commiss decis decemb relat proceed pursuant articl ec treati comp soda ash solvai notifi document number french text authent text eea relev ec commiss european commun relat proceed pursuant articl ec treati regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend regul ec articl thereof regard commiss decis februari open proceed initi pursuant articl regul undertak concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul commiss regul eec juli hear provid articl council regul consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit part fact summari infring investig present decis aris investig carri commiss march pursuant articl regul premis commun produc soda ash mean investig subsequ enquiri articl regul commiss discov documentari evid show infring articl eec treati articl ec treati commit solvai cie sa solvai sa brussel solvai infring articl solvai end solvai abus domin posit held market soda ash commun exclud unit kingdom ireland appli major custom system loyalti rebat discount refer margin tonnag contractu arrang tend ensur effect exclus suppli solvai devic object effect ty custom solvai requir exclud competitor soda ash market product present procedur concern soda ash sodium carbon alkalin chemic commod raw materi manufactur glass soda ash primari sourc sodium oxid act flux glass melt process soda ash chemic industri make deterg metallurgi europ soda ash manufactur common salt limeston quot ammonia soda quot process invent solvai solvai process initi produc light ash requir stage densif produc dens form form chemic ident dens ash prefer form glass manufactur unit state america quot natur quot soda ash mine trona or deposit found wyom mine trona or purifi roast refineri natur soda ash produc dens form natur ash found africa australia soda ash produc unit state america obtain natur synthet product plant close europ entir product synthet materi reason lower salt content natur soda ash unit state america suitabl manufactur glass glass produc purchas synthet ash seek mix american natur ash order achiev requir concentr produc period consider produc synthet soda ash commun solvai imperi chemic industri ici rhône poulenc akzo matth amp weber amp chemisch fabrik kalk cologn cfk solvai largest singl produc synthet soda ash worldwid commun oper plant austria belgium franc germani itali spain portug west european market undisput market leader solvai establish quot direct national quot quot dn quot austria belgium luxembourg franc germani itali netherland portug spain switzerland handl commerci activ headquart brussel exercis supervisori coordin role ici soda ash product oper separ busi ici chemic polym divis part ici mond divis ici largest commun produc soda ash manufactur site northwich cheshir confin sale commun exclus unit kingdom ireland held british market market worldwid worldwid demand soda ash grew annum substanti region diverg develop countri demand static consider upturn market half soda ash produc worldwid consum glass industri world soda ash capac natur synthet million tonn nomin annum commun account million tonn solvai capac million tonn ici million tonn practic effect capac quot namepl quot capac soda ash consumpt commun million tonn annual worth ecu million american natur ash produc total nomin capac million tonn year domest market demand million natur ash product unit state america million tonn american produc suppli home market export balanc product cost product natur ash lower synthet product mine locat princip market distribut cost correspondingli high american produc dens ash view european manufactur major competit threat home market exchang rate prevail late produc sell europ price substanti local market price dump east european produc account world soda ash capac produc million tonn annual soviet union consum half product net import excess product export east european countri form light ash exist anti dump duti substanti import commun light soda ash comecon countri mark increas demand soda ash fulli sold worldwid plant run maximum output chines manufactur increas tonn annum product botswana south africa produc tonn develop result displac import product area commun solvai market leader total commun market sale member state unit kingdom ireland year stagnant demand mid sale soda ash western europ began increas substanti produc work full capac west european market soda ash late characteris separ nation line produc tend concentr sale member state possess product facil onward smaller produc cfk amp akzo increas sale quot home quot market competit solvai ici limit commun sale tradit quot sphere influenc quot continent western europ british isl ici solvai substanti export busi european oversea market suppli commun larg part ici export fact consist materi suppli solvai ici behalf member state solvai sole local establish produc itali portug spain virtual complet monopoli solvai market share excess belgium franc germani ici british market altern sourc suppli unit state america poland demand side main custom commun glass manufactur output west european manufactur manufactur flat hollow contain glass soda ash major cost compon glass product account raw materi batch cost glass produc oper continu process plant requir assur suppli ash case long term contract major supplier larger part requir supplier secondari sourc glass industri subject europ wide consolid larg manufactur oper pan european basi manufactur member state chemic industri soda ash consumpt metallurg applic unit state natur ash develop natur ash mine american market shown substanti excess capac domest demand late surplu million tonn annual export oversuppli presenc number produc similar cost american domest market mark strong price competit product sold unit state america substanti discount quot list quot price usd short ton fob wyom net work price end usd short ton ad transport cost east coast industri centr list price rais produc usd short ton effect juli effect price usd pressur export led unit state produc attempt penetr european market natur soda ash began commun late princip unit kingdom american import commun amount tonn tonn unit kingdom european industri successfulli appli anti dump protect american dens soda ash import anti dump measur forc east european import light dens ash octob measur forc late grant anti dump