Investigators searching for evidence of a price-fixing cartel for PVC additives raided offices of 14 chemical companies in Europe, the US and Japan in mid February. The firms produce heat stabilisers, modifiers and auxiliaries. In Europe, three companies have confirmed visits from authorities, including Atofina (F-92091 Paris-La Defense; www.atofina.com), Akzo Nobel (NL-3800 AF Amersfoort; www.akzonobel.com) and its UK subsidiary Akcros (GB-Manchester M30 O; www.akcros.com).

In the US, Rohm & Haas (Philadelphia; Pennsylvania; www.rohmhaas.com) and Crompton (Middlebury, Connecticut; www.uniroyalchemical.com) have said they were visited. In Japan, companies reported to have been searched include Kaneka (www.kaneka.co.jp), Kureha (www.kureha.co.jp) and Mitsubishi Rayon (www.mrc.co.jp). This is believed to be the first time that authorities in the EU, the US, Canada and Japan have cooperated on such an investigation.