The High Performance Plastics Company (President : Akira Asano) of SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President and Representative Director: Ikusuke Shimizu; hereinafter “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) announces that on 14 April 2026, the German Federal Patent Court upheld European Patent EP 2017 237 B2(“EP’237) in its granted form. The Court dismissed the nullity action brought by Kuraray Europe GmbH (“Kuraray Europe”) against the German portion of EP’237 (Docket No.3 Ni 2/25(EP)) in its entirety. Kuraray Europe may appeal this decision.

  EP’237 relates to the wedge-shape multilayer film of PVB interlayer. On 17 April 2025, the Munich District Court (“DC Munich”) has previously ruled in favour in SEKISUI CHEMICAL (Docket No. 7 O 12401/24), finding that Kuraray Europe’s products ‘Trosifol the Wedge Acoustic’ and ‘Trosifol the Wedge Acoustic Shadeband’ (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Kuraray Products”) infringe claim 1 of EP’237, and ordering Kuraray Europe, inter alia, to cease manufacturing, offering, using, placing on the market, importing, or possessing the Kuraray Products in Germany. Kuraray Europe appealed the decision, and appeal proceedings are currently pending before the Munich Court of Appeals (Docket No.6 U 1589/25e).

  The decision of the German Federal Patent Court confirms that EP'237 is valid in its granted form and that none of Kuraray Europe's validity challenges are of merit. This is the second time that EP'237 has withstood a formal validity challenge: the European Patent Office had previously confirmed the patent's validity in opposition proceedings. The decision of the Federal Patent Court provides further and independent confirmation — in proceedings specifically directed at the German portion of the patent — that EP'237 is both novel and inventive. This outcome reinforces SEKISUI CHEMICAL's position and demonstrates the strength of its intellectual property portfolio.

  In light of the decision of the Federal Patent Court, SEKISUI CHEMICAL continues to enforce the injunction granted by the DC Munich. Since 5 November 2025, Kuraray Europe is prohibited from manufacturing, offering, using, placing on the market, importing, or possessing the Kuraray Products in Germany.

  SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group regards its intellectual property rights as an important management resource. It will continue to take strict action in cases where it determines that our intellectual property rights have been infringed.

About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group

Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 155 companies throughout 20 countries and regions aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.