BUZZ-Exova: hits over 2-1/2-yr high on cash offer proposals
** UK materials testing firm Exova rises as much as 14% to highest level since July 2014
** Stock biggest gainer on FTSE All Share Index
** Exova says it has received proposals for a possible cash offer, including one from Dutch firm Element Materials Technology
** Exova says private equity fund PAI Partners, and Jacobs Holding AG, a Swiss investment firm, have made similar cash offer proposals (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : justin.varghese.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)