Brussels, 08/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 8 July 2009, the European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Dutch company Noble European Holdings B.V., a subsidiary of Noble International Ltd. of the US, by ArcelorMittal of Luxembourg. Noble European Holdings is the holder of several companies producing tailor welded blanks (TWBs) mainly used in the automobile industry. Through the proposed takeover, ArcelorMittal would regain control over the TWB business in Europe, which it had sold to Noble International Ltd in 2007. Although the proposed concentration would not overlap, it would create a vertical link, since ArcelorMittal is active in the upstream market of flat steel products used in TWB production, especially as Noble European Holdings already receives almost all of its supplies from ArcelorMittal. The Commission concluded, however, that as the merged entity would continue to face several competitors, the proposed concentration would not raise any competition concerns. (C.D./transl.rh)