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The European Patent Office (EPO) confirmed the validity of Solvay’s European patent EP 3 971 138 B1 (EP ’138) following opposition proceedings initiated by WE Soda Ltd in February 2025. The decision, issued after oral hearings on May 19, 2026, upholds the patent subject to minor amendments, though it remains subject to potential appeal. EP ’138 protects Solvay’s proprietary process for treating and recycling purge streams generated during sodium carbonate (soda ash) and sodium bicarbonate production, as well as the products derived from these processes.

Solvay’s EP ’138 is part of a broader patent family that includes EP 2 878 579 B1 (EP ’579), which is currently involved in separate litigation with WE Soda. In August 2021, Solvay filed patent infringement claims in Dutch courts against WE Soda and its affiliates, alleging infringement of the Dutch designation of EP ’579. On December 3, 2025, the court ruled in Solvay’s favor, upholding the patent and granting an injunction barring the import and supply of infringing products to the Netherlands. WE Soda and the defendants have appealed the decision, which remains pending.

The EP ’138 patent is a unitary patent, allowing Solvay to pursue infringement actions through the Unitary Patent Court (UPC). This provides a streamlined legal process covering at least 18 countries, enabling patent holders to obtain injunctions to halt the import of infringing products across multiple jurisdictions in a single action. Solvay emphasized the importance of respecting intellectual property rights for fair competition and reiterated its commitment to defending its innovations globally.

Solvay, a global chemical company founded in 1863, reported €4.3 billion in net sales for 2025 and operates with over 8,400 employees. The company focuses on sustainable solutions across industries, including air and water purification, food preservation, and sustainable materials. Solvay has set a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris under the ticker SOLB.