Brussels, 16/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the purchase of Ellis & Everard Plc (£853 million turnover in 1999 with a workforce of 2,500), British chemicals distribution company, by the Dutch firm Royal Vopak NV (logistics activities in the oil and chemicals products sector: 3.5 bn euro turnover in 1999) for £310 million. The Commission's enquiry revealed that the parties' activities overlap in the distribution of chemical products in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in the polymers sector in Scandinavia. Nevertheless, their accumulated market share remains low and the partner companies will have a sufficient number of rivals to contend with. The Commission thus approved the operation.