Press Release: Commission clears Sonoco core board and cores JV with Ahlstrom subject to conditions

The European Commission approved the creation of a joint venture between the US-based company Sonoco and the Finnish company Ahlstrom to which they will contribute their respective European coreboard and cores (paper tubes) activities, 6 October 2004. A detailed investigation identified competition problems in Scandinavia, where the concentration would have strengthened Ahlstrom's already very strong position. But the companies offered commitments which will safeguard competition in the markets for the supply of paper tubes for winding textile products, magazine paper and kitchen film among other industrial and consumer products.

Sonoco: Homepage http://www.sonoco.com/

Ahlstrom: Homepage http://www.ahlstrom.com/

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