Brussels, 25/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 25 February, the European Commission sent a Statement of Objections (SO) to Ahlstrom Corporation, Munksjö Oyj, both of Finland, and Munksjö AB of Sweden. In October 2012 Ahlstrom and Munksjö, both producers of speciality papers, had notified the Commission of plans to combine their activities in the production of abrasive paper backings in a merger called Munksjö Oyj (see EUROPE 10852). At the time of the notification, Ahlstrom and Munksjö AB were both producers of heavy weight abrasive paper backings, which are carriers for abrasive products such as sandpaper, sanding discs and sanding belts. In January 2013, the companies supplied internal documents, which indicate that they estimate the size of the markets for abrasive paper backings and the heavy-weight sub-segment, both with regard to sales in the European Economic Area (EEA) and on a worldwide level, to be significantly lower and, consequently, their own market share significantly higher than what they had stated in the notification. Although the misleading information did not affect the Commission's decision to authorise the merger, the two companies provided misleading information and, if the Commission finds that the parties provided at least negligently misleading information, it can impose a fine of up to 1% of the annual worldwide turnover of the companies concerned. (FG/transl.fl)