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Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that a non-compete agreement between bulk bleach producers Oltrin Solutions, LLC and JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. reduced competition in North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Virginia.

In settling the FTC’s complaint, Oltrin has agreed to release JCI from an agreement not to sell bleach in North Carolina and South Carolina.  The agreement was part of a 2010 transaction between the two firms that the FTC alleges violated antitrust laws.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 4-0-1, with Commisioner Jon Leibowitz not participating.  (FTC File No. 111-0078; the staff contact is Eric M. Sprague, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2101; see press release dated January 18, 2013.)

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