Umicore to appeal decision regarding its imports of certain rechargeable battery materials into the United States

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today issued notice of its decision relating to the patent infringement complaint brought against Umicore by BASF and University of Chicago Argonne National Laboratory. Umicore strongly disputes the findings of infringement of two U.S. patents relating to certain battery cathode materials. The decision to issue a limited exclusion order is subject to automatic review by the United States Trade Representative. If the decision is upheld, Umicore intends to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Kurt Vandeputte, Vice President of Umicore's Rechargeable Battery Materials business unit, said: "We believe that the ITC's decision is wrong on the science and the law. We intend to appeal the decision in the interest of Umicore, its customers and U.S. battery innovation and research."