27 December 2007
EPAM Law helps REXAM acquire clearance from the Federal Antimonopoly Service to buyRussian can maker

December 27, 2007. British packaging company Rexam Plc has received permission from Russia's anti-monopoly service to acquire Russian drinks can maker Rostar from En+ Group. The interest of Rexam at the second hearing were represented by EPAM Law.

Rexam, British packaging company, first announced its intention to buy Rostar, Russian beverage can producer, in July, 2007. At the time the Group was already in agreement to purchase 100% of shares of Rostar and Rostar-Vsevolozhsk from the owner. The deal was due to be completed by the end of 2007. However, in September 2007, the application for clearance of the proposed acquisition was rejected by Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.

For the second hearing Rexam enlisted the services of EPAM Law. The new relevant data provided was considered and became grounds for approval of the deal by the FAS.

“Having conducted an additional study of the Russian consumer packaging market, FAS decided to approve the application by Rexam” – said EPAM Law Chairman, Dimitry Afanasiev. - “The watchdog considered the socio-economic impact of the acquisition by Rexam, including additional investments, modernisation and technological renovation of the production facilities, leading to the rise in competitiveness of Russian consumer packaging on the worldwide markets”.

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Rexam Plc – the global consumer packaging company and the world's leading beverage can maker. Rexam makes more than 54 billion cans and bottles annually. Rexam serves a number of markets including the beverage, personal care, healthcare and food markets. Revenue – 3,74 billion PoundsSterling ($6,9bn in 2006). Net income – 223 million Pounds Sterling ($411,4 million).