BASF Is Said to Weigh €3 Billion Sale of Catalyst Assets (1)

BASF SE has hired Morgan Stanley to help it explore options for its business making catalysts for combustion engines, including a possible sale, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The German chemicals company is considering options for its recently carved out Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions unit, which also includes catalyst recycling and associated precious metal services. A sale could value ECMS at about €3 billion ($3.3 billion), according to the people.

Shares in BASF rose as much as 2.5% on Tuesday. The stock was up 1% at 3:10 p.m. in Frankfurt, valuing the company at roughly €41.2 billion. ...