ST. LOUIS (June 18, 2012)—Solutia Inc. has settled its long patent fight with Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd. and Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd. over 4-ADPA, a chemical intermediate used to make rubber antidegradants.
Solutia said it licensed Sinorgchem and KKPC to make 4-ADPA under Solutia patents, which expire in 2019. Financial aspects of the settlements weren't disclosed.
The dispute began in 2004, and has dragged on in various courts with countersuits and appeals ever since. It centered on Flexsys' patent on Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution for Hydrogen technology—specifically covering 4-amino-diphenylamine, the key intermediate for PPD antidegradants—which gives Flexsys a distinct cost and environmental advantage in the market for rubber antidegradants, the company previously said.
“The settlement of these long-standing disputes is a milestone for Solutia and its Santoflex antidegradant business,” said Rich Altice, president and general manager of Solutia's Technical Specialties division. “We remain committed to using our innovative chemistry to provide value to our customers and shareholders, as well as to protecting our intellectual property rights.”
Sinorgchem CEO Stephen Choi said his company is glad to put the dispute behind it. Sung-Kyu Lim, senior executive vice president of Korea Kumho's sales division, expressed appreciation for its customers' patience and support during the legal proceedings.