Displaying items by tag: European Commission
Europe: A European court has rejected an appeal by members of an alleged cement cartel, including Holcim Deutschland, HeidelbergCement, Schwenk Zement, Holcim, Buzzi Unicem, Italmobiliare, Portland Valderrivas and various subsidiaries of Cemex. The companies have argued that the European Commission (EC) had exceeded its powers when it opened an investigation in 2008.
The cement manufacturers brought seven appeals forward, arguing that the EC had not given a sufficient explanation for the suspected infringements before pushing them to respond to a long series of questions in too short a time limit. The judges considered that the EC had judicially provided the required 'minimum degree of clarity.'
On the other hand, the court partially agreed with Schwenk Zement. It judged that the time limit of two weeks that the companies were given to identify all of their contacts, including informal ones, was inadequate.
EU rejects German request to review Holcim-Cemex deal
07 January 2014Belgium: The European Commission said on 6 January 2014 that it has rejected Berlin's request to refer to the German competition authority regarding a proposed takeover by Holcim of some of Cemex's European assets. Holcim intends to acquire part of Cemex's activities in cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates in western Germany and a small number of plants and sites in France and the Netherlands.
The German competition authority had asked to review the proposed deal itself, arguing that it threatened to significantly affect competition in the cement markets of northern and western Germany. However, the Commission, which acts as the competition authority in Europe, said that the deal would affect cement markets outside of Germany such as parts of Belgium, the Netherlands and the northeast of France. "The Commission concluded that the geographic scope of the affected cement markets is wider than national and that therefore the Commission cannot refer the assessment of the transaction to Germany."
The Commission announced in October 2013 that it was opening an in-depth investigation into the proposed takeover. It has until 31 March 2014 to make a final decision.
Cembureau issues joint statement on European Commission air policy review proposals
11 December 2013Belgium: Cembureau has issued a joint statement with other members of the Industrial Emissions Alliance declaring its concern for aspects of the upcoming European Commission proposals regarding the Air Policy Review. In particular the European Cement Association (Cembureau) singled out emissions reduction targets and the target year of 2025.
The statement calls for 50% 'gap closure' for emission reductions as it views a proposed rate of 75% as 'unobtainable' due to issues with how emissions reductions will be delivered by current legislation, the costs of going beyond current legislation and the environmental benefits of further measures. It added that the high rate would damage European Union (EU) industrial competiveness and EU jobs. The statement also calls for the target year to be extended to 2030 to align it with the Framework for Climate and Energy Policies dates.
Belgium/Germany: The European Commission has launched an investigation into the planned sale of Cemex's assets in the west of Germany to Holcim as the deal may harm competition. The commission is concerned that the planned acquisition of the German company Cemex West may reduce competition in parts of Germany and Belgium, where Cemex West is an 'actual or potential competitor' of Holcim. The commission intends to make a decision by 10 March 2014.
In August 2013 the Mexican cement producer Cemex and Swiss multinational cement maker Holcim announced plans to swap assets in Europe. On 18 October 2013 the commission announced that it would investigate Cemex's bid to buy Holcim's cement operations in Spain.
Spain: The European Commission intends to assess the proposed acquisition of Holcim's cement operations in Spain by Cemex following a request by Spanish authorities. The Commission decided that the transaction threatens to affect competition within Spain and that it is the best placed authority to assess the potential cross-border effects of the transaction. It has left a similar transaction between Cemex and Holcim in the Czech Republic to local regulators to examine.
In August 2013 the Mexican cement producer Cemex and Swiss multinational cement maker Holcim announced plans to swap assets in Europe. In Spain, Holcim and Cemex want to combine all their cement, ready-mix and aggregates operations. In the Czech Republic Cemex intends to acquire all of Holcim's assets. Other transactions are also prosed between the cement producers in Germany, France and the Netherlands.