Wendel Investissement, the French-listed private equity investor, is considering buying out minority shareholders in Bureau Veritas, a consultancy firm specialising in health, safety and quality certification, in a deal valuing the company at €2.06bn ($2.49bn).

Wendel said it had arranged a "five to six-year loan" from Royal Bank of Scotland, which would allow it to make an offer, in cash or shares, to investors, who still hold 34% of Veritas.