Brunner Mond - Fmc Suspected As Bidder

Brunner Mond, the chemicals company spun out of the British chemicals group ICI two years ago, said it had received an approach which might lead to an offer being made for the company. The company said any offer was likely to be at a small premium to the flotation price, valuing it at over £130m. The shares added 22p to 175.5p. Analysts said the likely bidder was FMC, the US-based chemicals and machinery conglomerate, which is building a global position in soda ash, Brunner Mond's main product.