natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Vestolit draws the Commission's attention to the fact that the market is in a state of overcapacity and that a number of independent studies are forecasting stagnation of demand.
Izravnalni ukrepi, ki jih zahtevata družba Ineos in anonimno podjetje 1, bi lahko ogrozili ponovno vzpostavitev sposobnosti preživetja družbe Kem One in povzročili njen izstop iz trga, kar bi nedvomno koristilo družbi Ineos in anonimnemu podjetju 1, saj bi to okrepilo njun položaj na trgu in zmanjšalo konkurenco na različnih trgih za PVC.
These measures will cause difficulties in particular for the companies which have modernised their assets themselves (using own resources).
Na koncu je Francija poudarila, da je veliko obratov elektrolize, ki so zamenjali tehnologijo živosrebrnih celic z membransko tehnologijo, prejelo državno pomoč, ki jo je Komisija odobrila med letoma 2003 in 2007.
The State aid will enable Kem One to maintain obsolete assets that are not economically viable.
Tako sta družbi Ineos in Solvay prejeli takšno pomoč, in sicer 57,2 milijona EUR za posodobitev obratov v Runcornu oziroma 36 milijonov EUR za posodobitev obratov v Rosignanu in Bussiju.
Lastly, Vestolit stresses that Kem One would not have been able to obtain the loans on the same terms in the market.
Po podatkih Francije je bila ta pomoč dodeljena brez vsakršnega izravnalnega ukrepa.
Accordingly, Vestolit calls on the Commission to consider imposing compensatory measures.
Francija nato obravnava opredelitev ukrepov in njihovo združljivost z notranjim trgom.
Comments by the ECVM
Opredelitev ukrepov
The European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM) represents the interests of the European producers of PVC resin.
Posojilo FDES.
Its five members account for some 70 % of the PVC produced in the EU and Norway.
Francija najprej poudarja, da je že dokazala, da ima država trdno jamstvo, tako da dejanska obrestna mera 3,5 % ustreza tržni obrestni meri.
The ECVM is a founder member of the VinylPlus programme, which is a 10-year voluntary commitment relating to sustainable development launched in 2011.
Če se dokaže obstoj pomoči, bi se morala ta izračunati kot razlika med dejansko in referenčno obrestno mero.
In 2012, Kem One took a unilateral decision to leave the EVCM, at the same time ceasing to contribute to the VinylPlus programme.
Glede vrednosti zavarovanja s premoženjem, glede katerega imajo tretje strani pomisleke, Francija ponovno zagotavlja, da je čista knjigovodska vrednost enaka njegovi tržni vrednosti.
The ECVM takes the view that Kem One benefits from the efforts and financial contributions of other PVC producers to the VinylPlus programme, without sharing the financial burden.
Tudi če bi se vrednost teh sredstev zmanjšala zaradi finančnih težav družbe Kem One, Francija poudarja, da so bila ta sredstva ocenjena na [130 – 140] milijonov EUR, vrednost posojila FDES pa je le 30 milijonov EUR.
This situation is at the origin of an unfair competitive advantage for a company that is also a beneficiary of State aid.
Vrednost zavarovanja s premoženjem bo zato še vedno več kot dovolj za kritje vrednosti posojila.
Consequently, the ECVM calls for the setting-up of a compensatory measure consisting of an obligation for Kem One to contribute to VinylPlus.
Glede plačilnih pogojev posojila Francija poudarja, da se mora primeren znesek plačila izračunati glede na tveganje plačilne nesposobnosti upravičenca in kakovost ponujenega zavarovanja s premoženjem.
Comments by anonymous undertaking 2
V skladu z obvestilom o referenčnih obrestnih merah iz leta 2008 se lahko referenčna obrestna mera izračuna na podlagi osnovne obrestne mere 0,53 %, povečane za 400 baznih točk, tj. 4,53 %, in ne 6,53 %, kot je navedlo anonimno podjetje 1.
The Commission notes first that the comments by anonymous undertaking 2 were submitted after the deadline for receiving comments from third parties.
