17/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - Investigation into public guarantees in favour of Abalon Hardwood Hessen GmbH sawmill. On Tuesday 16 February, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation into two public guarantees issued by Germany in 2006 in favour of Abalon Hardwood Hessen GmbH. This follows a judgment by the General Court of March 2015 (case T-89/09) partially annulling a previous decision by the Commission from 2008. The Commission's decision had found that none of the measures granted by Germany to the company for an investment in Schwalmstadt (Land Hessen) resulted in new state aid within the meaning of EU rules. The Commission will now re-assess whether these guarantees constitute state aid, and if it is the case, whether such state aid is compatible with the internal market. (EL)