Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears Univar’s acquisition of Eurochem’s Belgian and Dutch activities, refers purchase of business in France to French competition authority

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation part of the proposed acquisition of the activities of Eurochem by Univar, both chemical companies. Eurochem is also known as Quaron.

The Commission found that Univar's acquisition of the Belgian and Dutch activities of Eurochem would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA).

At the same time, the Commission has referred the part of the proposed acquisition relating to Eurochem's activities in France to the French competition authority at its request.

After a preliminary investigation, the Commission found that this part of the proposed transaction would threaten to significantly affect competition in the distribution of chemicals in France. Those aspects will now be examined by the French competition authority under national law.