Belgium/Germany: The European Commission has launched an investigation into the planned sale of Cemex's assets in the west of Germany to Holcim as the deal may harm competition. The commission is concerned that the planned acquisition of the German company Cemex West may reduce competition in parts of Germany and Belgium, where Cemex West is an 'actual or potential competitor' of Holcim. The commission intends to make a decision by 10 March 2014.
In August 2013 the Mexican cement producer Cemex and Swiss multinational cement maker Holcim announced plans to swap assets in Europe. On 18 October 2013 the commission announced that it would investigate Cemex's bid to buy Holcim's cement operations in Spain.