FTC Approves Application from Praxair and Linde for Sale of an Industrial Gases Plant to LyondellBasell Acetyls, LLC

The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application from industrial gas suppliers Praxair and Linde to divest a hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas plant to LyondellBasell Acetyls, LLC. The divestiture of the plant is required under the FTC’s October 22, 2018 proposed order, which requires Praxair and Linde to divest certain industrial gases assets to settle charges that their $80 billion merger would violate federal antitrust law.

The application proposes that LyondellBasell will acquire Linde’s hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas plant in La Porte, Texas. The Commission vote to approve the application was 4-0-1. Commissioner Rohit Chopra abstained. (FTC File No. 171 0068. The staff contact is Eric Rohlck, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2681.)

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