Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears Eurovia’s acquisition of Tarmac’s activities in Germany and Poland; refers buy of French and Czech units to national competition authorities

The European Commission approved on 10 June 2010 under the EU Merger Regulation part of the proposed acquisition of the aggregate activities of Tarmac, part of the UK-based Anglo American group, by Eurovia, part of the French Vinci group. The Commission found that Eurovia's acquisition of the German and Polish activities of Tarmac would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA). At the same time, the Commission has referred the part of proposed acquisition relating to Tarmac's activities in France and the Czech Republic to the French and Czech Competition Authorities respectively, at their request. After a preliminary investigation, the Commission found this part of the proposed transaction would threaten to significantly affect competition in the aggregates, asphalt mix and civil engineering / road works markets in France and in the Czech Republic. Those aspects will now be examined by the French and the Czech Competition Authorities under national law.