1.   Concerns about competition in the platinum market were heightened when Anglo American began buying a stake in Lonrho in March.

2.   The U.K. car industry expressed concern about the palladium and platinum market being hostage to supplies from only two main producers, Russia and South Africa.

3.   Together First USA and MBNA control most of the platinum market.

4.   With hopes for the new technology quashed, the platinum market is back where it started - rising supplies and falling demand from car makers.

5.   That would leave South African producers in virtual control of the global platinum market, the EU head office said.

6.   The Western world platinum market was marginally in surplus last year.

7.   In deciding to block the merger the commission also took the very rigid structure of the platinum market into account.