natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission received comments from interested parties by letters dated 3 October 2005, registered as received on 4 October 2005, 7 October 2005, registered as received on 10 October 2005, and 10 October 2005, registered as received on the same day.
Komisija je prejela pripombe zainteresiranih strank z dopisom z dne 3. oktobra 2005, evidentiranim 4. oktobra 2005, z dopisom z dne 7. oktobra 2005, evidentiranim 10. oktobra 2005, ter z dopisom z dne 10. oktobra 2005, evidentiranim istega dne.
The Commission forwarded the comments to Germany, which was given the opportunity to react.
Komisija je pripombe posredovala Nemčiji in ji omogočila, da izrazi svoje pripombe.
The comments from Germany were received by letter dated 22 November 2005, registered as received on 25 November 2005.
Nemčija je svoje pripombe posredovala z dopisom z dne 22. novembra 2005, ki je bil evidentiran 25. novembra 2005.
Germany intends to provide regional investment aid to the limited company e-glass AG (e-glass) for the setting-up of a new plant for the production of raw float glass in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Nemčija namerava delniški družbi e-glass AG (v nadaljevanju „e-glass“) dodeliti regionalno podporo za naložbe za postavitev novega obrata za neobdelano float steklo v deželi Saška-Anhalt.
The recipients and the change in ownership structure
Upravičenec in spremembe v lastniški strukturi
The object of e-glass, according to its articles of association, is ‘the manufacture, processing and distribution of flat glass of all types’.
Namen družbe je v skladu z njihovim statutom „proizvodnja, plemenitenje in prodaja ravnega stekla vseh vrst“.
The following shareholder structure was notified on 15 December 2003:
decembra 2003 je bila prijavljena naslednja struktura delničarjev podjetja:
Luxfinpart S.A., Luxemburg, with a [...] % stake,
Luxfinpart S.A., Luksemburg, delež v višini [...] %;
Semco Glaskooperation GmbH (Semco), Germany, with a [...] % stake,
Semco Glaskooperation GmbH („Semco“), Nemčija, delež v višini [...] %;
Mr Heckmann, lawyer, acting as trustee for a German firm (trustor), with a [...] % stake.
odvetnik Heckmann z deležem v višini [...] % kot zaupnik nemškega podjetja („zaupnik“) z deležem.
Luxfinpart S.A., founded in 1997, is a holding company for which the notified project seemed to represent a purely financial investment at the time of notification.
Podjetje Luxfinpart S.A., ustanovljeno leta 1997, je holding, za katerega je priglašen projekt v času priglasitve predstavljal čisto finančno naložbo.
Semco, founded in 1997, processes float glass.
Semco je podjetje, ustanovljeno leta 1997, ki se ukvarja z nadaljnjo obdelavo float stekla.
The shareholders are Sawatzki GmbH & Co. Vermögensanlage KG and Hermann Schüler GmbH & Co. KG, each with a [...] % holding.
Družbenika sta Sawatzki GmbH & Co. Vermögensanlage KG in Hermann Schüler GmbH & Co. KG, vsak z deležem v višini deležem v višini [...] %.
The trustor is a [...] which processes and refines glass and float glass.
Zaupnik je [...], ki se ukvarja z nadaljnjo obdelavo in čiščenjem stekla in float stekla.
The trustor's shares are [...] or held by [...].
Deleži družbe zaupnika so v [...] in v lasti [...].
By letter dated 25 October 2004 Germany informed the Commission of incorrect information in the notification as regards one of the owners of e-glass and its activities in the float glass market.
Nemčija je z dopisom z dne 25. oktobra 2004 opozorila Komisijo, da priglasitev vsebuje nepravilne navedbe o lastništvu podjetja e-glass in o njegovi dejavnosti na trgu float stekla.
By letter dated 8 February Germany informed the Commission of a change in the ownership structure of e-glass, which took effect on 21 December 2004.
Nemčija je z dopisom z dne 8. februarja 2005 obvestila Komisijo o spremembi v lastniški strukturi podjetja e-glass, ki je začela veljati 21. decembra 2004.
