natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Despite being wholly owned by IFP, Axens is totally independent in the market.
Hčerinska družba Axens je na trgu v celoti neodvisna, čeprav je skupina IFP 100-odstotna lastnica.
This independence is confirmed by several items of evidence:
To neodvisnost dokazuje več dejstev:
Axens has an autonomous decision-making process and a financial and human organisation of its own;
hčerinska družba Axens ima na voljo neodvisen postopek odločanja ter lastno strukturo financiranja in človeških virov;
Axens sets freely its commercial policy and its sales targets and gross margins;
hčerinska družba Axens svobodno določa svojo trgovinsko politiko in prodajne cilje ter bruto marže;
Axens acts in the refining and petrochemicals market in its own name and on its own behalf and has the power to contract without IFP’s prior consent;
hčerinska družba Axens posega na trg rafiniranja in petrokemije v svojem imenu in za lastne namene ter lahko sklene pogodbo brez predhodnega dovoljenja skupine IFP;
Axens enjoys financial autonomy from IFP within the limits of the reserved powers specified in its articles of association and is not the sole distributor of IFP technologies.
hčerinska družba Axens je finančno neodvisna v razmerju do skupine IFP v mejah natančno določenih pridržanih pristojnosti v svojem statutu in nima skupnega distributerja tehnologij IFP.
As regards IFP’s nature as a non-profit-making research institute, France reiterates that IFP is a research institute whose primary purpose is to carry on research activities and disseminate the results thereof through education, publication or technology transfer, any profits being reinvested in their entirety in research or the dissemination of its results.
Kar zadeva neprofitni raziskovalni inštitut IFP, Francija ponavlja svojo trditev, da je skupina IFP raziskovalni inštitut, katerega prvi cilj je opravljanje raziskovalnih dejavnosti in razširjanje rezultatov navedenih dejavnosti prek izobraževanja, objav ali prenosa tehnologije, pri čemer se dobički v celoti ponovno vložijo v raziskave ali razširjanje rezultatov teh raziskav.
Secondly, given that in accordance with the first subparagraph of point 2.4 of the 1996 R & D framework the resources transferred by the State to IFP do not constitute State aid, France contests UOP’s assertion that those resources [24] constitute operating aid.
Drugič, ker sredstva, ki jih država dodeli skupini IFP, ne pomenijo državne pomoči v skladu s točko 2.4(1) okvira R & R iz leta 1996, Francija nasprotuje trditvi družbe UOP, da ta sredstva [24] pomenijo pomoč za tekoče delovanje.
Moreover, the research work which IFP carries out for Axens under the industrial research agreement consists of (a) technical feasibility studies and (b) industrial research.
Poleg tega so raziskovalna dela, ki jih za hčerinsko družbo Axens izvaja skupina IFP v okviru konvencije o industrijskem raziskovanju, po eni strani študije tehnične izvedljivosti, po drugi strani pa gre za dejavnosti industrijskega raziskovanja.
IFP does not do any pre-competitive research work on behalf of Axens, the fact being that the latter carries out and finances the work on its own.
Skupina IFP ne opravlja predkonkurenčnih raziskovalnih dejavnosti v imenu hčerinske družbe Axens, ki sama prevzema in financira navedene dejavnosti.
Inasmuch as the financial schedules included with France’s comments of February 2006 attest that IFP complies fully with the provisions of Directive 80/723/EEC, France considers that the budgetary allowance is indeed used to fulfil its general interest mission and to finance R & D work within the meaning of the 1996 R & D framework.
V zvezi s finančnimi preglednicami, navedenimi v pripombah Francije iz februarja 2006, ki dokazujejo, da skupina IFP v celoti spoštuje določbe iz Direktive 80/723/EGS, Francija ocenjuje, da se proračunska sredstva dobro uporabljajo za izvajanje naloge splošnega pomena in financiranje dejavnosti R & R v smislu okvira R & R iz leta 1996.
Fourthly, according to UOP, the right of first refusal confers an advantage on Axens, which allegedly does not pay the market price for such a right.
