French waste and water management companies Veolia and Suez have offered remedies in a bid to secure EU antitrust approval for their tie-up, a European Commission filing showed on Wednesday.
The companies submitted their concessions on Tuesday.
The EU competition enforcer, which did not provide details of the package in line with its policy, extended its deadline for a decision to Dec. 14. It will seek feedback from rivals and customers before deciding whether to accept the offer or demand more.
The companies have previously said they would spin off Suez’s French water activities and some international assets – including in Italy, the Czech Republic, India and Australia – into a new entity called New Suez to address competition concerns.
The main shareholders of New Suez will be Meridiam and Global Infrastructure Partners, as well as state-backed Caisse des Depots and CNP Assurances.
Veolia and Suez however may have to provide additional concessions on top of these, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Source: Reuters.com