Merger Case M.8480 | Merger between Praxair and Linde

Background and further information:

The European Commission showed concerns that the proposed transaction would reduce the competitive pressure in markets covering a significant part of the activities of both companies. In particular, the initial market investigation raised competition concerns for the supply of industrial gases, medical gases (and related services), speciality gases, as well as the supply of helium.

Praxair and Linde are two of the four largest companies active worldwide across the whole supply chains of industrial, medical and speciality gases. The market investigation confirmed that only the four main players have the engineering capabilities necessary to bid for the largest tonnage projects. It also confirmed that only they have the necessary access to sources of helium worldwide to be competitive.

The transaction was notified to the Commission on 12 January 2018. The Parties decided not to submit commitments to address the Commission's preliminary concerns.

The European Commission opened on 16 February 2018 an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed merger between Praxair and Linde under the EU Merger Regulation.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Press Release, 16.02.18: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger between Praxair and Linde http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-822_en.htm

Reuters, 16.02.18: EU opens in-depth investigation of Linde, Praxair merger https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1G013A

---