The Commission was informed that Luxfinpart S.A. had sold its share in e-glass to Glas Trösch Holding GmbH, Bad Krozingen, Germany (Trösch).
Komisija je bila obveščena, da je Luxfinpart S.A svoj delež v podjetju e-glass prodal podjetju Trösch Holding GmbH iz Bad Krozingena v Nemčiji („Trösch“).
Trösch additionally bought [...] resulting in a [...] % share in e-glass.
Poleg tega je Trösch kupil [...], tako da je njegov delež v podjetju e-glass znašal [...] %.
Trösch is the German holding company of the Trösch group, which has its headquarters in Bern (Switzerland).
Trösch je nemška holdinška družba skupine Trösch Gruppe, ki ima glavni sedež v Bernu v Švici.
Trösch is the majority owner of Euroglas S.A., Hombourg (France), and Euroglas GmbH, Haldensleben (Germany).
Trösch je večinski družbenik Euroglasa S.A. iz Hombourga (Francija) in Euroglasa GmbH iz Haldenslebna (Nemčija).
The Trösch group produces float glass and is also active in the processing of float glass.
Skupina Trösch-Gruppe proizvaja float steklo in je dejavna tudi na področju obdelave float stekla.
The lawyer Mr Heckmann who was acting as a trustee for a German firm transferred his shares to AD Augento GmbH, Stuttgart (Germany) (AD-GmbH) with effect from 21 December 2004.
Odvetnik Heckmann, zaupnik nemškega podjetja, je svoje deleže prenesel na AD Augento GmbH iz Stuttgarta (Nemčija) („AD-GmbH“). Prenos je postal veljaven 21. decembra 2004.
Following the transaction on 21 December 2004, the ownership structure of e-glass is now as follows:
Po prenosu dne 21. decembra 2004 je lastniška struktura podjetja e-glass naslednja:
Third owner (shares held in a trusteeship by AD-GmbH)
tretji lastnik (deleži v okviru zaupniškega razmerja podjetja AD-GmbH)
The project is being carried out in Sülzetal-Osterweddingen, an assisted area under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty.
Projekt se izvaja v Sülzetal-Osterweddingenu, v regiji prejemnici pomoči po členu 87(3)(a) Pogodbe ES.
The regional aid ceiling is 28 % gross or, in exceptional cases, 35 % gross for large firms.
Najvišja regionalna bruto intenzivnost pomoči znaša 28 % oziroma izjemoma 35 % bruto za velika podjetja.
The start of the investment project was 15 April 2003. The project was scheduled to end on 31 December 2005.
Naložbeni projekt se je začel 15. aprila 2003, kot datum zaključka pa je bil predviden 31. december 2005.
The application for the granting of aid was submitted before the start of the project.
Vloga za pomoč je bila predložena pred začetkom projekta.
The purpose of the project was the construction of a new plant for the production of raw float glass.
Pri projektu gre za izgradnjo novega obrata za proizvodnjo neobdelanega float stekla.
Float glass has a share of over 80 % of total flat glass production worldwide.
Delež float stekla v celotni proizvodnji ravnega stekla na svetu znaša več kot 80 %.
Within the EEA, the share of float glass is probably well over 80 %.
V EGP znaša delež float stekla precej več kot 80 %.
The market for float glass is generally divided into two levels, namely the production of unprocessed float glass (level 1) and the processing of float glass (level 2).
Trg float stekla se na splošno deli na dve fazi, in sicer na proizvodnjo neobdelanega float stekla (faza 1) in na obdelavo float stekla (faza 2).
To produce unprocessed float glass, a continuous ribbon of glass is first produced, with molten glass being floated on molten tin.
Za proizvodnjo neobdelanega float stekla se najprej izdela brezkončen stekleni trak tako, da steklena talina teče na tekočo plast kositra (float postopek).
This produces absolutely flat glass surfaces.
Tako se doseže popolnoma ravno površino stekla.
