Albemarle files patent infringement against Isochem Kautschuk
US flame retardant major Albemarle has filed a patent infringement action against Isochem Kautschuk, a supplier of chemicals for the rubber, plastics, polyurethane, and adhesives industries, and based in Frankfurt, Germany.
The Virginia-based specialty chemicals firm has filed the action in a district court in Düsseldorf, Germany.
In an announcement today, Albemarle said Isochem has infringed its intellectual property, specifically the company’s German patent, DE 69105046 of European Patent No. 0460922, which refers to Albemarle’s process for producing its SAYTEX (R) 8010 flame retardant.
In the action, Albemarle asserts that Isochem has violated its patent “by importing into and offering for sale in Germany flame retardant products that were produced using the patented process.”
The statement continues: “According to German law, it is illegal to import into, to offer for sale or to use within German products that are produced by a process that is protected by a German patent.”
Dr Thorsten Vormann of the Clifford Chance law firm will represent Albemarle. “We are confident that the German courts will uphold the validity and enforceability of this patent and look forward to presenting our case in the near future,” said Vormann in today's release.
