As part of  information from European Union institutions and Bodies, the EC has published notification of complete non-opposition to the concentration between Basell and Raffinerie de Berre L'Étang. On 4 February 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market.

The transaction consists in the acquisition by Basell Polyéthylène SAS (ultimately owned by BI S.à.r.l., a member of the Access Industries Group) ("Basell") of sole control over Compagnie de Distribution des Hydrocarbures SAS which owns the Berre L’Etang refinery in France and certain other infrastructure and assets. Compagnie de Distribution des Hydrocarbures SAS is currently owned by Société des Pétroles Shell SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc.

The commission said the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area.

The commission said Basell will also acquire infrastructure associated with the refinery, including interests in pipelines and terminals and supply and distribution contracts.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

• Basell: It is the world leader and largest producer of polypropylene and advanced polyolefins products, as well as the development and licensing of technology and the manufacturing and sale of catalysts used in the production of polyolefins with € 10.5 billion turnover and 6,850 employees in 19 countries.

• For Berre Refinery: Compagnie  de  Distribution  des  Hydrocarbures  SAS: Compagnie de Distribution des Hydrocarbures SAS owns the Berre L’Etang refinery located in France, which produces a full range of petrochemical products. Basell will also acquire infrastructure associated with the refinery, including interests in pipelines and terminals, and supply and distribution contracts.