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Panasonic and Sanyo merger cleared at Phase I

On 29 September 2009 the European Commission cleared the merger between Panasonic and Sanyo subject to remedies to resolve horizontal overlaps in the production of certain portable batteries. The parties' commitments consist of the divestment of a plant that produces cylindrical lithium and rechargeable coin-shaped batteries; and the divestment of one of the parties' portable nickel-metal hydride batteries business.

The Commission also investigated horizontal overlaps in the supply of other portable batteries and batteries for electric vehicles, as well as the supply of a number of consumer electronic products, but found that no serious competition concerns would arise as a result of the transaction. In particular, the parties were not found to be each others' closest competitors and competitive pressure would continue to be exerted on the merged entity by remaining players in the various markets.

A CRA team including Cristina Caffarra, Ian Small, Matt Tavantzis, Ragvir Sabharwal and Rosalind Hunter advised the parties throughout the pre-notification period and the Commission's Phase I investigation. The deal has been investigated also by the FTC in the US, and a CRA team from the Washington, DC office, led by Gary Roberts and including Yianis Sarafidis, advised the parties in the US proceedings.

See Commission Press Release for further details.

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