Četrtič, po mnenju družbe UOP bi pravica do prve zavrnitve omogočila prednost hčerinski družbi Axens, ki ne bi plačala tržne cene za tako pravico.
France stresses the importance of assessing the economic impact of the remuneration paid by Axens to IFP as a whole.
Francija poudarja pomen presoje skupnega gospodarskega rezultata plačil, ki jih hčerinska družba Axens izplača skupini IFP.
Besides dividends, the components of this overall remuneration (consisting in the remuneration for the right of first refusal and the royalties paid under the framework licensing and product licensing agreements) were determined in 2001 according to an economic logic.
Poleg dividend so se leta 2001 na podlagi gospodarske logike določili elementi tega celotnega plačila (sestavljenega iz plačila za pravico do prve zavrnitve in pristojbin, plačanih za konvencije o omejeni licenci in licenci za izdelke).
This logic is intended to ensure that Axens does not derive any economic advantage from its relationship with IFP and to guarantee a suitable, steady return from year to year for IFP, sufficiently independent of the combination resulting from Axens’s sales at any given time so as to avoid any risk to IFP from excessive variations in resources.
S to logiko se zagotavlja, da hčerinska družba Axens ne bi izkoristila gospodarske prednosti na podlagi svojega odnosa s skupino IFP, ter zagotavlja primeren in iz leta v leto stabilnejši dohodek skupine IFP, dovolj neodvisen od sestave, ki je posledica nenadnih prodaj hčerinske družbe Axens, s čimer se prepreči, da bi skupina IFP tvegala preveliko nihanje sredstev.
France maintains that it is only this overall remuneration, actually borne by Axens, viewed against its total turnover, that should be analysed in the light of market conditions.
Francija vztraja, da je le to skupno plačilo, ki ga dejansko podpira hčerinska družba Axens in se nanaša na skupni promet, primerno za analizo v zvezi s tržnimi pogoji.
Having regard to these elements, the right of first refusal does not create any competitive advantage in favour of Axens or any distortion of competition.
Ob upoštevanju teh elementov pravica do prve zavrnitve ne bi ustvarila konkurenčne prednosti v korist hčerinske družbe Axens in ne bi povzročila izkrivljanja konkurence.
Fifthly, France also contests the assertion that the existence of alleged unlawful State aid in favour of the IFP/Axens entity has caused loss or damage to competitors and impaired the innovation dynamic.
Francija prav tako nasprotuje trditvi, da bi obstoj domnevno nezakonite državne pomoči v korist združenja IFP/Axens povzročal škodo tekmecem in oviral dinamiko inovacij.
France points out that UOP Limited is the only competitor among the many in existence to have submitted comments to the Commission.
Francija opaža, da je družba UOP Limited edina tekmica med številnimi obstoječimi družbami, ki je o svojih pripombah obvestila Komisijo.
France stresses, moreover, that no proof has been furnished of such alleged loss or damage.
Francija poleg tega poudarja, da ni predloženih dokazil o tej domnevni škodi.
Lastly, France considers that the innovation dynamic is not impaired in the refining and petrochemicals market.
Nazadnje, Francija ocenjuje, da dinamika inovacij na trgu rafiniranja in petrokemije ni ovirana.
In this connection, in the process licensing and catalyst market, market share analysis shows clear domination by the UOP group.
V zvezi s tem bi na trgu licenc za tehnološke postopke in katalizatorje analiza delov trga pokazala jasno prevlado skupine UOP.
If there is any market power, it lies in France’s view with UOP and not with Axens.
Če obstaja tržna moč, bi po mnenju Francije ta obstajala za družbo UOP in ne za hčerinsko družbo Axens.
France adds that, if UOP’s market power has weakened, this can be attributed to UOP’s own strategic errors, inter alia, in the desulphurisation market, in which UOP has ceased to invest, thereby missing out on a strong revenue-generating activity.
