EC to investigate Dow purchase of Union Carbide

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Jan. 6)—The European Commission is planning a full investigation into Dow Chemical Co.´s proposed acquisition of Union Carbide Co. The study, which must reach its conclusions within four months, probably will focus on the polyethylene and ethylene amines sectors, the commission said. The merged operation poses "serious concerns in the market for polyethylene technology," and gives the parties high market shares in the market for ethylene amine chemical intermediates, according to the EC statement.