protect american dens ash involv produc market alli gener chemic texa gulf minimum price undertak gbp tonn store commiss regul eec produc market tenneco kmg fmc stauffer definit anti dump duti ecu tonn council regul eec price undertak negoti provid convers currenc exchang rate prevail pariti undertak price germani franc market substanti market price sale commerci feasibl undertak unit kingdom texa gulf suffer loss volum introduct anti dump measur withdrew unit kingdom market american produc gener chemic suppli unit kingdom rate tonn year onward gener chemic target franc affect solvai rhone poulenc share market texa gulf sold tonnag belgium case import made free anti dump duti special rule relat process number larg commun custom glass sector intent substanti part busi commun produc bui unit state america total tonn suppli continent western europ oppos unit kingdom ireland american produc process rule anti dump measur provid regul eec expir novemb review measur request american produc repres commun glassmak industri septemb review termin protect measur impos commiss decis eec american produc form export associ webb pommeren act approv american depart commerc initi activ restrict japan produc part decemb natur ash produc join form american natur soda ash corpor ansac function ansac act joint sale agenc market distribut american soda ash export america sale usd million annual object extend activ west european market replac sale individu produc ansac notifi arrang commiss request neg clearanc exempt articl ansac applic subject commiss decis eec exempt refus background solvai posit commun soda ash market period consider west european nation market solvai sale organis quot direct national quot quot dn quot includ austria switzerland stabl market share competitor commun commun exclud british isl ici monopoli solvai market share histor sole except netherland left larg nsi akzo result market share agreement made subject proceed solvai largest case exclus supplier soda ash member state sold solvai largest produc salt commun favour suppli princip raw materi soda ash solvai competitor produc europ compar strength solvai ici compet solvai market except akzo virtu locat north dutch coast claim quot natur backyard quot netherland north germani denmark produc tend concentr commun sale respect nation market rhone poulenc conduct commun soda ash busi franc cfk matth amp weber export netherland franc luxembourg main effort local market compar solvai produc market share continent commun member state rang main danger solvai posit european market commun produc american natur ash east european produc suppli light ash glass industri anti dump measur introduc provid solvai substanti degre protect import recit solvai custom solvai princip custom base glass sector account soda ash consumpt western europ glass sector divid contain glass flat glass proport solvai princip sole supplier virtual glass produc continent western europ custom soda ash produc quot quot supplier solvai soda ash busi flat glass market form quot dn quot contain glass sector total busi solvai largest custom saint gobain group quot evergreen quot contract member state termin month notic cover offtak western europ tonn year secret quot protocol quot provid quot group rebat quot year sale europ price contractu term negoti nation basi solvai quot dn quot saint gobain compani member state question custom quot evergreen quot contract provid month notic period solvai sale organis solvai product market oper soda ash western europ organis nation basi separ quot dn quot serv market consider price variat member state work price franc level belgium glass sector mark tendenc format europ wide group solvai insist price negoti place nation level solvai quot dn quot local glass make subsidiari compani group concern custom increasingli awar price differ member state sought minimis case custom succeed negoti formula solvai reduc price variat belgian glassmak saint roch glaverbel solvai total requir contract solvai suppli agreement soda ash member state long durat gener requir custom obtain total requir solvai solvai suppli agreement brought attent commiss extens discuss place solvai eventu agre modifi contractu arrang replac quot total requir quot claus claus stipul tonnag reduc period notic termin agreement case year year commiss inform solvai letter tonnag custom requir purchas year correspond close custom total requir soda ash confirm permiss solvai grant rebat discount list price commiss insist rebat allow solvai constitut disguis method ensur continu abandon quot total requir quot contract oper loyalti rebat solvai inform commiss end instruct quot dn quot amend suppli agreement attach copi draft circular letter nation sale offic stress place circumst price arrang constitut induc ensur quot loyalti quot custom custom free choos tonnag wish purchas sale offic expressli prohibit attempt discov custom proport total requir nomin tonnag repres basi solvai letter file close action commiss investig present proceed anti dump protect major plank solvai commerci polici soda ash sector ensur mainten anti dump measur place american produc dens ash east european light ash supplier exchang pariti solvai awar american produc sell europ price substanti averag commun price guilti dump work price export domest price number glass produc take advantag provis anti dump legisl permit glassmak avoid anti dump duti import soda ash produc glass export commun process anti dump duti american import review time present proceed solvai press hard renew extens anti dump duti materi import process arrang american produc gener chemic alli european produc target franc strategi affect solvai rhône poulenc indic record meet produc associ european chemic industri council cefic firm quot examin possibl arrang gener chemic quot signific anti dump procedur solvai press minimum price clear commun border ecu tonn impos dens ash eastern europ unit state america approxim ecu deliv knew countri averag deliv price dem ecu exclusionari conduct solvai solvai commerci strategi spite express term commiss letter solvai intern circular onward solvai made increas progress rebat suppli contract effect ti major custom solvai virtual soda ash requir face fall demand main concern solvai appear preserv domin posit european market