 In 1884, similar to other European countries, the biggest German powder manufacturers agreed to form a cartel known as named Deutsche Union (or "Interessensgemeinschaft") which was led by Dynamit Nobel for five years.All the largest manufacturers of powder of the German Reich abided by this union which prevented them from competing against each other due to their cooperation and agreement upon the export prices.In 1886, they approached the English powder cartel, the Nobel Dynamite Trust Co and managed to establish the General cartel made up of both the German and English powder factories.