The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of OMV Slovenija by MOL, which are the second- and third-largest retail fuel suppliers in Slovenia, respectively.
Following an in-depth market investigation, the European Commission had concerns that the transaction would harm competition in the retail supply of motor fuels to individuals in Slovenia. In particular, concerns were that the transaction would reduce the number of significant retail motor fuel operators in Slovenia from three to two in a market with high barriers to entry and expansion. It also would significantly reduce competition in the market for the retail sale of motor fuel to individuals from non-motorway fuel stations in Slovenia, given that MOL and OMV Slovenija are very close competitors, and it would increase the likelihood of coordination on the retail motor fuel market between MOL and Petrol.
To address these competition concerns, MOL offered to divest a nationwide retail network of