Displaying items by tag: competition
Rohrdorfer's purchase of 49% stake in Asamer under extended review
27 February 2024Austria: Rohrdorfer’s proposed acquisition of a 49% stake in building materials producer Asamer has entered an extended review phase. The parties registered the deal with the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) on 10 January 2024. Due to competition concerns, the BWB applied to a court for an in-depth investigation on 21 February 2024.
Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection approves Lafarge Polska’s acquisition of some Eurobud Chajewscy assets
05 February 2024Poland: The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKK) has conditionally approved Lafarge Polska's acquisition of certain assets of Eurobud Chajewscy. A condition for the approval is that Lafarge Polska sell the Piła concrete plant in Greater Poland. Baltic Legal Updates News has reported that this would enable Lafarge Polska to retain a single concrete plant in the city.
The UOKK said "Concentration in the proposed form would mean the lack of free choice of supplier and the risk of price increases for concrete buyers in Piła. The sale of one of the concrete plants in Piła will allow entrepreneurs to maintain fair competition on the local concrete supply market."
UK: The purchase of Mick George (MG) by Hanson Quarry Products Europe (Hanson), could result in less choice and higher prices for building contractors in parts of England, according to a Phase 1 Investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It has provisionally found that the proposed purchase of MG by Hanson raises competition concerns in certain markets for building materials in East of England and the East Midlands. Hanson is wholly owned by Heidelberg Materials.
The investigation concerns the supply of ready-mix concrete and aggregates. Colin Raftery, CMA Senior Director for Mergers said "These products are an important input for building projects, so a loss of competition between two of the main suppliers could result in increased construction costs for businesses and public bodies. In many areas where both businesses are active, sufficient competition will remain. But in some local markets, where there are not enough strong alternatives to the merging business, the deal could limit customer choice.”
Hanson and MG now have five working days to address the CMA's concerns. If they are unable to do so, the merger will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.
European governments launch antitrust investigation in construction chemicals sector
19 October 2023Europe: The European Commission (EC), in coordination with the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the Turkish Competition Authority, launched unannounced antitrust inspections of additives and admixtures producers in ‘several’ countries. The EC said that the inspections form a preliminary step in an investigation of suspected anticompetitive practices.
Global Cement and Concrete Association announces Innovandi Open Challenge 2023 shortlist
30 June 2023World: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has named the 15 anticipated deliverers of low-CO2 cement and concrete production shortlisted for participation in its second Innovandi Open Challenge. The association chose the start-ups based on their potential to deliver CO2 emissions reduction in the global cement and concrete sector in line with its Concrete Future 2050 Net Zero Roadmap. The applicants are presenting their pitches to GCCA members on 30 June 2023. All those accepted will gain access to members' plants, labs, networks and expertise. The following start-ups made the Innovandi Open Challenge 2023 shortlist:
Arrakis Materials | US | Carbon negative materials for concrete |
Chement | US | Room temperature cement production |
EcoAdmix Global | UK | Nanotechnology ('HDT') for concrete |
EcoLocked | Germany | Biocarbon-based admixtures |
EnviCore | Canada | Low temperature supplementary cementitious material production |
Enzymatic | US | Carbon negative enzymatic concrete corrosion inhibition and recycling |
Louis Structures | US | Municipal solid waste-based lightweight aggregates |
MEP - SeaMix | US | Basalt fibre and graphene-based admixture |
Nano Crete | US | Graphene-enhanced CO2 sequestration |
Nanospan India | India | Graphene-based admixture |
NeoCrete | New Zealand | Nano-activator for natural pozzolans |
Queens Carbon | US | ~500°C cementitious materials production |
The Cool Corporation | UK | Carbon negative carbon nanotube-based additive for concrete |
Ultra High Materials | US | Clinkerless cement |
Versarien Graphene | UK | Graphene-based admixture ('Cementene') |
GCCA cement director and innovation lead Claude Loréa said “We received more than 70 quality applications, so drawing up a shortlist was challenging." Loréa continued "Our essential industry needs something easily scalable and affordable. Those start-ups on the list demonstrated the most potential, and we look forward to hearing more about their ideas. But we’ll also be keeping in touch with other start-ups who didn’t make this year’s shortlist, with future projects in mind.”
18 companies in Taoyuan fined US$7m for fixing concrete prices
20 February 2023Taiwan: The Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has fined 18 companies a total of US$7m for participation in a ready-mix concrete price-fixing cartel. The companies, including Taiwan Cement, all participate in the ready-mix concrete industry in Taoyuan Special Municipality. The FTC said that the companies have colluded both in person and via messaging apps in order to raise the price of concrete in Taoyuan, since 'as early as November 2018.' Other recipients of fines include Goldsun Building Materials, Ya Tung Ready Mixed Concrete and 15 companies based in Taoyuan. Fines range from US$16.5m up to US$329m for larger participants.
CNA News has reported that Taiwan Cement denies involvement in any cartel.
Australia: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has called for public comment on Switzerland-based Sika's proposed acquisition of Germany-based fellow construction chemicals producer MBCC Group. The commission has raised 'preliminary concerns' over the possible competition impacts of Sika obtaining an 80% Australian market share as a result of the deal.
Sika group responded to the ACCC's concerns with an offer of an undertaking to divest MBCC Group's entire Australia and New Zealand business.
Schwenk Eesti cleared to gain majority stake in Betoonimeister
17 January 2023Estonia: The Estonian Competition Authority has granted permission to Schwenk Eesti to gain a majority stake in ready-mix concrete producer Betoonimeister. Baltic Business Daily News has reported that Betoonimeister's six ready-mix concrete batching plants are located in Tallinn, Tartu, Johvi, Tapa and Parnu.
Estonian competition authority opens additional proceedings into Schwenk Eesti's Betoonimeister stake acquisition
01 November 2022Estonia: Competition authorities have opened additional proceedings into Schwenk Zement subsidiary Schwenk Eesti's deal to acquire a majority stake in Betoonimeister. The parties concluded their agreement in late September 2022.
Betoonimeister supplies ready-mix concrete across Estonia from six batching plants in Jõhvi, Pärnu, Tapa, Tallinn and Tartu. It employs a total of 90 people.