Daily News 24 / 08 / 2023

Agriculture : la Commission approuve « Borzag pálinka » de Hongrie comme nouvelle indication géographique

Aujourd'hui, la Commission a approuvé comme nouvelle indication géographique protégée (IGP) la « Borzag pálinka » de Hongrie.

La « Borzag pálinka » est une eau-de-vie fabriquée à partir de petit sureau, dans la région de Nógrád. Elle se caractérise par des notes aromatiques douces (goût de chocolat, de fruits et de miel), épicées et éventuellement herbacées (menthe, herbes vertes, vanille, anis, genièvre). La production de « Borzag pálinka » dans le comitat de Nógrád remonte à plusieurs siècles. Compte tenu des traditions séculaires, la quasi-totalité des distilleries du comitat de Nógrád fabrique la pálinka à partir de petit sureau. Cette plante n'est connue sous le nom de borzag que dans ces contrées (comitat de Nógrád) ; ailleurs, elle est appelée gyalogbodza (terme hongrois usuel pour désigner le petit sureau).

Cette nouvelle dénomination sera ajoutée à la liste des 260 produits spiritueux déjà protégés. La liste de toutes les indications géographiques protégées se trouve dans la base de données eAmbrosia. Plus d'informations sont disponibles en ligne sur les systèmes de qualité et sur notre portail GIView.

(Pour plus d'informations : Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél. : +32 2 299 90 75; Sophie Dirven – Tél. : +32 2 296 72 28)

State aid: Commission approves €45 million Irish scheme to promote sustainable forest management

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €45 million Irish scheme to support sustainable forest management.

The aim of the scheme is to support landowners implement economically, ecologically and socially sustainable forest management and use techniques to: (i) promote the growth of forests, (ii) protect biodiversity, soil and water quality and the forest landscape, (iii) adapt forests to climate change, and (iv) increase the ability of forests to store carbon. Under the scheme, which will run until 31 December 2027, the aid will take the form of direct grants, covering up to 100% of the eligible costs. The scheme will be open to companies of all sizes in the forestry sector. Today's decision follows the Commission's approval of a Irish scheme to support investments in afforestation on 2 August 2023 (SA.107220). Both schemes are part of the Irish Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2023 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support and strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity and climate action, and to contribute to achieving the environmental and climate-related objectives of the EU. Furthermore, the Commission found that the scheme is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Irish scheme under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.104922 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Nina Ferreira – Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Mergers: Commission clears the creation of two joint ventures by Benteler and BHAP

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of two joint ventures by Benteler Automotive Investment Limited (‘Benteler') and Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts Co., Ltd (‘BHAP'), both of China.

The newly created joint ventures will be active in the assembly and sale of chassis modules to automotive customers in China. Benteler, a subsidiary of Benteler International AG, supplies components and modules for automotive customers in the areas of chassis, body, engine and exhaust systems. BHAP, a subsidiary the BAIC Group, supplies automobile seats, interiors and exteriors, powertrain systems, chassis systems, body systems, electronics, and other components.

The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns, given that the joint ventures have no foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11228. 

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel. : +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini – Tel. : +32 2 298 33 67)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of SimCorp by Deutsche Börse

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control over SimCorp A/S of Denmark by Deutsche Börse AG of Germany.

SimCorp provides software solutions for investment and data management, client communications and related services for asset managers and servicers, banks, insurance funds, pension funds and wealth managers. Deutsche Börse is an international exchange organization that, through its subsidiary Axioma, provides an investment management software.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the very limited horizontal overlaps and vertical and/or conglomerate links between the companies' activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11158.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel. : +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini – Tel. : +32 2 298 33 67)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Nutrinova JV by Mitsui and Celanese

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Nutrinova B.V. (‘Nutrinova JV') of the Netherlands by Mitsui & Co, Ltd., (‘Mitsui') of Japan and Celanese Corporation (‘Celanese') of the US. 

Nutrinova JV, currently solely controlled by Celanese, is mainly active in the production and supply of the sweetener acesulfame potassium (‘Ace-K') and the preservatives potassium sorbate and sorbic acid. Mitsui is a trading, business management and project development company active in sectors such as basic and performance chemicals and food resources. Celanese is a global producer of high-performance engineered polymers that are used in a variety of applications, as well as acetyl products, which are used as intermediate chemicals for major industries.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns, given the very limited overlaps between the companies' activities. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11187.  

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Sara Simonini – Tel. : +32 2 298 33 67)

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse