Update July 2009: The EC has imposed a total of €61.120.000 in fines on nine suppliers of calcium carbide and magnesium based reagents including Germany-based Almamet, Ecka Granulate, Holding Slovenske elektrarne, SKW Stahl-Metallurgie, Austria-based Donau Chemie, Slovakia-based Novácke chemické závody, under Article 81. Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel was not fined despite its participation because it revealed the existence of the cartel to the Commission
The EC has sent a Statement of Objections to calcium carbide and magnesium powder suppliers concerning potential cartel behavior.