# Official Journal C 384/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 384 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6124 October 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 384

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6124 October 2018

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 384/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9079 — Advent International Corporation/KN Group) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 384/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9079 — Advent International Corporation/KN Group) (
  1
  )

1

1

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 384/02 | Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2018/C 384/03 | Notice of the Government of Denmark pursuant to Council Directive 2009/119/EC imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products | 3 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 384/02

Euro exchange rates

2

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2018/C 384/03

Notice of the Government of Denmark pursuant to Council Directive 2009/119/EC imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products

3

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 384/04 | Call For Proposals 2019 — EAC/A03/2018 — Erasmus+ Programme | 4 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 384/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV) (
  1
  ) | 8 |
| 2018/C 384/06 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9049 — E.ON/Clever/UFC Scandinavia JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2018/C 384/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8832 — Knauf/Armstrong) (
  1
  ) | 10 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

2018/C 384/04

Call For Proposals 2019 — EAC/A03/2018 — Erasmus+ Programme

4

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 384/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV) (
  1
  )

1

8

2018/C 384/06

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9049 — E.ON/Clever/UFC Scandinavia JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

9

2018/C 384/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8832 — Knauf/Armstrong) (
  1
  )

1

10

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| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance. |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9079 — Advent International Corporation/KN Group)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 384/01)

On 15 October 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M9079. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M9079. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

23 October 2018

(2018/C 384/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1478 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 128,76 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4603 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,88103 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,3606 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1424 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 136,30 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,5053 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,814 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 322,81 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2960 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6670 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,6227 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6243 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5047 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,9990 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7514 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5822 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 305,81 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,4759 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,9613 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4275 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 17 435,02 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7778 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 61,716 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 75,0301 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,705 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,2412 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 22,2469 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 84,4435 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1478

JPY

Japanese yen

128,76

DKK

Danish krone

7,4603

GBP

Pound sterling

0,88103

SEK

Swedish krona

10,3606

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1424

ISK

Iceland króna

136,30

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,5053

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,814

HUF

Hungarian forint

322,81

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2960

RON

Romanian leu

4,6670

TRY

Turkish lira

6,6227

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6243

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5047

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,9990

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7514

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5822

KRW

South Korean won

1 305,81

ZAR

South African rand

16,4759

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,9613

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4275

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

17 435,02

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7778

PHP

Philippine peso

61,716

RUB

Russian rouble

75,0301

THB

Thai baht

37,705

BRL

Brazilian real

4,2412

MXN

Mexican peso

22,2469

INR

Indian rupee

84,4435

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/3

---

Notice of the Government of Denmark pursuant to Council Directive 2009/119/EC imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products

(2018/C 384/03)

In accordance with Article 9(4) of Council Directive 2009/119/EC of 14 September 2009 imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (1), Denmark hereby notifies its undertaking to maintain specific stocks.

1.

The level of the specific stocks that Denmark undertakes to maintain is equivalent to 30 days of average daily consumption.

2.

The undertaking applies to the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

3.

| — | Motor gasoline, |
| --- | --- |

—

Motor gasoline,

| — | Gas/diesel oil. |
| --- | --- |

—

Gas/diesel oil.

4.

The stocks will be owned and held by the central Danish stockholding entity, Foreningen Danske Olieberedskabslagre (FDO).

---

(1)  OJ L 265, 9.10.2009, p. 9.

1

---

V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Commission

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/4

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Call For Proposals 2019 — EAC/A03/2018

Erasmus+ Programme

(2018/C 384/04)

1.   Introduction and objectives

This call for proposals is based on the Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing ‘Erasmus+’: the Union Programme for education, training, youth and sport and repealing Decisions No 1719/2006/EC, No 1720/2006/EC and No 1298/2008/EC (1) as well as on the 2018 and 2019 Erasmus+ Annual Work Programmes. The Erasmus+ Programme covers the period 2014 to 2020. The general and specific objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme are listed in Articles 4, 5, 11 and 16 of the Regulation.

2.   Actions

This call for proposals covers the following actions of the Erasmus+ Programme:

Key Action 1 (KA1) — Learning mobility of individuals

| — | Mobility of individuals in the field of education, training and youth |
| --- | --- |

—

Mobility of individuals in the field of education, training and youth

| — | Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees |
| --- | --- |

—

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Key Action 2 (KA2) — Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

| — | Strategic partnerships in the field of education, training and youth |
| --- | --- |

