27 Jul 2004
Brussels - Rubber chemicals supplier Flexsys N.V. has filed a patent infringement suit against a South Korean company regarding Flexsys' 4-ADPA and PPD antidegradant patent rights, the company announced July 23.
Flexsys said it developed and patented its Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution for Hydrogen technology for 4-ADPA, the key intermediate for production of PPD antidegradants, including 6PPD and IPPD. The company said it believes its technology has been copied by China's Shandong Sinorgchem Co. Ltd., and is being used to export product to South Korea and elsewhere.
The Belgian company filed its action in South Korea against Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd., based on its importation of 4-ADPA from Sinorgchem, to defend the patent and its exclusive rights on the import and use of the antidegradants that utilize the Flexsys technology.
"Flexsys has already successfully defended its fundamental patent position in Europe," said Don Fields, the company's worldwide antidegradants technology manager, in a statement.
"Flexsys has exclusive rights on the import and use of 4-ADPA and PPD antidegradants that use the Flexsys-patented technology in most tyre manufacturing countries around the world. That includes the use of this 6PPD to make tyres. We are prepared to defend our rights around the world."
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