Repeatedly rigging bids for water purification plant “activated carbon” Dozens of companies About 400 million yen surcharge August 7 18:51

The Fair Trade Commission has ordered a total of approximately 400 million yen to be charged to a dozen or so companies, including major chemical manufacturers, as they repeatedly rigged over the bid for “activated carbon” used to purify water at water purification plants. Was hardened.

Dozens of companies, such as Kuraray, a major chemical manufacturer, Osaka Gas subsidiary Osaka Gas Chemical, and a water treatment company, “Watering”, are charged with surcharges.

According to the people concerned, each company ordered Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Osaka City, etc. at least six years ago, and it was suspected that it had repeatedly negotiated the contractor in advance for bidding for “activated carbon” used for water purification at the water purification plant. Is that there is.

In February, the Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site inspection of each company, and as a result, it was confirmed that the orders from East Japan such as the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kinki region were shared by collusion.

For this reason, we have established a policy of ordering a total of approximately 400 million yen surcharge based on the Antimonopoly Act.

The Fair Trade Committee has notified the companies in writing about this policy, and “Kuraray” is reviewing the contents and considering responses. We will continue to cooperate fully with the Fair Trade Commission investigation. And so on.