Referenčna obrestna mera je le kazalnik, majhno tveganje plačilne nesposobnosti družbe Kem One in zelo visoka stopnja zavarovanja s premoženjem pa upravičujeta obrestno mero 3,5 %.
First, anonymous undertaking 2 claims that the measures in question give a substantial competitive advantage to Kem One.
Kot navaja Komisija v sklepu o začetku postopka, pa poleg tega načrt prestrukturiranja družbe Kem One financira tudi [zasebni subjekt 2] v višini [55 – 65] milijonov EUR.
It takes the view that, given the current market situation, the conversion from mercury technology is not profitable for its competitors.
Vračljiva predplačila.
As a result, only companies in receipt of State aid will be able to undertake such an investment.
Francija opozarja, da ni nikoli trdila, da ta predplačila ne vsebujejo nobenega elementa državne pomoči.
This is explained by the fact that the difference between the cost of production of ethylene dichloride (EDC) by chlorination and its cost of acquisition is not such as to justify a large investment to produce chlorine to be used for chlorination.
Vendar meni, da je treba ta predplačila obravnavati kot vračljivo posojilo družbi Kem One.
In this context, which is made still more difficult by forecasts of stagnant or even falling demand, the return on investment is very uncertain.
V zvezi s financiranjem projekta SAM Francija navaja, da je ta projekt pomemben del načrta prestrukturiranja, in da so zato finančni ukrepi vključeni v načrt prestrukturiranja, ki ga je odobrilo gospodarsko sodišče v Lyon.
Anonymous undertaking 2 disagrees with France about the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid.
Ukrepi se morajo analizirati z vidika smernic iz leta 2004, kot to velja za druge ukrepe, ki so bili sprejeti v okviru načrta prestrukturiranja.
It points out that, since Kem One's commercial policy is largely geared to southern Europe, there is no risk that the disappearance of that firm would have a significant impact on available capacity to the detriment of consumers of S-PVC in northern Europe.
Odpis davčnih in socialnih terjatev.
Anonymous undertaking 2 takes the view that, should Kem One not carry out the conversion of its mercury technology, it could still supply its clients from its industrial site that has already been converted.
Francija opozarja, da po njenem mnenju odločitev CCSF, da odpiše te terjatve, ki se lahko odpišejo, v višini […] % verjetno ne vsebuje elementov državne pomoči, tako da stopnja odpisa ustreza povprečni stopnji odpisa zasebnih upnikov za sanacijo podjetja (nekateri upniki so v okviru načrta sanacije z kontinuiteto družbe trgovinskega sodišča v Lyonu sprejeli odpis celotnega dolga, tako da je povprečna stopnja odpisa upnikov […] %).
Moreover, since the market is characterised by oversupply, Kem One's competitors would have no trouble in supplying its customers from that excess supply if Kem One were to reduce its commercial presence.
Francija vztraja na dejstvu, da družbi Kem One ni bil odobren noben popust s strani družbe EDF.
Anonymous undertaking 2 suggests that a reduction in Kem One's capacity or commercial presence should be imposed on it by way of compensatory measures.
Združljivost ukrepov z notranjim trgom
Lastly, with regard to the viability of the restructuring plan, anonymous undertaking 2 takes the view that the context of oversupply, already emphasised above, coupled with stagnant demand, makes a gradual increase in PVC prices, as envisaged in recital 52 of the opening decision, impossible.
Vrnitev k dolgoročni sposobnosti preživetja.
OBSERVATIONS BY FRANCE
Francija poudarja, da so ukrepi za prestrukturiranje dejavnosti ustrezen odgovor na različne dejavnike, ki družbi Kem One povzročajo finančne težave, saj bodo omogočili ponovno vzpostavitev dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja te družbe.
By letter dated 25 February 2015, France replied to the comments by interested parties.
V nasprotju s trditvami družbe Ineos, s katerimi je želela dokazati, da se strukturni problem presežnih zmogljivosti družbe Kem One ne more rešiti v konkurenčnem okolju, ki je že zaznamovano s presežnimi zmogljivostmi in napovedmi o slabem povpraševanju, Francija poudarja, da je treba relativizirati nominalne presežne zmogljivosti na trgu S-PVC v zahodni Evropi.