—

Strategic partnerships in the field of education, training and youth

| — | European Universities |
| --- | --- |

—

European Universities

| — | Knowledge Alliances |
| --- | --- |

—

Knowledge Alliances

| — | Sector Skills Alliances |
| --- | --- |

—

Sector Skills Alliances

| — | Capacity building in the field of higher education |
| --- | --- |

—

Capacity building in the field of higher education

| — | Capacity building in the field of youth |
| --- | --- |

—

Capacity building in the field of youth

Key Action 3 (KA3) — Support for policy reform

| — | Youth Dialogue projects |
| --- | --- |

—

Youth Dialogue projects

Jean Monnet activities

| — | Jean Monnet Chairs |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Chairs

| — | Jean Monnet Modules |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Modules

| — | Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence

| — | Jean Monnet Support to Associations |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Support to Associations

| — | Jean Monnet Networks |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Networks

| — | Jean Monnet Projects |
| --- | --- |

—

Jean Monnet Projects

Sport

| — | Collaborative partnerships |
| --- | --- |

—

Collaborative partnerships

| — | Small collaborative partnerships |
| --- | --- |

—

Small collaborative partnerships

| — | Not-for-profit European sport events |
| --- | --- |

—

Not-for-profit European sport events

3.   Eligibility

Any public or private body active in the fields of education, training, youth and sport may apply for funding within the Erasmus+ Programme. In addition, groups of young people who are active in youth work, but not necessarily in the context of a youth organisation, may apply for funding for learning mobility of young people and youth workers as well as for Strategic partnerships in the field of youth.

The following Programme Countries can fully take part in all Erasmus+ Programme actions (2):

| — | the Member States of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

—

the Member States of the European Union,

| — | the EFTA/EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, |
| --- | --- |

—

the EFTA/EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway,

| — | EU candidate countries: Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. |
| --- | --- |

—

EU candidate countries: Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia.

In addition, certain Erasmus+ Programme actions are open to organisations from partner countries.

Please refer to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for further details on the modalities of participation.

For British applicants: Please be aware that eligibility criteria must be complied with for the entire duration of the grant. If the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU during the grant period without concluding an agreement with the EU ensuring in particular that British applicants continue to be eligible, you will cease to receive EU funding (while continuing, where possible, to participate) or be required to leave the project on the basis of the relevant provisions of the grant agreement on termination.

4.   Budget and duration of projects

The implementation of this call for proposals is subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the draft budget for 2019 after the adoption of the budget for 2019 by the budgetary authority or if the budget is not adopted as provided for in the system of provisional twelfths.

The total budget earmarked for this call for proposals is estimated at EUR 2 733,4 million:

| Education and Training: | EUR | 2 503,4 million (3) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Youth: | EUR | 167,7 million |
| Jean Monnet: | EUR | 13,7 million |
| Sport: | EUR | 48,6 million |

Education and Training:

EUR

2 503,4 million (3)

Youth:

EUR

167,7 million

Jean Monnet:

EUR

13,7 million

Sport:

EUR

48,6 million

The total budget earmarked for the call for proposals as well as its repartition is indicative and may be modified subject to an amendment of the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programmes. Potential applicants are invited to regularly consult the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programmes and their amendments, published on:

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/annual-work-programmes_en

as regards the available budget for each action covered by the call.

The level of grants awarded as well as the duration of projects vary depending on factors such as the type of project and the number of partners involved.

5.   Deadline for the submission of applications

All deadlines for submission of applications specified below end at 12.00 (noon), Brussels time.

| Key Action 1 |
| --- |
| Mobility of individuals in the field of youth | 5 February 2019 |
| Mobility of individuals in the field of higher education | 5 February 2019 |
| Mobility of individuals in VET, school education and adult education fields | 5 February 2019 |
| Mobility of individuals in the field of youth | 30 April 2019 |
| Mobility of individuals in the field of youth | 1 October 2019 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees | 14 February 2019 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – Joint call EU-Japan | 1 April 2019 |

Key Action 1

Mobility of individuals in the field of youth

5 February 2019

Mobility of individuals in the field of higher education

5 February 2019

Mobility of individuals in VET, school education and adult education fields

5 February 2019

Mobility of individuals in the field of youth

30 April 2019

Mobility of individuals in the field of youth

1 October 2019

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

14 February 2019

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – Joint call EU-Japan

1 April 2019

| Key Action 2 |
| --- |
| Strategic partnerships in the field of youth | 5 February 2019 |
| Strategic partnerships in the field of education and training | 21 March 2019 |
| Strategic partnerships in the field of youth | 30 April 2019 |
| Strategic partnerships in the field of youth | 1 October 2019 |
| European Universities | 28 February 2019 |
| Knowledge Alliances | 28 February 2019 |
| Sector Skills Alliances | 28 February 2019 |
| Capacity building in the field of higher education | 7 February 2019 |
| Capacity building in the field of youth | 24 January 2019 |

Key Action 2

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth

5 February 2019

Strategic partnerships in the field of education and training

21 March 2019

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth

30 April 2019

Strategic partnerships in the field of youth

1 October 2019

European Universities

28 February 2019

Knowledge Alliances

28 February 2019

Sector Skills Alliances

28 February 2019

Capacity building in the field of higher education

7 February 2019

Capacity building in the field of youth

24 January 2019

| Key Action 3 |
| --- |
| Youth Dialogue projects | 5 February 2019
  30 April 2019
  1 October 2019 |

Key Action 3

Youth Dialogue projects

5 February 2019

30 April 2019

1 October 2019

| Jean Monnet actions |
| --- |
| Chairs, Modules, Centres of Excellence, Support to Associations, Networks, Projects | 22 February 2019 |

Jean Monnet actions

Chairs, Modules, Centres of Excellence, Support to Associations, Networks, Projects

22 February 2019

| Sport actions |
| --- |
| Collaborative partnerships | 4 April 2019 |
| Small collaborative partnerships | 4 April 2019 |
| Not-for-profit European sport events | 4 April 2019 |

Sport actions

Collaborative partnerships

4 April 2019

Small collaborative partnerships

4 April 2019

Not-for-profit European sport events

4 April 2019

Please refer to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for detailed instructions for the submission of applications.

