On Tuesday 25 January, the European Commission approved the proposed acquisition of Ferro by Prince, both companies active in the manufacture of mineral-based chemicals, additives and industrial products. This authorisation is subject to full compliance with the commitments proposed by Prince.
Prince and Ferro, two US companies, both manufacture and distribute enamel and glass coatings in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The market investigation revealed that the transaction would reduce the number of suppliers in the market, leaving customers with insufficient choice.
To address these concerns and preserve competition in the market, Prince proposed: - to divest its European enamel and glass coatings businesses, including the manufacturing sites in Bruges (Belgium) and Cambiago (Italy), where all enamel and glass coatings for distribution in the EEA are manufactured (except for forebody colour concentrates); - to transfer its forebody dye concentrate production unit in Fenton, UK, to its production site in Bruges.
The commitments therefore completely remove the overlaps between Prince’s and Ferro’s activities in the markets where the Commission found competition concerns.
Link to the case: https://bit.ly/347midO (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)