The London Metal Exchange has announced that it has received a number of bids tat they will be considering during an upcoming board meeting in February, according to Chief Executive Martin Abbott.

The world’s top market for industrial metals, which has been receiving initial takeover offers since September, will also be sending out detailed financial information to all of the potential buyers in the coming weeks, so that they can further consider their proposals.

“There is a very healthy number of potential bidders,” Abbott told a news conference. “We want to show initial bids to the board on February 23.”

he would not provide answers on how many parties had put in bids for the exchange, however some sources are claiming that as many as 15 potential bidders exist, offering as much as £1 billion for the company.