The European Commission has unconditionally cleared the acquisition of the homecare business of Air Products in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain by Linde following a Phase I investigation. Both parties provide oxygen and other therapies to patients in their homes. Despite significant market shares in some countries, the Commission concluded after reviewing detailed tender data and analysis that sufficient competition would remain post-merger. The Commission also concluded that the transaction would not lead to input foreclosure for the wholesale supply of medical oxygen to other oxygen therapy providers.
CRA Competition's response to EU Draft Merger Guidelines: An economic perspective on the emerging framework
Our European Competition team has contributed to the economic assessment in nearly a third of distinct merger decisions cited in the draft, (46 out of 164)...