Statement from the Competition Council regarding the concentration project involving the exclusive takeover by the company “Brenntag N.V” of the companies “Solventis Ltd”, “Solventis BV”, “Solventis Holdings Ltd” and “Industrial Investment Company BV” through the acquisition of 100% of the share capital and associated voting rights, and of the company “Antwerp Distillation Company NV” through the acquisition of 75% of the share capital and related voting rights

In accordance with Article 13 of Law 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for its implementation as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the below “operation summary” containing information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this statement does not attest to the completeness of the file as provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for the implementation of Law 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition as amended and supplemented.

Names of the companies and groups concerned:

The acquirer: Brenntag N.V.

  • The targets:
    • Solventis Ltd;
    • Solventis BV;
    • Solventis Holdings Ltd;
    • Industrial Investment Company BV;
    • Antwerp Distillation Company NV.

Nature of the operation

– Exclusive takeover.

Economic sectors concerned

– Chemical products distribution sector.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their observations

– 10 days from the date of publication of this statement, i.e. March 4, 2024.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES

The Competition Council has received notification of an economic concentration project concerning the exclusive takeover by the company “Brenntag N.V” of the companies “Solventis Ltd”, “Solventis BV”, “Solventis Holdings Ltd” and “Industrial Investment Company BV” through the acquisition of 100% of the share capital and associated voting rights, as well as of the company “Antwerp Distillation Company NV” through the acquisition of 75% of the share capital and related voting rights.

Brenntag N.V, as well as the group to which it belongs, is a global distributor of chemicals and ingredients headquartered in Essen, Germany. Its two divisions, “Brenntag Essentials” and “Brenntag Specialties”, provide basic and specialty chemicals and ingredients, as well as customized application, marketing, and supply chain solutions, technical formulation support, regulatory expertise, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries. The acquiring group operates in over 70 countries and employs around 17,500 people.

Solventis Ltd.: a limited company headquartered at Compton House, the Guildway, Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford, GU31LR, United Kingdom, registered under registration number 03366192. The company is a distributor of basic and specialty chemicals, particularly chemical solvents. It is also involved in the production and distribution of automotive fluids (including coolants, antifreeze, wash liquids, brake fluids, and AdBlue) and aircraft de-icing fluids.

Solventis BV: a Belgian company headquartered at Sint-Maartensstraat 1, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, registered under number 0478290568. Solventis BV is a service company responsible for managing the administrative costs related to Solventis incurred in Belgium.

Solventis Holdings Ltd: a company based in England at Compton House The Guildway, Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey, England, GU3 1LR, incorporated in England and Wales under number 11452511. It is currently an inactive entity.

Industrial Investment Company BV: a Belgian company headquartered at Berkenlaan 21, 2980 Zoersel, Belgium, incorporated in Belgium under number 0506952088. It is an investment vehicle with no operational function.

Antwerp Distillation Company NV: a Belgian public limited company with headquarters at 9130, Beveren, Geslecht (KAL), ZN, haven 1931, registered under number 0578867195. Antwerp Distillation Company NV internally produces raw materials for Solventis.

Done in Rabat on February 22, 2024.