ArcelorMittal and Saarstahl accused of collusion in setting prices

Deutsche Bahn said several lawsuits have been filed against a number of metallurgical companies, including ArcelorMittal and Saarstahl, which damaged the German rail operator. Deutsche Bahn claims that its losses were caused by fixing excessively high prices for railroad ties.

“The companies involved in the cartel refused to negotiate losses. That is why we are taking legal action now, "said Gerd Becht, board member of Deutsche Bahn, in an interview with the weekly newspaper Bild am Sonntag. Germany's main rail operator is a 100% state-owned joint stock company.

A spokesman for rail operator Deutsche Bahn said the companies involved in the conspiracy include ArcelorMittal and Saarstahl and clarified that the lawsuit should be filed in the Netherlands. ArcelorMittal and Saarstahl declined to comment.

Bild am Sonntag submitted internal documents to Deutsche Bahn, which said the company had sold 48 million concrete sleepers at prices that were the highest in an 18-year period, resulting in millions of euros in losses.

The European Commission in 2010 fined 17 valve manufacturers a total of 518 million euros for setting maximum prices over 18 years. The fine was reduced to € 270 million, with € 45.7 million of which went to ArcelorMittal.