LONDON — ArcelorMittal SA and Voestalpine AG are among the companies being investigated by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office on allegations of anti-competitive agreements related to automotive steels, both companies confirmed to AMM sister publication Steel First this week.

The two steelmakers followed Essen, Germany-based ThyssenKrupp AG in confirming that their offices have been searched by authorities investigating alleged antitrust violations linked to Germany’s domestic automotive supply chain.

The Munich offices of Voestalpine’s German subsidiary, Voestalpine Deutschland GmbH, were searched at the start of the month, the Linz, Austria-based parent company said.

Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal did not specify which of its locations have been investigated.

"We have no comment at this point other than that we have a strong compliance policy and we are cooperating with the relevant authorities," an ArcelorMittal spokesman said. 

A version of this article was first published by AMM sister publication Steel First.