European Commission opens antitrust probe into Omya over calcium carbonate supply
- European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation into possible abuse of dominance in the supply of calcium carbonates to the paper industry.
- The probe targets two exclusionary practices: exclusive purchasing obligations and exclusivity rebates.
- Calcium carbonates are key paper inputs used as fillers and coating pigments to improve brightness, opacity, smoothness and printability.
- Case registered as AT.40893; the Commission will carry out an in-depth investigation with no legal deadline for completion.
Scope of the investigation
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Omya, the largest supplier of calcium carbonates in the EEA, breached EU competition rules by requiring paper-industry customers to buy all or most of their calcium carbonates from Omya.
Alleged exclusionary practices
The Commission is investigating two types of conduct: exclusive purchasing obligations that require customers to source all or most calcium carbonates from Omya, and exclusivity rebates that provide financial incentives to do the same. The concern is these practices could limit rivals' ability to compete for paper customers.
Why it matters to the paper industry
Calcium carbonates are widely used as fillers and coating pigments in paper and cardboard production to reduce costs and improve brightness, opacity, smoothness and printability—factors relevant for packaging alternatives to single‑use plastics.
Legal basis and procedure
If proven, the practices may breach Article 102 TFEU and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement. The Commission will carry out an in‑depth investigation as a priority; opening proceedings does not prejudge the outcome. The case is recorded under number AT.40893.
Source: European Commission