NEW ORLEANS – Royal Coatings has filed a lawsuit accusing StanChem and Hall Technologies of misappropriating its trade secrets and confidential business information to cut them out of a lucrative business opportunity.
Royal Coatings filed the lawsuit in federal court against StanChem and Hall Technologies.
According to court documents, Royal Coatings claims it developed a protective coating for railcars, initially in collaboration with Hempel (USA) Inc. After encountering difficulties due to the high cost of a specific polymer, RCI offered to develop and supply an alternative coating to Hempel. In 2022, RCI engaged StanChem and Hall Technologies in a partnership to develop this alternative polymer.
However, RCI alleges StanChem and Hall Technologies, after signing non-disclosure agreements, proceeded to use RCI's confidential information and cut RCI out of the business opportunity by selling the alternative polymer directly to Hempel themselves.
RCI accuses StanChem and Hall Technologies of misappropriating RCI's trade secrets and confidential business information, ultimately excluding RCI from a lucrative business opportunity. RCI claims these actions constitute violations of trade secret laws, engaging in unfair trade practices, civil conspiracy and breach of contract.
RCI is requesting a trial jury to seek a judgment for monetary damages plus compensation for attorney fees, legal fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. In addition, RCI seeks a permanent injunction to prohibit the defendants from further use or disclosure of RCI's trade secrets or confidential information. RCI is being represented by Joseph F. Lavigne, P.J. Kee and Jacob J. Pritt of Jones Walker.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:23-cv-06394