$192 Million Dollar Verdict Upheld

A chemical expert claimed his idea forrecycling certain hazardous wastes was stolen by an internationalmanufacturer.

By: Katie Hammond | WKRG-TV
Published: January 21, 2009

» Comments | Post a Comment

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - A judge in Mobile has upheld a $192 million
jury verdict for a chemical expert who claims his idea for
recycling certain hazardous wastes was stolen by an international
manufacturer.
Mobile County Circuit Judge Robert Smith last week upheld the
verdict, which came in October against Ineos Americas LLC and
Germany-based Ineos Phenol for $192 million in compensatory
damages.
In a statement Wednesday, Ineos Phenol officials denied stealing
the idea and vowed to appeal the verdict to the Alabama Supreme
Court within 42 days.
The suit was filed in 2006 by retired Degussa president Sven
Peter Mannsfeld.
He claims Ineos profited by patenting his idea for a process
that recycles hazardous waste into building products in the
manufacture of tires and other items.
The jury award was pegged to that estimated profit and savings
on hazardous waste disposal.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)