The European Commission has approved Baker Hughes' acquisition of Chart Industries following concessions from the buyer to divest specific portions of Chart's business. The clearance resolves competition concerns tied to Baker Hughes' potential to favor Chart's liquefied natural gas operations over rivals.
Baker Hughes announced the planned purchase in July 2025. Company statements framed the deal as a strategic move to grow its industrial technology services in the liquefied natural gas, or LNG, market and to broaden offerings for data centers through a combination of industrial and energy technology assets.
According to the Commission, Baker Hughes addressed the regulator's concerns by agreeing to sell Chart's proprietary process technology and its small-scale process technology division. As part of the commitments, the companies will also ensure that their equipment remains compatible with third-party LNG equipment for 10 years.
Chart Industries manufactures a range of industrial equipment used to handle gas and liquid molecules, including valves and measurement technologies. The company operates 65 manufacturing facilities and supports operations with more than 50 service centers around the world.
Context and mechanics of the remedy
The remedies submitted to the European Commission require the divestiture of Chart's proprietary process technology and the small-scale process technology unit. Additionally, the 10-year compatibility commitment is intended to prevent foreclosing competitors from integrating third-party equipment with systems stemming from the combined company.
These measures formed the basis for the EU antitrust unit's decision to clear the transaction.
Summary of implications
- The approval clears a key regulatory hurdle for a $13.6 billion transaction aimed at strengthening Baker Hughes' industrial technology services for LNG and data centers.
- The agreed divestitures and the decade-long compatibility assurance directly address EU concerns about preferential treatment in LNG markets.
- Chart's global manufacturing and service footprint - 65 factories and over 50 service centers - remains a material part of the combined operational landscape.
What remains uncertain
- The article does not specify the timeline for closing the transaction beyond the regulatory clearance nor outline the buyer for the divested assets.
- No further details are provided about how the 10-year compatibility commitment will be operationally enforced or monitored.