On Thursday 4 May, the European Commission unconditionally approved the proposed acquisition of Alumetal by Norsk Hydro.
The Commission concluded that the concentration would not raise competition concerns in the European Economic Area (EEA), in particular as regards green aluminium casting alloys.
The decision follows an in-depth investigation (see EUROPE 13038/22) into the proposed acquisition of Alumetal of Poland by Norsk Hydro of Norway. The companies are both major producers of aluminium-based casting alloys, which are semi-finished aluminium products used mainly by the automotive industry to cast parts.
During its in-depth investigation, the Commission found that:
- the parties’ combined market shares in the EEA market for aluminium-based solid advanced casting alloys are moderate and there are a number of other significant suppliers, including environmental players;
- the vertical relationship between Alumetal, as a producer of aluminium master alloys, and Hydro, as a potential customer, would not give rise to concerns due to the presence of a sufficient number of other suppliers and customers of this product in the market.
The Commission therefore concluded that the transaction would not give rise to competition concerns in the EEA or any substantial part of it and therefore approved it unconditionally.
Link to the case: https://aeur.eu/f/6p3 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)