|
Lithium Ion Battery Cells |
|
Overall Cartel Period |
2007-2008 |
|
Participants |
|
|
Total Fines (DOJ) |
$11.8 million
|
|
Total Fines (EC) |
No fines imposed
|
In 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) began investigating possible cartel-related activity in the cylindrical lithium ion battery cell industry. According to the DOJ, SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. and LG Chem Ltd., leading manufacturers of secondary batteries, engaged in a conspiracy to fix the price of cylindrical lithium ion battery cells from about April 2007 until about September 2008. Cylindrical lithium ion battery cells are sold worldwide for use in notebook computer battery packs. The DOJ, whose investigation is ongoing, imposed monetary fines against both companies.