ABSTRACT
At the end of the 1930s, the main cement producers in Europe decided to come together to limit competition in the exports. The first cartel was short-lived due to the outbreak of the Second World War, a second cartel was formed in 1949 under the name Cembureau. In the chapter, special attention is drawn to one of the members, Sweden. The Swedish cement industry was organised in a long-lived, all-embracing and successful cartel. Sweden was one of the countries that pushed for European export cooperation. Exports were of great importance for cement producers and by regulating international exports, the cement companies achieved secure markets. But, the international cartel agreement also limited the actions of each country, so they could not sell freely. The international cartel affected the organisation of the national market and vice versa. The European cartel was influenced by the Swedish cartel, there are similarities in the setup and Cembureau was located in Sweden with Swedish management until the mid-1960s. The cartels on the national and European levels benefitted from each other and became stronger together.
