The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of Solutia by Eastman Chemical Company, two US chemical companies. The deal creates a vertical relationship between Eastman’s upstream supply of 2-ethylhexanoic Acid (“2-EHA”) and Solutia’s downstream supply of plasticizers for use in polyvinyl butyral (“PVB”) sheet. However, Solutia and Eastman are not active on the same markets–Solutia is not a customer of Eastman in the EEA. Moreover, the merged entity will continue to face competition from upstream competitors.
Full content: EC Press Release
Related content: Vertical Restraints and the Effects of Upstream Horizontal Mergers
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