Pri tem dodaja, da bi kljub slabši tržni moči družbe UOP to upadanje izviralo iz lastnih strateških napak družbe UOP, zlasti na trgu razžveplanja, na katerem se je družba UOP odpovedala vlaganjem in se torej še vedno odmika od dejavnosti, ki je zelo dobičkonosna.
In response to the anonymous complaint
Odgovor na anonimno pritožbo
First, France reaffirms that the reorganisation of IFP’s activities was indeed notified to the Commission.
Prvič, Francija ponovno zagotavlja, da je bila Komisija ustrezno obveščena o reorganizaciji dejavnosti skupine IFP.
The 2001 letters, by which it informed the Commission of the internal reorganisation plan which led to IFP’s commercial activities being split off into a subsidiary, did constitute notifications within the meaning of Article 88(3) of the Treaty.
Dopisi iz leta 2001, na podlagi katerih je bila Komisija obveščena o projektu notranje reorganizacije, ki je povzročila hčerinski odnos tržnih dejavnosti skupine IFP, bi lahko pomenili obvestila v smislu člena 88(3) Pogodbe.
Secondly, France repeats the arguments advanced both in its own comments (see Section 4.3) and in response to the comments from UOP (see recitals 95 et seq.) which contradict the assertion that IFP and Axens form a single economic unit.
Drugič, Francija opozarja na argumente, navedene v svojih pripombah (glej oddelek 4.3), ki so odgovori na komentarje družbe UOP (glej uvodno izjavo 6.1 in naslednje), ki so v nasprotju s trditvijo, da skupina IFP in hčerinska družba Axens predstavljata eno samo gospodarsko enoto.
Thirdly, France emphasises that the research carried out by IFP at the ‘Refining-Petrochemicals’ results centre benefits various industrial partners from several countries […] [15] Information covered by professional secrecy.
Tretjič, Francija poudarja dejstvo, da raziskovalna dela skupine IFP, ki se izvajajo v okviru centra za rezultate za rafiniranje in petrokemijo, koristijo različnim industrijskim partnerjem iz več držav […] [15] Informacija je poslovna skrivnost.
, and not just Axens as the complainant claims.
in ne le hčerinski družbi Axens, kot je navedel pritožnik.
Fourthly, contrary to the complainant’s assertion that over half of Axens’s income is generated by the sale of process licences and the provision of related services, France indicates that the share of Axens’s turnover in 2003, 2004 and 2005 accounted for by process licensing came to 36 %, 38 % and 31 % respectively.
Četrtič, v nasprotju s trditvijo pritožnika, da se več kot polovica prihodka hčerinske družbe Axens ustvari s prodajo licenc za postopke in zagotavljanjem storitev v zvezi s tem, Francija navaja, da je delež dejavnosti „licenciranja tehnoloških postopkov“ (process licensing) v prihodku hčerinske družbe Axens za leta 2003, 2004 in 2005 znašal 36 %, 38 % in 31 %.
Fifthly, France contests the complainant’s assertion that Axens does not have any research facilities of its own.
Petič, Francija nasprotuje trditvi pritožnika, da hčerinska družba Axens nima lastnih storitev raziskovanja.
On the contrary, Axens has its own human and material resources with which to carry out its pre-competitive development work with a view to pre-market type approval, namely: dimensioning software, process simulation tools, catalyst and adsorbent evaluation apparatus, and pre-industrial-extrapolation catalyst development and unit step sequence simulation pilot plants.
Hčerinska družba Axens naj bi nasprotno imela lastne človeške in materialne vire za ustrezno vodenje svojega dela v zvezi s predkonkurenčnim razvojem za homologacijo pred dajanjem na trg: programska oprema za dimenzioniranje, pripomočki za simulacijo postopka, naprave za ocenjevanje katalizatorjev in adsorbentov ter pilotne naprave za razvoj katalizatorjev in simulacijo povezanosti enotnih stopenj pred industrijsko izpostavljenostjo.
Axens’s resources have, moreover, according to France, enabled it to finalise the development of products and processes proposed by third parties other than IFP.