France began by making some general remarks on the comments submitted by Ineos and anonymous undertaking 1.
Praktično zmogljivost je treba zmanjšati za 10 % glede na neizogibna nihanja v proizvodnji (sezonska narava prodaje, večje zaustavitve proizvodnje).
According to France, their comments contained factual errors in the references to the opening decision and groundless allegations such as those regarding the supposed discounts granted by EDF or disguised State aid.
Francija meni, da je dejanski presežek zmogljivosti na celotnem trgu le 14 %.
France was surprised that the comments made by the two undertakings in this case differed significantly from those submitted by Ineos and Solvay in reply to the statement of objections in the Ineos/Solvay/JV case.
Pojem presežne zmogljivosti, kot ga opredeljuje družba Ineos, ne ustreza prostim zmogljivostim, temveč se nanaša na vse proste zmogljivosti skupaj (brez upoštevanja potrebne rezerve v višini 8 %) in količine, prodane zunaj Evrope.
In that case, Ineos and Solvay had argued that ‘despite [its financial difficulties], Kem One was a strong competitor in the market’ and that ‘Kem One's production problems have been resolved’.
Ta opredelitev predvideva, da obrati vedno delujejo s 100-odstotno tehnično zmogljivostjo, da evropski trg predstavlja edini dobičkonosni trg (kar je zanikano z vedno večjim izvozom), ne upošteva pa tudi geografske realnosti (v Evropi so lokacije obratov zelo razpršene).
Regarding Kem One's investment project to convert its mercury technology, Ineos and Solvay had stated that: ‘this investment will give Kem One the ability to produce sufficient chlorine in its fully owned integrated membrane plant to operate its S-PVC plant at full capacity’.
Družba Kem One ocenjuje razpoložljive zmogljivosti na trgu za PVC severozahodne Evrope na […] kt, največjo proizvodnjo pa na […] kt (minus [5 – 15] % zaradi sezonskega učinka, vzdrževanja).
Lastly, the French authorities pointed out that Ineos and Solvay had been obliged to divest vertically integrated PVC production plants, comprising production assets in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (‘Newco’).
Tako na trgu za S-PVC stopnja dejavnosti dosega [85 – 95] % realističnega maksimuma in [80 – 90] % operativnih zmogljivosti.
These combined assets were deemed to constitute a viable and independent entity likely to exert competitive pressure comparable to that exerted by Solvay on Ineos before the merger.
Za PVC v masi (ali E-PVC) so ustrezne številke skoraj enake, in sicer [85 – 95] % realističnega maksimuma in [80 – 90] % operativnih zmogljivosti.
The two entities (Newco and Kem One) were likely to have comparable turnover figures, even though Newco's business was focused exclusively on S-PVC and caustic soda, for which margins were smaller than for other derivatives in Kem One's portfolio.
Francija tudi meni, da ni nobene utemeljitve za trditve družbe Ineos in anonimnega podjetja 1, da bi bila stopnja presežnih zmogljivosti proizvodni obratov družbe Kem One 40-odstotna.
These factors contradicted the comments by Ineos to the effect that, in current market conditions of high overcapacity and low customer demand, Kem One's restructuring plan was unlikely to return it to viability.
Družba Ineos namreč ne opredeljuje svoje metode za tak izračun.
In summary, France regarded the comments by Ineos and anonymous undertaking 1 as biased, vitiated by errors of fact and motivated by opportunistic considerations.
Čeprav se je obseg proizvodnje družbe Kem One zmanjšal v obdobju 2011 – 2013 zaradi dogodkov tehnične narave, je po mnenju Francije v petih letih stopnja izkoristka proizvodnih sredstev za S-PVC dosegla [70 – 80] %.
The compensatory measures requested by Ineos and anonymous undertaking 1 could compromise Kem One's return to viability and trigger its exit from the market, which would undeniably benefit Ineos and anonymous undertaking 1 by strengthening their market positions, resulting in less intense competition in the various PVC markets.
