Owens Corning - proposed acquisition of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

Summary

Owens Corning proposes to merge its glass fibre reinforcements business with the glass fibre reinforcements business of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. Both firms import glass fibre reinforcement products into Australia.

Market definition

1) The national market for the manufacture and supply of direct rovings.

2) The national market for the manufacture and supply of assembled rovings.

3) The national market for the manufacture and supply of chopped strands.

4) The national market for the manufacture and supply of chopped strand mats.

5) The national market for the manufacture and supply of continuous filament mats.

6) The national market for the manufacture and supply of composite fabrics.

Competition analysis

Almost all of the glass fibre reinforcements used in Australia are imported. The ACCC formed the view that while these markets are relatively concentrated, there are generally a large number of rapidly growing alternative manufacturers (particularly from Asia) with the ability to supply Australian firms, and there is evidence of customer switching.

After consideration of the information provided by market participants and other information before it, the ACCC formed the view that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any of the markets listed above, and decided that it would not oppose the acquisition.