# C_2005027EN.01000301.xml

| 3.2.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 27/3 |
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3.2.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 27/3

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3670 — Zeiss/EQT/Sola JV)

(2005/C 27/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 27 January 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Carl Zeiss AG, (‘Carl Zeiss’, Germany) and EQT III Fund, (‘EQT III’, Guernsey, Channel Islands), being part of the EQT Group, acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking SOLA International Inc., (‘SOLA’, U.S.A.) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 27 January 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Carl Zeiss AG, (‘Carl Zeiss’, Germany) and EQT III Fund, (‘EQT III’, Guernsey, Channel Islands), being part of the EQT Group, acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking SOLA International Inc., (‘SOLA’, U.S.A.) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | Carl Zeiss is active in the optical and opto-electronic industry, producing and distributing optical consumer goods such as eye glass lenses. Its affiliate SCHOTT AG, produces optical materials and components, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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Carl Zeiss is active in the optical and opto-electronic industry, producing and distributing optical consumer goods such as eye glass lenses. Its affiliate SCHOTT AG, produces optical materials and components,

| — | SOLA manufactures and distributes eyeglass lenses for sale to ophthalmic laboratories and operates ophthalmic laboratories which supply lenses to opticians and other retailers, |
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SOLA manufactures and distributes eyeglass lenses for sale to ophthalmic laboratories and operates ophthalmic laboratories which supply lenses to opticians and other retailers,

| — | EQT III is a private equity portfolio company, which is active in the development and production of coating equipment for optical and optoelectronic applications through Leybold Optics GmbH. |
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EQT III is a private equity portfolio company, which is active in the development and production of coating equipment for optical and optoelectronic applications through Leybold Optics GmbH.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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 of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3670 — Zeiss/EQT/Sola JV, to the following address:





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

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 (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3670 — Zeiss/EQT/Sola JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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

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