After cooling, the glass is cut and is then ready for sale.
Ko se steklo ohladi, ga razrežejo in steklo je pripravljeno za prodajo.
Float glass is usually further processed and is then used wherever flat glass is required, essentially in the building industry and the motor vehicle industry.
Neobdelano float steklo se praviloma nadalje obdela (oplemeniti) in se ga uporablja povsod tam, kjer potrebujejo ravno steklo, predvsem v gradbeništvu in avtomobilski industriji.
The new plant will be e-glass's first production site.
Nov obrat bo prvi proizvodni obrat podjetja e-glass.
Production was planned to start in [...], and the plant was to become fully operational in [...].
Proizvodnja naj bi stekla [...] in obrat naj bi od [...] obratoval neomejeno.
Once the start-up period has been completed in [...], annual capacity is expected to be approximately [...] tonnes (gross) of raw float glass.
Po končani fazi zagona leta [...] bo letna zmogljivost predvidoma znašala okoli [...] ton (bruto) neobdelanega float stekla.
Eligible costs are EUR 121 million, broken down as follows:
Upravičeni stroški projekta znašajo 121 milijonov EUR in jih je mogoče razčleniti, kot sledi:
Eligible costs in EUR
Upravičeni stroški v EUR
Buildings
Zgradba
External facilities
Zunanji objekti
Installations, machines
Oprema in stroji
Intangibles (software)
Nematerialno premoženje (programska oprema)
According to the notification, the project will help to create 186 direct jobs, including ten traineeships.
Po priglasitvi bo projekt neposredno zagotovil 186 novih delovnih mest, vključno z 10 pripravniškimi mesti.
It is also expected to help create 358 indirect jobs in the assisted region itself and in adjacent assisted areas (at NUTS level II).
Poleg tega se pričakuje, da bo v regiji prejemnici pomoči in v sosednjih regijah prejemnicah pomoči neposredno nastalo 358 novih delovnih mest (na ravni II NUTS).
Germany is asking for approval of aid having a gross intensity of up to 35 % of the total eligible costs of EUR 121 million.
Nemčija je zaprosila za odobritev načrtovane pomoči z bruto intenzivnostjo do 35 % vseh upravičenih stroškov v višini 121 mio EUR.
INITIATION OF THE PROCEDURE
SPROŽITEV POSTOPKA
The incorrect information
Napačne navedbe
By letter dated 25 October 2004, Germany reported to the Commission that part of the information in the original notification on the owners of e-glass was incorrect.
Z dopisom z dne 25. oktobra 2004 je Nemčija obvestila Komisijo, da so nekateri podatki o lastnikih podjetja e-glass, navedeni v prvotni priglasitvi, napačni.
Germany and the management of e-glass claim not to have been aware of this situation before the Commission adopted its decision.
Nemčija in vodstvo podjetja e-glass so trdili, da se tega niso zavedali, preden je Komisija izdala svojo odločbo.
The new information concerns one of the owners of e-glass (Luxfinpart S.A.) and its activities in the processing market (level 2).
Novi podatki se nanašajo na enega izmed lastnikov podjetja e-glass (Luxfinpart S.A.) in njegovo dejavnost na trgu obdelave stekla (faza 2).
The initial notification specified three owners, two of them already active in the processing market (level 2), whereas the third owner was considered only a financial investor (Luxfinpart S.A.), active neither in the raw float glass production market (level 1) nor in the processing market (level 2).
V prvotni priglasitvi so bili navedeni trije lastniki, od katerih sta dva že bila dejavna na trgu obdelave stekla (faza 2), medtem ko je tretji lastnik nastopal samo kot vlagatelj (Luxfinpart S.A.) in ni bil dejaven niti na trgu proizvodnje neobdelanega float stekla (faza 1) niti na trgu obdelave stekla (faza 2).
The correct information submitted by Germany by letter dated 25 October 2004 was that at the time of the notification the three owners of e-glass were all active in the processing market (level 2).
