SEKISUI CHEMICAL to enforce patent injunction against Kuraray Europe regarding PVB interlayer

On 17 April 2025, the Munich District Court issued a ruling in favour of SEKISUI CHEMICAL (Docket No. 7 O 12401/24), ordering Kuraray Europe to cease manufacturing, offering, using, placing on the market, importing or possessing its products, 'Trosifol The Wedge Acoustic' and 'Trosifol The Wedge Acoustic Shadeband' (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Kuraray Products”), in Germany, due to infringement of claim 1 of European Patent EP 2 017 237 B2 ('EP’237'), which relates to a wedge-shaped multilayer film of PVB interlayer. The decision is preliminarily enforceable against security.

Kuraray Europe appealed the decision and appeal proceedings are currently pending before the Munich Court of Appeals (Docket No. 6 U 1589/25 e). A nullity action against the German portion of EP'237 is pending before the Federal Patent Court (Docket No. 3 Ni 2/25 (EP)).

Following careful consideration, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has decided to enforce the injunction by putting in place the necessary security. From 5 November 2025, Kuraray Europe will be prohibited from manufacturing, offering, using, placing on the market, importing, or possessing the aforementioned Kuraray products in Germany.

SEKISUI CHEMICAL's decision is supported by the Federal Patent Court's positive preliminary opinion on the validity of EP'237, issued on 22 October 2025. The opinion expressed the view that EP'237, as granted, is valid, and that none of Kuraray Europe's validity challenges are of merit. A hearing is scheduled for 14 April 2026.

SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group regards its intellectual property rights as an important management resource. It will continue to take strict action in cases where it determines that our intellectual property rights have been infringed.