• UOKiK approved the takeover of NEF Battery Holdings by ZAP Sznajder Batterien.
• In this case there was a risk of restriction on competition.
• The Office conducted a market study.

ZAP Sznajder Batterien (ZAP) is a producer of starter batteries used in cars, trucks, buses and other motor vehicles. The company also sells its products wholesale and retail and provides battery repair services. ZAP owned a battery recycling plant in Korsze, where it operated for its own needs. The recovered raw materials were entirely used for the production of batteries.

NEF Battery Holdings is an investment fund that controls the company Orzeł Biały from Piekary Śląskie. The company deals in the recycling of used lead-acid batteries and the production of refined lead.

Considering the high total share of concentration participants in the lead-acid battery recycling market, the Office referred the case to the second stage of proceedings and conducted a market research.

During the proceedings, ZAP decided to close down the battery recycling plant in Korsze. This decision had its consequences, namely that the concentration would neither affect the competition nor would it have adverse effects on consumers. The Office has given its consent to the takeover.

Additional information

Pursuant to legal regulations, a transaction must be reported to UOKiK if it involves enterprises with total turnover for the previous year that exceeded EUR 1 billion in the world or EUR 50 million in Poland. When analysing the concentration, the president of the Office may prohibit the transaction, give consent to it or make its consent conditional on an enterprise fulfilling additional conditions. Decisions are valid for two years.

The decision in question is not final. The applicant may appeal to the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection. At the same time we would like to inform you that the UOKiK website provides information on all antitrust proceedings regarding concentration conducted by the Office.

Additional information for the media:

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