16/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Columbia Chemicals/Birla. On Wednesday 15 June, the European Commission authorised the acquisition of the American company Columbia Chemicals by Indigold Carbon (Netherlands), which is owned by the Indian group Aditya Birla. The operation, which was notified on 5 May of this year, will bring together two of the world's four largest producers of carbon black, a chemical used mainly for the production of tyres, and also for printing inks and plastic materials. The merger will create one of the three largest companies in the sector. The Commission, however, took the view that it would not affect competition, as it is unlikely to have a significant impact on production levels and the cost European clients can still source carbon black from several other suppliers within the European Economic Area and beyond. (F.G./transl.fl)