The Italian Competition Authority opens an investigation for an alleged abuse of dominance in the market for plasterboards (Mercato del Cartongesso)

On 5 March 2009, the Italian Antitrust Authority (IAA) initiated an investigation in relation to the possible abuse of dominant position allegedly carried out by Saint-Gobain Ppc Italia S.p.A. (Saint-Gobain) in the Italian plasterboards market. Saint-Gobain is part of a large multinational company active in various sectors such as construction products (pipes, insulation, building materials and gypsum), flat glass (respectively for the buildings, cars and household appliances), building materials distribution, packaging (glass food containers) and high performance materials (abrasives, ceramics and plastics). Saint-Gobain is the most important producer of plasterboard and building materials in Italy. The investigation was prompted by a formal complaint presented by a plasterboard