05/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Honeywell-Sinochem joint venture. On Monday 5 December, the European Commission cleared the proposed concentration by which the undertakings Honeywell International Inc. of the USA and Chinese Sinochem Lantian Company Ltd, acquire joint control over a newly created China-based joint venture, Sinochem Lantian Honeywell New Materials Co. Ltd. Honeywell specialises in aerospace products and services, automation and control solutions, speciality materials, transport systems and electricity generation. Sinochem Lantian is active in R&D, pharmaceutical development and distribution, and the production of chemicals. The new joint venture will manufacture HFC-245fa, a blowing agent mainly sold for closed-cell polyurethane foam insulation purposes. It will operate only in Asia. (OL/transl.rt)