target usd dem concern differenti maintain strong risk product export europ flow back destabilis price meet cartel member held hamburg septemb note meet dealt propos acquisit adm archer daniel midland interest rhône poulenc plant institut virginia long examin novu profit posit market object particip engag specul novu achiev increas price cryptic quot lesson quot propos degussa european director novu allow prove mettl put novu price return guarante volum custom conclud note minut volum alloc scheme moot quot figur region countri custom novu take part market share target quot basi foreseen scheme includ compens mechan achiev sale past year repli statement object degussa submit statement understood mean volum alloc system implement novu cooper degussa submit repli statement object regular exchang volum figur tabl page file serv basi agre target price result alloc volum client particip meet tokyo decemb hand written date quot quot mistak usual theme control russian sale novu examin particip worri challeng novu gain highest share methionin market liquid analogu gain tonn sale europ rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda rel market share declin tabl bottom page note rel bio effici dlm mha tonnag term discuss repli commiss statement object degussa explain concern propos degussa set target price mha target price dlm europ produc consist effort maintain price identifi rhône poulenc main preoccup statement appar list attach note bear date clear downward pressur price identifi nice meet oblig particip lower target dem kg target longer consid realist nation market member state note state quot target quot price quot ziel quot nation currenc dem equival ii quot limit quot price currenc period iii quot actual quot price uk nl equival price alimet rhône poulenc liquid quot target quot price fix begin year dem dem quot limit quot price dem price revis dem dem regular meet usual detail note held berlin march price continu slide propos initi increas june review made price european nation market refer made individu custom price limit price connect meet price schedul format attach earlier report prepar updat end januari retain target dem equival currenc quot rock bottom quot price nation market column head quot remark quot quot bemerkungen quot show number handwritten minimum price annot quot degussa announc quot quarterli meet place königstein june note includ comment price denmark itali spain belgium denmark note made quot all informiert mündlich quot quot inform oral quot refer custom warn come price increas degussa duli made announc europ wide price rise dem trade press quot ernährungsdienst quot june rhône poulenc report le marché june increas price powder liquid rhodimet methionin made comprehens note prepar trilater meet novemb price situat countri summaris comment individu custom germani market price dem dem custom bela price dem rhône poulenc suspect sell russian materi price franc consid satisfactori quantiti quot catastroph quot refer price increas summer note quot target quot achiev bulk deliveri sell dem kg succinct comment quot updat price list quot made met contact nippon soda novemb main meet discuss price germani belgium netherland unit kingdom meet note held hotel juan carlo barcelona novemb usual discuss russia china novu particip reflect past failur strateg view market develop quot steadi improv quot profit methionin profit margin shrink observ posit record quot past compens problem solv act strateg tactic individu case sale peopl determin busi compens busi lost propos compens volum loss good situat novu stock low quot meet volum control scheme examin quot target propos index base sale volum st quarter sit compar figur quot produc consid price market possibl separ session record discuss detail rhône poulenc look back nostalgia earlier year quot problem thing regul quot europ rate dem target dem agre price announc trade press effect januari itali unit kingdom target limit price effect quot immedi except quot reaction particip degussa propos quota record repli septemb commiss request inform degussa claim suggest argu worth conduct exercis particip market exchang figur give accur pictur market degussa confirm posit repli commiss statement object particip implement volum alloc system regularli exchang sale figur rhône poulenc mention statement meet competitor quot exchang sale figur calcul region countri countri basi quot subsequ retract declar supplement submiss nippon soda confirm trilater meet involv inter alia exchang inform suppli main materi methionin capac rate oper plant demand product supplement submiss handwritten tabl found degussa compar percentag market share novu rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda sumitomo worldwid region tabl compil computeris data base degussa regularli updat show tonnag sold produc nation market degussa claim data competitor obtain degussa quot intern quot sourc accuraci figur fact sale data regularli exchang meet spreadsheet distribut insid degussa regular particip cartel meet rhône poulenc statement quarterli cartel meet continu juli ceas head market feed addit octob respons busi develop appar longer attend meet result detail note found period barcelona meet reason presum absenc detail record meet continu broadli purpos subject matter nippon soda claim page repli articl februari quot increasingli ceremoni quot price arrang function mutual exchang inform set fix price documentari evid confirm rhône poulenc part suppli supplement submiss attach manag instruct price reflect target price individu region quot target rang price agre meet quot quot friendship meet quot ceremoni includ fix target degussa list meet held octob copenhagen nippon soda identifi meet düsseldorf repli rhône poulenc describ supplement submiss pp meet held year cartel oper copenhagen meet octob final meet nanci februari rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda met frankfurt nippon soda fact düsseldorf european compani explain benefit nippon soda peopl meet past inform price increas nippon soda agre follow price initi rhône poulenc supplement submiss end cartel departur rhône poulenc autumn replac instruct manag rhône poulenc end contact competitor call degussa novu nippon soda sumitomo inform instruct supplement statement career rpan short live march authoris compani execut resum continu commun