Flexsys Files Patent Infringement Complaint

Flexsys America L.P., a subsidiary of Solutia Inc., has announced it has filed a new complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against Sinorgchem Co., Shandong; Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (KKPC); Kumho Tire Co., Inc.; and Kumho Tire USA, Inc. This complaint asserts that the importation of Sinorgchem’s 4-ADPA or any antidegradants made from its 4-ADPA into the United States violates section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act, due to Sinorgchem’s infringement upon Flexsys’ patents for the production of 4-ADPA and its intermediates.

In this new case, Flexsys seeks an exclusion order barring the importation of Sinorgchem’s 4-ADPA as well as 6PPD made from Sinorgchem’s 4-ADPA into the United States, including that manufactured by KKPC.

Flexsys, which has annual sales of more than US$650 million, two-thirds of which are outside the USA, also has a civil patent infringement case against Kumho Tire, KKPC and Sinorgchem. This case is currently pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

The technology at issue in this case relates to environmentally friendly methods for preparing compounds used in the manufacture of rubber products. These compounds prevent premature degradation of rubber due to exposure to sun, heat, ozone and other factors.