| Number | 17111 |
| Subject | Ethics |
| Source | Herald (Rutland, Vt.) |
| State | VT |
| Year | 2000 |
| Publication Date | March 28 |
| Summary | This story "traces a Swiss company's collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II. The story details the problems encountered by Pluess-Staufer AG as a result of its business dealings with Nazi Germany during the war. Its OMYA subsidiary, the world's largest producer of calcium carbonate (a key mineral used in the manufacture of paint, paper, plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals) was charged by the French in late 1944 with collaborating with the enemy during the war. It was one of the largest cases of economic collaboration in the Department (state) of the Marne. According to company documents, the fine and 'confiscation of illicit profits' threatened the company's very survival. OMYA and Pluess-Staufer spent 13 years fighting the French decision before losing its final appeal in 1957. In Germany, the company encountered problems as well. The Allies froze Pluess-Staufer's assets in Karlsruhe when it discovered its business partner was a member of the SS." |
| Category | None |
| Pages | 11 |
| Keywords | Nazi;factories;WWII;economic collaboration;calcium carbonate;OMYA;Pluess-Staufer;Marne region;chalk quarry;purges |
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