Brussels, 18/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has cleared the acquisition by Wienerberger AG of Austria, the biggest brick supplier Europe of the activities of Hanson Plc in Continental Europe The subsidiaries are located in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Poland. The transaction will have its main effects in Belgium and the Netherlands and will enlarge the gap between Wienerberger these countries, and its competitors, Sweden, Ampe and Ploegsteert and Vandersanden in the Belgian market and HUWA, Rodruza and CRH in the Dutch. But the Commission has concluded that these markets will remain competitive given the presence of other viable brick manufacturers and the importance of imports.