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Germany: BASF could bid for Syngenta takeover

By  |  June 4, 2015

Monsanto may have a competitor in the effort to acquire Syngenta AG, the Swiss agrochemical maker.

German chemicals group BASF SE is considering a potential offer for Syngenta, its Swiss rival, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

BASF is speaking to investment bankers about the possibility of an offer for Syngenta, though it has made no decision and no bid may materialize, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Syngenta has so far spurned a $45 billion offer from Creve Coeur-based Monsanto, citing antitrust hurdles, though lawyers representing the two companies met last week in New York to discuss whether the regulatory obstacles can be overcome.

A BASF bid for Syngenta would also likely face significant antitrust issues as BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group by sales.

Full content: Reuters

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