Belgian specialty materials maker Umicore said that now is probably the right moment for it to make acquisitions as the valuation of some of its peers becomes more attractive.

Mr Thomas Leysen CEO of Umicore said that "Certain valuations become more attractive, so the scope for doing something is there. Certainly in the field of broadening our scope in advanced materials, broadening our scope in catalysts, moving into consolidation of the precious metals products business is one of the areas where we certainly would have scope for consolidation, for buying direct competitors."