competitor quarterli meet discontinu high visibl risk discoveri time investig antitrust author vitamin sector advanc meet identifi rhône poulenc place heidelberg late summer earli autumn price begun declin mid attend rhône poulenc repres degussa agre increas price nippon soda attend meet meet mercur hotel nanci februari attend degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda discuss condit market dinner pari even articl repli rhône poulenc particip nanci meet assess total size market produc respect posit degussa market intellig rhône poulenc quot good quot target price usd dem agre occas meet arrang made ceas quot club quot meet maintain bilater contact meet heidelberg copenhagen degussa rhône poulenc rhône poulenc continu telephon contact counterpart nippon soda contact end februari senior manag rhône poulenc gave renew instruct termin practic rhône poulenc supplement submiss part ii legal assess jurisdict arrang set appli consum methionin establish countri eea eea agreement provis competit model ec treati forc januari decis includ applic date rule competit eea agreement articl arrang object arrang affect competit common market trade commun member state articl treati applic cartel oper effect trade commun efta countri efta countri part eea articl eea agreement applic agreement practic affect trade member state commun commiss retain compet appli articl treati agreement affect trade efta state efta surveil author esa sole compet appli eea competit rule articl eea agreement case commiss compet articl eea agreement appli articl treati articl eea agreement cartel appreci effect trade commun member state applic articl ec treati articl eea agreement articl ec treati articl eea agreement articl ec 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 ec treati similar prohibit refer articl trade quot member state quot replac refer trade quot contract parti quot refer competit quot common market quot replac refer competit quot territori cover eea agreement quot agreement concert practic articl treati articl eea agreement prohibit 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 explicit implicit behaviour parti judgment join case limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv commiss pvc ii court instanc state quot establish case law agreement mean articl treati suffici undertak express joint intent behav market quot articl treati draw distinct concept 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 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 objet effect whereof influenc conduct market actual potenti competitor disclos competitor conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market conduct fall articl quot concert practic quot parti explicitli subscrib common plan defin action market knowingli adopt adher collus devic facilit coordin commerci behaviour term articl 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 case complex infring long durat commiss characteris 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 cartel agreement concert practic time articl lai specif categori complex infring type pvc ii judgment court instanc state quot context complex infring involv produc seek number year regul market commiss expect classifi infring precis undertak moment event form infring cover articl treati quot quot agreement quot purpos articl 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 cartel joint enterpris particip agreement plai role exercis domin role ringlead intern conflict rivalri cheat occur prevent arrang constitut agreement concert practic purpos articl ec treati articl eea agreement singl common continu object complex cartel properli view singl continu infring time frame exist agreement vari time time mechan adapt strengthen account develop complex cartel long durat concert practic agreement conclud form part seri effort made undertak pursuit common object prevent distort competit commiss entitl find constitut singl continu infring court instanc observ point case hercul commiss artifici split continu conduct characteris singl purpos treat number separ infring quot fact undertak part period year integr set scheme constitut singl infring progress manifest unlaw agreement unlaw concert practic quot mere fact particip cartel plai role specif circumst exclud 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 singl continu infring februari februari ampl evid show exist singl continu collus eea market methionin aventi nippon soda degussa account market parti express joint intent behav market adher common plan limit individu commerci conduct agreement enter plan view restrict competit date back februari collus pursuit singl anti competit econom aim prevent price competit agre target price price increas plan subscrib rhône poulenc nippon soda degussa develop implement period year complex collus arrang specif agreement concert practic pursu common purpos elimin competit particip unlaw conduct knew part plan pursuit common unlaw object common design common object produc steadili pursu elimin competit methionin industri commiss consid conduct question constitut singl continu infring articl ec articl eea arrang detail factual part decis descript support widespread clear evid systemat refer text conduct question constitut singl continu infring articl ec articl eea arrang produc rightli consid present characterist full quot agreement quot factual element illicit conduct aptli concert practic repli statement object degussa contest commiss assert quot summit quot meet senior level meet division manag end continu infring frequent quot staff quot meet interrupt continu degussa claim imposs decis agreement enter quot staff quot level meet senior level end degussa aver commiss fail establish link continu categori meet particip alleg quot staff quot level meet degussa meet ceas end degussa particip infring meet held mid light recit argument continu illeg scheme dismiss state recit particip manifest intent termin arrang oper cartel interrupt demonstr recit particip continu part meet publicli distanc occur manifestli anti competit natur earlier meet lack evid particip meet anti competit intent establish illeg scheme fact continu question agreement concert practic implement address recit restrict competit articl ec treati articl eea agreement expressli mention restrict competit agreement directli