A Norwegian company has filed complaints alleging that technical specifications in a €210 million tender for 4,000 recycling machines unfairly favor certain competitors. Tomra, a participant in the tender, claims that several provisions exclude or significantly hinder its participation while benefiting US-based Envipco and its Greek partner TEXAN.
The latter two companies had previously supplied 240 recycling units to three Greek regions at a cost of around €300,000 each, a deal that is now under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The tender concerns Greece’s new deposit return system for plastic and metal beverage containers, under which consumers receive refunds when they return packaging to machines installed outside supermarkets.
Tomra also challenged a requirement for a €500,000 guarantee to file an appeal, as well as the short deadline for submitting bids. No official decision on the tender award has been announced.
