Summary

Basell Australia Pty Ltd proposed acquisition of the polypropylene business of Qenos Pty Ltd.

Market definition

The national polypropylene market.

Competition analysis

On 29 March 2005, the Commission announced that it would not intervene in the Basell Australia proposed acquisition of the polypropylene sales business of Qenos. Basell had 72% of domestic polypropylene sales, Qenos 13% and the remaining 15% was imports. The acquisition will lead to only one Australian polypropylene producer. The level of imported polypropylene has however been more than 10 per cent for the past four years, and there was evidence from a significant number of market participants that the viability of imports was likely to constrain the pricing decisions of the merged entity. On the basis of these factors the Commission decided not to oppose the proposed acquisition.

Merger type

Horizontal

Initiation

Parties

Public competition assessment

Public competition assessment ( PDF 50.07 KB )