Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

Clariant Denies Competition Law Allegations by MOL Group and Braskem

Key highlights
  • Clariant received damage claims from MOL Group and Braskem.
  • Claims total EUR 950 million related to 2020 competition law infringement.
  • Allegations concern the ethylene purchasing market.
  • Clariant asserts no market impact from the alleged conduct.

Claims and Allegations

Clariant, a specialty chemical company, has received damage claims from MOL Petrolkémia Zrt. and Slovnaft a.s. (MOL Group) from Hungary, and Braskem S.A. from Brazil. The claims, filed with the court of Munich, Germany, allege damages totaling approximately EUR 548 million and EUR 402 million, respectively.

Competition Law Infringement

The allegations are related to an infringement of competition law on the ethylene purchasing market, which was sanctioned by the European Commission in July 2020. The claims suggest that the involved companies, including Clariant, engaged in conduct that violated competition regulations.

Clariant's Response

Clariant firmly rejects these allegations and plans to defend its position vigorously in the legal proceedings. The company has provided economic evidence to support its stance, asserting that the conduct in question did not have any impact on the market.