V nasprotju s trditvami družbe Ineos in anonimnega podjetja 1 težave družbe Kem One torej niso povezane s prenizko stopnjo proizvodnje.
Lastly, France pointed out that numerous conversions of electrolysis facilities from mercury to membrane technology had benefited from Commission-approved State aid between 2003 and 2007.
V resnici je do vloge za stečaj družbe Kem One konec marca 2013 prišlo predvsem zaradi kopičenja strukturnih težav (visoki stroški dostopa do surovin, premalo konkurenčna sredstva proizvodnje v Lavérii) in gospodarskega cikla (predpisana programska zaustavitev za daljše obdobje in tehnične težave pri oskrbi z etilenom).
For example, Ineos had received EUR 57,2 million for modernisation at the Runcorn site and Solvay, EUR 36 million for the Rosignano and Bussi sites.
Za učinkovit odziv na različne omenjene težave je v načrtu prestrukturiranja predvideno:
To France's knowledge, this aid had been granted without any compensatory measures being required.
večje naložbe v pretvorbo obstoječih objektov za elektrolizo v obratu v Lavéri in vrtine v rudniku soli v Vauvertu,
France went on to discuss the classification of the measures as aid and their compatibility with the internal market.
ponovna sklenitev glavnih pogodb družbe Kem One za dobavo osnovnih surovin,
Classification of the measures as aid
notranje prestrukturiranje, vključeno v načrt uspešnosti in produktivnosti, ter
FDES loan.
reforma trgovinske politike.
France first stressed that it had already shown that the state had a sound guarantee, meaning that the actual rate of 3,5 % corresponded to a market rate.
V primeru uspeha osnovnega načrta prestrukturiranja bo družba Kem One ponovno dosegla bruto dobiček v višini [25 – 35] % prometa v letu 2017 in tudi raven EBITDA v višini [5 – 15] % v letu 2018, kar je skladno s povprečno stopnjo donosnosti sektorja kemičnih primarnih proizvodov.
If aid was found to exist, it should be calculated as the difference between the actual rate and a reference rate.
Poleg tega predpostavke v načrtu prestrukturiranja in poslovnem načrtu temeljijo na relativni stabilnosti prometa (in ne nujno na scenariju znatnega povečanja prodaje S-PVC) in na predpostavkah proizvodnje, ki so blizu preteklim ravnem, ki jih je dosegala družba.
As regards the value of the collateral, which had been called into question by the interested third parties, France reasserted that its net book value was equal to its market value.
V vsakem primeru je na podlagi podatkov FIDES (statistika industrijske panoge S-PVC) mogoče ugotoviti, da je tržni delež družbe Kem One v zahodni Evropi leta 2014 na trgu S-PVC znašal [10 – 20] %, kar je približno na isti ravni kot leta 2011 in 2012 in na višji ravni kot leta 2013 ([10 – 20] %).
In support of this assertion, France had provided independent expert reports carried out at the time of the partial transfer of assets from Arkema to Kem One in July 2012.
Poleg tega družba Kem One že šest mesecev beleži povečano prodajo in dobiček zaradi izvoza na turški trg, na katerem je izkoristila priložnost zaradi znatnega padca evra v primerjavi z dolarjem in padca cene nafte ter prevzela tržne deleže severnoameriških proizvajalcev.
Even supposing that the value of these assets had fallen on account of Kem One's financial difficulties, France pointed out that the assets had been estimated at EUR [130-140] million, while the value of the FDES loan was no higher than EUR 30 million: the value of the collateral would therefore still largely cover the value of the loan.
Francija tako ocenjuje, da del načrta za prestrukturiranje, ki se nanaša na preusmeritev trgovinske politike družbe Kem One na druge trge, in ne samo na trge za S-PVC, temelji na preudarnih in realnih predpostavkah ter predstavlja le majhen del industrijskega dela tega načrta.
As regards the loan repayment terms, France stated that the appropriate rate of repayment had to be calculated in accordance with the beneficiary undertaking's risk of insolvency and the quality of collateral offered.
