LG Chem files lawsuit against unit of China's Ronbay over battery tech

SEOUL, Oct 23 (Reuters) - South Korea's LG Chem (051910.KS) said on Wednesday it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit at a Seoul court against a South Korean unit of Chinese battery materials maker Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology (688005.SS).

LG Chem, which makes materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, said in a statement it has determined after testing samples that Ronbay and its unit are importing, producing and selling products that infringe on LG Chem's patents.

The patents include technologies that improve the capacity and power of high-nickel cathode materials and stability at high temperatures, LG Chem said, adding that Ronbay had repeatedly failed to respond to proposed settlement discussions.

Amid intensifying competition in the EV battery market, LG Chem has "decided to actively enforce its patent rights," it said.

Ronbay did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

LG Chem's battery maker affiliate, LG Energy Solution (373220.KS), also told Reuters in April it would consider stepping up efforts to protect its patents as infringements surge along with competition to supply EV makers.