United Biscuits owner Pladis has played down reports that it is in talks with Ferrero, aimed at the Italian confectionery company acquiring Pladis’ Belgian luxury biscuits business Delacre.

A spokesperson for Pladis – the umbrella subsidiary of Turkish conglomerate Yildiz Holding – told just-food today (22 July) that the group had seen the reports, but that there was “nothing to say” about the speculation. 

Ferrero did not respond to a request for comment.

Yildiz, the owner of brands including Godiva and McVitie’s, said last month that it planned to list Pladis in London by 2020. Yildiz said the move is part of a push to become the world’s largest snack group. A spokesperson for the company told just-food the IPO would be used to raise funds for expansion, with Yildiz retaining a majority stake.

Pladis started operations last January. Named after the Pleiades star, Yildiz said Pladis’ mission is to “bring happiness to the whole world in every bite”.