indirectli fix sell price trade condit limit control product share market sourc suppli complex agreement arrang consid case element identifi relev order find breach articl ec treati articl eea agreement agreement target minimum price agreement concert price increas concert implement price increas market exchang inform sale figur order monitor market share achiev concert price individu custom concert limit prevent quot hold quot import commun ensur success price increas particip regular meet contact order agre restrict implement modifi requir kind arrang object restrict competit mean articl ec treati articl eea agreement price main instrument competit collus arrang mechan adopt produc ultim aim inflat price benefit level determin condit free competit order conclud articl ec treati eea agreement appli actual effect competit agreement establish agreement object restrict competit cartel restrict effect competit target price price rise primari object cartel agre announc custom implement eea repli statement object degussa nippon soda claim commiss fail demonstr actual restrict impact competit restrict effect arrang question establish detail recit effect trade commun member state eea contract parti continu agreement produc appreci effect trade member state commun contract parti eea agreement articl ec treati aim agreement harm attain singl market member state partit nation market affect structur competit common market similarli articl eea agreement direct agreement undermin realis homogen european econom area demonstr section quot intra commun trade quot recit methionin market characteris substanti volum trade member state consider volum trade commun efta member eea norwai import methionin requir primarili commun austria finland sweden prior access applic articl treati eea agreement cartel limit part member sale involv transfer good state order provis appli show individu contact particip oppos cartel affect trade member state case cartel arrang cover third trade ec eea import industri sector exist price fix quota mechan result result automat divers trade pattern provis competit rule applic austria finland norwai sweden eea agreement enter forc januari period prior date cartel oper provis applic proceed articl ec treati articl cover restrict competit cartel arrang austria finland iceland liechtenstein norwai sweden efta member state prior januari period januari decemb provis eea agreement appli efta member state cartel breach articl eea agreement articl ec treati commiss compet appli provis restrict competit efta state year period fall articl eea agreement access austria finland sweden commun januari articl treati applic cartel affect competit market oper cartel norwai remain breach articl eea practic result cartel oper austria finland norwai sweden breach eea commun competit rule januari addresse principl applic order identifi addresse decis determin legal entiti respons infring subject commun eea competit rule quot undertak quot concept ident notion corpor legal person nation commerci compani fiscal law term quot undertak quot defin treati refer entiti engag commerci activ circumst treat relev quot undertak quot purpos articl treati articl eea agreement group individu subgroup subsidiari compani regard order determin parent compani held respons unlaw conduct subsidiari establish subsidiari quot decid independ conduct market carri materi respect instruct parent compani quot aeg telefunken bpb industri case court rule subsidiari wholli own necessarili principl polici laid parent compani stora kopparberg bergslag ab case court upheld court instanc find parent compani liabl subsidiari conduct state quot subsidiari wholli own cfi legitim assum parent compani fact exercis decis influenc subsidiari conduct found administr procedur parent compani present commiss sole interlocutor infring question quot confirm presumpt parent compani wholli own subsidiari exercis decis influenc subsidiari conduct cite case valid presumpt confirm addit indic conduct parent compani infring articl ec articl eea found commit period time identifi natur legal person respons oper undertak time infring undertak commit infring articl ec articl eea dispos asset serv vehicl infring withdraw market concern undertak question continu held respons infring period consid exist addresse decis case rhône poulenc chang legal form end presum end involv infring chang legal form corpor ident reliev undertak liabil penalti anti competit behaviour liabil fine pass successor corpor ident commit violat ceas exist law subject competit rule ec treati eea agreement undertak concept necessarili ident notion corpor legal person nation commerci compani fiscal law quot undertak quot defin ec treati refer entiti engag commerci activ case larg multin corpor myriad subsidiari complex network ownership sharehold organis manag purpos group activ separ oper function divis geograph area necessarili corpor structur give rise complic court instanc found quot articl treati aim econom unit consist unitari organis person tangibl intang element pursu specif econom aim long term basi contribut commiss infring kind refer provis quot subject competit rule undertak enforc rule imposit collect penalti requir identif specif legal person respons conduct undertak proceed address court instanc observ case enichem anic commiss commiss infring time person respons oper undertak ceas exist law find combin physic human element contribut commiss infring identifi person respons oper legal corpor person fine impos exist time commiss infring case rhône poulenc recit full merger hoechst form aventi mean respons pass entiti obviou continu rhône poulenc entiti subsum rhône poulenc ceas exist law legal person physic human element transfer aventi sa success liabil rhône poulenc aventi discuss issu attribut liabil subsidiari parent compani discuss commiss address statement object aventi sa aan respect aventi sa opinion final decis exclus address subsidiari aan rpan support thereof aventi argu aan subsidiari form sustain subgroup rhône poulenc aventi group involv ultim parent compani aventi sa confin exercis supervisori function customari major sharehold address decis aan avoid unnecessarili jeopardis reput hoechst ag rhône poulenc merg decemb aventi sa ultim parent compani merg entiti group compani busi respons busi alloc care defin subgroup choos