EU extends decision date on Novoyzmes, Chr. Hansen deal to Dec. 12
21/11/2023 12:02
BRUSSELS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators
have extended their date for a decision on the tie-up of Danish
food ingredients and enzymes makers Novozymes NZYMb.CO and
Chr. Hansen CHRH.CO to Dec. 12 after the companies offered
remedies to address competition concerns.
Novozyme, which makes enzymes for household products, food
and beverages and biofuels, and Chr. Hansen, enzyme maker for
the food sector, proposed on Monday to sell part of the combined
company's global lactase enzyme business. A buyer has already
been found.
The EU competition watchdog will now seek feedback from
customers and rivals of the companies before deciding whether to
accept the offer, demand more or open a full-scale
investigation.
The companies expect to close the deal in the last quarter
of the year or the first quarter of 2024. Antitrust authorities
in China, Brazil, Turkey and the United States have already
given the green light to the merger.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, Editing by Louise Heavens)
((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 585 2866; Reuters
Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))