Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of MCE by Bilfinger Berger, subject to conditions

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Austrian company MCE AG by German-based Bilfinger Berger AG, both active in industrial services and the installation of high pressure pipes. In its investigation the Commission identified competition concerns in the market for the installation of high pressure pipes. Therefore the clearance decision is conditional upon the divestiture of a major part of MCE's business in the installation of high pressure pipes. In light of these commitments, the Commission has concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.