quot unrest quot smaller produc perceiv threat import eastern europ unit state main measur solvai includ quot improv relat major custom glassmak chemic industri bring gener strengthen contract polici aim ty custom saint gobain group super rebat master contract contract open ow eec rule maximum year notic contract tonnag limit custom custom possibl supplier quot strategi present undat origin april set solvai commerci price polici quot solvai primari concern defend major commerci posit europ market pai profit entail polici present custom good market coverag polici favour custom prepar agre long term commit contract provid signific discount quot strategi paper date april set solvai polici altern quot defens strategi consist continu consist continu tie custom bigger bigger contractu discount quot solvai rebat system germani solvai declar polici import german market preserv market share exclud import unit state america prevent growth import akzo eastern european produc maintain quot domin posit quot soda ash supplier flat glass contain glass industri usual quantiti rebat basic tonnag major custom onward solvai grant addit form rebat germani rebat margin tonnag call quot spitzenrabatt quot invari list price special annual payment chequ dem million case depend custom obtain requir solvai chequ refund late quot top slice quot percentag introduc earli system extend refin form basi solvai price structur germani time commiss investig march virtual major custom solvai germani receiv form induc custom question enjoin solvai rebat strictli secret parti rebat system appli major custom quot core quot tonnag custom total annual requir invoic list price usual quantiti rebat margin tonnag custom basic requir rebat addit substanti chequ payment made vegla member saint gobain group solvai largest custom germani rebat system oper basic contractu tonnag tonn rebat quot margin quot tonnag tonn rebat chequ attribut margin tonnag dem solvai work price germani dem tonn averag net price tonn paid larg custom germani late dem dem tonn appar margin tonnag price tonn dem tonn lower vegla work list price tonn dem basic tonnag rebat tonn margin tonnag rebat tonn discount price tranch list price dem special chequ payment dem dem tonn net price tonn margin tonnag dem case special top slice chequ rebat solvai sole princip supplier custom appar document case solvai accur idea custom total requir calcul price offer margin tonnag financi induc refer correspond tonnag custom consid obtain compet supplier effect rebat system competitor attempt enter supplier take solvai part custom busi margin tonnag offer custom price tonnag equal solvai dem competitor offer unprofit low price tonnag offer solvai tranch margin quantiti suppli dem tonn averag price tonn solvai tonnag suppli dem put compet supplier hope margin busi solvai compens custom loss financi advantag foregon purchas solvai benefit dem supplier absorb cost grant rebat tonn solvai averag rebat time quantiti custom incent seek supplier favour price offer solvai margin tonnag supplier incent quot custom margin requir unprofit price offer case vegla rebat system ensur solvai secur posit exclus supplier rebat system oper ensur custom polici split busi supplier domin share solvai maintain flachgla solvai largest custom germani divid busi roughli solvai amp onward solvai price condit flachgla involv quantiti rebat tonnag tonn margin tonnag chequ dem dem addit chequ rebat meant real price margin tonnag tonn depend quantiti low dem dem tonn extrem difficult supplier break solvai quot core quot share busi solvai document show protect rebat quot barrier quot supplier match invoic price dem list price highli custom risk lose substanti chequ payment depend purchas tonnag solvai addit basic contractu tonnag document obtain matth amp weber confirm imposs compani make inroad solvai share flachgla busi intern solvai document make abundantli clear object rebat system germani secur loyalti custom solvai case vegla instruct connect vegla understand long durat deutsch solvai werk dsw purchas total requir solvai late appar pressur saint gobain headquart pari vegla request solvai agre purchas tonn unit state america dsw strongli oppos suggest made clear solvai brussel rebat system intend reinforc dsw posit sole supplier vegla vegla permit bui unit state america constitut quot unnecessari abandon strong defens posit vegla total requir secur watertight rebat system quot dsw document date earli emphasis vegla made awar quot preferenti treatment quot accord solvai depend take requir dsw event vegla chequ rebat withdrawn document stress fact solvai step price system involv signific subsidi margin tonnag order exclud competit note februari make point clear quot price polici date base principl tier price structur gave special subsidi margin tonnag provid protect competitor take part custom requir consequ dsw price negoti concentr effort secur margin tonnag increas amount chequ case fulli prepar cut complet benefit enjoi form chequ bui margin tonnag quot event agre dsw suppli vegla total requir minor tonnag factori rebat purchas tonn chequ includ express quot fidel quot element dem discount solvai rebat system franc franc solvai appli system rebat margin tonnag similar oper germani bsn group solvai largest custom franc annual consumpt tonn annum solvai intent purpos sole supplier bsn franc saint gobain solvai anxiou prevent bsn find sourc suppli unit state natur ash produc end arrang made bsn solvai gave normal tonnag rebat extra rebat margin tonnag case rebat frf tonn paid quarterli offtak tonn arrang bsn extend year januari durand cristalleri arqu annual offtak tonn tonn durand receiv rebat tonnag tonn arrang includ rebat supplementari rebat frf tonn purchas tonn ascertain durand total requir soda ash tonn tonn solvai increas rebat tonnag tonn tonn frf tonn frf top slice tonn perrier consum tonn tonn soda ash year purchas solvai quot evergreen quot suppli contract date requir tonn solvai onward perrier receiv basic tonnag rebat offtak exceed tonn rebat increas tonnag purchas perrier supplier margin tonnag tonn supplier compens loss addit rebat tonn purchas solvai perrier arrang found fidel rebat custom lost benefit refer basic tonnag margin tonnag top slice rebat similar exclusionari effect demonstr case durand face solvai addit rebat frf tonn tonnag tonn supplier aim obtain tonn durand busi equal induc offer solvai contractu discount extra frf rebat gt tabl gt solvai averag deliv price tonn suppli tonn higher frf competitor wish suppli margin tonn offer deliv price frf supplier compens custom move busi offer induc frf frf assumpt work list price solvai frf absorb frf million busi worth frf list price give effect discount saint gobain saint gobain group oper glasswork europ franc germani itali spain belgium portug solvai largest custom purchas tonn soda ash saint gobain produc flat contain glass total consumpt soda ash western europ tonn solvai suppli solvai suppli saint gobain requir import nation market franc posit supplier saint gobain requir member state tradition suppli rhone poulenc price condit negoti nation level local saint gobain subsidiari solvai quot dn quot countri case suppli agreement run indefinit quot evergreen quot contract notic period year itali formal contract franc saint gobain termin agreement give month notic march condit negoti date commiss investig substanti price variat member state saint gobain solvai evid dissatisfact presenc countri exercis downward pressur solvai differenti price secret protocol conclud novemb effect januari give express special relationship solvai saint gobain group base reciproc quot favour partner quot statu claus protocol quot european market franc saint gobain continu give prioriti solvai suppli soda ash quantiti tonn annum base saint gobain glass product franc saint gobain progress increas purchas solvai bring level tonn year quot addit provis saint gobain receiv lowest price offer solvai countri compar glass make claus provid special group rebat saint gobain purchas solvai quot protocol solvai grant saint gobain addit rebat calcul saint gobain total soda ash purchas solvai europ quot protocol contain quot competit claus quot quot compet offer receiv saint gobain price solvai long term deliveri examin parti mutual interest solut accept parti agre protocol ceas valid account spot offer offer dump price quot quot super group rebat quot grant saint gobain amount bef million bef million annual intern document solvai leav doubt purpos special arrang saint gobain quot note sg super group rebat help tie sg group absolut weapon difficult increas amount ow eec rule requir sg clean bui signific quantiti competitor quot dsw frankli inform repres saint gobain german subsidiari vegla occas protocol conclud saint gobain solvai brussel intent purpos exclus agreement obviou reason parti write object agreement maintain statu quo refer solvai posit exclus supplier differ opinion dsw solvai headquart interpret agreement solvai brussel view saint gobain preclud principl make spot purchas exclus arrang germani secret quot protocol quot saint gobain group dsw long stand unoffici arrang refer quot gentleman agreement quot vegla german saint gobain subsidiari understood custom requir soda ash solvai ey letter commun competit rule vegla agreement formal express quot tonnag quot contract vegla common solvai larg custom germani quot evergreen quot contract date undetermin durat subject termin month notic exact quantiti subject annual negoti vegla repres remind dsw commiss requir solvai amend exclus suppli agreement dsw reaction quot vegla dsw work understand agreement relat total requir factori bergisch gladbach quot exclus arrang date back time protocol conclud saint gobain vegla dsw document gave promis quot loyalti quot appar document discov dsw top slice rebat benefit depend vegla obtain requir solvai strong indic dsw told vegla time purchas total consumpt solvai suppli cut solvai note meet pari senior offici saint gobain read quot point sg saint gobain germani dsw impos unaccept condit sg bui requir dsw dsw suppli sg quot margin note written quot plump wurd da nicht gesagt quot quot put bluntli quot implic mean case major custom germani oberlandgla told unambigu term dsw quot special condit quot top slice rebat chequ dem million depend take requir solvai onward oberlandgla total requir solvai exclus arrang franc addit fidel rebat major custom franc tie exclus solvai reinforc devic conclud long term deliveri agreement formul quot tonnag quot contract fact stipul tonnag correspond close custom total requir commiss warn solvai practic decemb quot evergreen quot suppli contract bsn date june requir bsn purchas solvai annual quantiti tonn glass factori franc bsn total soda ash requir realiti tonn fall onward tonn tonn annual minimum tonnag bsn oblig purchas solvai term agreement tonn tonnag short total requir contract indefinit durat continu period year notic termin side solvai virtual exclus supplier soda ash bsn onward suppli year requir suppli contract number major glassmak custom franc perrier verreri albi requir custom tonnag close actual requir perrier contractu tonnag tonn annual requir tonn suppli solvai verreri albi contractu tonnag tonn tonn annual requir tonn tonn suppli solvai contract requir year notic termin belgian glassmak contract quot tonnag quot contract close custom estim total requir provid contract conclud solvai major belgian glass produc saint roch saint gobain group glaverbel verlipack solvai state intern note februari belgian price effect determin price custom custom purchas requir solvai januari year belgian govern interven prevent glass produc enter contract fmc purchas substanti quantiti soda ash unit state america februari agreement sign belgian glassmak solvai requir purchas total requir solvai period year commiss insist discuss solvai contract modifi agreement conclud glassmak effect januari provid custom tonnag tonnag stipul gt tabl gt failur verlipack restructur annual consumpt fell half purchas annual contract agreement unspecifi durat subject termin month notic novemb year custom inform solvai tonnag intend year special provis deal eventu custom take contractu tonnag practic basic contractu tonnag close approxim total annual consumpt custom time onward custom fact virtual requir solvai except tonn tonn import saint roch earli process arrang busi subject intens negoti solvai saint gobain regain solvai clear formal instruct solvai letter februari quot dn quot case saint roch detail discuss custom exact tonnag total requir success attempt secur