Honeywell announced that it is suing Rhino Linings for patent infringement. Honeywell has brought a companion lawsuit against Rhino Linings, similar to a lawsuit previously filed against MEK Chemical Corp. (MEK). MEK sold HFC-245fa in the United States in violation of a Honeywell process patent. Rhino Linings, whose supplier is MEK, also has infringed the process patent and a Honeywell patent directed to the use of HFC-245fa in foam insulation applications.
HFC-245fa is a liquid blowing agent used in the production of foam insulation, and is manufactured by Honeywell under the brand name Enovate. Rhino Linings manufactures spray foam insulation products designed for residential and commercial applications. Honeywell is a leading innovator of fluorine materials and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research, development and capital to bring products to customers that are safe for intended use, energy efficient and environmentally preferable.
“Honeywell invests heavily to develop and bring to market groundbreaking technologies like HFC-245fa,” said Sanjeev Rastogi, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Fluorine Products. “In order to protect those investments and to continue to invest in new innovations for customers, Honeywell secures intellectual property rights—including patent rights—on those innovations. When others seek to take or infringe those rights, Honeywell vigorously enforces its intellectual property. Customers should protect themselves from risk of infringement by only purchasing materials from companies that comply with all applicable laws.” In addition to Enovate, Honeywell offers a suite of products for liquid and gaseous blowing agents, stationary and mobile refrigerants, solvents and propellants.
