Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (22 July 2026)

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Expedia Group proposes to acquire CarTrawler via a share acquisition. Expedia, an online travel agency and B2B travel distribution provider, will acquire CarTrawler, a global provider of B2B car rental and ground transportation distribution solutions, which also operates B2C car rental brands.

MN-90022 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 20 July 2026 | determination due 31 Aug 2026 ↗

Syngenta Crop Protection AG and Dümmen Orange Group propose a joint venture to combine their global ornamental plant breeding and propagation businesses. Syngenta operates in crop protection and seeds, while Dümmen Orange focuses on breeding and propagation of flowers and plants. This transaction involves the formation of a new entity.

MN-01109 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 17 July 2026 | determination due 28 Aug 2026 ↗

Finnish-based UPM-Kymmene Corporation and South African-based Sappi Limited are forming a 50:50 joint venture. This venture will focus on the production and supply of communication paper, combining their European and US communication paper businesses. Both companies currently supply imported communication paper products to Australian customers.

MN-30023 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 16 July 2026 | determination due 27 Aug 2026 ↗

Acrow Limited proposes to acquire Ausgroup Industrial Services (Qld) Pty Ltd through a share acquisition of its holding company. Both parties supply industrial access solutions and commercial scaffolding to industrial and mining customers in Queensland's Mackay and Bowen Basin region. Acrow also provides formwork.

MN-60025 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 16 July 2026 | determination due 27 Aug 2026 ↗

Total Drain Group Pty Ltd (TDG Environmental) proposes to acquire 100% of the shares of Utility Management Group Pty Ltd (Pipe Management Australia). Both companies provide stormwater and wastewater collection and maintenance services, with TDG also offering waste recycling. Pipe Management Australia operates in New South Wales and Queensland. This is a share acquisition.

MN-15028 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 15 July 2026 | determination due 26 Aug 2026 ↗

Laundy proposes to acquire the business assets, including freehold land, of the Woy Woy Hotel and its Thirsty Camel bottle shop from Harvest Pub. This asset acquisition is in the hospitality sector, specifically on-premises services and retail liquor in Woy Woy, New South Wales.

MN-40029 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 15 July 2026 | determination due 26 Aug 2026 ↗

Parker-Hannifin Corporation proposes to acquire CIRCOR International, Inc.'s Aerospace and Defense business. Parker-Hannifin is a global engineering company, while CIRCOR A&D supplies flight-critical motion and flow control products. Both entities supply fluid control valves for industrial applications in Australia. This is a business unit acquisition.

MN-70026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 15 July 2026 | determination due 26 Aug 2026 ↗

Amazon.com, Inc. proposes to acquire Globalstar, Inc., its subsidiaries, assets and facilities. Amazon provides retail, media, cloud services, and will launch Amazon Leo for satellite broadband. Globalstar supplies global mobile satellite services, including satellite connectivity for Apple devices. Amazon will continue providing these services post-acquisition.

MN-50025 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

CVS Vets (Australia) Proprietary Limited, part of CVS Group Plc, acquired 60% of shares in Newman Vet Pty Ltd (trading as Paws at Prospect Vet and Eyes at Prospect Vet). This share acquisition involves an Adelaide small animal veterinary practice, which also provides specialist ophthalmic services. Existing owners retain 40%.

MN-70020 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 2 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

L Catterton Europe, a consumer-focused private equity group, acquired 100% of HYROX World GmbH's ordinary shares. The target organises, licenses, and operates indoor fitness racing events, including in Australia. L Catterton and two founders will jointly control the business post-acquisition.

WA-25036 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 8 July 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Investment funds managed by Centerbridge Partners, L.P. are acquiring an additional interest in Ebury Partners Limited. Ebury, a cross-border foreign exchange and payments platform, will become jointly controlled by Centerbridge and Banco Santander, S.A. The transaction is structured as a share sale via a Subscription and Shareholders' Agreement and Share Purchase Agreements.

WA-30024 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 1 July 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

New Forests Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund's sub-trust, ANZLAFF Sub 2, is acquiring the remaining 50% of shares in Benditi Pastoral Co Pty Ltd from Benditi Holding Co Pty Ltd. Benditi Pastoral operates a beef cattle grazing enterprise in NSW. This share acquisition, via a Call Option, aligns with New Forests' nature-based real assets and agricultural land strategy.

WA-50031 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 1 July 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Hillhouse Investment Management, via Atlas Investments Holdings, is acquiring a minority stake in Dione Topco Ltd., the holding company for LRQA Group Limited. LRQA Group provides global inspection and certification services across energy, construction, and food and beverage industries. This is an indirect share acquisition.

WA-01113 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 2 July 2026 | approved 20 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

HupCo Holdings, representing the AMES Australasia management team, is acquiring an indirect controlling interest in Griffon Australia Holdings. AMES Australasia is a leading supplier of housing and gardening tools, storage solutions, and outdoor lifestyle products. Griffon AMES HoldCo will retain a remaining indirect interest.

