Brussels, 15/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 December, the European Commission authorised the proposed acquisition of flexible packaging and folding carton businesses of the UK-based Alcan Packaging by Amcor of Australia. The Commission's decision is conditional upon the divestiture of the major part of Amcor's business in pharmaceutical flexible packaging.
Further to an investigation into the operation envisaged as initially notified, the Commission found competition concerns in the European market for flexible packaging used in the pharmaceutical sector. The merged entity would have a strong position in this market and in particular in the areas of laminated pharmaceutical sachets and in cold form foil used for blister packs. The Commission's investigation found that the merger would eliminate a significant competitive force and create a very strong supplier, while only a limited number of large competitors would continue to be active in the market. In order to address the competition concerns identified by the Commission, Amcor offered to divest two plants which represent the major part of its pharmaceutical flexible packaging business in Europe. The Commission concluded that the commitments offered by Amcor would remedy its competition concerns. (O.L./transl.jl)