KKR & Co, MBK Partners and Brookfield Asset Management are among the potential acquirers of a minority stake in South Korean gas company AirFirst, which local PE firm IMM Private Equity is looking to sell for $1 billion, according to a report by Reuters. Unnamed Reuters sources have revealed that the Seoul-based investment firm is expecting to receive first-round, non-binding bids by 16 March. IMM PE, which acquired the South Korean assets of German industrial gases group Linde for $1.2 billion in 2019 and rebranded the company as AirFirst, is targeting a valuation of over $3 billion for the whole

A number of private equity firms including Advent International and CVC Capital Partners are weighing up bids to acquire a minority stake in Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s aircraft maintenance and repair unit, according to a report by Bloomberg. Unnamed Bloomberg sources say that Lufthansa’s Technik business, which could be valued at more than €6 billion in any deal, has also attracted initial interest from Bain Capital and Blackstone Inc. Deliberations are said to be ongoing and there is no certainty any of the private equity firms will proceed with offers, although the sources say Lufthansa is expecting to receive non-binding bids

Charterhouse Capital Partners has sold its its portfolio company Tarsus Group, an international B2B events group, to Informa PLC in a deal with an enterprise value of $940 million, consisting of a combination of cash and shares.

The value of brand management firm WHP Global, whose holdings include Anne Klein, Joseph Abboud, Toys”R”Us, Lotto and a 60% interest in fashion apparel retailer Express Inc, has risen to $1.6 billion following a $375 million investment from the private equity unit of Ares Management Corporation, according to a report by Reuters.

An affiliate of alternative asset investment firm HIG Capital, has acquired Polygon, a Rome- and Milan-based provider of integrated healthcare maintenance services to hospitals in Italy and Spain.

Epiris, via Epiris Fund III, has acquired LoneStar Group (LoneStar), a global manufacturer and supplier of fasteners, sealing products, precision-engineered components, and pipeline packages for the world’s industrial and energy markets. 

BPEA EQT is set to merge two of its Hong Kong-based portfolio companies – business services firms Tricor and Vistra – in a deal valuing the combined entity at about $6.5 billion including debt, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Private equity firm Advent International is working with private bankers to prepare for a sale of its portfolio company Idemia, a French biometrics and identity verification specialist, which could see the firm change hands for over €4 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg.