PARIS, June 26 (Reuters) - The family controlling French cosmetics group Clarins , a target of recurrent takeover speculation, plans to buy out minority shareholders and delist the company, French daily La Tribune reported.
Clarins, whose shares were suspended pending a statement, could not be immediately reached for comment.
"According to our information, the Courtin family group, owner of 64.9 percent of Clarins, will offer minority holders of 30.5 percent of the capital to buy back their shares," the paper said.
At Thursday's closing price of 43.72 euros, this could mean paying out 534 million euros, going up to 641 million euros, if a 15 to 20 percent premium was offered, the paper said.
Reuters received an advanced copy of the story, which will be published in La Tribune's Friday edition.
Clarins shares were suspended around 1100 GMT on the Paris bourse, a spokeswoman for NYSE Euronext said.
Clarins closing price Thursday gave it a market capitalisation of around 1.8 billion euros ($2.82 billion).
The family controlled firm, which some analysts say lacks the critical mass needed for its expansion, has been subject to takeover speculation since the death in March 2007 of its founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins.
The Courtin-Clarins family, which also owns more than 78 percent of its voting rights, has repeatedly denied plans to give up control.
Luxury skin creams are one of the fastest growing and most profitable segments in the beauty industry and Clarins' successful franchise is seen attracting wide interest if it is ever put up for sale.
Media reports have often cited L'Oreal , PPR , Estee Lauder , LVMH or Procter & Gamble as possible buyers. (Additional reporting by Juliette Rouillon and Pascale Denis in Paris) (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; editing by Rory Channing and Tim Dobbyn)