22/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Outokumpu/Inoxum. The European Commission opened an in-depth investigation, on 22 May, into the proposed acquisition of Inoxum, the stainless steel division of ThyssenKrupp of Germany, by the Finnish stainless steel company Outokumpu, which operates in the same sector. The Commission's preliminary investigation indicated potential serious competition concerns in the markets for the sale of slabs, hot rolled and cold rolled stainless steel products in the European Economic Area (EEA). Only three integrated producers of stainless steel flat products would remain active in the EEA after the proposed transaction, notification of which was received on 10 April. The Commission has, therefore, decided to continue the investigation and will take a final decision on whether or not to give its approval by 26 September. (FG/transl.rt)