The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Omya, the largest supplier of calcium carbonates in the European Economic Area (EEA). The investigation aims to determine whether Omya has violated EU competition rules by imposing exclusive purchasing obligations on its customers in the paper industry.

Calcium carbonates are crucial in paper manufacturing, serving as fillers and coating pigments that enhance the quality and reduce costs of paper and cardboard products. The Commission is particularly concerned about Omya's practices that may limit competition by requiring customers to source most or all of their calcium carbonates exclusively from them.

Two main practices under scrutiny include exclusive purchasing obligations and exclusivity rebates, which may hinder other suppliers from competing effectively in the market. If these practices are confirmed, they could constitute an abuse of a dominant position under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement.

The Commission emphasizes the importance of competitive pricing for calcium carbonates, as it directly impacts the costs for paper mills and ultimately benefits consumers. The investigation will proceed as a priority, although the opening of the investigation does not imply any predetermined outcome.