decis commiss address parent compani affili compani respons group final aventi sa inform commiss addresse aan receiv statement object aventi sa claim present correct addresse entir proceed rpan aan entiti rhône poulenc respons methionin busi entir period infring direct particip cartel establish fact contest commiss consid rpan aan rhône poulenc aventi held respons conduct infring period rpan sole sharehold infring period recit rhône poulenc sa aventi sa commiss sole interlocutor administr proceed submit statement spontan approach commiss voluntari basi receiv statement object point undertak deni awar cartel rpan directli involv point prior receiv statement object contest imput infring aventi legal repres repres aventi sa aan entir proceed decemb legal counsel aventi sa aventi anim nutrit sa inform commiss submit singl respons commiss statement object behalf compani note rpan directli attach plant anim health divis rhône poulenc aventi agricultur wholli own subsidiari directli report turn plant anim health divis rhône poulenc instruct rhône poulenc ultim parent compani respons manag group move aventi agricultur member execut committe rhône poulenc aventi basi commiss find aventi sa rhône poulenc likewis held respons conduct subsidiari infring period circumst case appear address decis aan aventi sa held jointli sever liabl fine case degussa issu success liabil merger hül ag form degussa hül ag compani directli involv cartel arrang degussa ag frankfurt main full merger hül degussa ag frankfurt main ceas exist law respons activ transfer entiti degussa hül ag subsequ merger degussa hül skw trostberg ag form degussa ag düsseldorf meant respons pass entiti subsum decis address degussa ag respect degussa submit commiss calcul fine account econom size quot quot degussa ag frankfurt main subsequ merger chang posit methionin market actual impact relev market undertak concern consider econom size dealt recit seq establish fact nippon soda directli autonom particip cartel group bear respons infring addresse decis durat infring bilater contact methionin produc place initi multilater meet commiss case limit assess articl ec treati articl eea agreement applic fine period februari onward multilater cartel meet held recit document inform provid nippon soda demonstr multilater cartel meet particip agre division level fix quota set price hold regular meet quot summit quot quot staff quot level rhône poulenc degussa nippon soda particip agreement rhône poulenc confirm albeit precis nippon soda cartel mid rhône poulenc speak detail statement contemporan document provid nippon soda oper cartel commiss pinpoint birth cartel februari recit degussa claim particip infring mid admit meet prior claim unrel quot summit quot meet recit commiss accept version event establish factual part decis degussa involv infring earli inter alia recit note affect austria finland norwai sweden cartel constitut infring competit rule entri forc eea agreement januari origin cartel meet quot summit quot meet held year ceas origin form end member announc quit arrang evid commiss file show remain parti manifest intent termin arrang oper cartel continu unab februari contrari degussa aventi submit establish factual part decis chang situat caus member quit arrang arriv market monsanto analogu liquid product requir remain parti adapt collus basic structur scheme continu evolv meet chang condit constitut format cartel simpli reflect organ develop complex scheme collus cartel continu februari trilater meet degussa rhône poulenc nippon soda end mid contact end assum end februari meet februari nanci degussa argu commiss meet copenhagen date infring degussa concern repli statement object degussa alleg commiss fail long consid degussa involv cartel understand commiss alleg degussa particip mid commiss dismiss argument commiss point statement object german version consid degussa particip infring februari claim right defenc infring commiss degussa particip cartel mid commiss suffici demonstr degussa continu particip presum end cartel februari recit remedi articl regul commiss find infring articl ec treati articl eea agreement requir undertak concern bring infring end accord articl regul circumst commiss state statement object declar absolut certainti infring ceas repli statement object aventi emphasis satisfi complet termin aan involv illeg methionin agreement begin februari month approach commiss disclos methionin cartel nippon soda point put end particip februari degussa claim end particip notwithstand observ avoid doubt requir undertak remain activ methionin market decis address bring infring end henceforth refrain agreement concert practic decis associ similar object effect articl regul gener consider articl regul commiss decis impos undertak fine thousand million euro 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 attenu circumst appli notic imposit reduct fine cartel case assess graviti infring commiss account natur actual impact market measur size relev market role plai undertak parti infring assess individu basi amount fine cartel constitut deliber infring articl ec eea full knowledg restrict charact action illeg lead produc methionin combin set secret institutionalis system design restrict competit signific industri sector basic amount basic amount determin graviti durat infring graviti assess graviti infring commiss take account natur actual impact market measur size relev geograph market natur infring fact set infring consist market share price fix practic natur worst kind violat articl ec treati eea agreement cartel arrang involv major oper eea conceiv direct encourag high level particip compani natur implement cartel agreement type lead automat import distort competit exclus benefit produc particip cartel highli detriment custom ultim gener public commiss consid infring constitut natur infring articl ec treati articl eea agreement nippon soda argu commiss suffici demonstr real graviti infring assess natur infring purpos assess fine contest infring articl ec articl eea establish respect nippon soda submit cartel lack abil demonstr abil exert meaning influenc european market singularli ineffect nippon soda view commiss document show attend meet abil control market manner expect effect cartel commiss reject approach firstli demonstr recit infring impact eea methionin market fact cartel achiev