The company behind Norske Skog's largest shareholder has told the European Commission it wants 'indirect sole control' of the global paper and newsprint maker.
US private equity firm the Blackstone Group - which owns 10.59 per cent of Norske Skog through alternative asset manager GSO - notified its intention "to acquire indirect sole control" through the purchase of shares.
The EC is seeking observations from third parties, after first saying the transaction might fall within the scope of the European Union Merger Regulation.
GSO Capital partners has been pushing Norske Skog on plans to restructure its debt, forcing it to call an extraordinary general meeting in January after rejecting a board plan on restructuring.