July 6, 2021
On February 2, 2021, the Patent Reexamination Board of the Chinese Patent Office ruled in Solvay's favor on a patent invalidation case filed by Zhejiang Fluorine Chemical New Material Co. Ltd. (“Fluorine”) against a patent pertaining to certain polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) materials specifically tailored for use as binders or separator/separators’ components in batteries, and to method of making the same.
The Guangzhou IP Court had already accepted last May 2020 a claim by Solvay that Fluorine was infringing Solvay's patent No. 200880019571.2 by supplying Zheflon® FL2100 PVDF material and using the patented process in China. The infringement action had been stayed by pending the decision of the Patent Reexamination Board. As validity has now been conclusively established, the infringement proceedings before Guangzhou IP Court have been resumed. Solvay will seek injunction prohibiting Fluorine from exploiting the infringing PVDF Materials, and will seek damages for the infringement.
Respect of intellectual property rights is essential for free and healthy competition. Solvay will continue to take action to enforce its rights against infringers. Solvay will help its customers to cope with any difficulties due to exposure to corresponding compliance risks by Fluorine.
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About Solvay
Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 23,000 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €9 billion in 2020. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. Learn more at www.solvay.com.