Po pravilnih podatkih, ki jih je Nemčija navedla v dopisu z dne 25. oktobra 2004, so bili v času priglasitve na trgu obdelave stekla (faza 2) dejavni vsi trije lastniki.
Since March 2003 Luxfinpart S.A. had had a commercial relationship with [...].[...] is active in the processing of float glass (level 2).
Od marca 2003 je Luxfinpart S.A. posloval s [...]. [...] je dejaven na področju obdelave float stekla (faza 2).
[...] bore the economic risk of Luxfinpart's share in e-glass.
[...] je gospodarsko tveganje deleža Luxfinparta prenesel na podjetje e-glass.
At the same time [...] undertook the contractual obligation to buy [...] % of the output of e-glass.
Hkrati se je [...] pogodbeno zavezal, da bo odkupoval [...] % proizvodnje podjetja e-glass.
Consequences of the incorrect information for the assessment
Posledice napačnih podatkov za presojo
In the initial decision of 20 April 2004, the relevant market was defined as being the market for raw float glass (level 1).
V prvotni odločbi z dne 20. aprila 2004 je bil trg za neobdelano float steklo (faza 1) opredeljen kot upoštevni trg.
Although two out of the three owners of e-glass were active in the processing market (level 2), Germany provided evidence that allowed the Commission to conclude that the analysis could be limited to the level 1 market.
Čeprav sta bila dva od treh lastnikov podjetja e-glass dejavna na trgu obdelave stekla (faza 2), je Nemčija posredovala dokazila, na podlagi katerih je Komisija zaključila, da je lahko analiza omejena na trg faze 1.
The Commission had copies of draft contracts between e-glass and an independent customer.
Komisiji so bile predložene kopije osnutkov pogodbe med podjetjem e-glass in neodvisnim odjemalcem.
The contract with the independent customer demonstrated that this customer had the same terms and conditions as the owner-customers.
Iz pogodbe z neodvisnim odjemalcem je bilo razvidno, da zanj veljajo enaki pogoji in podrobna pravila kot za lastnike-odjemalce.
Therefore, it was concluded that there was equal treatment between owner-customers and other customers active in the downstream market, with the result that the aid would have no impact on the processing markets and that there was no need for the Commission to include the processing market (level 2) in the definition of the relevant market.
Zato je sledil sklep, da so lastniki-odjemalci in drugi na trgu na koncu proizvodne verige dejavni odjemalci deležni enake obravnave, tako da pomoč ne bi vplivala na trge obdelave stekla, Komisiji pa trga obdelave stekla (faza 2) ne bi bilo treba vključiti v opredelitev upoštevnega trga.
In addition, it was argued that the production (level 1) and processing (level 2) markets would follow the same development since raw float glass is the main input factor used in the processing market.
Poleg tega je bilo upoštevano, da so trgi proizvodnje (faza 1) in obdelave (faza 2) sledili enakemu razvoju, saj je neobdelano float steklo najpomembnejši predpogoj za trg obdelave stekla.
The information provided by Germany on 25 October 2004 showed, however, that the abovementioned sample contract was not from an independent customer as stated in the notification, but was actually a contract with one of the (indirect) owners of e-glass at the time of the notification, namely [...], which is active in the float glass processing market (level 2).
Vendar pa podatki, ki jih je Nemčija posredovala 25. oktobra 2004, kažejo, da omenjena pogodba v nasprotju z navedbo v priglasitvi ni bila sklenjena z neodvisnim odjemalcem, temveč s posrednim lastnikom podjetja e-glass v času priglasitve, in sicer s [...], ki je dejaven na trgu obdelave float stekla (faza 2).
Therefore, the conclusion that the aid would not have any distorting impact on the processing market (level 2) and that the Commission therefore did not have to assess the development of the processing market could no longer be upheld.
Zato sklep, da pomoč ne bi imela izkrivljajočega učinka na trg obdelave stekla (faza 2) in da zato Komisiji ni treba upoštevati razvoja dogodkov na trgu obdelave stekla, ne drži več.
The new information means that the processing market (level 2) needs to be included in the Commission's assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure.
