With the Competition Board decision dated 11.05.2023 and numbered 23-21/413-M, an investigation was launched into the allegation that Asmaş Ağır Sanayi Malzemeleri İmal ve Ticaret AŞ (ASMAŞ), Kümaş Manyezit Sanayi AŞ (KÜMAŞ) and Piromet’ Pirometalurji Malzeme Refrakter Makine Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ (PİROMET), active in the production of high-temperature resistant refractory materials used in many fields of iron and steel manufacturing, violated Article 4 of the Act no 4054 on the Protection of Competition (Act no 4054).

The subject matter of the investigation concerned the claim that ASMAŞ, KÜMAŞ and PİROMET engaged in concerted practices in tenders initiated by private undertakings for refractory materials by fixing prices and exchanging competitively sensitive information on pricing. The hearing for the investigation concerned was held on 19.11.2024 at the Authority headquarters.

After discussing the file on 28.11.2024, the Competition Board decided that

• ASMAŞ’s and PİROMET’s conduct aimed at fixing the prices to be offered in the tenders was in violation of Article 4 of the Act no 4054,
• Administrative fines of 8,316,022.13 TL and 6,854,747.87 TL should be imposed on ASMAŞ and PİROMET, respectively, for their infringing practices,
• Imposing administrative fines on KÜMAŞ was not necessary since there were no findings to suggest that the undertaking violated Article 4 of the Act no 4054.