BRUSSELS, Belgium (June 1)—The European Commission has closed its 30-month price-fixing investigation of the carbon black industry, but apparently did not disclose any of its findings.
News of the EC's decision came from Phelps Dodge Corp., parent of carbon black producer Columbian Chemicals Co., which said it had been notified of the move.
The commission initiated its investigation in November 2002 after receiving a complaint alleging that certain carbon black manufacturers were participating in a price-fixing conspiracy.
Phelps Dodge did not say whether the commission had drawn any conclusions from its investigation, or whether any conclusions were being made public.
The EC has not posted any releases regarding the decision.