BASEL, Switzerland – Arch Chemicals Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Lonza Group Ltd. operating within the Lonza Microbial Control business sector, has reached an agreement pursuant to which Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd. of Japan has licensed Arch under certain patents in the United States, Europe, Japan, and China covering an advanced method of manufacturing 1, 2 benzisothiazolin 3-one (BIT). Under the agreement, Arch has the right to sub-license the technology to third parties, and to enforce the licensed patents against direct and indirect infringement.

“We are pleased to come to this agreement with Sumitomo Seika,” said Mark Kenline of Lonza Microbial Control’s Materials Protection business. “BIT is widely used as a preservative in our key market segments, where it is sold under the Proxel™ trademark, and this licensing agreement enhances our ability to provide our customers with global registrations, security of supply, unparalleled product support, and products manufactured by the best available technology.”