The Shadow
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Ingevity Corp. says it will petition the U.S. International Trade Commission to review a case involving a patent covering its canister systems that are used by the automotive industry to comply with environmental regulations.
Automotive gasoline vapor emission control products are part of Ingevity’s Performance Materials segment which has manufacturing facilities in Covington, Wickliffe, Ky.; Waynesboro, Ga., Changshu, China; and Zhuhai, China.
Ingevity estimates that globally approximately 8 million gallons of gasoline are captured and recovered by the company’s activated carbon products every day.
Ingevity brought a case against MAHLE Filter Systems North America Inc. of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and other named defendants, seeking to prevent further importation of activated carbon products that infringe upon a patent covering its canister systems.
Ingevity wants the U.S. International Trade Commission to review an administrative law judge’s initial determination in regards to a decision in the hearing phase of its case against MAHLE Filter Systems.
In addition, Ingevity intends to continue to pursue its case against MAHLE in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging infringement on the patent and seeking remuneration for damages.
“While we’re disappointed in [the administrative law judge’s ruling], it’s important to keep it in context. This ruling is limited to the specific request to the ITC to ban the importation of infringing materials,” said Michael Wilson, Ingevity’s president and CEO. “The ITC does not have the ability to invalidate patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. And, it’s important to note that the judge did find infringement on the part of MAHLE.”
Wilson said that Ingevity is determined to continue to with steps necessary to protect its intellectual property.
“We strongly believe that our automotive gasoline vapor emission control technology is unique, and it’s incumbent upon us to defend our innovations against infringement for the benefit of our customers and shareholders. We remain confident in the leadership and expertise we have in this application. We continue to innovate and develop new technologies and patents that help position us as the supplier of choice. As such, we remain confident in the short- and long-term outlook for this business.”
Ingevity’s patent – which is set to expire in March 2022 – covers certain canister systems designed to achieve gasoline vapor emission levels that comply with the most stringent regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of California.
