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Industry observers believe this is possible, as raw materials are cheap and
process improvements are being effected for the modified polyolefin process used
to make the polymer.

The report also estimates the future world market in ten years' time to be in
the 30 000-40 000 tonne/year range.

The key is the catalyst system, developed by BP alongside its metallocene
programme at Sunbury, UK, using a palladium complex plus borane co-catalyst.
Product from the reactor is washed and dried to produce a powder or can be
further pelletised in an extruder.

Aliphatic polyketones have found their path to market has been made harder by
patent disputes between Shell and BP Amoco. Shell has a strong position with
around 63% of the product formulation and application patents relating to
aliphatic polyketones. Its thrusts have been in automotive fuel contact
applications and in small gears.

The latest announcement from BP Amoco that its Ketonex polyketone is
basically not worth developing in-house, even though it is now in a stable of
other high performance polymers acquired with the Amoco deal, is just another
indication of the difficulties of meshing technological innovation with
corporate strategy.

BPAmoco is taking the line that, although the technology can compete in a
wide range of applications, 'it will be a better strategic fit for another
company'. The sale is being made as 'BP Amoco is focusing on its core
businesses'.

The latest announcement from BP Amoco that its Ketonex polyketone is
basically not worth developing in-house, even though it is now in a stable of
other high performance polymers acquired with the Amoco deal, is just another
indication of the difficulties of meshing technological innovation with
corporate strategy.

BPAmoco is taking the line that, although the technology can compete in a
wide range of applications, 'it will be a better strategic fit for another
company'. The sale is being made as 'BP Amoco is focusing on its core
businesses'.