1.   

On 31 March 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:

—	KPS Capital Partners, LP (‘KPS’, the US),

—	Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH (Germany), belonging to Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway), and

—	Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products AS (Norway), belonging to Norsk Hydro ASA.

KPS acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH and Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products AS, which together form Norsk Hydro ASA’s aluminium flat rolled products business.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.   

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	KPS: investment fund controlling manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing.

—	Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH: production and supply of aluminium flat rolled products.

—	Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products AS: production and supply of aluminium flat rolled products.

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.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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.10227 — KPS Capital Partners/Hydro Rolling

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