Press Release: Mergers: Commission approves PVC joint venture between INEOS and Solvay, subject to conditions

Following an in-depth investigation, on 8 May 2014, the European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed combination of the European chlorvinyls businesses of INEOS AG of Switzerland and Solvay S.A. of Belgium into a newly created joint venture. The approval was conditional upon the divestiture of certain of INEOS' suspension polyvinyl chloride ("S-PVC") plants and related assets. This divestment would provide its purchaser with a self-standing S-PVC business capable of competing with the new joint venture. The Commission had concerns that the transaction, as originally notified, would have enabled the merged entity to raise prices for S-PVC in North West Europe and for sodium hypochlorite ("bleach") in the Benelux, since it combined the two largest suppliers in these markets. The commitments offered address these concerns.

ESO: Background information: Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Kerling by Ineos http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-mergers-commission-approves-proposed-acquisition-of-kerling-by-ineos/

ESO: Background information: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Kerling by INEOS http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-mergers-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-proposed-acquisition-of-kerling-by-ineos/

ESO: Background information: Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of the S‑PVC business of Tessenderlo by Ineos http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-mergers-commission-clears-acquisition-of-the-s%e2%80%91pvc-business-of-tessenderlo-by-ineos/

ESO: Background information: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into joint venture between INEOS and Solvay in PVC business http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-mergers-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-joint-venture-between-ineos-and-solvay-in-pvc-business/

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