S sredstvi hčerinske družbe Axens bi se omogočil zaključek razvoja izdelkov in postopkov, ki jih predlagajo tretje osebe, pri čemer je skupina IFP izključena.
Sixthly, France reaffirms that, through its mission and its activities, IFP still possesses the characteristics of a non-profit-making institution performing fully a general-interest mission conferred by the State.
Šestič, Francija ponovno potrjuje, da ima skupina IFP prek svoje naloge in dejavnosti še vedno značilnosti neprofitnega inštituta, pri čemer v celoti opravlja nalogo splošnega pomena, ki mu jo dodeljuje država.
This analysis is borne out by the functioning and organisation of IFP and its subsidiaries insofar as IFP has ensured that its commercial subsidiaries are completely autonomous and independent.
Ta analiza bi se potrdila z delovanjem in organizacijo skupine IFP ter njenih hčerinskih družb, če skupina IFP zagotovi, da so njene komercialne hčerinske družbe popolnoma avtonomne in neodvisne.
France considers therefore that, in accordance with the first subparagraph of point 2.4 of the 1996 R & D framework, the financing of IFP, a non-profit institution, does not constitute State aid.
Francija torej meni, da financiranje neprofitnega inštituta IFP ne pomeni državne pomoči v skladu s točko 2.4(1) okvira R & R iz leta 1996.
Seventhly, France refutes specifically the point that IFP’s research activity ought to be seen as the mere development of a technology process capable of being used directly by commercial enterprises for their industrial production.
Sedmič, Francija zlasti nasprotuje točki, da bi se morala raziskovalna dejavnost skupine IFP izenačiti z enostavno vzpostavitvijo „tehnološkega postopka“ (technology process), ki bi ga lahko komercialne družbe za svojo industrijsko proizvodnjo neposredno uporabile.
It provides on this point detailed information concerning the development cycles of processes and products.
V zvezi s tem navaja podrobne informacije glede razvojnih ciklov za postopke in izdelke.
Eighthly, France refers to the comments transmitted following the initiation of the procedure concerning the complainant’s assertion that the remuneration for the research work carried out by IFP on behalf of Axens is not in line with market conditions (see recital 60).
Osmič, Francija se sklicuje na pripombe, navedene po odprtju postopka v zvezi s trditvijo pritožnika, da plačilo za raziskovalno delo, ki ga opravi skupina IFP v imenu hčerinske družbe Axens, naj ne bi bilo v skladu s tržnimi pogoji (glej uvodno izjavo 60).
Ninthly, France contests the assertion that the amount of aid allegedly received by Axens came to EUR 50 million for 2003, basing itself in this respect on the financial schedules provided.
Devetič, Francija nasprotuje trditvi, ki navaja znesek morebitne pomoči 50 milijonov EUR za leto 2003, od katerega bi imela koristi hčerinska družba Axens, ter se v zvezi s tem opira na predložene finančne preglednice.
It outsources, moreover, part of its research through partnerships with research institutes and laboratories or with universities, which are themselves in receipt of public funding.
Del svojih raziskav prenese na partnerstva z inštituti, raziskovalnimi laboratoriji ali univerzami, ki so upravičeni do javnih sredstev.
UOP thus collaborates with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Argonne National Laboratory, the Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium of the University of Delaware, the College of Engineering of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and Sintef in Norway.
Družba UOP tako sodeluje z laboratorijema Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Argonne National Laboratory, konzorcijem Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium Univerze Delaware in College of Engineering Univerze Illinois Urbana Champaign ter tudi z norveško raziskovalno organizacijo SINTEF.
Identification of potential beneficiaries
Opredelitev mogočih upravičencev
In its 1996 and 1998 decisions, the Commission found that the State aid granted for IFP’s R & D activities did not fall within the scope of Article 87(1) of the Treaty insofar as IFP was a non-commercial, non-profit-making research organisation.
