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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-07-06
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] EU chemical and biotech players join forces to foster sustainable and
competitive chemistry
[02] Commission extends probe into paper board and tubes JV between Sonoco
and Ahlstrom
[03] Mai 2004 par rapport à mai 2003 : volume des ventes du commerce de
détail en baisse de 0,9% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 1,6% dans l'UE25
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2004-07-06
Reference: MEX/04/0706
Date: 06/07/2004
EXME04 / 6.7
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
06/07/04
[01] EU chemical and biotech players join forces to foster sustainable and
competitive chemistry
(! embargo 15h30 !) Although Europe is a world leader in chemical
production, holding 28% of the world market, its proportion of global trade
has dropped by 4% over the past decade. Today in Brussels chemical and
biotechnology sector organisations CEFIC and EuropaBIO, with the support of
the European Commission, launched a European "Technology Platform on
Sustainable Chemistry" for establishing a long-standing public-private
partnership to increase investment on research and innovation and to boost
European competitiveness in this sector. The platform brings together
industry, research centres, the financial world and regulatory authorities
at European level to tailor a strategic research agenda for the sector.
Issues to be addressed include three key technology areas for Europe :
industrial biotechnology, materials technology, reaction and process design,
and an area for cross-cutting issues including the environment, health and
safety, education and skills, research infrastructures, and access to risk
capital.
[02] Commission extends probe into paper board and tubes JV between Sonoco
and Ahlstrom
The European Commission has initiated a detailed investigation into the
planned joint venture between US packaging company Sonoco Products and
Finnish fibre-based materials firm Ahlstrom which would combine their
European core board and paper core activities. At this stage of the
investigation, the Commission has concerns that the deal could
significantly reduce competition in the markets for high-end paper mill
cores (tubes for winding magazine paper) and for low-end cores (less
sophisticated tubes for winding paper, film or textile). The decision to
start an in-depth review does not prejudge its final outcome.
[03] Mai 2004 par rapport à mai 2003 : volume des ventes du commerce de
détail en baisse de 0,9% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 1,6% dans l'UE25
En mai 2004, par rapport à mai 2003, le volume des ventes du commerce de
détail a diminué de 0,9% dans la zone euro, mais a progressé de 1,6%
dans l'UE25, selon les premières estimations publiées aujourd'hui par
Eurostat. Par rapport à avril 2004, l'indice des ventes a baissé de 1,3%
dans la zone euro et de 0,4% dans l'UE25. Parmi les Etats membres pour
lesquels les données sont disponibles, les ventes du commerce de détail
ont progressé au Royaume-Uni (+8,0%), en Suède (+5,4%) et en Espagne (+1,
2%). Des baisses ont été observées en Allemagne (-2,9%), en France (-1,
1%) et au Portugal (-0,5%).
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Discours de M. Busquin : "Une plateforme technologique européenne pour une
industrie chimique soutenable" (! embargo 15h30 !)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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