result desir member prove cartel effect market clear price fix market share cartel natur jeopardis proper function singl market matter normal competit pattern govern singl market methionin replac system collus price product essenti compon competit infring articl ec eea consid actual impact infring methionin market eea infring commit undertak materi period held lion share world european market methionin arrang specif aim rais price higher restrict quantiti sold arrang implement materi impact market quantifi detail extent price differ appli absenc arrang measur reliabl manner number extern factor simultan affect trend price product make extrem difficult draw conclus rel import causal effect cartel agreement implement durat cartel parti exchang sale figur basi figur degussa confirm repli commiss statement object parti agre target price recit exchang sale figur market share instrument sustain pressur put price constitut crucial element cartel practic target price effect announc custom specialis press recit parti close monitor implement agreement organis regular multilater bilater meet meet parti exchang sale figur discuss market price enabl parti monitor agre target price met agre adjust target price instanc recit earlier year cartel parti control virtual methionin product focu increas methionin price recit increasingli difficult monsanto novu enter market price began fall significantli combin effect monsanto arriv methionin market gener fall demand rhône poulenc speak summer autumn cartel member manag revers downward trend combin effort price successfulli increas juli effort focus maintain exist price instanc recit confirm note submit nippon soda relat meet held shown price methionin market rise degussa manag sell methionin price dem kg larger custom cebeco prior meet novemb price usd kg dem kg shown recit cartel member agre novemb meet increas price usd kg usd kg dem kg nippon soda quot higher dollar price increas januari suppos push dollar price usd kg equival dem kg nippon soda inform dem kg basi eurostat figur usd kg dem kg view effort invest particip complex organis cartel doubt anti competit agreement implement materi period infring continu implement period year impact market case shown recit nippon soda submit abil signific damag oper consum market commiss jurisdict virtual nil sale eea plai passiv role cartel nippon soda sell methionin mitsui japan sell product eea estim market share addit nippon soda submit cartel singularli ineffect recit nippon soda evid commiss file demonstr particip limit abil influenc market nippon soda submit practic produc abil fix market price discuss meet support argument nippon soda cite commiss evid period show price routin fell target price dem kg member alleg cartel appear quot cheat quot degre meet gradual lost quot raison être quot degener social occas ceas altogeth nippon soda agre factor necessarili exoner compani find breach articl treati apposit nippon soda submiss determin find commiss make quot graviti quot infring nippon soda found commit repli statement object degussa draw conclus emphasis infring confin set target price degussa agreement mechan implement price increas alloc quota volum client control mechan involv compens system monitor implement agreement fact degussa evid show spite meet rhône poulenc nippon soda degussa price fell continu dem kg summer degussa submit cartel ineffect novu eea wide market share particip agreement reason particip implement price increas volum alloc scheme degussa infring quot insignific quot impact eea market argument parti minimis commiss find cartel actual effect market conclus explan failur achiev target price valid demonstr convinc manner implement cartel agreement plai role set fluctuat price methionin market parti replac uncertain situat free competit continu collus price necessarili establish level prevail competit market fact highlight nippon soda degussa cartel effort methionin price diminish time illustr difficulti encount parti increas price difficult market situat demonstr illeg practic effect market demonstr price competit level contrari examin combin effort cartel member recit seq conclud entir period cartel includ cartel member manag maintain price level higher illicit arrang discuss recit fact result sought cartel particip achiev prove cartel affect market inconceiv inter alia risk involv parti repeatedli agre meet locat world set target price period infring perceiv cartel impact methionin market repli statement object degussa submit commiss evid support claim degussa rhône poulenc act complet autonom market recit argument commiss ampl evid show rhône poulenc degussa continu part infring recit fact rhône poulenc degussa quot hidden agenda quot caus disregard extent commit made cartel particip impli implement cartel agreement court instanc held cascad case quot undertak collud competitor independ polici market simpli exploit cartel benefit quot size relev geograph market cartel cover common market creation eea part common market eea influenc collus purpos calcul graviti commiss consid entireti commun creation eea affect cartel conclus commiss graviti infring take account natur behaviour scrutini actual impact methionin market fact cover common market creation eea commiss consid undertak concern decis commit infring articl ec treati eea agreement classif cartel particip 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 case consider dispar size undertak particip infring circumst case involv undertak set basic amount fine account specif weight real impact competit undertak offend conduct purpos undertak concern divid categori rel import market concern subject adjust account factor ensur effect deterr basi comparison rel import undertak market concern commiss consid case respect share world market product global charact market figur provid suitabl pictur particip undertak capac signific damag oper common market eea world market share parti cartel indic contribut effect cartel convers instabl affect cartel particip comparison base share world market product full calendar year infring year rhône poulenc degussa major produc methionin relev geograph market estim share world market nippon soda smaller player world methionin market estim market share time smaller rhône poulenc smallest player eea concern rhône poulenc market share degussa nippon soda