Flexsys patents remain valid; Exclusion order remains in effect
ST. LOUIS - December 27, 2007 -- Solutia Inc. today announced that its Flexsys
subsidiary will soon be filing a petition for rehearing by all of the judges
of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC). This matter involves
Flexsys' ongoing patent infringement dispute with Sinorgchem regarding process
technology for the manufacture of 4-ADPA and its PPD derivatives. In July 2006,
the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Flexsys. Last week,
a three-judge panel of the CAFC ruled 2-1 that Sinorgchem had not literally
infringed Flexsys' patents, and remanded the case to the ITC to determine whether
Sinorgchem had infringed under the doctrine of equivalents.
"We will be moving quickly to file a petition for rehearing," said
Tim Wessel, vice president, Antidegradants and Crystex®. "Importantly,
the ITC exclusion order that prohibits Sinorgchem's importation of 4-ADPA and
6PPD into the United States remains in full effect. We agree with the strongly
worded dissent that the ITC decision should be upheld."
Flexsys products play an important role in the manufacture of tires and other
rubber products, such as belts, hoses, seals and footwear. Flexsys is a global
business with offices, manufacturing facilities and technology centers around
the world. Flexsys has annual sales of approximately $650 million, about two-thirds
of which take place outside the United States.
Note to editor: Flexsys and Crystex are registered trademarks of Solutia Inc.
Corporate Profile
Solutia (http://www.solutia.com) uses world-class skills in applied chemistry
to create value-added solutions for customers, whose products improve the lives
of consumers every day. Solutia is a world leader in performance films for laminated
safety glass and after-market applications; chemicals for the rubber industry;
specialties such heat transfer fluids and aviation hydraulic fluid and an integrated
family of nylon products including high-performance polymers and fibers.
Solutia ... Solutions for a Better Life.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified
by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "may,"
"will," "intends," "plans," "estimates"
or "anticipates," or other comparable terminology, or by discussions
of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements are based on management's
current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are
subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results
or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, those described in Solutia's most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K, under "Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking
Statements," Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in filings with
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in connection with the Chapter 11 case of Solutia
Inc. and 14 of its U.S. subsidiaries. These reports can be accessed through
the "Investors" section of Solutia's website at www.solutia.com. The
bankruptcy court filings can be accessed by visiting www.trumbullgroup.com.
Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances
or any other occurrence.
Media: Dan Jenkins (314) 674-8552
Investors: Susannah Livingston (314) 674-8914
Customers: Tim Wessel (314) 674-1174