Iz novih podatkov je razvidno, da mora Komisija pri presoji združljivosti ukrepov pomoči upoštevati trg obdelave stekla (faza 2).
As the incorrect information had an influence on the reasons for defining the relevant market(s) and therefore influenced the competition factor and thus the maximum allowable aid intensity under the MSF 1998, the incorrect information is to be seen as a determining factor for the decision within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999.
Ker so napačni podatki vplivali na motive za omejitev upoštevnega trga oziroma na upoštevne trge in s tem na dejavnik konkurence ter nenazadnje tudi na dovoljeno intenzivnost pomoči v skladu z MSR 1998, je treba napačne podatke obravnavati kot odločilen dejavnik pri sprejetju odločbe v smislu člena 9 Uredbe (ES) št. 659/1999.
Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 stipulates that ‘the Commission may revoke a decision … after having given the Member State concerned the opportunity to submit its comments, where the decision was based on incorrect information provided during the procedure which was a determining factor for the decision.
Po členu 9 Uredbe (ES) št. 659/1999 „lahko Komisija razveljavi odločbo […], potem ko je zadevni državi članici omogočila, da predloži svoje pripombe, če je odločba temeljila na napačnih podatkih, ki so bili pridobljeni med postopkom in so bili odločilen dejavnik pri sprejetju te odločbe.
Before revoking a decision and taking a new decision, the Commission shall open the formal investigation procedure pursuant to Article 4(4). …’.
Preden Komisija prekliče odločbo in sprejme novo, sproži formalni postopek preiskave na podlagi člena 4(4) […]“.
Before revoking the original decision, which was based on incorrect information that was a determining factor for the decision, and taking a new decision, the Commission opened the formal investigation procedure — in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 — on 20 April 2005.
Pred preklicem prvotne odločbe, ki je temeljila na napačnih podatkih, ki so bili odločilen dejavnik pri sprejetju te odločbe, in sprejetjem nove odločbe je Komisija – v skladu s členom 9 Uredbe (ES) št. 659/1999 – 20. aprila 2005 sprožila formalni postopek preiskave.
Following the invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the Treaty, the Commission received comments from three competitors.
Komisija je po pozivu k predložitvi pripomb v skladu s členom 88(2) Pogodbe ES prejela pripombe treh konkurentov.
The first interested party, Saint-Gobain, was of the opinion that the Commission could not ignore market developments that were known by it at the time of the adoption of a decision on the compatibility of state aid under Article 87 of the EC Treaty and the MSF 1998.
Prva zainteresirana stranka, Saint-Gobain, meni, da Komisija ne sme zanemariti razvoja trga, ki ji je bil znan v času izdaje odločbe o združljivosti državnih pomoči po členu 87 Pogodbe ES in MSR 1998.
Consequently, in the current formal investigation proceedings, the Commission could not simply base its assessment on the average annual growth of apparent consumption in the period 1997 to 2002.
Zato se Komisija v tem formalnem postopku preiskave pri svoji presoji ne bi smela opirati preprosto na povprečno stopnjo letnega prirastka očitne porabe v obdobju med letoma 1997 in 2002.
Saint-Gobain stated that, in view of the incorrect information provided in the notification, the Commission should, from today's perspective, consider the time period 1999-2004 as the decisive period for the assessment of the intensity of the state aid.
Po mnenju Saint-Gobaina bi morala Komisija zaradi napačnih podatkov v priglasitvi obdobje med letoma 1999 in 2004 zdaj upoštevati kot odločilno obdobje za določitev intenzivnosti pomoči.
According to Saint-Gobain, the average annual growth rate of apparent consumption of raw float glass over the last five years was negative (1999-2004: -0,62 %), and the market should therefore be defined as an ‘absolutely declining market’ within the meaning of point 7.8 of the MSF 1998.
Po besedah Saint-Gobaina je bila povprečna stopnja očitne porabe neobdelanega float stekla v zadnjih petih letih negativna (1999-2004: –0,62 %), zato bi bilo treba trg opredeliti kot „trg, ki se absolutno krči“ v smislu točke 7.8 MSR 1998.
