BERLIN, Oct 22 (Reuters) - German automotive supplier ZF

will no longer take part in a planned chip plant in the

German state of Saarland, putting the project on the brink of

collapse, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing

government and industry sources.

U.S. chipmaker Wolfspeed ( WOLF ) wanted to build the $3-billion chip

plant and a research and development centre in Germany, poised

to start in 2027, with ZF to chip in $185 million for a stake.

ZF was not immediately available for comment on its reported

withdrawal.

(Writing by Miranda Murray, Editing by Rachel More)