account eea market methionin repli commiss statement object nippon soda estim eea share rhône poulenc degussa constitut categori nippon soda constitut categori basi commiss set basic amount fine determin graviti aventi sa aan degussa eur million nippon soda eur million suffici deterr order ensur fine suffici deterr effect take account fact larg undertak legal econom knowledg infrastructur enabl easili recognis conduct constitut infring awar consequ stem competit law commiss determin adjust start amount need undertak respect worldwid turnov aventi degussa larger player nippon soda worldwid turnov respect commiss consid start point fine result criterion rel import market concern requir upward adjust account size resourc aventi degussa basi commiss consid deterr requir start point fine determin recit increas eur million degussa aventi sa durat infring commiss consid aventi degussa nippon soda infring articl treati februari februari articl eea agreement januari februari nippon soda contest durat infring aver durat account purpos determin fine year support argument submit meet chang natur composit year gradual quot peter quot commiss adduc evid respect period time commiss receiv acknowledg evid activ ceas earli year period repli statement object nippon soda submit fine notic infring quot long durat quot merit increas annum infring subject quot year quot increas purpos durat separ permit penalti impos restrict quot harm impact consum long period quot discuss earlier quot graviti quot nippon soda claim actual impact consum demonstr thirdli nippon soda submit wrong fine regard durat period element complex infring assess occur part aventi substanti contest durat infring repli commiss statement object cast doubt credibl nippon soda inform start date infring meet februari mention earlier submit context fact detail inform contact constru effort conceal contact expect recollect record complet initi durat cartel arrang establish recit lastli degussa firmli contest durat infring admit particip infring durat degussa particip cartel discuss recit commiss dismiss nippon soda argument establish exist durat infring articl ec treati commiss account determin fine entir durat infring court justic uphold judgment court instanc point case commiss anic partecipazioni spa 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 ec treati infring rightli consid exist februari februari commiss conclud aventi degussa nippon soda commit infring year month start amount fine determin graviti recit increas year month conclus basic amount commiss set basic amount fine aventi sa aan eur million degussa ag eur million nippon soda compani eur million aggrav circumst role leader infring commiss possess element indic addresse decis initi launch cartel mention recit rhône poulenc degussa contact japanes counterpart set anti competit price arrang methionin market limit japanes import eea rhône poulenc recollect meet degussa agre quot bring nippon soda scheme quot recit hand consid total evid case factual part present decis pictur joint initi cartel cartel member identifi particip cartel meet take turn organis meet concern particip activ directli infring exchang sale figur review discuss target price aventi submit rpan compel compani part cartel act instig leader submit nippon soda plai activ role cartel degussa act leader cartel degussa submit consid plai activ role cartel rhône poulenc nippon soda state statement object meet chair degussa frankfurt degussa submit role limit provid meet room introduc individu particip rhône poulenc state degussa organis meet nippon soda hong kong understood contact nippon soda joint decis degussa rhône poulenc led eventu meet organis hong kong final commiss account fact activ highlight fact inform relat period base note made degussa light commiss consid specif ringlead identifi attenu circumst exclus passiv role infring nippon soda state repli discuss concern eea plai passiv role infring submit small market share world eea methionin market present mitsui meant european produc act natur leader matter relev european market effect econom capac undertak influenc eea market basi econom size account calcul basic fine recit commiss reason nippon soda plai passiv quot follow leader quot role infring nippon soda particip vast major cartel meet identifi part directli activ infring nippon soda part meet exchang sale inform particip nippon soda claim plai pure quot passiv quot role nippon soda background paper instanc quot nippon soda rhône poulenc persuad degussa match low price offer monsanto sumitomo quot activ interven give direct cartel oper commiss conclud nippon soda entitl benefit reduct fine basi allegedli pure passiv role cartel final fact nippon soda small player methionin market reliev corpor respons nippon soda report cartel commiss implement practic offend agreement discuss recit commiss consid anti competit agreement carefulli implement attenu circumst applic addresse decis attenu circumst discuss recit nippon soda degussa submit commiss view arrang quot insignific quot impact eea market nippon soda degussa point cartel arrang price fall agre target price degussa nippon soda submit particip implement agreement commiss consid infring materi impact eea market discuss recit commiss firstli note implement agreement target price necessarili requir exact price appli regular failur appli agre price target necessarili constitut attenu circumst agreement held implement parti fix price order move direct target agre case cartel affect methionin market discuss recit commiss stress fact undertak prove particip collus price competitor behav time market manner agre competitor necessarili matter account attenu circumst determin amount fine impos state earlier undertak collud competitor independ polici market simpli exploit cartel benefit nippon soda claim recit particip cartel arrang caus insignific impact market commiss jurisdict sell methionin eea commiss point mere fact nippon soda sell eea independ distributor constitut attenu circumst nippon soda concern demonstr activ particip cartel arrang entir period cartel recit infring actual impact market recit mention commiss duli account fact nippon soda econom size comparison cartel member meant effect econom capac influenc eea market smaller recit degussa point measur prevent futur infring anti trust rule context adopt