• Goldman plans to float Danish cleaning firm

ISS, a Danish facility services group owned by Goldman Sachs and Swedish buyout firm EQT Partners, on Thursday said it would float the company through an offering of shares expected to raise around 13.3 billion Danish crowns ($2.41 billion).

It would be Europe's biggest IPO this year so far if it goes ahead.

The ISS Group was founded in Copenhagen in 1901 and has since grown to become one of the leading facility services companies in the world. Its services range from cleaning, catering and property service to security and facility management.

In 2005 ISS was bought by a consortium of Sweden’s private equity group EQT Partners -- controlled by the influential Wallenberg family -- and US investment firm Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for 21.85 billion Danish kroner ($3.71 billion). The company was delisted from the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

The offering would consist primarily of new shares. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been appointed joint global co-ordinators.

"The contemplated IPO is expected to support ISS' future growth and operational strategy, advance the company's public and commercial profile," the Danish firm said in a statement.