Commission approves Baker Hughes' acquisition of Chart Industries, su…

The European Commission approved Baker Hughes' acquisition of Chart Industries subject to commitments: Baker Hughes must divest Chart's proprietary LNG process technology (IPSMR) and ensure equipment interoperability with third-party LNG systems for ten years. The deal combines dominant positions in LNG liquefaction equipment and compressor technology, which triggered competition concerns now addressed through structural and behavioural remedies. If you make LNG process technology or compressor components, Baker Hughes just acquired your biggest integrated competitor—but the EU forced them to divest their proprietary process tech and guarantee your equipment works alongside theirs for a decade. That's a buyer removal and a ten-year open standard, both at once.