custom express agreement limit tonn volum acquir compet supplier revert solvai complet exclus arrang belgium number contract smaller custom contain claus design secur custom tie solvai durobur soigni onward seri annual biennial deliveri contract solvai annual offtak tonn tonn contract made occas contain claus effect ensur durobur chang supplier end contractu period agreement provid solvai durobur meet end period negoti condit contract stipul quot negoti place durobur make purchas commit soda ash suppli year quot similar provis appear solvai contract pittsburg corn approxim tonn tonn year agreement provid total requir claus special fidel rebat mid agreement owen corn tonn year provid expressli quot except quot rebat base total requir contract quot context deal cover total requir estim tonn half year grant except rebat bef tonn tonnag suppli quot competit claus number suppli agreement contain form quot competit claus quot reinforc tie custom solvai made difficult imposs competitor busi solvai competit claus consider number solvai quot evergreen quot contract major custom contain variant quot competit claus quot quot english claus quot case hoffmann la roch commiss paragraph claus provid machineri compet offer receiv contract term notifi solvai wish adjust price competit claus found number form germani suppli agreement requir month notic termin stipul custom minimum tonnag solvai exact quantiti begin year custom contractu bound solvai minimum tonnag long period tonnag fact correspond custom total requir vegla oberlandgla major suppli contract contain competit claus similar term quot competit claus prove certifi account receiv offer soda supplier term contract price compar term product origin countri free market economi dsw match price week free purchas soda supplier dsw case cancel contract effect quot theori claus allow custom obtain part annual requir cheaper sourc gave solvai option case termin agreement forthwith refus suppli case granu agreement custom set purchas competitor contractu oblig vi vi solvai util form quot competit claus quot inform solvai exact price compet materi allow decid meet offer hand highli custom risk secur suppli purchas limit quantiti competitor give solvai opportun cancel quot evergreen agreement quot refus suppli case vegla standard provis give solvai cancel agreement event purchas competitor delet quot competit claus quot practic understand dsw vegla custom requir solvai vegla inform solvai compet offer ask purchas solvai refus real purpos quot competit claus quot made appar dsw note satisfact inform larg custom detail compet offer draconian form quot competit claus quot found contract verreri albi draft competit claus albi contract articl allow solvai option termin contract receiv notic compet offer custom commit bui competitor saint gobain quot protocol quot provid joint examin solvai saint gobain compet offer order arriv solut accept case limit concess quot anonym quot contain german agreement provis allow solvai complet inform detail commerci conduct competitor potenti competitor consid negoti saint gobain price condit maintain relationship reciproc exclus solvai observ main purpos arrang oblig saint gobain quot clean quot bought signific quantiti competitor concret exampl propos purchas vegla tonn american soda saint roch tonn show solvai prevent competitor enter restrict quantiti purchas amend made decemb bsn suppli agreement requir custom advis solvai compet offer ident competitor disclos parti quot concert quot order find solut quot parti concert quickli month order find solut quot saint gobain claus mechan gave solvai option adapt price condit perfect knowledg compet offer ident supplier extrem practic oper claus enabl solvai maintain effect exclus custom safeguard claus number suppli contract envisag mainten long term relat solvai custom glaverbel perrier provid concert procedur case chang econom circumst compet offer advantag solvai provis objection quot se quot context present case clear solvai concern prevent compet supplier enter market safeguard claus allow custom opportun compet offer bring solvai price competitor succe obtain retain share busi part ii legal assess articl treati term articl articl abus undertak domin posit common market substanti part thereof prohibit incompat common market affect trade member state special rebat financi induc grant custom domin undertak order secur substanti part busi prohibit articl exclusionari practic present case essenti question decid solvai held domin posit mean articl alleg conduct constitut abus domin posit appreci effect trade member state domin posit definit term quot domin posit quot defin articl court justic domin posit articl quot posit econom strength enjoi undertak enabl prevent effect competit maintain relev market afford power behav appreci extent independ competitor custom ultim consum posit preclud competit enabl undertak profit determin appreci influenc condit competit develop case act larg disregard long conduct oper detriment quot judgment case hoffmann la roch commiss paragraph quot domin quot power hinder effect competit power involv abil elimin weaken exist competit prevent potenti competitor enter market court state exist domin posit requir produc enjoi elimin possibl competit case quot unit brand commiss quot paragraph exist domin posit depend combin factor singl necessarili decis relev market order determin undertak hold domin posit identifi area busi condit competit market power allegedli domin undertak fall assess examin enabl commiss identifi actual potenti competitor undertak question constraint exist exercis suppos market power account natur abus alleg manner competit impair case question judgment case hugin commiss present case abus suspect concern foreclosur solvai actual potenti competit supplier soda ash solvai produc light dens soda ash glassmak consum dens ash chemic metallurg applic light ash prefer form competit solvai aim exclud relat princip dens ash artifici draw strict boundari line light dens ash germani number solvai glassmak custom purchas dens light ash schott ruhrglass purchas light ash gerresheim woellner fidel rebat system appli form geograph standpoint true commun market larg extent divid nation line price differ nation market commun divid purpos competit analysi broad zone quot sphere influenc quot domin solvai ici solvai tradit market area cover commun except unit kingdom ireland anti competit arrang competit condit prevail produc solvai sold countri continent western europ cfk amp akzo increas export oper overwhelm reason make product commun similarli american produc natur ash solvai regard major competit threat aim market product continent western europ signific solvai suppli market occas demand plant member state larg proport report interst trade consist quot solvai balanc quot demand side larger custom oper member state solvai observ spread oper tend increas pressur price equalis product geograph area solvai econom power fall assess market soda ash commun exclud unit kingdom ireland market power solvai document recognis held domin posit western europ histor market share continent western europ period consider indic signific degre market power market share import indic exist domin posit infer signific vari case case characterist relev market assess market power purpos present case commiss account relev econom evid includ element solvai posit soda ash produc oper commun except unit kingdom ireland ii solvai manufactur strength plant belgium franc germani itali spain portug iii solvai upstream integr raw materi largest produc salt commun iv absenc competit ici commun produc compar market strength solvai solvai high market share benelux countri franc germani monopoli monopoli posit itali spain portug vi solvai excel market coverag exclus exclus supplier major custom commun vii improb produc synthet ash enter market set manufactur facil commun viii protect commun produc afford anti dump duti ix solvai tradit role price leader percept solvai commun produc domin produc reluct compet aggress solvai tradit custom assess extent solvai market power commiss account substitut caustic soda soda ash caustic soda sodium hydroxid larg product paper aluminium theori replac soda ash manufactur applic sourc alkali manufactur deterg metallurg process nb revers true soda ash theori altern caustic soda process practic avail caustic soda constitut substanti limit solvai market power commun princip base suppli glass manufactur prepar substitut caustic soda soda ash caustic soda product manufactur chlorin basic raw materi manufactur pvc long term storag feasibl product chlorin tailor current pvc demand suppli caustic soda inevit fluctuat line chlorin demand caustic soda hand depend larg requir paper industri price caustic soda unlik soda ash subject consider fluctuat period consider caustic soda quot short quot growth demand caustic soda exceed chlorin product short suppli remain forese futur consider expens equival soda ash incent soda ash user switch caustic soda convers soda ash caustic requir substanti capit invest caustic soda quot long quot time cyclic natur alkali market uncertainti futur price act deterr switch glass sector main consum soda ash account third solvai sale period consider caustic soda substitut metallurg deterg applic theori alkali requir glassmak provid caustic soda capit invest plant modif requir practic glassmak convert caustic soda note major soda ash produc solvai ici akzo made caustic soda produc commun solvai argu avail cullet recycl broken glass exclud domin posit custom requir soda ash contain glass manufactur reduc cullet technolog proport higher cullet reduc depend custom soda ash supplier gener reduc abil power soda ash produc exclud smaller produc product possibl substitut act signific constraint exercis solvai market power vi vi produc soda ash commiss assess solvai market power relat geograph area oper present case consist member state product facil solvai intern document show tend quot direct national quot form homogen market market delin includ member countri switzerland austria exclud unit kingdom ireland tradit quot ici quot market denmark greec quot produc quot market nation market concern solvai exclusionari conduct consid separ market solvai domin consider set appli equal basi consider commiss conclud period consider solvai occupi domin posit mean articl abus domin posit exclusionari practic fidel rebat court justic observ case conduct domin undertak undermin object articl ec treati articl eec treati endang structur competit constitut infring articl exclusionari behaviour hinder exist competit develop competit condemn court practic design block access competitor custom ty domin supplier identifi abus lead case join case suiker uni commiss case hoffmann la roch commiss case nederlandsch banden industri michelin commiss commiss decis eec british gypsum bpb industri present case primarili concern ty custom solvai mean number devic serv exclusionari purpos rebat margin tonnag assess head relat quot spitzenrabatt quot system germani give quot fidel quot chequ germani rebat margin tonnag franc bsn durand vergez hoechst contrast quantiti discount link sole volum purchas manufactur concern fidel rebat involv offer custom financi advantag order prevent obtain suppli compet produc practis domin undertak fall articl order fidel rebat fall articl contractu oblig express stipul custom obtain suppli exclus domin undertak import term sale domin supplier make financi attract custom suppli exclus precis mean result achiev immateri onward solvai adopt system progress rebat intern document specif intend ensur loyalti custom exclud limit competit grant custom substanti financi induc obtain solvai major part margin tonnag obtain competitor make difficult imposs exist potenti supplier enter supplier margin tonnag order match substanti pecuniari advantag offer solvai obtain order top quot slice quot busi sell unprofit quot dump price quot ty custom solvai indefinit period contribut rigid market remov interest part custom canvass solvai competitor requir supplier attempt obtain share busi vegla germani match effect work price tonn top tonn dem tonn compar quot list price quot dem tonn quot averag quot price germani dem tonn price dem econom price commun produc offer natur ash produc sell price breach anti dump minimum price undertak abil supplier displac solvai part busi major custom render difficult oblig secreci regard percentag rebat chequ payment commiss object rebat system appli case solvai complet exclus princip sole supplier case progress rebat contribut mainten