European Commission suspects merger rule violations by Kerling/Ineos Vinyls

The European Commisson has strong doubts about allowing Ineos to take over the former Hydro Polymers. In a bid to find some clues that counter the rule banning pre-merger exchange of information as required by the European Commission, the authorities have carried out unannounced raids on PVC production sites in the UK belonging to Kerling and Ineos Vinyls. It has repeatedly postponed a decision on the proposed transaction and now is not due to complete its review until 18 February 2008.