Huntsman Settles Suit Against Quintec Films

Film and flexible packaging manufacturer Huntsman Packaging Corp. has settled a suit it had filed against Quintec Films Corp. and four former Huntsman employees. The suit alleged that the former employees, who formed Quintec after leaving Huntsman, made unauthorized use of Huntsman's proprietary information, including Huntsman's stretch film technology. The suit also alleged that one of the former employees breached provisions of a covenant not to compete.

In announcing the settlement, Ronald G. Moffitt, senior VP and general counsel of Huntsman Packaging said that Quintec agreed: to initially use only Huntsman-approved formulations to produce Quintec's stretch

film products and to provide notice of any changes in such formulations to Huntsman until December 31, 1999; that a Huntsman representative has the right to inspect the Quintec plant and production records through December 31, 1999; that, through December 31, 1999, Quintec will not contact or solicit any companies appearing on a list of Huntsman stretch film customers; and that Quintec will pay Huntsman an undisclosed sum of money.

Moffitt commented, "[Huntsman is] satisfied that the settlement sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the misappropriation or unauthorized use of our trade secrets."

Huntsman Packaging Corp. is an affiliate of Huntsman Corp., the United States' largest privately-held chemical company. Huntsman Packaging Corp. annually produces more than 800 million pounds of film and flexible packaging for food, medical and pharmaceutical applications,infant diaper, adult personal care products, household goods, garden supplies, pet food, cosmetics, retail merchandise, and agricultural, industrial and institutional applications.