Celanese Sues Chinese Sweetener Competitors in Europe for Patent Infringement, Seeks Additional U.S. Patent Rights

Thu, March 30 2017

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global technology and specialty materials company, today announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Europe against three Chinese manufacturers of high-potency sweeteners, specifically Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K). The complaints allege that Suzhou Hope Technology Co., Ltd., Anhui Jinhe Industrial Co., Ltd., and Vitasweet Co., Ltd., are infringing newly granted European Patent No. 2 861 569 by continuing to unlawfully import infringing Ace-K sweetener into Europe. The ’569 patent is directed to improved production processes for making its Sunett® Ace-K sweetener.

In a temporary shift in focus, Celanese has withdrawn its complaint from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office review additional claims to its already-patented and improved Ace-K manufacturing process described in U.S. Patent No. 9,024,016.

Celanese continues to invest in manufacturing and quality improvements and is dedicated to robust research, development and customer support for the Sunett® sweetener products manufactured by its patented processes. The company will protect these investments to supply customers with quality engineered products, and will vigorously defend its patented technology against unlawful importation and uses in the United States, Europe, China and globally.

About Celanese

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our two complementary business cores, Acetyl Chain and Materials Solutions, use the full breadth of Celanese’s global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for our customers and the corporation. As we partner with our customers to solve their most critical business needs, we strive to make a positive impact on our communities and the world through The Celanese Foundation. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,000 employees worldwide and had 2015 net sales of $5.7 billion. For more information about Celanese and our product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com.

All registered trademarks are owned by Celanese International Corporation or its affiliates.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Celanese Corporation
Investor Relations
Surabhi Varshney, +1 972-443-3078
surabhi.varshney@celanese.com
or
Media Relations – Global
W. Travis Jacobsen, +1 972-443-3750
william.jacobsen@celanese.com
or
Media Relations Asia (Shanghai)
Helen Zhang, +86 21 3861 9279
lan.zhang@celanese.com
or
Media Relations Europe (Germany)
Jens Kurth, +49(0)69 45009 1574
j.kurth@celanese.com

Source: Celanese Corporation