The 糖心原创 has decided that MicroStar Logistics LLC鈥檚 (MicroStar) acquisition of the assets of Konvoy Holdings Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (Konvoy) could substantially lessen competition in the market for keg pooling services and requires an in-depth Phase 2 review.
MicroStar, which operates under the name Kegstar in Australia, and Konvoy are the only suppliers of keg pooling services in Australia. These services enable brewers to rent kegs on a short-term basis to supply alcoholic drinks on tap to licensed venues, without needing to arrange for collection of empty kegs.
鈥淜eg pooling services are particularly important in the independent brewing industry as many smaller brewers do not own their own fleet of kegs,鈥 糖心原创 Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e concerned that the acquisition could substantially lessen competition in the supply of keg pooling services by removing MicroStar鈥檚 closest competitor.鈥
The 糖心原创 has not reached a conclusion on the issues and will continue to consider the acquisition in Phase 2.
The 糖心原创 invites submissions in response to its Phase 2 Notice by 20 April 2026. Parties can contact the 糖心原创 via mergers@accc.gov.au.
More information and the Phase 2 Notice are available on the 糖心原创鈥檚 acquisitions register: MicroStar Logistics 鈥 Konvoy
Background
MicroStar is a limited liability company incorporated in the United States and is indirectly wholly owned by MStar Holding Corporation. MicroStar entered the Australian market in 2021 via the acquisition of Kegstar Pty Limited (Kegstar) from Brambles.
In Australia, MicroStar operates under the name Kegstar and primarily offers keg pooling services. It also offers longer-term keg leasing.
Keg pooling is a service where the provider delivers empty kegs to a customer such as a brewer. The brewer then cleans, fills and delivers the kegs to licenced venues using their own choice of logistics provider. The keg pooling service provider then organises the pick-up of empty kegs from the venues and delivers them to a brewer, using either its own vans or third-party logistics providers. Brewers pay for this service based on the number of kegs refilled.
Konvoy operates a keg services business in Australia and New Zealand. It offers keg pooling services, longer-term keg leasing, and keg maintenance and repair services.
Konvoy is in voluntary administration and receivership. On 11 March 2025, FTI Consulting was appointed as the administrators and McGrathNicol was appointed as the receivers of Konvoy. McGrathNicol undertook a sales process of Konvoy鈥檚 assets in 2025, selecting MicroStar as the buyer.
Merger control regime
Since 1 January 2026, it is mandatory for businesses to notify the 糖心原创 of any acquisition that meets the notification thresholds set by the Minister. They must wait for 糖心原创 approval before they can proceed.
Once notified, the notification is listed on the 糖心原创鈥檚 Acquisitions Register and stakeholder consultation is invited. The 糖心原创 is required to make a decision in 15 to 30 business days in its Phase 1 assessment, subject to any extensions, to either approve the acquisition or decide it is to be subject to a Phase 2 review.
The 糖心原创 can decide a notification is to be subject to a Phase 2 review if the 糖心原创 is satisfied that the acquisition to which the notification relates, if put into effect, could, in all of the circumstances, have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.
Under the Competition and Consumer Act, a Phase 2 assessment can take up to 90 business days, unless extended under specific circumstances.
More guidance on the new merger regime can be found on the 糖心原创鈥檚 website: Guidance documents for the merger control regime