These actions had been in breach of EU antitrust rules. Therefore, Eco-Bat Technologies UK was fined €32,7 million, Recyclex France was fined €26,7 million and Campine Belgium was fined €8,2 million. Johnson Controls USA fully avoided a €38,5 million fine since the company revealed the existence of the cartel to the European Commission.
According to a recent press release of the Commission, contacts between the four recycling companies took place on a bilateral basis. The parties were all well aware of the illegal character of their contracts and sometimes tried to disguise them by using coded language, for example referring to weather conditions to signal different price levels. Campine will undertake further action by appealing against the decision before the General Court of Luxembourg, whereas Recyclex and Eco-Bat Technologies are still considering to undertake further actions.