The European Commission approves a merger in the manufacture of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycols illustrating the forward-looking nature of merger control analysis (Ineos / Dormagen)

"Ineos/BP Dormagen: Illustrating the forward-looking nature of merger control analysis"* On 10 August 2006, the European Commission approved, after an in-depth investigation, the acquisition of BP’s ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol business, situated in Dormagen, Germany (“BP Dormagen”) by Ineos Group Limited (“Ineos”). Ineos is a company active, among others in the manufactur of ethylene oxide and ethylene glycols. The main part of the competitive assessment in this case was related to the market of ethylene oxide, where the combined entity would have high market shares irrespective of alternative product and geographic market definitions. However, after an in-depth market investigation, the transaction was cleared on the basis of the forecast middle-term market development that would