complianc programm commiss welcom fact degussa set antitrust law complianc polici consid initi late prevent tool dispens commiss duti penalis infring competit rule commit degussa past light commiss adopt degussa complianc programm attenu circumst justifi reduct fine commiss conclud attenu circumst applic particip infring affect methionin market applic commiss lenienc notic addresse decis cooper commiss stage investig infring purpos obtain favour treatment set commiss lenienc notic order meet legitim expect undertak concern imposit reduct fine basi cooper commiss examin section parti concern satisfi condit set lenienc notic imposit fine substanti reduct amount quot section quot aventi submit meet condit set commiss lenienc notic order obtain reduct fine exempt fine impos aventi aan point produc initi inform commiss exist methionin cartel involv produc adduc decis evid aventi cartel disclos aventi submit rpan end involv cartel inform commiss exist cartel aventi submit continu cooper commiss provid inform possess addit aventi submit compel compani part cartel act instig leader contrari statement made nippon soda aventi rhône poulenc successor contest explicit tacit suggest statement object rhône poulenc conceal minimis contact produc contrari aventi submit begin end contact methionin produc disclos rhône poulenc describ meet month februari aventi claim awar denounc cartel cartel consid infring long durat year factor result signific increas amount fine final aventi commiss aan particip previou infring type aventi point cartel methionin cartel lenienc notic effect appli commiss grant exempt fine parti inform illeg practic cartel methionin cartel lenienc polici commiss produc desir effect incit compani denounc cartel commiss accept aventi undertak submit decis evid exist intern cartel affect eea methionin industri inform provid statement submit rhône poulenc commiss carri investig premis degussa hül aventi fulfil condit set section lenienc notic commiss note rhône poulenc posit suppli documentari evid violat ground rpan employe creat relev document commiss note statement comprehens oper cartel basi inform dispos aventi consid arrang quot constitut organis effort reach agreement fix price rig market discontinu quot commiss acknowledg explain incomplet recollect event submit aventi aan lastli commiss note aventi substanti contest fact commiss statement object commiss account element determin amount reduct fine commiss grant aventi reduct fine impos cooper commiss nippon soda submit inform provid infring prior mean nippon soda consid meet term set categori lenienc notic nippon soda argu commiss find nippon soda evid pre infring meet condit set lenienc notic give nippon soda due credit contribut made respect period nippon soda request commiss utilis discret acknowledg reward ad nippon soda respect pre period grant reduct greater provid lenienc notic nippon soda degussa provid commiss decis inform methionin cartel requir point section lenienc notic meet condit set point section substanti reduct fine quot section quot nippon soda degussa provid commiss decis inform methionin cartel requir point section lenienc notic undertak meet condit set section signific reduct fine regard period nippon soda submit meet exce condit set categori lenienc notic allow maximum level lenienc categori lenienc notic respect post period nippon soda argu cooper case enabl commiss present case respect post period sounder document nippon soda believ commiss discret grant higher level lenienc relat period final nippon soda submit grant reduct fine contest fact contain statement object commiss accept nippon soda provid inform contribut materi establish fact relat exist cartel arrang prior mention nippon soda benefit categori lenienc notic adduc decis evid requir point section point section commiss conclud thatnippon soda fulfil condit set indent section lenienc notic inform provid nippon soda detail extens commiss pursuit investig nippon soda provid valuabl inform background origin oper cartel mention commiss consid inform provid nippon soda relat period prior contribut materi establish exist cartel arrang commiss acknowledg fact nippon soda contest fact set statement object order full account inform provid cartel arrang prior aspect nippon soda contribut investig includ contest fact commiss grant reduct fine impos cooper commiss part degussa submit cooper extens commiss investig provid valuabl inform oper cartel significantli exceed legal oblig repli commiss request inform degussa claim assist commiss clarifi classifi put document context enabl commiss demonstr function cartel degussa submit qualifi signific reduct fine commiss note inform provid degussa found investig carri premis degussa hül june provid degussa repli commiss request inform juli respect degussa submit commiss statement object wrongli refus accept voluntari natur degussa cooper degussa submit case law court instanc oblig repli question commiss formul articl letter quot pure factual element quot commiss accept argument reaffirm view degussa cooper classifi quot voluntari quot inform provid degussa repli articl request fall ambit undertak duti articl regul repli fulli request question commiss articl letter refer degussa support claim consid undermin degussa right defenc court held orkem case regul give undertak investig evad investig ground result thereof provid evid infring competit rule contrari impos undertak oblig cooper activ impli make commiss inform relat subject matter investig request inform commiss sought obtain factual clarif document unclear quotat made document found degussa premis investig carri june product document exist settl case law court commiss entitl request factual clarif respect court instanc state quot mere fact oblig answer pure factual question put commiss constitut breach principl respect right defenc impair fair legal process prevent addresse question request show administr procedur proceed commun court exercis right defenc fact set repli document produc mean ascrib commiss quot commiss accept degussa compel provid inform provid inform provid degussa confirm vast major meet number fact question cooper degussa investig commiss conclud degussa fulfil condit set indent section lenienc notic grant degussa reduct fine impos cooper commiss degussa contest fact statement object relat durat cartel