Both companies make plastic exterior components for the car industry, including plastic bumpers. The Commission was initially concerned that the merger would have reduced competition in the market for plastic bumpers in France, Belgium and Spain, and for a broader range of components across the European Economic Area, it said.
Plastic Omnium has therefore said that it will sell five Faurecia sites that make plastic bumpers. Four of these are in France, and one in Spain. It will also sell two plants that assemble front-end modules in Germany, including the research and development centre connected to these sites. Front end modules are complete front assemblies that often include the front-end carrier that sits behind the bumper, crash beam, bumper and grilles, the Commission said.
These commitments "fully address all competition concerns", the Commission said.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "Plastic Omnium offered to divest key production facilities to address our concerns. This ensures that car manufacturers in Europe will continue to have a choice of suppliers for automotive parts, such as bumpers, at competitive prices after the takeover".
