Ontex–Drylock Patent Dispute Heads to Munich Court with €100 Million Claim

A high-stakes legal dispute between leading European private-label diaper manufacturers Ontex Group NV and Drylock Technologies is set to enter a निर्णायक phase, with a €100 million damages claim scheduled for hearing in Munich on April 23, 2026.

The case centers on patented innovations in ultra-lightweight diaper materials and has evolved from a standard patent infringement dispute into a significant financial and legal confrontation following a series of reversals.

The conflict dates back to 2024, when a Düsseldorf court ruled in favor of Ontex in a patent infringement case against Drylock. The ruling effectively barred Drylock from selling certain diaper products in the German market. Following the decision, Ontex issued formal communications to customers and retailers in July 2024, informing them of the infringement ruling and reinforcing the market restriction.

Drylock claims that these actions led to its temporary exclusion from the German market, resulting in substantial revenue losses and reputational damage.

However, the legal landscape shifted in March 2025, when the European Patent Office (EPO) invalidated the patent at the center of the dispute on formal grounds. This decision removed the legal basis for the earlier court ruling and the subsequent market restrictions imposed on Drylock’s products.

In response, Drylock filed a lawsuit in Munich in June 2025, arguing that Ontex’s enforcement actions—particularly its communications to the market—were unjustified given the later invalidation of the patent. The company is seeking compensation exceeding €100 million for losses incurred during the period of restricted market access.

According to Ontex’s 2025 Annual Report, the claim also includes interest at an annual rate of 9%, accruing from July 29, 2025, when the lawsuit was formally served.

Ontex has strongly contested the claims, describing them as “highly speculative and largely unsubstantiated.” The company stated that its defense is supported by economic expert analysis and that it intends to vigorously challenge the allegations on both procedural and substantive grounds. At this stage, Ontex does not anticipate a material impact on its financial position or operations.

The upcoming hearing in Munich is expected to be a pivotal moment in the case, with potential implications for competition, patent enforcement practices, and liability risks within the European hygiene products industry.