WILMINGTON, DE — DuPont Fluoroproducts has reached an out-of-court settlement with a major European fluorochemicals manufacturer over infringement of DuPont patents for certain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend refrigerants. Terms were not disclosed.

According to DuPont, the European manufacturer was engaged in inappropriate export of high-value HFC blend refrigerants into the Asia-Pacific market. The infringement allegation by DuPont was primarily focused on the manufacturer exceeding the scope of its authorization to market and sell DuPont™ Suva® HFC 404A.

“DuPont is committed to protecting its global patent for Suva 404A and other high-value HCFC and HFC blends, and will continue to investigate and take necessary actions to that end,” said Mark S. Baunchalk, global business manager — refrigerants, for DuPont Fluoroproducts.

In 2001, the company announced it had initiated a patent stewardship program within its distribution network in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and notified the network of possible unauthorized importation, marketing, and sales distribution of refrigerant blends, R-401A, -401B, -402A, -402B, -404A, -407C, -408A, -409A, and -410A.

Publication date: 02/25/2002