Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS NEWS: EC approves acquisition of Solera by Vista, (Dec 7, 2015)
Organizations Mentioned:CF Industries Holdings Inc. | CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | OCI NV | Solera Holdings, Inc. | Vista Equity Partners | Vista Equity Partners, LLC
By Linda O’Brien, J.D., LL.M.
The European Commission (EC) has cleared under the European Union (EU) merger regulation the acquisition of Solera Holdings, Inc. by Vista Equity Partners, LLC, both of the United States, the EC announced today. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Solera provides risk and asset management software and services to insurance companies and automotive industry participants. Vista is a private equity firm which focuses on investments in software, data, and technology-enabled businesses. The EC concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, as the companies have very low combined market shares. Moreover, they are not active on any related markets.
OCI acquisition. The EC has also cleared under the EU merger regulation the acquisition of certain businesses of OCI of the Netherlands by CF Industries Holdings Inc. of the United States. CF will acquire OCI's activities in the manufacturing and supply of nitrogen fertilizers, melamine and methanol, and the trading and distribution of nitrogen fertilizers. CF will acquire OCI's manufacturing facilities in the United States and the Netherlands, and a global distribution network. CF is active in the manufacturing and distribution of nitrogen fertilizers and other nitrogen-based products. It has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and a distribution network primarily focused on the United States.
The EC concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, in particular for weak nitric acid, anhydrous and aqueous ammonia, and nitrogen based fertilizers because the combined market shares of the companies are moderate. Furthermore, several other producers will ensure continuing competition in these markets.
Companies: Solera Holdings, Inc.; Vista Equity Partners, LLC; OCI NV; CF Industries Holdings Inc.
News: AcquisitionsMergers Antitrust