Komisija je v svojih odločbah iz leta 1996 in 1998 menila, da javna pomoč, namenjena dejavnostim R & R, ki jih izvaja skupina IFP, ne sodi na področje uporabe člena 87(1) Pogodbe, če je skupina IFP neprofitna raziskovalna organizacija, ki ni vključena v tržno delovanje.
However, in its decision to initiate the procedure the Commission, for the reasons set out in recital 37 of this Decision, partly called this analysis into question.
Vendar je Komisija pri odločitvi o sprožitvi postopka zaradi razlogov, povzetih v uvodni izjavi 37 te odločbe, delno podvomila v to analizo.
It found, inter alia, that, through its subsidiaries Axens, Beicip-Franlab and Prosernat, IFP was engaged in economic activities in, respectively, the market for refining and petrochemicals technologies, the market for oilfield operation consultancy services and the contract development of oilfield software, and the market for gas treatment and sulphur recovery technologies (hereinafter called ‘the relevant markets’).
Zlasti je ocenila, da je bila skupina IFP prek svojih hčerinskih družb Axens, Beicip-Franlab in Prosernat vključena v gospodarske dejavnosti, in sicer na trgu tehnoloških postopkov rafiniranja in petrokemije, trgu svetovanja o izkoriščanju naftnih polj in obvladovanja dela z opremo za izkoriščanje nafte ter tudi na trgu tehnoloških postopkov predelave plina in razžveplanja (v nadaljevanju „zadevni trgi“).
Consequently, it must be examined whether or not the public subsidy paid to IFP amounts to State aid in the relevant markets.
Zato je ustrezno preučiti, ali javna subvencija, namenjena skupini IFP, pomeni državno pomoč na zadevnih trgih.
In order to establish the existence of State aid, the Commission has identified potential beneficiaries.
Za ugotovitev obstoja državne pomoči je Komisija začela opredeljevati mogoče upravičence.
The Commission considers that, from a competition standpoint, IFP and its subsidiaries Axens, Beicip-Franlab and Prosernat cannot be deemed distinct economic operators.
Komisija ocenjuje, da se skupina IFP in njene hčerinske družbe Axens, Beicip-Franlab in Prosernat v konkurenčni analizi ne morejo obravnavati kot ločeni gospodarski subjekti.
It bases this view primarily on the direct holding by IFP of 100 % of Axens’s capital and 100 % of Beicip-Franlab’s capital and on the indirect holding of 100 % of Prosernat’s capital.
Sklicuje se zlasti na neposrednem 100-odstotnem deležu skupine IFP v kapitalu hčerinske družbe Axens in 100-odstotnem deležu kapitala hčerinske družbe Beicip-franlab ter neposrednem 100-odstotnem deležu kapitala hčerinske družbe Prosernat.
Capital structure is commonly used by the Commission in its competition analyses as a measure of enterprises’ independence.
Komisija kot znak za neodvisnost podjetij v svojih konkurenčnih analizah običajno uporablja strukturo kapitala.
In this connection the Commission would reiterate that, by taking into account the capital structure criterion as specified in Article 3(3) of the Annex to the SME Recommendation, it is possible to eliminate from the SME category groups of enterprises whose economic power may exceed that of an SME.
V zvezi s tem Komisija opozarja, da upoštevanje merila strukture kapitala, kot je določeno v členu 3(3) priloge k priporočilu MSP, omogoča izključitev skupin podjetij iz opredelitve MSP, če bi njihova gospodarska moč presegala moč MSP.
The SME Recommendation states that enterprises are ‘linked’ where one enterprise has a majority of the shareholders’ or members’ voting rights in another enterprise.
Glede na priporočilo MSP se obravnava, da so podjetja „povezana“, če ima eno podjetje večino glasovalnih pravic delničarjev nekega drugega podjetja.
This recommendation is also used in other Commission communications, including the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty [25], to determine whether or not an enterprise is independent.
To priporočilo se prav tako uporablja v drugih sporočilih Komisije, zlasti pri smernicah Skupnosti v zvezi z državno pomočjo za rešitev in prestrukturiranje podjetij v težavah [25], da se ugotovi neodvisnost nekega podjetja.
