Competition and Market Department decided to start investigation against Eni, Esso, Ip, Iplom, Q8, Tamoil and Saras. There is a suspicion that we created such companies signagreeing to determine the value of the “biocomponent” automotive fuels.
Thus, the antitrust authority targeted Eni, Esso, Ip, Iplom, Q8, Tamoil and Saras with charges of an alleged agreement restricting competition in the sale of automotive fuel.
The law states that at least 10% automotive fuel must be made from biofuels. The Office for Competition and Market Guarantors notes that this important price component has decreased from 20 euros / thousand. tons in 2019 to around 60 EUR/thous. about 2 billion euros.
According to the FDA, the major oil operators coordinated their actions in determining the cost of the bio-component necessary to fulfill the obligations established by law. In addition, antitrust laws challenge price increases by companies caused by direct or indirect exchanges of information, including through articles published in Staffetta Quotidiana.
Agcm accuses the companies of simultaneously raising prices – mostly coincidentally – which could be determined by direct or indirect exchanges of information between the companies concerned, including through articles published in “Staffetta Quotidiana”, a well-known trade newspaper.
Simultaneously with the start of the investigation, in cooperation with the Special Anti-Monopoly Department of the Financial Guard, checks were carried out at the headquarters of the companies involved and other entities believed to have elements useful to the investigation, including the editorial staff of the “Staffetta Quotidiana”.
Source: HD Motori
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