Press Release: State aid: Commission opens investigation into public financing for German paper mill Propapier after Court judgment

After the annulment of its 2008 decision to authorise a regional investment aid granted by Germany to Propapier for the construction of a paper mill in Eisenhüttenstadt (Brandenburg, Germany), the European Commission has opened an investigation to reassess the measure in light of the guidance provided by the judgment of the EU General Court (case T-304/08). The Commission will assess whether the positive effects of the aid on regional development outweigh the potential distortion of competition and negative effect on trade between Member States created by the selective advantage granted to Propapier. The opening of a formal investigation gives interested third parties a possibility to comment on the measure. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.