On 20 August 2007 the Commerce Commission advised that Transpacific Industries had applied for clearance to acquire the Blenheim/Nelson solid waste collection businesses of EnviroWaste Services and the Timaru/Oamaru solid waste businesses of EnviroWaste Services. The Commission has received two further applications from Transpacific Industries. The latest applications seek clearance to acquire EnviroWaste Service's solid waste collection businesses in Christchurch and Dunedin.

TPI and EnviroWaste Services are involved in waste collection, recycling and disposal throughout New Zealand.

TPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian listed Transpacific Industries Group. EnviroWaste Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ironbridge Capital Pty Ltd, an Australian private equity provider.

In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the acquisition would be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

A public version of the application will shortly be available on the Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz under the Clearances Register.