LONDON -- Is Cookson considering splitting the company in two?

According to several reports, the materials conglomerate is contemplating breaking out its electronics unit as a standalone business.

The company's electronics solder and surface finishes business unit -- which operates under the trade names Alpha Metals and Enthone -- reported revenues of £814 million ($1.29 billion) in 2011, up 13% year-over-year.

The Ceramics business is considering larger, making up 60% of last year's revenues of £2.8 billion.

Cookson is not commenting on the reports, but it did recently hire investment banking firm Rothschild as an adviser.