solvai domin posit secur share custom busi rigid market preserv extrem difficult supplier break solvai quot core quot busi solvai claim written observ repli statement object rebat intend induc loyalti simpli repres form volum rebat depend custom reach object predetermin tonnag threshold argument wholli ignor charact attribut rebat solvai document clear rebat financi advantag confer relat cost save quantiti deliv substanti differ countri countri amount rebat insid member state quot trigger quot tonnag top slice rebat activ vari custom custom total offtak instanc germani rebat activ plm tonn vegla tonn ii saint gobain group rebat secret saint gobain quot protocol quot intend confirm solvai posit saint gobain exclus exclus supplier western europ franc dsw design maintain statu quo parti reluct write provis saint gobain benefit solvai quot condit quot countri compar usag necessarili anti competit addit stipul saint gobain receiv quot group rebat quot purchas europ implicit agreement payment depend saint gobain continu give solvai quot prioriti quot supplier solvai document recognis rebat quot absolut weapon quot contribut ensur loyalti group remark quot requir sg clean bui signific quantiti competitor quot demonstr solvai satisfi quot prioriti quot solvai claim saint gobain rebat reflect cost save attribut saint gobain posit largest custom europ argument overlook fact solvai insist individu saint gobain subsidiari suppli nation solvai subsidiari member state global basi clear document purpos saint gobain rebat secur loyalti group member state franc exclud competitor assess quot competit claus quot saint gobain protocol light articl set recit iii exclus agreement part assess appli vegla oberland owen corn bsn saint roch verreri albi perrier glaverbel verlipack solvai inform commiss abandon system total requir contract inform tonnag contract fact stipul quantiti correspond custom total requir number case appar suppli agreement express form quot tonnag quot contract clear understand custom obtain requir solvai stipul tonnag correspond custom total requir custom inform payment rebat depend take solvai case vegla financi induc quot spitzenrabatt quot fidel chequ clear unoffici understand custom total requir solvai similarli oberlandgla inform quot special condit quot depend take total requir dsw case owen corn belgium agreement made bef rebat depend commit total requir solvai case vegla oberlandgla owen corn express understand custom obtain requir solvai arrang intend bind custom solvai total requir constitut exclusionari practic articl case contractu tonnag stipul main quot evergreen quot contract requir year notic termin correspond custom total anticip requir allow margin custom solvai begin year exact requir rang commiss exclusionari effect agreement base mainten long term commerci relationship allevi toler margin place custom sourc contractu bound solvai larg proport requir long quot evergreen quot contract oper case belgian glassmak claus provid forecast offtak year exceed maximum provid basic contract januari tonn basic contract tonnag revis upward purpos claus ensur solvai remain preponder supplier clear solvai made busi obtain full detail compet offer intent part custom sourc suppli saint gobain american import case shown solvai inform custom total annual requir full knowledg relev detail offer price tonnag custom intent total requir ensur competit effect limit remov case custom content time purchas requir solvai commiss fulli recognis freedom custom obtain requir supplier oblig custom contract tonnag fact equival close total requir arrang exclusionari fall articl long durat case quot evergreen quot contract month notic period impos solvai excess long prevent custom react inform competit manner market condit imposs predict certainti condit prevail year time long period notic act strong deterr termin link solvai custom consid length notic period oppress iv competit claus exclusionari claus agreement form quot competit claus quot similar mechan set recit reinforc tie solvai limit opportun custom chang supplier made entri competitor establish solvai custom difficult purpos claus give solvai establish supplier built advantag supplier attempt compet part busi custom question mitig anticompetit effect long term suppli agreement solvai fidel rebat de facto exclus competit claus fact strengthen tie solvai custom exclusionari object effect allow solvai fulli inform detail competitor activ effect exclud possibl competitor obtain busi quot competit claus quot give domin supplier option termin agreement custom obtain small part suppli competitor deterr competit custom extrem jeopardis secur suppli circumst measur set recit design remov restrict opportun produc supplier soda ash compet effect solvai consolid domin posit solvai manner incompat concept competit inher articl consid arrang tend bind custom solvai exclud competitor combin effect devic ensur solvai domin posit wholli protect competit discrimin addit exclusionari object effect rebat system appli solvai fall express prohibit articl applic dissimilar condit equival transact rebat financi induc reflect differ cost base quantiti suppli prompt concern secur largest percentag custom requir member state consider differ size rebat induc quot trigger quot tonnag activ amount special quot chequ rebat quot vari wholli arbitrari result rebat system germani theori disadvantag custom full major part requir solvai discrimin custom larg custom pai substanti tonn smaller produc bui total requir solvai special group rebat saint gobain compani discriminatori natur true saint gobain group largest custom agreement solvai group purchas fragment nation basi group rebat fact reflect cost advantag attribut quantiti deliv solvai state document intend secur loyalti group result saint gobain subsidiari member state receiv substanti price solvai competitor similar larger volum local solvai factori price discrimin consider effect cost undertak affect glass sector account major soda ash consumpt soda ash fuel cost expens singl item manufactur process weight finish product account raw materi batch cost cost soda ash affect profit competit posit glass manufactur effect trade member state articl cover abus directli prejudic consum abus indirectli prejudic impair effect competit structur