# C_2012064EN.01001401.xml

| 3.3.2012 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 64/14 |
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3.3.2012

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 64/14

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6504 — Linde/Air Products Homecare)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2012/C 64/12

| 1. | On 24 February 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Linde AG (Linde, Germany) acquires sole control within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation over the whole of the homecare business of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc (USA) in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal (Air Products Homecare) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 24 February 2012, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Linde AG (Linde, Germany) acquires sole control within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation over the whole of the homecare business of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc (USA) in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal (Air Products Homecare) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | Linde is a gases and engineering company with approximately 50 000 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. It is active in the industrial gases, medical gases, equipment, engineering and services sectors, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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Linde is a gases and engineering company with approximately 50 000 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. It is active in the industrial gases, medical gases, equipment, engineering and services sectors,

| — | Air Products Homecare provides patients with respiratory treatments and related services at patients’ homes in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Air Products Homecare is currently owned by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (USA). |
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Air Products Homecare provides patients with respiratory treatments and related services at patients’ homes in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Air Products Homecare is currently owned by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (USA).

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

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

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6504 — Linde/Air Products Homecare, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6504 — Linde/Air Products Homecare, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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