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Ardian purchases majority stake in engineering group Masco

French investment company Ardian has purchased a bulk stake in Italian pharmaceutical and biotech business Masco, the firms stated on Monday, in an offer which 2 sources stated provided a business worth of around 700 million euros ($ 762 million) for the stake.

Masco Group, whose stake was sold by RAG Stiftung holding RSBG SE, provides services and products including purified water systems, biotech processing tools and prefabricated structures for pharmaceutical plants and laboratories to more than 80 countries, the statement said.

Ardian, which was encouraged by J.P. Morgan, stated it would support Masco's development through further international expansion and acquisitions.

Luca Borella will remain Masco's president, while Angelos Papadimitriou and Claudio Colombi will be designated chairman and director, the companies said.

Ardian and insurance provider Credit Agricole Guarantee offered last week a 49% share in Italian airport group 2i Aeroporti to Spanish fund Asterion, which two sources valued in between 800 and 900 million euros.

(source: Reuters)