common market envisag articl treati fidel rebat induc exclus appli solvai affect trade member state reinforc link custom domin supplier opportun compet supplier enter market obtain custom effect remov custom margin tonnag requir compet suppli solvai price unabl meet devic emploi solvai tie custom result reinforc structur rigid divis soda ash market nation line harm threaten harm attain object singl market member state fact solvai measur aim princip import unit state america affect applic articl import natur ash unit state america main threat solvai domin soda ash market continent western europ activ affect basic competit structur soda ash industri commun note major glass produc import soda ash unit state america substanti quantiti order suppli work member state solvai exclusionari measur aim american produc smaller produc synthet ash locat insid commun produc make deliveri nation market commun member state opportun sever constrain solvai price polici articl regul 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 fix amount fine regard graviti durat infring graviti present case commiss consid infring extrem graviti solvai major produc soda ash commun infring enabl consolid hold market exclud effect competit larg part common market foreclos long time sale opportun competitor solvai caus last damag structur market concern detriment consum infring specif circumst case infring articl solvai involv solvai awar extens negoti commiss requir articl relat exclus cognis prohibit fidel rebat document obtain solvai show compani offici high level knew risk involv persist abus conduct determin amount fine commiss account fact negoti solvai accept notic period year case quot evergreen quot contract object competit claus form draft solvai led long term tonnag contract conclud limit purchas sourc custom requir investig present case commiss ascertain practic provis tend reinforc solvai exclus combin abus devic secret fidel rebat unoffici quot undertak quot custom obtain requir solvai impos fine respect fidel rebat quot unoffici quot exclus agreement solvai subject previou occas substanti fine impos commiss collus chemic industri peroxid polypropylen pvc durat infring began shortli negoti commiss closur commiss file continu end proceed court instanc court justic decemb commiss act pursuant articl eec treati adopt decis eec find solvai commit infring requir pai fine ecu million decis notifi undertak regist letter march solvai brought action annul decis court instanc april solvai submit quot supplementari applic quot put forward plea effect contest decis declar exist judgment deliv court instanc februari join case basf commiss court justic rule appeal brought commiss judgment case commiss basf annul decis issu proceed decis eec ground commiss fail compli articl rule procedur version forc time requir decis authent languag languag bind signatur presid secretari gener judgment june case solvai commiss solvai ii decis eec adopt commiss present proceed decemb court instanc rule plea submit solvai admiss find text contest decis authent notifi annul ground commiss infring essenti procedur requir mean articl eec treati articl ec treati commiss brought appeal judgment court justic court dismiss appeal judgment april join case court instanc view judgment april join case lvm commiss pvc ii commiss entitl adopt decis annul account pure procedur defect decis case adopt initi fresh administr proceed commiss requir organis hear text decis object set decis right defenc undertak concern infring decis reason time court instanc upheld commiss interpret council regul eec novemb limit period proceed enforc sanction rule european econom commun relat transport competit accord regul eec commiss power impos fine penalti infring competit rule subject limit period year case continu repeat infring time begin run dai infring ceas end present case articl regul eec action commiss investig initi proceed infring interrupt limit period interrupt start time run afresh limit period expir latest dai period equal limit period elaps commiss impos fine penalti word ten year date infring ceas articl regul eec list commiss action interrupt run limit period includ statement object list exhaust court instanc left open question adopt annul decis constitut action interrupt run limit period suppos infring ceas decemb ii adopt notif annul decis interrupt run limit period commiss end order adopt decis limit period extend time action annul decis pend court instanc articl regul eec limit period proceed suspend long commiss decis subject proceed pend court justic context understood includ court instanc court instanc state paragraph judgment pvc ii specif purpos articl enabl limit period suspend decis find infring impos fine annul limit period suspend long decis eec subject proceed pend court instanc court justic case point solvai action annul brought court instanc deliv judgment june commiss appeal court justic brought applic introduc august judgment proceed hand april disregard time elaps deliveri judgment court instanc introduct appeal court justic limit period suspend year month dai suspens ad limit period expir decemb commiss septemb order adopt annul decis adopt decis articl solvai cie sa solvai sa solvai infring articl eec treati articl ec treati end conduct aim exclud sever limit competit consist conclus agreement custom requir purchas larg proport requir soda ash solvai indefinit excess long period grant substanti rebat financi induc refer margin tonnag custom basic contract tonnag order ensur bought requir solvai make grant rebat depend custom agre bui requir solvai articl fine eur million impos solvai respect infring articl fine paid month date notif decis account account european commiss banco bilbao vizcaya argentaria bbva swift code bbvabebb iban code avenu de art kunstlaan brussel expiri period interest automat payabl rate appli european central bank main refinanc oper work dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address solvai sa rue du princ albert prin albertstraat brussel decis enforc pursuant articl treati brussel decemb commiss mario monti member commiss oj oj oj oj oj oj oj glaverbel solvai knowledg purchas tonn annum east germani offset export glass countri tonnag suppli solvai ecr ecr ecr ecr ecr oj ecr ii ecr ecr ii ecr ecr ii oj