The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) has granted approval for the merger of two foreign companies primarily engaged in the production of cardboard and related packaging. Specifically, Austrian Mayr-Melnhof Karton is set to acquire part of the operations of R.D.M. Arnsberg GmbH, which specializes in the production of folding boxboard made from recycled fibers. This decision is final, with ÚOHS assessing the merger's impact on the Czech market.

Mayr-Melnhof Karton operates globally, focusing on cardboard and cardboard packaging, particularly folding cartons used for food, hygiene, and pharmaceutical products. In the Czech Republic, the group operates through MM Board Czech s.r.o. The transaction involves a German facility in Arnsberg dedicated to producing cardboard, mainly folding boxboard from recycled fibers.

ÚOHS evaluated the potential impacts of the merger due to the horizontal overlap of the merging companies' activities in the relevant product market of WLC-type cardboard production and sales. Geographically, this market extends at least 1000 kilometers from the Czech Republic.

According to ÚOHS, the newly formed entity will continue to face competition from significant producers, most of whom supply their products to customers in the Czech Republic. Additionally, several smaller manufacturers also offer products in the market. Therefore, ÚOHS concluded that the merger would not substantially disrupt competition.

The transaction is also under review by antitrust authorities in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Poland.