EU verdonnert auch deutsche Hersteller von CRT-Glas zu hohen Kartellstrafen

Darunter ist auch die deutsche Schott AG, die 40,4 Millionen Euro Strafe zahlen muss. Eine Tochter von Samsung wurde wegen der Kronzeugenregelung die Strafe erlassen, Nippon Electric muss 43,2 Millionen Euro zahlen, die japanische Asahi Glass 45,1 Millionen. Die Unternehmen hatten von Februar 1999 bis Dezember 2004 Preise verbotenerweise abgesprochen.

Hintergund in englischer Sprache:
The European Commission has settled a cartel investigation with four producers of cathode ray tubes (CRT) glass used in televisions and computer screens. Japanese firms Asahi Glass (AGC) and Nippon Electric (NEG) and Germany's Schott AG were fined a total of € 128 736 000 for operating a cartel that ultimately affected consumers in Europe. In doing so they breached Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and Article 53 of the EEA agreement. The fine on all three companies includes a reduction of 10% for acknowledging their participation in the cartel, thereby helping the Commission to conclude the case more rapidly. Samsung Corning Precision Materials (SCP) of Korea was granted full immunity for being the first to give information about the cartel.

Overall, the cartel lasted from 23 February 1999 until 27 December 2004 and coordinated the prices for CRT glass in the European Economic Area (EEA). The product concerned, also known as bulb glass, was bought by producers of cathode ray tubes to use in traditional TVs and computer screens. The investigation started end 2008.

(Quelle: EU-Kommission)
(Foto: Kirchhoff;pixelio.de)