Press Release: State aid: European Commission opens in-depth investigation into subsidies for producers of non-ferrous metals in Germany

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into a scheme relieving German producers of non-ferrous metals of part of their electricity costs. Germany intends to grant operating aid totalling €40 million to compensate energy intensive non-ferrous metal producers (aluminium, copper, zinc,) for a large part of the CO2 costs included in their electricity prices for the second half of 2009. As a result, these companies might gain a competitive advantage vis-à-vis their European competitors. The opening of an in-depth investigation will also allow interested third parties to comment on the measure under scrutiny. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.