Clariant AG (SWX:CLN) has begun the sale of its pigments business as part of wider a streamlining which it has said it will complete by the end of 2020, sources said. Clariant has mandated Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (DB:DBK) to find a buyer for the pigments business, which could be valued at around CHF 800 million ($820 million), the sources told Reuters, adding that private equity firms were likely buyers. Clariant is expected to send out information packages on the unit in the first quarter, aiming to sign a deal as early as before the summer break, they added. Clariant and Deutsche Bank both declined to comment. While pigments, with roughly CHF 100 million in core earnings, are first in line, the other two units are going to be put on the block at a later stage, the sources said.