6.   Full details

The detailed conditions of this call for proposals, including priorities, can be found in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide at the following internet address:

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/programme-guide

The Erasmus+ Programme Guide constitutes an integral part of this call for proposals and the conditions for participation and funding expressed therein apply in full to this call.

---

(1)  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50.

(2)  Jean Monnet activities are open to organisations from the whole world.

(3)  This amount includes the funds for the International dimension of Higher Education (EUR 306 million in total).

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/8

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 384/05)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Bergé Automotive Logistics, S.L. (‘BAL’, Spain), belonging to Bergé y Cía, S.A., |
| --- | --- |

—

Bergé Automotive Logistics, S.L. (‘BAL’, Spain), belonging to Bergé y Cía, S.A.,

| — | GEFCO España, S.A. (‘GEFCO España’, Spain), belonging to GEFCO, S.A. (GEFCO, France). |
| --- | --- |

—

GEFCO España, S.A. (‘GEFCO España’, Spain), belonging to GEFCO, S.A. (GEFCO, France).

BAL and GEFCO España acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly-created company that would integrate and manage the finished vehicle logistic businesses and assets of both companies in Spain.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

—   for BAL: the provision of logistics services to the automotive industry in Spain.

—   for GEFCO España: the provision of logistics services to a variety of industries, including the provision of integrated logistics services to the automotive industry in Spain. GEFCO offers supply chain solutions including automotive logistics, and is ultimately controlled by the Russian state-owned rail company RZD.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8881 — Bergé/GEFCO/JV

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

| Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 229-64301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 229-64301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

1

---

| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/9

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9049 — E.ON/Clever/UFC Scandinavia JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 384/06)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | E.ON (Germany), |
| --- | --- |

—

E.ON (Germany),

| — | Clever A/S (‘Clever’, Denmark), controlled by SEAS-NVE. |
| --- | --- |

—

Clever A/S (‘Clever’, Denmark), controlled by SEAS-NVE.

E.ON and Clever acquire, within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation, joint control over a newly-created joint venture.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly-created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

| — | E.ON is an energy company with activities in 3 main business areas: (i) energy networks; (ii) renewable energies; and (iii) customer solutions, including electricity and gas retail supply, |
| --- | --- |

—

E.ON is an energy company with activities in 3 main business areas: (i) energy networks; (ii) renewable energies; and (iii) customer solutions, including electricity and gas retail supply,

| — | Clever is an electric mobility service provider, active in charging solutions to companies, public institutions and end customers, |
| --- | --- |

—

Clever is an electric mobility service provider, active in charging solutions to companies, public institutions and end customers,

| — | The JV will develop and operate ultra-fast charging (UFC) stations for electric vehicles in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. |
| --- | --- |

—

The JV will develop and operate ultra-fast charging (UFC) stations for electric vehicles in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9049 — E.ON/Clever/UFC Scandinavia JV

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

| Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

1

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

2

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| 24.10.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 384/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

24.10.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/10

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8832 — Knauf/Armstrong)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 384/07)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Knauf International GmbH (Germany), |
| --- | --- |

—

Knauf International GmbH (Germany),

| — | Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (United States). |
| --- | --- |

—

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (United States).

Knauf International GmbH (‘Knauf’) will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control over (i) subsidiaries of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (‘Armstrong’) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC), and (ii) designated subsidiaries of Armstrong’s joint venture with Worthington Industries with operations in EMEA and APAC (jointly ‘the Target’).

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

The concentration has been referred to the Commission by the Austrian Federal Competition Authority, pursuant to Article 22(3) of the Merger Regulation. The referral was subsequently joined by Germany, Lithuania, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The same concentration was already notified to the Commission on 20 June 2018, but the notification was subsequently withdrawn on 24 July 2018

2.

| — | Knauf is a manufacturer of insulation materials, dry-lining systems, plasters, and other products, |
| --- | --- |

—

Knauf is a manufacturer of insulation materials, dry-lining systems, plasters, and other products,

| — | Armstrong designs and manufactures commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions, |
| --- | --- |

—

Armstrong designs and manufactures commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions,

| — | The Target is active in the manufacture and sale of modular suspended ceilings in EMEA and APAC, and consists of the ceiling business of Armstrong outside of the Americas. |
| --- | --- |

—

The Target is active in the manufacture and sale of modular suspended ceilings in EMEA and APAC, and consists of the ceiling business of Armstrong outside of the Americas.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8832 — Knauf/Armstrong

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

| Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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