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ltalian Competition Authority closes cast iron cartel probe, imposes �70 million infines-Casting Exhibition-The 26th China(Guangzhou) International Casting Products,foundry Industry Exhibition
1/6/2026 鑄件展-鑄造展會(huì)-casting expo-foundry exhibition |
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The ltalian Competition Authority (AGCM) has announced the conclusion of its investigation into alleged anti-.competitive practices in the ltalian cast iron market, imposing administrative fines totaling e70 milion on severalfoundries and on the trade association Assofond.
According to AGCM, the investigation revealed theexistence of an anti-competitive agreement in breach ofthe European Union laws in the ltalian market for thesale of cast irons. The infringement was found to havestarted no later than February 5, 2004, and to havecontinued until June 30.2024.
Nature of alleged anti-competitive conduct
The ltalian Competition Authority found that the partiescoordinated their commercial strategies to support priceincrease requests and to strengthen their bargainingpower with customers, with the stated aim of preserving profit margins, particularly during periods of economic downturn.
According to AGCM, this coordination was carried out through:
Exchanges of commercially sensitive information.The joint development and use of price indexation mechanisms known as the "Assofond indicatorsThe authority stated that these mechanisms allowed foundries to update, in a coordinated manner, anincreasing share of cast iron prices, including the sales margin.
Sanctions and fine assessment
The talian Competition Authority noted that, given the seriousness and duration of the conduct, maximumapplicable fines could have reached approximately �600 milion. However, taking into account what it describedas the significant crisis affecting the sector, the authority imposed reduced penalties totaling �70 milion.
Assofond''s response to the ruling
In a statement released following the decision, Assofond, the association representing ltalian foundries, rejectedthe cartel allegations, describing the sanctions as "unjustified and absurd" and as penalizing a sector alreadyunder severe pressure.
The association warned that the decision seriously jeopardizes its operational continuity and represents abroader blow to the association system, while also affecting what it described as a strategic segment of ltaly''smechanical engineering industry. Assofond further stated that the ruling risks undermining the continuity ofoperations at the companies involved and threatening thousands of iobs, noting that the number of ltalian castlron foundries halved during the period covered by the investiaation due to closures and bankruptcies
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