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** Clariant shares rise as much as 5.9 pct onWednesday with dealers citing rumours of a possible takeover ofthe Swiss chemicals firm
** Shares later pared gains after hitting highest levelssince 2002
** Dealers cite Evonik, Johnson Matthey and Dow Chemical as possible buyers of Clariant
** Clariant and Evonik said they do not comment on marketrumours. A Johnson Matthey spokesman declined to commentimmediately. A representative for Dow Chemical did notimmediately respond to a request for comment
** Clariant's chairman said in March the firm is not forsale and its prospects are better if it remains independent
** Sources told Reuters previously that Germany's Evonik hasbeen evaluating Clariant and other speciality chemicalscompanies for a potential takeover bid (RM://joshua.franklin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)