Saint-Gobain was also of the opinion that, even at the time of the decision of 20 April 2004, the Commission should have taken into account forward-looking growth estimates of apparent consumption, especially if they indicated a significant change in the average annual growth of apparent consumption.
Saint-Gobain nadalje zastopa stališče, da bi morala Komisija – ob izdaji odločbe 20. aprila 2004 – upoštevati napovedi prirastka, še zlasti, če so napovedi nakazovale znatno spremembo povprečne stopnje letnega prirastka očitne porabe.
It pointed out that the Commission itself requests the notifying Member State to provide estimates and forecasts on the development of the apparent consumption of the product(s) concerned in the three financial years following the notification (see point 5.4.2 in Section 5 of the Annex to the MSF 1998).
Saint-Gobein je opomnil, da Komisija sama od držav članic, ki priglašajo, zahteva ocene in napovedi razvoja očitne porabe zadevnega proizvoda za tri poslovna leta, ki sledijo priglasitvi (prim. točko 5.4.2 dela 5 Priloge k MSR 1998).
Saint-Gobain argued that the relevant market should include the market for processed glass (level 2).
Po mnenju Saint-Gobaina bi moral upoštevni trg vključevati trg za obdelano steklo (faza 2).
However, according to Saint-Gobain, only a sub-market of the overall processed glass market was relevant in this case.
Vsekakor je v tej zadevi pomemben samo en del skupnega trga za obdelano steklo.
Saint-Gobain made an initial distinction between the markets for automotive glass and general trade glass (building glass), because it claimed that the production technology for automotive glass, the customer base and the way automotive glass was put on the market were totally different from that in the construction sector.
Saint-Gobain razlikuje med trgom za avtomobilsko steklo in trgom za splošno trgovsko steklo (gradbeno steklo), saj se po njegovem mnenju proizvodna tehnologija za avtomobilsko steklo, baza strank in način trženja avtomobilskega stekla popolnoma razlikujejo od dejavnosti, povezanih s steklom za gradbeništvo.
It then further divided the building glass sector into four separate markets: (i) sealed units (double or multiple glazing); (ii) toughened glass (safety glass); (iii) laminated glass (safety glass); and (iv) silvered glass (mirrors).
Podjetje nadalje razčleni sektor gradbenega stekla na štiri ločene trge: (i) termopan šipe (dvojna ali večkratna zasteklitev), (ii) kaljeno steklo (varnostno steklo), (iii) vezano steklo (varnostno steklo) in (iv) odbojno steklo (ogledalo).
As glass consumption for sealed units (double glazing), in terms of volume, amounted to approximately 80 % of float glass used in general trade (non-automotive applications), Saint-Gobain claimed that the main relevant product market in this case was the market for sealed units.
Ker se za steklo za termopan šipe (dvojna zasteklitev) v splošnem prometu količinsko porabi okoli 80 % float stekla (ne za avtomobile), je po mnenju Saint-Gobaina trg za termopan steklo v tej zadevi primarno upoštevni trg.
As to the geographic scope of the above-mentioned markets, Saint-Gobain argued that the markets for silvered glass (mirrors) and laminated glass should be considered to be Community-wide.
Glede prostorske omejitve omenjenih trgov Saint-Gobain zatrjuje, da je treba trga za odbojno steklo (ogledalo) in vezano steklo obravnavati kot trga skupnosti.
However, for the other product markets, in particular toughened glass and sealed units, no clear indications for a Community-wide market seemed to exist.
Za druge proizvodne trge, zlasti za kaljeno steklo in termopan šipe, se zdi, da ni podlage za njihovo opredelitev kot trge skupnosti.
Such markets rather appeared to involve national or even regional markets, essentially due to higher transport costs.
Vse kaže, da gre pri zadevnih trgih bolj ali manj za nacionalne ali celo regionalne trge, kar je mogoče pripisati predvsem višjim stroškom prevoza.