LOS ANGELES (March 27) — Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd. is suing Flexsys America L.P. in U.S. federal court for restraint of trade and price fixing of certain rubber chemicals.
Korea Kumho Petrochemical claims in its suit that Flexsys conspired to keep it out of the U.S. market by attempting to take away its suppliers, threatening customers and attacking its business.
The complaint makes claims of conspiracy to restrain trade, monopoly and attempted monopoly under the federal Sherman Antitrust Act and seeks treble damages, attorneys´ fees and costs, and an injunction compelling Flexsys to cease any unlawful conduct.
Korea Kumho said it filed the suit "to vindicate our position as a competitive importer of 6PPD into the U.S.," said S.C. Kim, the company´s vice president.
"(Korea Kumho) believes that our right to compete in the U.S. must be protected, and we have been troubled by attempts made by our competitors to keep us out of this market," he said. "(Korea Kumho) intends to vigorously compete in the U.S. market and we intend to vigorously pursue our antitrust claims and to be made whole for the losses we have suffered in the past."
In February, Korea Kumho was cleared of charges brought by Flexsys over alleged patent infringements over the manufacture of 6PPD.
Korea Kumho is a member of Kumho Asiana Group with main offices in Seoul. It produces rubber chemicals at plants in Yeosu, Ulsan and Daejon, South Korea.