January 24, 2025: A probe into alleged price-fixing among major lead battery manufacturers is continuing into its second year, Batteries International has learned.

Batteries International revealed in December 2023 that EU competition chiefs had accused Clarios, Exide Technologies, Banner, Rombat, Fiamm Energy Technology and its predecessor Elettra of possible collusion to fix starter battery prices, aided by trade association EUROBAT.

A European Commission spokesperson indicated to Batteries International on January 13 that “complexities” could see a long-running investigation.

The spokesperson said: “There is no legal deadline for the Commission to complete antitrust inquiries into anticompetitive conduct.

“The duration of an antitrust investigation depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent to which the companies concerned cooperate and the exercise of the rights of defence.”

On November 30, 2023, the Commission informed Banner, Clarios (former JC Autobatterie), Exide, FET (and its predecessor Elettra), and Rombat as well as EUROBAT and its service provider Kellen of its preliminary view that they had breached EU antitrust rules by colluding to increase the prices of automotive starter batteries sold to car producers in the European Economic Area.

However, EUROBAT said subsequently that it would fight the claims.

Clarios has said that while it does not comment on pending investigations and legal proceedings, the battery giant did not believe it had any material exposure.