EC approves PVC joint venture between INEOS and Solvay

Following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed combination of the European chlorvinyls businesses of INEOS AG of Switzerland and Solvay S.A. of Belgium into a newly created joint venture. The approval is conditional upon the divestiture of certain of INEOS' suspension polyvinyl chloride ("S-PVC") plants and related assets. This divestment will provide its purchaser with a self-standing S-PVC business capable of competing with the new joint venture.