European Patent Office Upholds Validity of Mitsubishi Chemical's Patent on Biomass-based High-quality Polyester

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Ishizuka) today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) on May 17 issued a notice maintaining the patent owned by MCC (EP1882712B; "the patent”), which is a basic patent for a biomass-based polyester. Several corporations and others had filed notices of opposition to the validity of the patent. However, the EPO largely sided with MCC’s position as to the patent’s validity following the oral proceedings on April 15 of this year.

It is a substance patent for a biomass-based high-quality polyester, and is vastly applicable for business activities such as manufacturing and sales. The corresponding patents have also been granted in Japan, the U.S., and China. The EPO’s decision supports the patent’s validity, and MCC will move proactively to defend the patent against future similar objections.

"MCC owns many other patents relating to biomass-based products. It continually expands its own businesses by utilizing those patents and provides licenses to other companies, in order to promote the spread of those products and contribute to global environmental sustainability,” stated Johei Takimoto, Chief Operation Officer, the Polymer Division.

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