Are big mergers welfare enhancing when there is environmental externality?

Previous studies find that horizontal merger deals that consolidate a majority of firms in the market are likely to reduce welfare. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between the size of a merger and welfare in industries with environmental externality. In an international framework we show that in a market where more than 50% of firms have merged, a further increase in the size of the merger could increase or decrease welfare depending on two previously unexplored factors: (i) a given threshold of size of a merger and (ii) the pollution intensity of firms. Furthermore, we show that the relationship between welfare and size of merger can be affected by an exogenous change in emission tax at home and in a foreign country. •We study the welfare effect of a merger that combines over 50% of firms.•The relationship between size of a merger and welfare is not always negative.•The relationship between merger participants and welfare depends on pollution intensity.•Horizontal merger guidelines can be improved by incorporating size of mergers and polluting intensities.