In order to be able to react to a gas shortage, German sugar manufacturers are converting the energy supply in their factories. However, because this was not completed before winter, the Cartel Office allowed the industry to make time-limited plans for cooperation.
The Federal Cartel Office has given the German sugar industry the green light for its cooperation plans in the event of a gas emergency. This was announced by the competition authority in Düsseldorf. This means that the four sugar manufacturers producing in Germany - Nordzucker, Südzucker, Pfeifer
"A one-off and temporary cooperation in the event of a gas emergency has been approved," said the head of the authority, Andreas Mundt. This is to prevent large parts of the beet harvest from spoiling and excessive price spikes in sugar occurring in the event of a production standstill in the gas-fired sugar factories, he said.
According to the Federal Cartel Office, the 18 sugar factories of the four companies involved in Germany are mostly operated with natural gas. The companies have made considerable efforts to convert the systems from natural gas to other fuels such as heating oil or coal. However, this was not possible at some factories in the short time available.
The exemption granted by the competition authorities is limited until June 2023. The Bundeskartellamt attaches great importance to reducing the flow of information about production costs and customer relationships between the companies involved in the cooperation to the essential minimum.
