The path is set  to create the leading European copper producer and processor. The European Commission has given its approval to the planned merger of Norddeutsche Affinerie (NA) with the Belgian Cumerio, without conditions. After completion of the antitrust investigation, the Commission announced today that the EU had cleared the plan without reservations.

Dr Bernd Drouven, NA’s CEO, said: “[The] decisions takes us an important step nearer to the targeted merger of NA with Cumerio. We are optimistic that we can carry out the merger quickly and efficiently and will now begin the tender period very shortly.” NA made the Cumerio shareholders a cash offer of €30/share in June 2007. Cumerio’s management board subsequently recommended its shareholders accept the offer.