A private equity fund called Advent is mulling a bid for Safran's biometric identification unit Morpho, with the eventual plan to merge with the identity company it currently owns, Oberthur Technologies, according to a report in the French newspaper Le Figaro.Speaking to the newspaper, Cedric Chateau, the head of Advent France, said that the merger could create the world's largest identity company – and it could be based in France.A Safran spokeswoman declined to comment on Advent's offer to Reuters, adding that the biometric identification unit was a separate legal entity from Morpho Detection.Oberthur Technologies develops security software embedded in cards and other devices for making payments and giving access to transport networks or buildings.Last November, Oberthur Technologies decided to delay a listing that would have been one of Europe's biggest technology listings for the year.OT's chief executive, told the Financial Times that current market conditions would mean postponing plans.In April, Safran agreed to sell its US-based Morpho Detection business and related activities to UK engineering firm Smiths Group for an enterprise value of $710 million.At the time, Safran said continues to assess the future of another security business that makes identity cards and biometric systems. Those units also could be put up for sale, the company has said.

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