Capital structure is also referred to in Article 5(4)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 of 20 January 2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings (‘the EC Merger Regulation’) [26] and in Article 1(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 772/2004 of 27 April 2004 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to categories of technology transfer agreements [27].
Kapitalistična struktura se prav tako navaja v členu 5(4)(b) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 z dne 20. januarja 2004 o nadzoru koncentracij podjetij („uredba ES o koncentracijah“) [26] ali v členu (1)(2) Uredbe Komisije (ES) št. 772/2004 z dne 27. aprila 2004 o uporabi člena 81(3) Pogodbe za skupine sporazumov o prenosu tehnologije [27].
Besides the criterion of capital structure, the Commission takes into account several elements which, taken together, confirm the Commission’s analysis that IFP and its subsidiaries are, in the eyes of customers and competitors in the relevant markets, indistinguishable.
Poleg merila o strukturi kapitala Komisija upošteva več elementov, ki se obravnavajo skupno in potrjujejo analizo Komisije, da skupina IFP in njene hčerinske družbe niso ločene s stališča strank in tekmecev na zadevnih trgih.
As the Court of Justice of the European Communities stated in its judgment in Intermills/Commission [28], ‘in spite of the fact that the three manufacturing companies each has a legal personality separate from the former SA Intermills, all those undertakings together form a single group, at least as far as the aid granted by the Belgian authorities is concerned.
Kot določa sodba Sodišča Evropskih skupnosti SA Intermills [28]„kljub dejstvu, da je vsako od treh proizvodnih podjetij pravna oseba, ki je ločena od nekdanje družbe SA Intermills, vsa ta podjetja skupaj tvorijo eno samo skupino, vsaj kar zadeva pomoč, ki so jo odobrili belgijski organi.
The Commission was therefore justified in considering the entire group to be a single “undertaking” for the purposes of the application of Article 92 of the Treaty’.
Komisija je torej upravičeno obravnavala skupino kot enotno „podjetje“ za namene uporabe člena 92 Pogodbe.“
As regards the tasks and activities of IFP and its subsidiaries, the Commission notes that, whereas the principal object and the statutes of IFP differ from those of its subsidiaries, the exploitation in the market of IFP’s R & D results numbers among the priorities laid down by the State in its contract of objectives with IFP and forms part of IFP’s development strategy, the aim being to ‘secure a financial return on its R & D expenditure, thereby enhancing its research effort’ (obtenir un retour financier sur ses dépenses de R & D, qui vient amplifier son effort de recherce) while profiting from the opportunities afforded by the markets:
Ker gre za naloge in dejavnosti skupine IFP in njenih hčerinskih družb, Komisija ugotavlja, da se ob glavnem cilju in statutu skupine IFP, ki se razlikuje od ciljev in statutov hčerinskih družb, ocenitev rezultatov R & R skupine IFP na trgu vseeno pojavlja med prednostnimi nalogami, ki jih opredeli država v pogodbi o ciljih s skupino IFP, in se vključuje v strategijo razvoja skupine IFP.
in the ‘Refining-Petrochemicals’ field, the contract of objectives states that ‘It is IFP’s ambition, during the current decade, to widen its field of activity and increase its market share so as to become a key player at world level … [The aim is] to strengthen the new business hub formed by IFP’s Industrial Division and Procatalyse [Axens], which is to benefit from the fillip provided by licence sales and to make the most of IFP’s R & D potential in this field’.
Dejansko gre za „pridobitev finančnega povračila za stroške R & R, ki razširja prizadevanje za raziskave“, pri čemer se izkoristijo priložnosti, ki jih ponujajo trgi: Na področju „rafiniranja – petrokemije“ navaja pogodba o ciljih, da „je želja skupine IFP v tem desetletju razširiti svoje področje dejavnosti in povečati tržne dele, da bi postal ključni udeleženec na svetovni ravni.