"We have a clear interest in coming to the negotiating table and shaping the transaction jointly," Hambrecht told the Financial Times Deutschland.
"Either there isn't a deal, or there is a deal that has to be negotiated," he said.
"We would clearly prefer a negotiated deal," Hambrecht added.
The German giant had
announced Tuesday that it planned to take over Engelhard for $4.9
billion (4.1 billion euros) in a hostile bid after its friendly
overtures were rejected by Engelhard's management. If the proposed
takeover goes through, it will be the biggest acquisition in BASF's
history.
Prospect of market domination
