Drylock Technologies is seeking more than €100 million in damages from absorbent products manufacturer Ontex as part of a patent dispute, according to a report published in the Belgian newspaper, De Tijd. The first court hearing in the case is scheduled at the end of April.

The two Belgian diaper manufacturers have been engaged in a patent battle in Germany involving one of the intermediate layers used in diapers. Ontex argues that one of the ultralight layers used in Drylock diapers violated one of its German patents in Germany for this ultra‑light material. As a result, Drylock was not permitted to use this specification for the German market. Following the court decision, Drylock was temporarily barred from selling its products on the market. However, the family-owned diaper company of Van Malderen — backed by the Boël family holding Sofina, which owns a 25% stake —launched a counteroffensive. Drylock appealed to the European Patent Office and obtained a favorable ruling at the end of March, overturning the initial decision of the Düsseldorf court.

As part of this countoffensive, Drylock initiated legal proceedings itself, filing a claim for damages incurred, which, according to Ontex’s annual report, is valued at €100 million from Ontex, plus 9% interest accruing starting with July 2025 start of legal action. The first oral hearing is scheduled at the end of April, and a ruling could follow relatively quickly.

Ontex has described the claim as “highly speculative and largely unfounded,” stating that this position is supported by economic experts. At this stage, Ontex’s management does not expect the outcome of the dispute to have “a material adverse effect” on the group’s financial position or operations, according to reports.

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