BOC agrees to 10-year merger ban

CHEMICALS giant BOC has agreed in writing not to bid for Ineos Chlor’s Runcorn-based packaged chlorine business without the consent of the Office of Fair Trading for 10 years.

BOC Limited was blocked by the Competition Commission in December after the watchdog concluded the deal would substantially lessen competition in the packaged chlorine market.

Diana Guy, inquiry group chairman, said the merger would end the rivalry between BOC and Ineos Chlor, the closest competitors in these markets.

In December she said: “Our conclusion is that the merger would be anti-competitive and would lead to customers paying higher prices and having less choice than would otherwise be the case.”

BOC as well as its Munich-based parent Linde have agreed to the undertakings.