Van Bael & Bellis assists Alcogroup in bringing EU antitrust investigation into the group to a close
- 24/05/2023
- News
Van Bael & Bellis, with co-counsel & De Bandt, assisted Alcogroup S.A. and its subsidiary Alcodis S.A. (“Alcogroup”) in the proceeding initiated in 2015 by the European Commission relating to the alleged ethanol benchmarks cartel which was closed with respect to Alcogroup on 23 May 2023.
Following unannounced inspections in 2014, the European Commission opened on 21 April 2015 a formal investigation for breach of the European antitrust rules against three European bioethanol producers: Abengoa, Alcogroup and Agroetanol.
In December 2021, the Commission adopted a settlement decision against Abengoa imposing a fine of €20 million.
On 7 July 2022, the Commission addressed a Statement of Objections to Alcogroup and Agroetanol under the standard cartel procedure. On 23 May 2023, the Commission decided to close the proceeding with respect to Alcogroup.
The case was handled by co-founding partner Jean-François Bellis and senior associate Steve Ross.
