07/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Joint ventures: aggregates in construction. On Tuesday 7 June, the European Commission granted clearance to the acquisition by Holcim Grondstoffen B.V. of the Netherlands and Basalt Union GmbH of Germany, of joint control of the Dutch undertaking H+B Grondstoffen C.V. by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture. Through this transaction, the parent companies will transfer all of their respective activities in the trading of aggregates in the construction industry in the Netherlands to the new joint venture, and will leave the Dutch aggregates market. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (F.G./transl.rt)