The European Commission on Tuesday opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed purchase by Germany’s BASF of Solvay’s nylon business, saying such a deal could reduce competition in the supply of the nylon production chain.
BASF agreed to buy Solvay’s global polyamide business in September for 1.6 billion euros (1.41 billion pounds), aiming to enhance its access to key growth markets in Asia and South America.
“We need to carefully assess whether the proposed acquisition would lead to higher prices or less choice for European businesses and, ultimately, consumers,” European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.
The Commission, which oversees competition in the European Union, said it has until Oct. 31 to decide on whether it would let the deal go ahead.
By Robert-Jan Bartunek
Source: Reuters
This equipment will significantly lower the site’s CO2 emissions, reduce flaring and save around 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) energy each year. Project kick-off is in February 2021, with completion planned for 2023.
The acquisition significantly strengthens and expands Grace’s existing pharma portfolio. Pharma & Consumer is the largest, fastest growing and most profitable subsegment within Grace’s Materials Technologies business.
Solvay says it has decided to organize its soda ash and derivatives business into a separate and fully controlled legal structure.
