(19)

(11)

EP 1 307 412 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 07.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/19 (21) Application number: 01955818.8 (22) Date of filing: 12.07.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C04B 35/66, B22D 41/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US0121/931 (87) International publication number: WO 0200/4381 (17.01.2002 Gazette 2002/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 12.07.2000 US 217726 P (71) Applicant: Specialty Minerals Michigan Inc. Bingham Farms, Michigan 48025 (US)	(72) Inventor: KOTYUK, Mark, D. Maumee, OH 43537 (US) (74) Representative: Bawden, Peter Charles  Bawden & Associates,4 The Gatehouse,2 High Street Harpenden,Hertfordshire AL5 2TH Harpenden,Hertfordshire AL5 2TH (GB)