RPG Group, Aditya Birla in bid to buy Evonik

RPG Group company Phillips Carbon Black Ltd (PCBL) is keeping up with its bid for the acquisition of Germany-based Evonik Industry, the second largest carbon black maker in the world, a top executive of the firm said.

Aditya Birla Group, which is close to acquiring Columbian Chemicals, is also reported to be looking at acquiring the German company.

"Is it an opportunity (Evonik acquisition) that you should let go off?" RPG group chairman Sanjiv Goenka said while talking to reporters in Kolkata today.

Evonik, Columbian Chemicals and Cabot Corp form the world's three largest carbon black producers, together accounting for a third of worldwide capacity.

There are around six bidders for Evonik's assets, with the second round of bidding expected to be taken up next month.

Responding to a question on the process for Evonik, Goenka said he was not authorised to speak and was legally bound not to speak anything.