The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an administrative complaint alleging that the Ardagh Group acquisition of Verallia North America is anticompetitive in so far as it relates to the sale of glass containers for beer and spirits.
The Commission also said that it would be filing a petition in the federal district court seeking a preliminary injunction to prohibit the closing of the transaction pending a decision on the merits of its administrative complaint.
Ardagh is disappointed in the action that the Commission has taken. It believes that the transaction will benefit glass container customers and is fully consistent with the antitrust laws.
Ardagh intends to vigorously defend the transaction in litigation, whilst at the same time working with the FTC to seek to resolve its concerns.