EU antitrust watchdog probes Honeywell, DuPont

[December 16, 2011]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union's antitrust watchdog says it is probing whether U.S. companies Honeywell and DuPont are restricting competition in the market for new refrigerants for car air-conditioning systems.

The European Commission said Friday it has received complaints that the two companies entered into "development, licensing and production arrangements" that prevent rivals from also developing new refrigerants that fulfill updated environmental standards.

Commission says it is also investigating whether Honeywell International Inc. is abusing its dominant position in the production of the new refrigerant, known as 1234yf, and deceived authorities during the evaluation of 1234yf.

The opening of a probe does not mean that Honeywell and E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. actually broke EU law.

[Associated Press]

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