JP Morgan is advising Messer Griesheim, the German industrial gases group, on the potential sale of its US, German and UK businesses.

Messer, which is two-thirds owned by Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Allianz Capital Partners, is understood to be in early stage talks with potential bidders, according to an internal memo. JP Morgan is adviser to the Messer family, which holds the remaining 33% of the company.