# C_2018384EN.01001001.xml

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

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 384/10

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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), |
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Knauf International GmbH (Germany),

| — | Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (United States). |
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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The same concentration was already notified to the Commission on 20 June 2018, but the notification was subsequently withdrawn on 24 July 2018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, |
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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, |
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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. |
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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 |
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| 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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