EU launches antitrust investigation into Omya's calcium carbonate contracts

On 23 October, the European Commission announced a formal antitrust case against Swiss minerals supplier Omya, citing concerns that its commercial contracts could limit competition in the paper and cardboard industry. The inquiry will assess whether the firm forced customers to source the majority of their calcium carbonate from Omya and whether rebate arrangements encouraged such concentration. The investigation is grounded in Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement, which prohibit abuse of dominant market positions.

Omya, the largest supplier of ground calcium carbonate in the EEA, has pledged full cooperation, and the Commission highlighted the material’s importance for paper brightness and cost control. No violation has been established, and the case remains open without a set deadline. The outcome could affect paper manufacturers, packaging producers, and rival mineral suppliers across Europe.