Dow Chemical and DuPont are on the verge of offering to sell research and development capability in response to Brussels’ antitrust concerns over the companies’ planned $140bn merger. The case, which will decide on Tuesday whether to approve the deal, has become a test of European competition regulators’ approach to industrial innovation.
The investigation is the first of three agrichemical megadeals, together worth nearly $250bn, that Margrethe Vestager, EU competition commissioner, will examine this year. Dow and DuPont are seeking to stop the merger being blocked, amid concerns from politicians and consumer groups.
Brussels’ objections to the deal have attracted particular scrutiny, because it marks the first time the commission has threatened to block a deal primarily based on concerns that it could cut innovation in a whole market. Previous antitrust cases have cited a narrower range of risks to product development in specific markets.
Full Content: Financial Times
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
UK Watchdog Says Fuel Retailers’ High Margins Spark Overcharging Concerns
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Canadian School Boards Sue Social Media Giants for $4 Billion
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Enter Timing Agreement with DOJ
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Sam Bankman-Fried Gets 25-Year Sentence for $8B Crypto Fraud
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Walmart Withdraws and Refiles Antitrust Review Application for Vizio Acquisition
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Real Estate & Antitrust
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Systematic National Evidence of Steering by Real Estate Agents
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Compliance Now! Actionable Antitrust Advice for the Residential Real Estate Industry
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Real Estate Commissions: Some Insights from the Economics of Multi-Sided Platforms
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
New Ideas for Promoting Real Estate Brokerage Price Competition
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI