(19)

(11)

EP 1 721 021 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 15.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/46 (21) Application number: 05715245.6 (22) Date of filing: 01.02.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C22B 19/30(2006.01) C25D 21/18(2006.01) C22B 19/32(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/EP2005/001054 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/083134 (09.09.2005 Gazette 2005/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 26.02.2004 EP 04075589 01.03.2004 US 548273 P (71) Applicant: Umicore 1000 Bruxelles (BE)	(72) Inventors: GILLES, Michael B-2440 Geel (BE) PANKERT, Roger B-4700 Eupen (BE) SOKOLOWSKI, Richard F-Raches (FR) EERDEKENS, Mathieu B-3581 Beverlo-Beringen (BE) (74) Representative: Pilate, André et al Umicore Research Patent Department Kasteelstraat 7 B-2250 Olen B-2250 Olen (BE)