Po mnenju Francije se ta družba zelo dobro zaveda, da največja stopnja dobička ne bo dosežena s trgovinsko politiko, temveč na podlagi ponovne sklenitve pogodb o dostopu do surovin in platform ter s posodobitvijo infrastrukture.
In accordance with the 2008 Reference Rate Communication, a reference rate could be calculated using a base rate of 0,53 % + 400 basis points, giving 4,53 % and not 6,53 % as cited by anonymous undertaking 1.
strukturna presežna zmogljivost trga za S-PVC,
However, the reference rate served merely as a guide and the low risk of insolvency for Kem One coupled with the very high level of collateral justified a rate of 3,5 %.
obseg tržnih deležev družbe Kem One na trgu za S-PVC,
Lastly, as indicated by the Commission in the opening decision, Kem One's restructuring plan was also being financed by [private operator 2] to the tune of EUR [55-65] million.
verodostojnost hipotetičnega scenarija,
Repayable advances.
predlog tretjih strani za nesorazmerne izravnalne ukrepe.
France pointed out that it had never argued that these advances contained no State aid.
Čeprav ni mogoče zanikati obstoja strukturnega presežka, je treba po mnenju Francije glede strukturnega presežka, ki ga omenja družba Ineos, izraziti znatne pridržke iz več razlogov.
However, it took the view that they should be assessed as a loan repayable by Kem One.
Neizkoriščene zmogljivosti proizvajalcev se na splošno gibajo med 8 in 10 %, ker se upošteva neenaka razdelitev med ponudbo in povpraševanjem.
Accordingly, the difference in the rates was the element that could constitute aid and not the entire value of the advances.
Poleg tega se položaj na trgu, kot je poudarila Komisija v svojem sklepu Ineos/Solvay/JV, močno razlikuje glede na geografsko območje.
Contrary to what was argued by Ineos and anonymous undertaking 1, it was not the entire amount in repayable advances that was likely to constitute aid but the grant equivalent estimated at EUR 29,4 million (including the grant of EUR 15 million).
Na trgu za S-PVC imajo stroški prevoza in logistike precejšen vpliv na regionalno omejitev geografskega trga.
As regards the funding of the SAM project, France indicated that the project was an important element of the restructuring plan and that the funding measures accordingly formed part of the restructuring plan approved by Lyon Commercial Court.
Tako cene kot stopnja dobička se razlikujejo glede na regijo.
They should be analysed in the light of the 2004 Guidelines on the same terms as the other measures that were part of the restructuring plan.
Francija meni, da je položaj družbe Kem One na glavnih trgih, na katerih je prisotna, znatno slabši od položaja družb Ineos in Solvay.
Write-off of tax and social security debts.
V zvezi s tem poudarja, da je Komisija v svojem sklepu Ineos/Solvay/JV ugotovila naslednje: „Ineos is the largest supplier of commodity S-PVC in NWE with merchant market shares in 2012 of [30-40] %“ („Ineos je glavni dobavitelj osnovnega S-PVC v severozahodni Evropi s tržnim deležem v višini [30 – 40] % leta 2012)“ in „Solvay is the second largest player in the NWE market for commodity S-PVC“ („družba Solvay je drugi največji akter na trgu za osnovni S-PVC v severozahodni Evropi“).
France reiterated that the CCSF decision to waive […] % of remittable debts was unlikely to contain any State aid elements, as the remission rate was in line with the average rate of remission by the private creditors to allow the undertaking to recover (some creditors, in connection with the recovery plan by way of continuing the business adopted by Lyon Commercial Court, agreed to write off their entire claim, resulting in an average rate of remission by creditors of […] %).
Kar zadeva družbo Kem One, je Komisija poudarila naslednje: „Kem One is currently the number five player by sales volume and number three by capacity in NWE ([5-10]* % and [10-20]* % market shares, respectively“ („Družba Kem One je trenutno peti največji akter po obsegu prodaje in tretji največji akter po zmogljivosti v severozahodni Evropi s tržnima deležema ([5 – 10] % * oziroma [10 – 20] * %“)).
