Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of controlling stake in German glass producer Interpane by Japanese glass producer Asahi Glass

The European Commission has cleared under the Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in Interpane International Glas GmbH (Germany) and Interpane Glass Holding AG (Switzerland) (together, "Interpane") by AGC Glass Europe SA (Belgium), controlled by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (Japan).

Interpane's current owner, the Hesselbach family, will hold the remainder (also a controlling stake) through its holding company Helgejos Glass Holding AG. Both Interpane and Asahi are active in the production and processing of flat glass. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns because the merged entity would continue to face sufficient competition.