Romania's Competition Council launches cement market investigation

Romania's Competition Council (RCC) is investigating possible anti-competitive practices between the three domestic market cement producers – Holcim Romania, CRH Ciment Romania and HeidelbergCement Romania.

It is reported in the Romania Insider that the three companies are suspected of having split the local market in terms of market shares, product offer, production sales levels, technical development and investments. The investigation will also look at possible price-fixing starting from 2010, according to an RCC press release.

The head offices of the three cement producers have already had documents seized by the investigating authorities. Sanctions for breaching competition rules can amount to 10 per cent of each company's turnover if a cement producer is found guilty.