This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38299071

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Asahi to buy Pilsner Urquell from AB InBev Asahi to buy Pilsner Urquell from AB InBev
(about 3 hours later)
Japanese brewer Asahi has agreed to buy five Eastern European beer brands in a deal worth €7.3bn (£6.1bn).Japanese brewer Asahi has agreed to buy five Eastern European beer brands in a deal worth €7.3bn (£6.1bn).
Anheuser-Busch InBev had agreed to sell the brands, which include Pilsner Urquell, Tyskie and Kozel, to help get clearance from competition regulators for its $100bn takeover of SABMiller.Anheuser-Busch InBev had agreed to sell the brands, which include Pilsner Urquell, Tyskie and Kozel, to help get clearance from competition regulators for its $100bn takeover of SABMiller.
It would be Asahi's biggest acquisition to date and its latest in Europe, which is its second largest market.It would be Asahi's biggest acquisition to date and its latest in Europe, which is its second largest market.
Earlier this year, Asahi bought Peroni and Grolsch from SABMiller.Earlier this year, Asahi bought Peroni and Grolsch from SABMiller.
In a statement announcing its latest purchase, Asahi said it was trying to establish itself as a global player, mainly focusing on a "leading premium brand portfolio". 'Premium brands'
Under the transaction, Asahi will buy businesses formerly owned by SABMiller in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Many Japanese firms are on the lookout for opportunities to buy firms overseas, because domestic conditions - including deflation, weak consumer spending and a falling population - make Japan an increasingly hard place to make profits.
The deal also covers the Polish Lech and Hungarian Dreher brands, as well as intellectual property rights to sell certain brands around the world. Asahi said it was trying to establish itself as a global player, mainly focusing on a "leading premium brand portfolio".
The deal will see Asahi buy businesses formerly owned by SABMiller in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.
It will own the Polish brand Lech and Hungary's Dreher as well as the rights to sell certain other brands around the world.
Asahi said the deal had synergies with its existing European brands and would enhance its "cash generating power" .Asahi said the deal had synergies with its existing European brands and would enhance its "cash generating power" .
But shares in the brewer fell on the news, closing 4.6% lower in Tokyo.But shares in the brewer fell on the news, closing 4.6% lower in Tokyo.
The deal is subject to European Commission approval but is expected to be completed in the first half of 2017.The deal is subject to European Commission approval but is expected to be completed in the first half of 2017.