18. 7. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 186/21 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION - of 31 January 1950 on State aid to SA Sucrerie Couplet, Brunehaut-Wez, Belgium — specific case- (Only the Dutch and French texts are authentic) - (90/379/BEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subpara- graph of Article. 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81 of 30 June 1981 on the common organization of the markets in the sugar sector (*), as last amended by Regula- tion- (EEC) No 1069/89 (3, and in particular Article 44 thereof, Having given formal notice (°) to the parties concerned, in accordance with Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, to submit their comments, Whereas : By letter of 22 February 1989, the Belgian Permanent Representative notified the Commission, pursuant to Article 93 (3) of the Treaty, of a proposed aid measure in accordance with the Belgian Law of .17 July 1959 on economic growth, in favour of SA Sucrerie couplet, Brunehaut-Wez, for the construction of a ‘pearl’ sugar production unit (amount concerned : Bfrs 9 630 000, i.. (ECU 221 006). () O No L 177, 1. 7. 1981, p. 4. () O] No L 114, 27. 4. 1989, p. 1. () OJ No C 297, 25. 11. 1989, p. 6. By a telex message of 21 March 1989 the Commission asked the Belgian authorities for additional information. The Belgian authorities replied by letter of 7 April 1989. The measure is-as follows : The - investment concerns. the construction of a ‘pearl’ sugar production unit, a new type of production, and is intended for the manufacture of sugar products : ‘pearl’ sugar (sugar in a bead-like form) and ‘fondant’ sugar (icing sugar) used in the food industry (pastrymaking and confectionery). The manufacture of icing sugar follows on directly form that of ‘pearl’ sugar and constitutes an integral part of the - ‘pearl’ surgar production unit. According to the Belgian authorities, there is a growing demand for this type of product in the. food industry (Li¢ge waffles, gingerbread, sugar-coated bread, brioches, ‘gateaux de Verviers’, etc.). The recipient of the aid is SA Sucrerie couplet, Brunehaut-Wez, a family-owned factory with A and B quotas for_the production- of 21 796 100 kilograms of white sugar. It also markets by-products of the sugar manufacturing process, namely pulp, molasses, skimmings, etc. The investment will not affect production levels but will enable the company to diversify by marke- ting annually 2 000 tonnes. of ‘pearl’ sugar and from this, with the addition of an anti-caking agent, 2 000 tonnes of ‘fondant’ sugar and 700 tonnes of icing sugar. The manufacture of these new products - requires the construction of new buildings and the purchase of new equipment.’ The investment scheme concernes a total sum of Bfrs 80 278 446, broken down as follows :