COMPETITION TRIBUNAL 
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

								       Case No: 26/LM/Apr02

In the large merger between: 

Sasol  Holding in Germany GMBH 

and				

Schumann Sasol International AG

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Reasons
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Approval

The Competition Tribunal issued a Merger Clearance Certificate on 29 May 2002 approving the merger without conditions. The reasons for our decisions are set out below.

The Transaction

Sasol Holding in Germany GMBH, which already owns 66.67% of the shares in Schumann Sasol AG, is acquiring the balance of 33.33% in Schumann Sasol AG from VARA Holding GMBH. Schumann Sasol AG will, post the transaction, become a wholly owned subsidiary of Sasol Holding in Germany GMBH.

Prior to this transaction Sasol Holding in Germany GMBH and VARA Holding GMBH jointly controlled Schumann Sasol AG in terms of the Shareholders Agreement.

Sasol Holding in Germany GMBH is a special purpose investment holding company. Sasol Limited is the ultimate holding company of the Sasol Group of companies.

The primary target firm is Schumann Sasol International AG, which controls 30 companies throughout the world. In South Africa, Schumann Sasol AG holds 100% of the shares of and controls Schumann Sasol (South Africa)(Pty) Ltd. 

Reasons for the transaction
 	
A number of factors were cited as reasons for the transaction:

•	The transaction should improve Schumann Sasol International AG’s profitability.
•	The transaction will resolve certain control anomalies, which exist in terms of the current shareholder agreement. 
•	The transaction will lead to substantial cost savings as a result of various synergies with respect to legal, IT, financial, marketing and logistical services.  

The relevant market

The Sasol Group of companies comprises of diversified fuel, chemical and related manufacturing and marketing operations. The core operations are complemented by coal-mining operations and oil and gas exploration and production. In South Africa, the Sasol Group converts coal into value-added synthetic fuels and chemicals through unique process technologies and also refines crude oil into liquid fuels.

The main activities of the Schumann Sasol International Group of companies are the production and marketing of hard wax, medium wax and liquid paraffins. Hard wax accounts for approximately 50% of Schumann Sasol SA’s turnover, medium wax 35% and liquid paraffin 15%.

Effect of transaction on Competition

The transaction will have no effect on competition in South Africa as the relevant product markets of the parties do not overlap.

Although there is some vertical integration to the extent that some of the parties’ subsidiaries supply one another with liquid paraffin, certain utilities and other services, these do not raise competition concerns.

The transaction serves to make Sasol’s right to control with the company consistent with its already considerable economic stake.

Public Interest

The parties submit that there will be no effect on employment in South Africa as a direct result of the merger.   

_____________							24 June 2002
D.H. Lewis								Date

Concurring: N. Manoim, U. Bhoola