(19)

(11)

EP 0 845 060 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 03.06.1998 Bulletin 1998/23 (21) Application number: 96928510.0 (22) Date of filing: 16.08.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12N 11/ 12( . ) D21H 21/ 14( . ) D21H 17/ 00( . ) D21H 17/ 22( . ) D21H 21/ 16( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1996/002012 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/007282 (27.02.1997 Gazette 1997/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FI FR GB PT SE (30) Priority: 16.08.1995 GB 19950016766 (71) Applicant: HERCULES INCORPORATED Wilmington, Delaware 19894-0001 (US)

(72) Inventors: LANG, William, Kenneth Canterbury, Kent CT3 1DY (GB) BRANTON, Harvey, John Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3AE (GB) CRISP, Mark, Tracey NL-3816 HH Amersfoort (NL) SCHERR, Diana, Jane Canterbury, Kent CT2 7UH (GB) BATES, Robert NL-3817 JD Amersfoort (NL) SLATER, James, Howard Cardiff CF4 5SR (GB) HARDMAN, David, John Herne Bay, Kent CT6 7TZ (GB) (74) Representative: Howard, Paul Nicholas  Carpmaels & Ransford 43 Bloomsbury Square London WC1A 2RA London WC1A 2RA (GB)