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

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

This is the second out-of-court settlement that DuPont has reached this year over HFC refrigerant blend patent infringement. An earlier settlement, announced in February, also involved a major fluorochemicals manufacturer.

“DuPont is committed to protecting its global patent for high-value HFC Suva® refrigerant blends, and will continue to investigate and take necessary action,” said Mark S. Baunchalk, global business manager – refrigerants, DuPont Fluoroproducts.

Publication date: 06/05/2002