Shares in Symrise (SY1G.DE) rose 2.1 percent to the top of Frankfurt's midcap index .MDAXI, with several traders pointing to market talk that Belgium's Solvay (SOLB.BR) may be planning a bid for the German fragrance and flavours maker.

"There are rumours about a bid by Solvay. But I don't think it is credible, this (rumour) surfaces regularly," one trader said.

Both Symrise and Solvay declined to comment on the matter.

(Reporting by Frank Siebelt and Tom Koerkemeier in Frankfurt, Blaise Robinson in Paris, Catherine Hornby in Amsterdam, Writing by Maria Sheahan)