FRANKFURT, Sept 18 (Reuters) - BASF plans to

prepare its agricultural chemicals business for an initial

public offering in the next few years as part of restructuring

measures set to be announced by the chemicals group this month,

Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

BASF's new CEO, Markus Kamieth, will announce a series of

overhaul measures at the capital markets day set for Sep. 26-27,

including plans for the future of its coatings business,

Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

While the agricultural chemicals business is to be prepared

for a listing, the German firm could also signal its willingness

to sell parts of the coatings business or bring in a partner.

BASF declined to comment on the report.

"We will publish information on our strategy next week at

our capital markets day," a company spokesperson told Reuters.

BASF shares rose 3.6%, the top gainer in the DAX, following

the report.

According to Bloomberg, BASF could also announce plans for

the further development of the battery materials business.

The proceeds from the sale of assets could be used to

strengthen the balance sheet, according to the report.

In December last year, BASF announced plans to turn its

agriculture, battery materials and coatings businesses into

autonomous units in a bid to try to boost earnings.

However, previous CEO Martin Brudermueller said at the time

that there was no intention to sell these businesses.

BASF's Agricultural Solutions unit had about 10 billion

euros in sales last year, competing with Bayer, Corteva ( CTVA )

and China's Syngenta.

($1 = 0.8990 euros)