The German firm, DEGUSSA (net profits falling by 67% to EUR 227 million in 2002), number one in the world for specialist chemicals, has sold POLYMERLATEX (turnover of EUR 344 million in 2001), the joint-venture in which it had an equal share with its compatriot, BAYER, to SOROS PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS. The sale will bring in EUR 235 million shared equally between BAYER and DEGUSSA.