German competition watchdog closes cartel case against steel makers

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The German competition watchdog has found no evidence that ThyssenKrupp , Voestalpine and ArcelorMittal participated in anti-competitive agreements in the market for steel strip and semi-finished products. The case, which was initiated in February 2013, has been closed, the German Cartel Authority said in a statement. It searched the offices of ThyssenKrupp's Steel Europe unit in Duisburg in February 2013, as well as those of Austrian steelmaker Voestalpine's German subsidiary. ArcelorMittal , the world's largest steel producer, had also confirmed that it was subject to the investigation. ThyssenKrupp declined to comment. Arcelor said it had taken note of the decision. Voestalpine was not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Arno Schuetze and Susan Thomas)