EDF electricity tariffs.
Poleg tega sta družbi Ineos in Solvay edini, ki sta, za razliko od družbe Kem One, zelo intenzivno osredotočeni na trg severozahodne Evrope.
France stressed that the argument by the third parties regarding the existence of discounts was based on an erroneous reference to the opening decision (which made no mention of any such discounts) and on market rumours reported by anonymous undertaking 1: ‘It is indeed well known in the market that Kem One has been granted price reductions by EDF for its new electricity contracts.’
Družba Ineos in anonimno podjetje 1 dvomita v verodostojnost hipotetičnega scenarija, ki so ga predlagali francoski organi, po katerem bi zmanjšanje proizvodne zmogljivosti družbe Kem One na trgu za PVC povzročilo zmanjšanje konkurenčnega pritiska na druge akterje na trgu.
France insisted that Kem One had not been granted any discounts by EDF.
Vendar Francija vztraja, da trg za S-PVC dejansko kaže značilnosti oligopolnega trga, kot je Komisija ugotovila v svojem sklepu Ineos/Solvay/JV.
Compatibility of the measures with the internal market
Francija poudarja, da so v nasprotju s trditvami zainteresiranih tretjih strani družbe Solvay, Ineos in Kem One danes edini akterji, ki imajo razpoložljive proizvodne zmogljivosti na območju severozahodne Evrope.
Return to long-term viability.
Zato Francija meni, da uveljavitev izravnalnih ukrepov ne bi le ogrozila ponovne sposobnosti preživetja družbe Kem One, temveč bi vplivala tudi na konkurenčno strukturo trga v škodo potrošnikov.
France stressed that the industrial restructuring measures provided an appropriate response to the various factors giving rise to Kem One's financial difficulties and would therefore allow the undertaking to return to long-term viability.
Francija meni, da so izravnalni ukrepi, ki jih predlagajo zainteresirane strani, nesorazmerni.
First, in response to the argument by Ineos to the effect that Kem One's structural overcapacity problem could not be resolved in a competitive environment suffering in its turn from overcapacity and low demand forecasts, France pointed out that the nominal overcapacity in the S-PVC market in western Europe needed to be qualified.
Predvsem se ji zdijo nezdružljivi s zadevnim načrtom prestrukturiranja.
Practical capacity should be cut by 10 % in view of the inevitable irregularity of production (seasonal nature of sales, major shutdowns).
Po mnenju Francije ohranitev dejavnosti in vrnitev dolgoročne sposobnosti preživetja družbe Kem One slonita na ohranitvi vertikalno integrirane proizvodne verige, ki tako kot zdaj, predstavlja gospodarsko ravnovesje med zmogljivostmi obeh obratov, ki sta višje v prodajni verigi, za klor in CVM ter petih obratov, ki so nižje v prodajni verigi, za proizvodnjo PVC.
France considered real overcapacity in the global market to be no higher than 14 %.
Tako bi zaprtje obrata ali zmanjšanje zmogljivosti družbe Kem One ogrozilo industrijsko ravnovesje njene dejavnosti.
The concept of overcapacity used by Ineos was not that of spare capacity but that of the sum of spare capacity (ignoring the need for a reserve of 8 %) and quantities sold outside Europe.
Po drugi strani pa francoski organi trdijo, da predlagana zaveza, da zmogljivost proizvodnje klora in kavstične sode v Fos-sur-Meru in Lavéri ne bo povečana v obdobju […], predstavlja ustrezen izravnalni ukrep.
This concept presupposed both that plants were operating permanently at 100 % of their technical capacity and that the European market was the only profitable outlet (something that was contradicted by export trends), and it ignored geographical reality (very dispersed European locations).
Prednost te zaveze je, da ohranja intenzivnost konkurence na trgu za PVC ter možnost ponovne sposobnosti preživetja družbe Kem One, poleg tega pa ohranja delovna mesta, ki jih je dovoljeno ohraniti v skladu z načrtom prestrukturiranja.