AGCM decision based on flawed assumptions, threatens survival of Association and companies involved

Milan, 31 December 2025 – Assofond, the Confindustria association representing Italian foundries, expresses its dismay and astonishment at the decision of the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) to impose sanctions on the association and several companies in the sector for an alleged anti-competitive agreement, with penalties unprecedented for an industry association.

The recently concluded AGCM proceeding I866 investigated an alleged restrictive agreement in the market for the production and sale of cast iron castings in Italy. According to the accusation, the alleged agreement involved coordinating commercial and pricing policies among certain Italian foundries. In this context, Assofond is accused of acting as a facilitator and co-author of the cartel, mainly through the “preparation, updating and dissemination of the Assofond Indicators,” a tool for monitoring production costs, which the AGCM claims was used to align companies’ pricing decisions.

Assofond firmly rejects these allegations, which it considers entirely unfounded.

The “Assofond Indicators,” whose publication was suspended as a precautionary measure from 1 July 2024 without any admission of liability, were purely statistical tools to monitor production costs. They were based on publicly available data from the Chambers of Commerce and not on secret agreements. These indicators were widely recognized – including by foundry customers – as transparent and useful tools for the entire supply chain, helping adjust long-term supply contracts for castings. They are also similar to indices still used across many other European countries, where associations and foundries using such data have never faced similar regulatory action.

The fine imposed on Assofond, totaling two million euros – about four times the total contributions paid by member cast iron foundries in 2024 – is unprecedented in the history of antitrust actions against industry associations. It seriously threatens the association’s survival and delivers a severe blow to the broader association sector.

In light of these heavy sanctions, Assofond regrets that doing business in Italy now entails an additional disadvantage beyond already high energy costs compared to major competitors: the exposure to a maximalist approach by the national competition authority, with no equivalent in other EU countries.

The AGCM’s decision impacts a strategic sector of Italian manufacturing, which is already facing a challenging market environment (during the period when the alleged cartel was said to operate, the number of cast iron foundries in Italy halved due to closures and bankruptcies). It threatens the operational continuity of the companies involved and thousands of jobs, confirming what Assofond has repeatedly highlighted: Italy is not an easy environment for foundries.

Assofond will continue to defend its actions and those of its members in the appropriate forums, confident in demonstrating the absolute legality of its conduct.