The European Commission announced the opening of a formal antitrust investigation into Omya, a major supplier of calcium carbonate. The investigation, announced on October 23, 2026, is aimed at checking possible violations of European Union competition rules. According to the Commission, the subject of the investigation is the company's practice whereby clients from the paper industry were allegedly required to purchase all or the majority of their required calcium carbonate exclusively from Omya. Such requirements, if confirmed, could be considered anticompetitive conduct that restricts clients' ability to work with alternative suppliers and hinders normal competition in the market. Calcium carbonate is widely used in paper production as a filler and coating, making supply stability and competition among producers of this raw material an important factor for the entire industry. The European Commission emphasized that opening an investigation does not automatically mean the company is found guilty, but merely gives the regulator the right to conduct an in-depth examination of the circumstances of the case. If violations are confirmed, the company could face fines as well as orders to change its business practices. The Commission did not specify a timeline for completing the investigation, noting that the duration of such proceedings depends on the complexity of the case and the degree of cooperation from the parties involved.