16/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation of the planned acquisition by the US-based Cargill group of the food ingredients business of the German company Degussa AG. Both companies are at the forefront of the production of natural emulsifiers used in particular in food products such as chocolate, bread, and margarine. The Commission's initial market investigation found potential competition problems in the market for lecithin, a natural emulsifier. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry gives the Commission 90 working days - until 3 May 2006 - to decide whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a substantial part of it.