[autom.vertaling] De Commissie machtigt JV tussen SNPE, SAAB en Patria in de explosieven en de drijfgassensector (en)

The European Commission has approved under the Merger Regulation a proposed joint venture between the French State-owned SNPE, the Swedish company SAAB and the Finnish company Patria for the production of explosives and propellants, used in both civil and military applications. In view of the limited overlaps and the presence of other large and capable competitors, the Commission has not identified any serious threats to competition in any parts of the European Union's territory.

SNPE's main activities comprise the fabrication of energetic materials, including explosives and propellants through its subsidiary SME, and the production of fine chemicals including nitro-cellulose. Nexplo, a Finnish/Swedish manufacturer of explosives and propellants, is jointly controlled by SAAB and Patria. SAAB produces military and commercial aircraft, missiles and defence electronic support whilst Patria is a defence company involved in aviation and aerospace technology

EURENCO, the joint venture to be established, will combine SME's and Nexplo's respective activities in propellants and explosives. With regard to the civil applications markets, the Commission's investigation focused on the segment of propellants for use in small calibre ammunition. Although the transaction leads to horizontal overlaps in this market, Eurenco will continue to face competition from a number of European propellant suppliers such as Nobel Sport, UEE, Nitrokemia and Explosia. As to explosives for civil use, such as PETN/TNT and explosives for oil exploration, the market investigation indicated that the joint venture's market shares are not very high and that several stronger competitors will remain in the market.

As regards the military applications, the Commission's examination of the deal showed that the proposed transaction would not materially affect the choice of the Ministries of Defence, who exercise strict control over the production of military products including propellants for military applications.

The Commission also assessed the impact of the transaction on the rest of the markets where the parties are active and concluded that the deal would not lead to any risk of foreclosure in any of the markets concerned.