1.   

On 7 September 2021, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Graphic Packaging International Europe Holdings B.V. (USA), belonging to the group headed by Graphic Packaging Holding Company (‘GPK’, USA),

—	AR Packaging Group AB (‘ARP’, Sweden).

GPK acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of ARP.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.   

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	for GPK: manufacturing and provision of paperboard and sustainable paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of customers globally,

—	for ARP: provision of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions for the food and consumer goods, beauty and cosmetic, confectionary, food service, tobacco, the pharmaceutical and medical industries globally.

3.   

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.   

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10353 — Graphic Packaging Holding Company/AR Packaging Group

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË