Solstice issues injunctions on Chillventa exhibitors
17th October 2026
GERMANY: Refrigerant manufacturer Solstice claims to have issued injunctions claiming patent infringements against five exhibitors at this week’s Chillventa exhibition in Nuremberg.
Solstice said it secured preliminary injunctions from the regional courts of Frankfurt and Nuremberg in respect of its European patents covering the manufacturing process of a certain HFO and the composition of a certain proprietary HFO blend. The company has not named the five exhibitors involved or the specific refrigerants.
Enforcement action by the company formerly known as Honeywell was said to have been carried out during the show, with bailiffs removing relevant marketing materials from the exhibitors’ exhibition stands under official search orders.
“Solstice welcomes fair competition and believes that respect for intellectual property rights is fundamental to continued innovation and a competitive global marketplace,” the company said in a statement. “The Company will continue to closely monitor the marketplace and take appropriate steps to safeguard its intellectual property rights.”
Last month, Solstice issued a statement regarding HFO1234ze and 1234ze-containing blends maintaining that it held key manufacturing patents relevant to processes for the manufacture of HFO1234ze.
It was reacting in response to reports of planned introductions of the HFO refrigerant and its blends by another manufacturer. Solstice claimed that it had not licensed any manufacturing-related IP to others.
“Solstice has invested heavily over several decades in research and development, resulting in a substantial and globally recognised patent portfolio covering compositions, applications and processes of manufacture,” it said.
It further explained that because the investment had occurred over many years, the portfolio had staggered expiration dates.
“A number of manufacturers have challenged Solstice’s intellectual property rights in proceedings around the world. Those challenges have largely been unsuccessful, underscoring the strength of Solstice’s patent portfolio,” the company said.
