EU opens antitrust probe into Omya over calcium carbonate supply to papermakers

The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Swiss minerals group Omya over alleged abuse of a dominant position in the supply of calcium carbonate to paper manufacturers. The Commission suspects Omya required paper-industry customers to source all or most of their calcium carbonate from it, potentially shutting out rival suppliers in Europe. Omya did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why this mattersA finding against Omya could lower calcium carbonate procurement costs for European paper and board makers and open the field to rival mineral suppliers.

• European Commission announced the investigation on 23 October 2026.
• The probe targets Omya, a Swiss supplier of calcium carbonate.
• The Commission alleges Omya may have required paper-industry customers to buy all or most of their calcium carbonate needs from it.
• Calcium carbonate is used in papermaking to cut production costs and improve brightness, opacity, smoothness and printability.
• The Commission says Omya's practices may have limited rival suppliers' ability to compete for customers in Europe.

Relevant to you? Yes No