Brussels, 18/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture between the German companies Bayer AG (chemicals and pharmaceuticals) and Röhm GmbH (polycarbonates and PMMA-acryclic glass), a subsidiary of the VEBA group. The two partners, already involved in cooperation through Makroform GmbH in the area of PC-plates, used primarily in the construction industry, will expand their alliance by merging their European activities in this sector. Bayer AG will transfer its two subsidiaries, Axxis (Belgium) and Carbolux (Italy) to the joint venture and Röhm its PC-plate production. Röhm will nevertheless keep its PMMA business. This merger will make Makroform the second largest PC-plate supplier after the American Ge. There will, however, be another large producer of PC granulate (products which form the basis of plates and other products), the firm Dow. The Commission considers that there should be no adverse effect for Bayer and Ge competitors in this sector.