S Korean firm charged with stealing Kevlar secrets

Alexandria: A South Korean firm and five of its employees have been charged with stealing trade secrets from the DuPont Co to mimic its Kevlar body armor. US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil MacBride is holding a news conference today in Alexandria to announce the charges. DuPont manufactures Kevlar in Richmond, which is in the Eastern District. The indictment also charges that the Korean firm, Kolon Industries, stole secrets from a Japanese company that makes a similar product. Kolon produces Heracron, a competitor to Kevlar, which is used not only in body armor but also fiberoptic cable and other products. Last year, a jury in a civil case awarded DuPont a USD 920 million judgment against Kolon for the theft of the trade secrets. Kolon is appealing the case. PTI