the crucial piece of the puzzle, page-28

It's all speculation of course but trying to read between the lines...

1. IMO it was positive that Glyn took the time out of his obviously busy schedule to even reply to Tri. If things were looking to go pear shaped, I'd say replying to a s/h email would rank last on his priorites.

2. "We will be advising our shareholders when we have received confirmation from 3M of anything material"...

Definition of confirmation: "additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct".

Sounds like something IS in place and just needs ratification: "making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it".

An English graduate clutching at straws?