February 5, 2026 11:00

Starlinger, the Austrian manufacturer of machinery and plants for plastic packaging and recycling, has announced that it has won at first instance the patent lawsuit it filed last year against two Chinese companies—and one of their customers—accused of infringing three patents related to the production of Adstar plastics bags.

The dispute centres on Starlinger’s adstarKON conversion line for manufacturing block-bottom plastic bags fitted with the Adstar valve. In particular, the case focused on the triangle bottom forming mechanism, known as the wing opener, which is patented in numerous countries, including China.

The court found that the two Chinese machine builders had infringed Starlinger’s patents and ordered them to cease and desist from manufacturing and selling the disputed block-bottom valve bag machines.

“The court decisions at first instance are an initial step to show that copying innovative technologies no longer goes unpunished in China. Although the decisions are not yet effective, there is no doubt that the original will ultimately win out over the copy”, said Harald Neumüller, CSO of Starlinger. “Technology leaders like us need to protect their innovations and defend their rights by all means. If companies try to copy our technologies, we are prepared and ready to take legal action against them and their customers.”

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