PARIS (Agefi-Dow Jones)–The Advent International fund could sell its subsidiary specializing in identification Idemia, valued between 3 and 4 billion euros, Reuters reported on Friday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The American investment fund is studying several options for Idemia, including a spin-off. French industrial and defense electronics group Thales is among the candidates interested in a takeover, Reuters also reported.
Contracted by the agency Agefi-Dow Jones, a spokesperson for Thales made no comment. The group denied this week that it was in discussions with Atos for the acquisition of its Big Data and Cybersecurity branch, while saying that it was potentially interested in any cybersecurity asset that would be available for sale.
Idemia provides biometric and digital identification solutions to governments and businesses. The company, born from the combination of the identification and security activities of Safran and Oberthur Technologies, achieved a turnover of 2.2 billion euros in 2020.
A spokesperson for Advent International was not immediately available for comment.
-Francois Schott, Agefi-Dow Jones; +33 (0)1 41 27 47 92; [email protected] ed: ECH
Website: https://www.reuters.com/business/exclusive-advent-gears-up-46-bln-sale-french-biometrics-firm-idemia-sources-2022-02-04/
Agefi-Dow Jones The financial newswire
Dow Jones Newswires
February 04, 2022 12:29 ET (17:29 GMT)