Sittard, The Netherlands, February 25 – Stamicarbon, the Licensing and IP Center of Maire Tecnimont S.p.A., has won the appeal procedure against two patent applications of the ACES21 technology of Toyo Engineering Corporation from Japan.
Some time ago Toyo Engineering Corporation (TEC) of Japan filed two patent applications, which cover the heart of a ‘new’ urea process and are exploited by TEC under the commercial name “ACES21”. In Europe these patents were granted under the numbers EP 1035111 and EP 1035112.
Both patent applications have been opposed by Stamicarbon B.V. on the grounds that they are not real inventions, but are obvious to the skilled person and therefore do not merit patent protection. On September 13 and 14, 2012 oral hearings were held at the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich in an appeal procedure against these two patents. These oral proceedings were attended by Stamicarbon assisted by their patent representative of ‘De Vereenigde’ from The Netherlands.
As a result of these oral proceedings the EPO has decided that these TEC patents are revoked; thus they are no longer valid patents.
Stamicarbon B.V.
Stamicarbon, the licensing and IP Center of Maire Tecnimont, is the global market leader in licensing of urea technology and services with more than 50% market share in synthesis and 35% market share in urea granulation technology. Stamicarbon has more than 60 years' experience in licensing its urea technology and services, delivering optimum environmental performance, safety, reliability and productivity at the lowest investment level. Over 250 urea plants are using its technology. Furthermore it has completed over 90 revamp projects in Stamicarbon and non-Stamicarbon plants. Since 1947, Stamicarbon has been the world’s leading authority and innovator in the field of urea in close co-operation with research institutes, suppliers and customers.
Stamicarbon has offices in Sittard (The Netherlands), Beijing (China) and Moscow (Russia). For futher information: www.stamicarbon.com
Maire Tecnimont SpA
Maire Tecnimont is an international leading Group in the sectors of Engineering & Construction (E&C), Technology & Licensing and Energy & Ventures with specific skills in plant engineering in particular in the hydrocarbon industry (Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Fertilizers) and also in Power Generation and Infrastructures. The Group is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange and is present in over 30 countries, controls over 50 operating companies and has about 4,700 employees, half of whom are located abroad. At 31 December 2011 the Group reported revenues for €2.6 billion and a backlog of about €4.9 billion. For further information: www.mairetecnimont.com.
For further information:
Stamicarbon B.V.
Mrs. Mieke Beaujean
Communication Manager
Tel +31 46 423 7045
Fax +31 46 423 7001