Invista files lawsuit against Rhodia

However, on 6 November, Invista amended this New York federal lawsuit to focus on DuPont, and then filed the lawsuit against Rhodia.

The two suits seek damages and a halt to Rhodia's and DuPont's misconduct, Invista said.

"These claims are needed to stop Rhodia and DuPont from unlawfully using Invista's intellectual property to build an ADN manufacturing plant in Asia or elsewhere," said Mary Beth Jarvis, Invista spokesperson.

The alleged Invista trade secrets relate to its proprietary process for producing adiponitrile (ADN), a critical intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of nylon 6,6.

Invista bought the original technology several years ago from DuPont as part of a $4.2 billion transaction and has built upon that technology to earn a world-leading position in the manufacture of ADN, Jarvis said.

A statement by Invista said: "When it sold the technology, DuPont agreed not to compete against Invista or invest in competitors for an agreed-upon period, which has yet to expire.

"Public statements by Rhodia and DuPont indicate that Rhodia is using Invista's trade secrets to develop an ADN facility in Asia." said Invista.

In a separate issue going back to 2004 when DuPont sold its textiles and interiors interests to Invista for $4.2 billion, DuPont recently sued Invista for unauthorised use of trade secrets in the nylon engineering polymers business.

"Invista continues to fulfill all of its obligations under the various agreements related to the Invista purchase," said Jarvis. "DuPont specifically agreed to a 5-year non-compete in the engineering polymers market space. That non-compete period expires next spring, and until then Invista is not manufacturing, distributing, selling or reselling engineering polymers."

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