# C_2017310EN.01000601.xml

| 19.9.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 310/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.9.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 310/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8547 — Celanese/Blackstone/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 310/05)

| 1. | On 12 September 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Celanese Corporation (United States) |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 12 September 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

1

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Celanese Corporation (United States)

| — | Blackstone Group LP (United States) |
| --- | --- |

—

Blackstone Group LP (United States)

Celanese and Blackstone acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created joint venture by way of contribution to the JV their respective cellulose acetate flake and tow businesses.

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

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Celanese: Celanese Corporation is a technology and specialty materials company. Celanese’s business segment relevant to this transaction concerns the manufacture and supply of flake and tow for use in cigarette filters,
  —   for Blackstone: The Blackstone Group LP is a global asset manager. Blackstone recently acquired Acetow, a company active in the manufacture and supply of flake and tow for cigarette filters. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Celanese: Celanese Corporation is a technology and specialty materials company. Celanese’s business segment relevant to this transaction concerns the manufacture and supply of flake and tow for use in cigarette filters,

for Celanese

—   for Blackstone: The Blackstone Group LP is a global asset manager. Blackstone recently acquired Acetow, a company active in the manufacture and supply of flake and tow for cigarette filters.

for Blackstone

| 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. |
| --- | --- |

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. | 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. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8547 — Celanese/Blackstone/JV
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 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. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8547 — Celanese/Blackstone/JV

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

E-mail: 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

---