Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 4 of Short Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

SECTION 4

Description of the concentration

The Belgian Société Anonyme Alcogroup ("Alcogroup") and the Belgian Naamloze Vennootschap Groep Vanden Avenne Commodities ("Vanden Avenne") wish to jointly acquire control over the Canadian Incorporated Integrated Grain Processors Co-operative ("IGPC") within the meaning of Article 3(1), point (b) of the Merger Regulation.

The acquisition would take place through the Belgian Société Anonyme Alco Energy ("Alco Energy") which is a jointly controlled venture of Alcogroup and Vanden Avenne (directly as well as indirectly through the Belgian Naamloze Vannootschap Vandema). Alco Energy will purchase 100% of the share capital of IGPC through a Canadian Special Purpose Vehicle, Alco Energy Canada Corp. ("Alco Energy Canada").

Alcogroup is ultimately controlled by the Italian family-owned business Finanziaria Chimica Valenza. Vanden Avenne is ultimately controlled by two family holdings that do not control other businesses.

Alcogroup is active as a distributor of bioethanol in most major markets worldwide (excluding Canada). Vanden Avenne supplies vegetable primary materials (including processed vegetable primary materials) to the feed, food and biofuel industries and is active in the EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Together, Alcogroup and Vanden Avenne (directly as well as indirectly through Vandema) are active in the production of bioethanol and by-products (such as CO and animal feed) – with production sites and Europe and Africa2 – and have distribution activities for CO and animal feed locally around their production2 plants in the EU. IGPC is active in the production and supply of bioethanol for fuel applications, as well as by-products of bioethanol production, such as animal feed and liquid CO, in Canada.2

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