(Reuters) -Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) is close to a roughly $18-billion deal to buy Dutch coffee company JDE Peet's, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

After combining, the companies are planning to separate the beverage and coffee units, the report said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) and JDE Peet's did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

JDE Peet's, known for its L'Or, Tassimo and Douwe Egberts brands, has a market valuation of about $15 billion, while Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) is valued at nearly $50 billion, according to LSEG data.

JDE Peet's lifted its annual forecasts last month after reporting consensus-beating half-year adjusted operating earnings of 709 million euros ($831.09 million), thanks to sales growth that defied already-high coffee prices.

Last year, Keurig Dr Pepper ( KDP ) bought a 60% stake in energy-drink maker Ghost for $990 million, planning to purchase the rest in 2028, to spruce up its refreshment beverages portfolio.

($1 = 0.8531 euros)