News

Luvata Oy (Pori, Finland), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Materials Corporation ("MMC"), has signed a sublicense agreement with Wieland-Werke AG (Ulm, Germany; CEO: Dr. Erwin Mayr; "Wieland") to use GloBrass® (*1) patent and trademark rights in Europe and North America.

Based in Germany, Wieland is one of the world's leading suppliers of semi-finished copper and copper alloy products. The company previously had a license agreement with MMC for ECO BRASS®, a conventional lead-free brass alloy developed by MMC, and has contributed to the growth of ECO BRASS® into a global lead-free brass. The sublicense agreement for GloBrass® has been concluded in expectation of early market penetration through the company's network.

MMC and Luvata Oy are in the process of obtaining EN (*2) standards for GloBrass® to maximize its values. MMC and Luvata Oy together will continue to promote various strategic initiatives of GloBrass®, including market development through licensing in accordance with the main objectives of the FRAND declaration (*3) under the EN standards, and thus to swiftly make this environmentally friendly lead-free brass product widely used in various applications.

MMC has set out Our Commitment of "For people, society, and the earth, circulating resources for a sustainable future" based on its corporate philosophy. MMC will continue to contribute to the world through developing and supplying environmentally friendly materials and high-value-added products to the market.

*1...

GloBrass®, ECO BRASS® Product Introduction Website
URL : https://www.mitsubishi-copper.com/en/products/materials/ecobrass/

*2...

EN
EN is an abbreviation for the "European Norm", which refers to technical standards used in the European Union (EU). EN standards are intended to promote technical uniformity and establish common standards among EU member states.

*3...

FRAND declaration
FRAND is an abbreviation for "Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory" terms. Under such FRAND declaration, the holder of the patent rights related to the EN standard technology declares that such patents are available on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions.

[Related information]
May 22, 2023
Luvata Signs a Sublicense Agreement for GloBrass® with Wieland
URL : https://www.luvata.com/company/news/2023/05/22/globrass-sublicense-agreement-with-wieland

April 26, 2023
Mitsubishi Materials grants exclusive license for GloBrass® to Luvata
URL : https://www.mmc.co.jp/corporate/en/news/2023/news20230426.html

Luvata Oy Corporate Website
URL : https://www.luvata.com