July 7 (Reuters) - Dsm-firmenich's is close

to selling its animal nutrition business, with final bids

expected from private equity firms CVC, Apollo

and Dutch rival Nutreco, Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad

reported on Sunday.

Potential buyers have until July 24 to submit binding

offers, with dsm-firmenich aiming to finalise the deal this

summer, the report said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and

dsm-firmenich declined to comment on Monday.

The company said last year it was planning to carve out the

Animal Health and Nutrition business by the end of 2025, which

would lower its exposure to earnings volatility in the vitamins

segment, as it seeks to sharpen its focus on perfumes and

flavours.

($1 = 0.8500 euros)