The German company BASF has launched a hostile takeover bid of 5.2 billion dollars cash (debt included) for ENGELHARD, the US catalyst maker. The offer represents 37 dollars per ENGELHARD share and BASF has indicated would be prepared to increase the offer by 1 dollar per share if ENGELHARD were prepared to negotiate and to give more information on its activities. ENGELHARD would add 3.5 billion euro to the turnover of BASF, which stood at 37.5 billion in 2004.