The agreement which covers PEDOT:PSS materials and formulations, provides a firm footing for the delivery of product and technological know-how to a number of industries including printed electronics, electroluminescence, touch screens and new technologies. By removing the uncertainty surrounding the intellectual property, the agreement will facilitate product development by both the companies and their customers.

The agreement justifies ongoing high investment in R&D, now unhindered by the rights of the other party.

For both Agfa-Gevaert N.V. and H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH the first steps into the technology of the electro conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS dates from when both companies were owned by Bayer AG. Bayer AG originally developed the material in 1988 and its first application was an antistatic in Agfa’s photographic film. For over 10 years the material has been marketed under the trade name of Orgacon™ from Agfa-Gevaert N.V. and Clevios™ (formerly Baytron) from H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH. 

Dr. Aloys Eiling, CEO of  H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH commented  ‘The settlement of intellectual property disputes between Agfa and H.C. Starck will ensure access to this cutting edge technology and allow the accelerated application of PEDOT:PSS into emerging technologies such as printed electronics.’

The settlement is of particular and lasting interest as it relates to a number of patents, effective until beyond 2020, which will enable emerging technologies to be based on PEDOT:PSS.

About H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH
H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH is a 100% daughter company of H.C. Starck GmbH, Goslar, Gemany. The company supplies conductive materials to the capacitor, antistatic, conductive films, printed electronics, and P-OLED industries. Technology is delivered via extensive research and technical application laboratories in Leverkusen, Germany and Mito, Japan.  

Contact:
John Bayley, Sales Manager
H.C. Starck Clevios GmbH
T: +49 214 30 26718
john.bayley@hcstarck.com