Commission clears merger between Dow and DuPont, subject to conditions

The European Commission approved on 27 March 2017 the proposed merger between US-based chemical companies Dow and DuPont, under the EU Merger Regulation. The approval was conditional in particular on the divestiture of major parts of DuPont's global pesticide business, including its global R&D organisation.

The Commission opened an in-depth investigation on the proposed merger in August 2016, following concerns that the merger as notified would have reduced competition on price and choice in a number of markets for existing pesticides. Furthermore, the merger would have reduced innovation.

According to the Commission's statement, the commitments submitted by Dow and DuPont addressed these concerns in full.

European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/17/775, 27.03.17: Statement by Commissioner Vestager on a Commission decision approving the merger between Dow and DuPont, subject to conditions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-775_en.htm

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