The German company Cognis, a manufacturer of additives for cosmetics and detergents, is for sale. Its owners, the funds Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Permira, are in talks with potential buyers for a sale price that some 3.5 billion euros.

The world of chemistry, BASF would be the most likely buyer according to sources close to negotiations. It could make a bid this week. The German giant hopes to raise its presence in Asian markets and U.S. Cognis achieving only 30% of its business in Germany online payday loans. The U.S. DuPont and Lubrizol could also be interested.BASF had already acquired last year the Swiss Ciba for 3.8 billion euros to strengthen in the mill.

Cognis owners have already tried to sell the company in 2006, but were eventually dropped for lack of attractive offers. They had bought Cognis Henkel in 2001 for 2.5 billion euros. After a major reorganization, the workforce has shrunk by almost 30% and today the company has 5600 employees.

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