[news 2001-2002]

Europe approves patent for ceramic coating process developed by Queen's spinoff

Sept. 20, 2001

MUNICH -- A unique ceramic coating process developed by Datec Coating Corp., a spinoff company of Queen's University's PARTEQ Innovations, has received patent approval from the European Patent Office.

The European patent, Method for Producing Thick Ceramic Films by a Sol Gel Coating Process, will be in effect in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. The Datec process was previously patented in the U.S. The company is currently pursuing corresponding patent protection in Canada, Korea and Japan.

Developed by Queen's researchers David Barrow, Ted Petroff and Michael Sayer, the Datec process produces a dense, hard, wear-resistant ceramic surface on metallic components. Offering corrosion-resistance as well as non-stick and thermal and electric insulating properties, the technology has a broad range of applications, from household appliances and cookware to the automotive, plastics and aerospace industries.

"Datec is making great progress in developing a number of applications for their technology and in attracting corporate support for their work," says John Molloy, President and CEO of PARTEQ. "A clear and strong patent position is vital to Datec's strength and significantly enhances the company's ability to realize value from its technology."

"This is great news!" says David Barrow, President of Datec. "A significant portion of our commercial activity is in Europe and so it is very important to have protection in that part of the world."

Based in Milton, Ont., Datec is currently developing applications with major industrial collaborators in the automotive, polymer processing and appliance industries.

Contact:
John Molloy, President & CEO
PARTEQ Innovations
(613) 533-2342

David Barrow, President
Datec Coating Corp.
(905) 876-1999