Merck KGaA is attempting to woo Versum Materials away from its already announced merger deal with Entegris.
The German pharma and lab giant has offered Versum, a chemicals company that serves the semiconductor industry, a $5.9 billion cash deal that would include Versum’s debt.
Versum and Entegris, which supplies products for shipping in the semiconductor industry, announced their “merger of equals” in January. Under the deal Entegris offered $4 billion in an all-stock acquisition and the opportunity to become a major chemical supplier in the semiconductor market.
Merck’s CEO said the matchup with Entegris significantly undervalues Versum and that a deal with Merck would bring immediate an immediate cash influx to Versum’s shareholders and employees.
Versum had not responded to reports of the deal offer from Merck.
Read the full Reuters report.