WA-05029 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Global alternative asset manager Apollo Capital Management, L.P. (US$1.03 trillion AUM) funds are acquiring a majority equity stake in US-headquartered global contract research, development and manufacturing organisation Curia. The share acquisition targets Curia Global, Inc. and its subsidiaries, active in drug development.

WA-10020 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

NDC HoldCo Pty Ltd, through its subsidiary NDC Australia Pty Limited, is acquiring 100% of the business assets of BDF Dental Pty Ltd. This transaction involves the BDF Dental clinic in Beaudesert, Queensland, expanding NDC's national network of dental clinics providing general dentistry services.

WA-15029 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 25 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Vets Central, an Australian veterinary group, through VC Operations (WA) Pty Ltd, is acquiring 100% of the business assets of Willunga Veterinary Services and Aldinga Veterinary Services from Willunga Veterinary Hospital Pty Ltd. This expands Vets Central's network of first opinion veterinary practices in South Australia.

WA-45020 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 23 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Sandvik SRP AB, a Swedish mechanical engineering firm serving mining and construction, acquired 100% of the corporate capital of Diemme Filtration S.r.l. from Aqseptence Group GmbH. Diemme, an Italian company, specialises in solid-liquid separation equipment, including filter presses and thickening systems, for mining, chemicals, and water treatment industries.

WA-65025 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 26 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

IFM Fiduciary Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of global institutional investor IFM Holdings Pty Ltd, is acquiring 75% of the issued share capital in Salads of Australia Pty Limited from Tesswatt Investments Pty Ltd. Salads of Australia is an Australian fresh salad manufacturer, operating PM Fresh.

WA-95031 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 17 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Discovery Holiday Parks Pty Limited and Beston Parks Land Co Pty Ltd are acquiring the business, assets, and real estate of four Breeze Holiday Parks from Katherine Park Holding Pty Ltd, Katherine Park Pty Ltd, and Frank Davies Investments Pty Ltd. This asset sale expands Discovery Holiday Parks' national accommodation offerings in the holiday park sector.

MN-01103 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 18 June 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Swiss-headquartered speciality chemicals group Sika AG has received approval to acquire 100% of the equity in Turkey-founded chemical product manufacturer Akkim. Akkim specialises in sealants, adhesives, and waterproofing products, with its main brand Akfix in Australia. Sika supplies chemical-based products to the building and manufacturing sectors.

MN-40027 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 25 June 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, a financial services provider, is acquiring 100% of the units in the IFM SuMi TRUST ANZ Debt Fund. This unit acquisition will facilitate the bank's provision of loans and credit investment, including private debt and bank loans, across Australia and New Zealand.

WA-55027 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 25 June 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Kennards Hire Pty Limited is acquiring 100% of the business assets of Skylift Hire & Rentals Pty Ltd. This asset sale involves Kennards Hire, a broad equipment hire service provider across Australia and New Zealand, and Skylift, an Albury-Wodonga based equipment rental business focusing on access equipment.

WA-65027 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Funds managed by Summit Partners, via Kite Parent Holdings, LP, are acquiring 100% of the shares in KF Parent, Inc., parent company of IT security provider Keyfactor. Keyfactor specialises in machine identity management solutions. This share acquisition will result in Keyfactor being solely controlled by Summit Partners' funds.

WA-75032 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation acquired a minority interest in Australian aerospace company SouthernLaunch.Space Pty Ltd. Southern Launch provides mission and range services for the global space industry from two spaceports. This share acquisition aligns with NRFC's objective to facilitate finance into priority Australian economic areas.

WA-80023 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 2 July 2026 | approved 16 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Uber Technologies, Inc. proposes to acquire 100% of the issued share capital in Blacklane GmbH via a share purchase and transfer agreement. This transaction sees the US-based ride-hailing and food delivery platform acquire the German-headquartered global luxury chauffeur platform. The acquisition has been approved.

MN-20018 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 June 2026 | approved 15 July 2026 ↗

Autodesk, Inc., a software company specialising in design and management tools for industries like construction and manufacturing, has acquired 100% of the share capital in MaintainX, Inc. MaintainX provides computerised maintenance management and enterprise asset management software for physical assets.

MN-60022 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 23 June 2026 | approved 15 July 2026 ↗

Australian venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures, through its Blackbird Funds, is acquiring Series F Preferred Stock in a capital raise by San Francisco-based Baseten Labs, Inc. Baseten provides an artificial intelligence inference platform for deploying and training AI models.

WA-45019 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 19 June 2026 | approved 15 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Global investment firm KKR, via KKR Forge Aggregator L.P., is acquiring a 45% equity interest in the advisory, tax, and consulting business of global accounting and advisory firm Crowe. A consortium of co-investors will acquire an additional 10% equity interest, with Crowe retaining 45%.

WA-90025 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 25 June 2026 | approved 15 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

No rejections published since last edition.