The private equity firms have reportedly been beaten to the precious metals and catalysts division of Degussa-Huls by an American chemical firm.
Innovacom, JPMorgan Partners, Telesoft, Lloyds and Jupiter Venture invest.
Swedish healthcare firm Capio is in “advanced talks that may lead to a bid”.
Its bid for Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries will exceed that of Botts-backed Noble House.
Soros Private Equity, Providence Equity Partners, Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus team up with Anthony O’Reilly to bid for Eircom.
Botts & Co-backed Noble House makes an offer for Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries.
But the outcome of negotiations is “still open”.
VCs hoping for a recovery within six months or even a year are “unbelievably misguided and naïve”, says Geocapital boss Larry Lepard.
Air Liquide, 3i, Telecom Italia, SEB Företagsinvest and Tekes put up the cash.
Hamilton Lane and Pathway Capital have both won £100m mandates.