Amalgamations

Amalgamation, in general, is the act of combining two or more entities into a single new entity. The term is used across fields such as business, metallurgy, dentistry, and linguistics. It derives from the French amalgame, through Latin amalgama, and indicates a blending or union that preserves some continuity of the original components while forming a new whole. The plural amalgamations refers to multiple such consolidations or blending events.

In corporate law, an amalgamation is a form of corporate restructuring where two or more companies unite to form a new company or where one company absorbs another. Depending on jurisdiction, it can be distinct from a merger or an acquisition. Amalgamations typically require approval by the boards and shareholders, and may involve regulatory clearance, valuation of assets and liabilities, and treatment for tax purposes. The effect is generally the continuity of the business activities under a new corporate identity, with liabilities and obligations allocated under the new structure.

Outside business, amalgamation describes the blending of materials or ideas. In metallurgy, an amalgam is an alloy that includes mercury; the process of forming such an alloy is an amalgamation. In dentistry, dental amalgams are a historical or current use of mercury-containing alloys for fillings. In linguistics, amalgamation refers to the fusion of phonemes or morphemes to form a new word or root, as in portmanteau formations.

Due to the broad use of the term, definitions of amalgamations emphasize the creation of a new, unified entity and the transfer or consolidation of assets, liabilities, and identities. Legal and regulatory implications vary by jurisdiction and context.