Chinese manufacturer Changzhou Niutang Chemical Plant Co has hit back in the patents row with Tate & Lyle on the production of the artificial sweetener sucralose.
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Responding to a case filed earlier this week with the US International Trade Commission against Niutang, the group vigorously denied accusations that it has violated any patents.
“Both Changzhou Niutang and (subsidiary) US Niutang take these allegations very seriously, but we do not infringe on any of the patents asserted against us,” said Niutang general manager Licheng Wang, Jr.
Tate & Lyle also launched the legal action against two other Chinese manufacturers and 18 US distributors.
Licheng added: “We have always respected the intellectual property rights of others and will continue to do so. Tate & Lyle’s claims against Changzhou Niutang and US Niutang are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend against these allegations and are confident that we will be fully vindicated.”
Commenting on the case, Robert Gibber, general counsel of Tate & Lyle, said: “Our sucralose manufacturing technology is protected by a robust and sophisticated patent estate, which we will defend rigorously.”