degussa claim quot fact statement object correct state degussa part illeg arrang mid copenhagen meet quot commiss demonstr factual part decis degussa fact particip cartel arrang entir durat infring commiss conclud degussa fulfil condit set indent section lenienc notic degussa qualifi reduct fine pursuant indent section commiss lenienc notic conclus applic lenienc notic conclus regard natur cooper light condit set lenienc notic commiss grant addresse decis reduct respect fine aventi sa aan reduct degussa ag reduct nippon soda compani reduct final amount fine impos proceed conclus fine impos pursuant articl regul aventi sa aan eur degussa ag eur nippon soda compani eur decid articl aventi sa aventi anim nutrit sa jointli liabl degussa ag nippon soda compani infring articl treati articl eea agreement particip manner extent set reason complex agreement concert practic sector methionin durat infring februari februari articl undertak name articl forthwith bring infring end henceforward refrain relat activ methionin agreement concert practic similar object effect infring articl fine impos undertak name articl respect infring found degussa ag fine eur nippon soda compani fine eur articl fine paid month date notif decis account account european commiss banco bilbao vizcaya argentaria bbva sa avenu de art kunstlaan brussel swift code bbvabebb iban code expiri period interest automat payabl rate appli european central bank main refinanc oper dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address aventi sa avenu de europ strasbourg aventi anim nutrit sa avenu aristid briand antoni degussa ag bennigsenplatz düsseldorf nippon soda compani shinotemachi build otemachi chiyoda ku tokyo japan decis enforc pursuant articl treati brussel juli commiss mario monti member commiss oj oj oj oj oj case iv oj squar bracket mark asterisk denot confidenti inform delet text sumitomo articl repli seq distinct appar nippon soda degussa continu term quot summit quot direct focu meet chang arriv monsanto methionin busi spun incorpor novu european market nippon soda submiss februari page type error meant note show cartel member essenti concern monsanto arriv market document found degussa show detail monsanto sale tonn import custom monsanto main preoccup cartel page moment durat cartel obtain cooper monsanto page page time arrang suggest particip persuad novu join arrang page page degussa particip final act agreement european econom area oj pursuant articl eea agreement prejudic compet commiss trade member state affect esa compet case turnov undertak concern territori efta state equal turnov territori eea chapter quot effect trade commun member state eea contract parti quot join case limburgs vinyl maatschappij nv commiss pvc ii ecr ii paragraph case law court justic court instanc analys relat interpret term quot agreement quot quot concert practic quot articl ec treati express principl establish signatur eea agreement appli equal term articl eea agreement refer articl appli articl case imperi chemic industri commiss ecr paragraph join case suiker uni commiss ecr judgment court instanc case hercul commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court justic case hül commiss ecr paragraph judgment court instanc case hercul commiss paragraph paragraph judgment court instanc case hercul commiss paragraph judgment court justic case commiss anic ecr paragraph judgment court instanc al cimenteri cbr commiss ecr ii paragraph degussa repli commiss articl letter meet held lisbon march repli statement object degussa refer quot barcelona quot meet understood fact read quot lissabon quot quot barcelona quot judgment court instanc case cimenteri sbr commiss ecr ii judgment court instanc case dansk rorindustri commiss paragraph publish judgment court instanc case solvai amp cie sa commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court instanc case tréfileurop commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court instanc case cimenteri sbr commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court instanc case european night servic commiss ecr ii paragraph court state specif relat price fix agreement judgment court instanc case imperi chemic industri commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court justic join case van landewyck commiss ecr paragraph case imperi chemic industri ecr paragraph case aeg telefunken ecr paragraph case bpb industri ecr ii paragraph appeal reject judgment court case ecr judgment court case stora kopparberg bergslag ab ecr paragraph commiss decis polypropylen case oj paragraph pvc case oj paragraph cartonboard case oj paragraph case enichem anic spa commiss polypropylen ecr ii judgment upheld court justic case commiss anic partecipazioni spa ecr case sca hold commiss ecr ii judgment upheld court justic case sca hold ecr case mo och domsjö ab commiss ecr ii paragraph judgment court justic stora kopparberg bergslag ab commiss ecr paragraph repli statement object aventi refer letter januari address commiss state reason consid aan addresse decis aventi sa articl council regul ec novemb arrang implement agreement european econom area quot commun rule give effect principl set articl articl ec treati appli mutati mutandi quot oj oj recit cartel member cover virtual market earlier year cartel monsanto novu entri market cartel member gradual lost market share end infring particip hold worldwid european market methionin usd dem eurostat offici exchang rate usd dem eurostat offici exchang rate usd dem eurostat offici exchang rate usd dem eurostat offici exchang rate case ecr ii paragraph aventi repli commiss statement object instanc recit commiss decis case comp amino acid oj recit case cascad sa commiss ecr ii paragraph discuss earlier quot addresse quot nippon soda meet condit set point section judgment court instanc februari case mannesmann röhren werk ag commiss judgment court justic case orkem commiss ecr paragraph judgment court justic case orkem commiss ecr paragraph judgment court instanc februari case mannesmann röhren werk ag commiss paragraph judgment court justic case orkem commiss ecr paragraph judgment court justic case hoechst ag commiss ecr opinion advoc gener mischo deliv septemb case roquett frère sa commiss power commiss articl regul enabl carri duti ec treati bring light infring articl ec treati ibid paragraph