The European Commission has charged Eco-Bat Technologies, Recylex and Campine by a total fine of 68 million euros, because they manipulated the prices for the purchase of used car batteries, informs a press release of the communitary executive.

The highest fine was received by the world leader on the battery recycling market, the British company Eco-Bat, 32.71 million euros, while the French company Recylex was fined 26.74 million euros, and the Belgian company Campine received a fined of 8.16 million euros. Instead, the US company Johnson Controls has avoided a fine because it alerted the European Commission about the existence of the cartel, according to Agerpres.

According to the Commission, between 2009 – 2012, a total of four recycling companies have developed a cartel to manipulate the prices when purchasing used auto batteries from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The four companies are Campine (Belgium), Eco-Bat Technologies (UK), Johnson Controls (USA) and Recylex (France).

Unlike most cartels, where companies settle to increase the selling prices, the four recycling companies have agreed to reduce the price paid to dealers and companies that collect used car batteries. Through these agreements, the four companies have disrupted the normal functioning of the market and prevented price competition.

“The four companies fined today, settled to maximize thier profits from the recycling of used batteries, reducing competition in an important stage of the recycling chain”, said EU Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager.

Car batteries are the most recycled consumer product in the world. Almost 99% of all car batteries are recycled in the European Union. According to the Commission data, about 58 million car batteries are recycled each year in the European Union (EU).