18/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Cytec/Umeco. On 16 July 2012, the European Commission cleared the planned proposed acquisition of the UK-based manufacturer and supplier of advanced composite materials Umeco, by Cytec, an American speciality chemicals and materials company, on the grounds that the deal would not raise competition issues. The parties' activities overlap mainly in the manufacture and supply of “prepregs”, a specific form of advanced composite material. Prepregs are used to produce parts in a wide range of sectors including the aerospace and automotive industries as well as other industrial applications where they can replace conventional metal materials such as aluminium and steel. The parties' activities also overlap in the manufacture and supply of certain types of adhesives. The Commission found, however, that the relevant market structures would not be significantly altered and there would be sufficient competitors on the markets concerned. (FG/transl.fl)