Later, talks began with Linde, Messer Griesheim's biggest German competitor, about merging the two companies.

ECONOMIST: Face value

In 1997, Hoechst decided to focus on life sciences and started to lose interest in Messer Griesheim.

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In 1999, when Hoechst merged with Rhone-Poulenc to form Aventis, it decided to sell Messer Griesheim's welding business.

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Messer Griesheim was run at arm's length.

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