Invista Sues DuPont for $1 Billion; Firm Responds

New York, NY, March 26, 2008—Invista has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against DuPont Co.

Invista's lawsuit charges that DuPont in 2004 sold Invista 14 manufacturing plants in 5 countries for $4 billion that were noncompliant with safety and environmental laws and regulations The U.S. plants are in South Carolina, Tennessee and Delaware.

According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, Invista is seeking compensatory damages of at least $800 million, plus punitive damages.

DuPont General Counsel Stacey J. Mobley said, "Invista's allegations lack merit and cannot be supported by evidence or the law. DuPont intends to vigorously defend itself against INVISTA's grossly exaggerated and misguided allegations, and is confident that it will be vindicated when all of the evidence is examined in a court of law.

"Invista’s allegations are based purely on a contract dispute - plain and simple. Not a single person was injured or placed at unreasonable risk in connection with any of Invista’s indemnification claims. Instead, four years after subsidiaries of Koch Industries acquired the facilities at issue from DuPont, Invista's current allegations appear to be opportunistic efforts, including funding for Invista's production capacity expansions and other earmarked capital improvement projects.”