Brussels, 27/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has given its approval for Nestlé, the Swiss multinational food and beverages group to take-over the German Schöller Group (Südzucker), which manufacturers frozen foods and ice cream. The transaction will mean obtaining the exclusive licence to sell the Mövenpick brand of ice cream in several European countries. During its enquiry, the Commission observed that there were overlaps in the ice cream market between the activities of Schöller and Nestlé, where the latter is already the second largest ice cream manufacturer after Unilever. The Commission's investigations focused on the following markets: (1) "impulse ice cream" (for consumption in public establishments and at leisure events) in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Austria. The merger would not lead to any significant change in the situation with regard to competition in this segment of the market and Unilever would remain the uncontested leader in this sector; (2) Catering ice cream for consumption in restaurants, cafés, etc.) in the five above-mentioned Member States: Nestlé will take over the number one spot from Unilever in the Netherlands. The Swiss group will continue, however, to be the largest independent distribution wholesaler. The operation will improve Shöller's leading position over Unilever in Germany. The two companies will, nonetheless, compete intensely with each other, and there are no fears of a dominant position being gained by either Nestlé-Schöller or Nestlé-Schöller-Unilever. In Austria and France, Nestlé assumes the number two position behind the uncontested leader, Unilever; (3) "Take-home" ice cream (sold via food retailers to private households) in France and Germany: the combined market share of Nestlé/Schöller in the take-home ice cream sector will be insignificant at less than 20%. Unilever will remain market leader but will be challenged in other segments of the French and German markets by secondary brands; (4) Ice cream manufactured for secondary brands in Germany: the large food distribution chains still have a significant stake in this part of the market that is strong enough to compete effectively with Nestlé/Schöller.