Brussels, 30/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 November, the European Commission authorised a raft of mergers, arguing that they would not impede competition in the European Economic Area, namely:
The transfer by Süd-Chemie AG (Germany) and Ashland Inc. (United States) to their German joint venture Ashland-Südchemie Kernfest GmbH (ASK) of most of their business relating to consumable foundry products used in the process of pouring molten metal into moulds. Only the bentonite industry would remain in the ownership of Süd-Chemie. The deal was notified on 22 October 2010. The Commission's attention was drawn to horizontal overlaps on resin binders and zircon filters.
The acquisition by German car manufacturer Volkswagen (controlled by Porsche Automobil Holding SE) of engineering, vehicle and parts design, sub-contracting and the design and manufacture of tools and equipment of Germany car supplier Karmann, which is in the process of being declared bankrupt.
The acquisition by Luxembourg's Andagh Glass Group SA (glass packaging, blowing and verification of glass containers) by Dutch company Impress Coöperatieve U.A. (metal packaging, mainly for solid food and speciality products). The operation was notified on 26 October 2010 and would enable Andargh to expand into metal packaging. (F.G. trans fl)