The German group Linde, industrial gas producer, confirmed that it had started "preliminary negotiations on a possible merger" with the American competitor Praxair, with the outcome still uncertain at the moment.
"The negotiations are underway and have not yet led to any concrete results" indicated the German group in a brief note, after the press rumors. The new group that should be born from merger between Linde and Praxair could challenge Air Liquide's position as the world's leading group in the industrial gases market
The title Linde, on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, jumped by 16,4% to 152,6 euros.
