CoorsTek Bioceramics, a leading supplier of implantable ceramic components for orthopaedic devices, has further established its right to market and sell its pink ceramic hip components in the European Union after the French Supreme Court ruled in favor of CoorsTek in its trademark dispute with CeramTec GmbH.
CeramTec initially brought suit against CoorsTek Bioceramics in 2013, alleging trademark infringement based upon CoorsTek’s marketing of its Permallon® (formerly CeraSurf-P) pink ceramic hip components. CoorsTek counterclaimed for cancellation of the trademarks.
CoorsTek Bioceramics Permallon® Tru material contains a chromium oxide additive for improved performance, including increased hardness and wear performance. The pink coloring of components manufactured from Permallon® Tru is a natural byproduct of the additive.
Following a June 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the French Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) upheld the cancellation of the three CeramTec trademarks by the Paris court of appeal. The Court held that Ceramtec had filed for trademark of its pink components in bad faith based on CeramTec’s intent of the trademark filings to block competitor market access. The Court also held that at the time of the trademark filing, CeramTec knew the pink color resulting from the chromium oxide additive contributed to material strength and was not simply a brand indicator.
This case follows on the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to decline review in a similar legal action. By declining review, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended CeramTec’s efforts to claim trademark rights to the color pink for ceramic hip components in the United States.
“After extensive legal proceedings over the past twelve years, courts in Europe and the U.S. have once again ruled in favor of CoorsTek Bioceramics,” said Mary Gritzmacher, Chief Legal Officer. “We are pleased to receive affirmation of our right to market these critical components from yet another judicial entity.”
Clinical evidence demonstrates that femoral heads manufactured from Permallon® Tru deliver exceptional durability and long-term performance. CoorsTek Bioceramics components are produced in an ISO 13485–certified, FDA-compliant manufacturing facility in Grand Junction, Colorado, USA and are registered for customer use by customers of CoorsTek Bioceramics across North America, Asia, and Europe.
“CoorsTek Bioceramics Permallon® materials were developed to meet the needs of patients, and our material formulation meets or exceeds the requirements set forth by regulatory bodies across the globe.” said Lucian Strong, President, CoorsTek Bioceramics. “Components manufactured from Permallon® ceramic materials are critical to the hip arthroplasty supply chain, and we are proud to partner with leading medical device OEMs to offer these products to the healthcare marketplace.”
CoorsTek Bioceramics is dedicated to leading-edge manufacturing of technical ceramic implant components for the medical device industry. A wholly owned subsidiary of CoorsTek, Inc., CoorsTek Bioceramics is backed by over 110 years of technical ceramics expertise. With a focus on ceramic bearing surfaces for total joint arthroplasty, CoorsTek Bioceramics components can also be found in implant devices for neurological, cardiological, spinal, and radiation applications. Since 2005, over six million CoorsTek Bioceramics components have been sold and distributed for clinical use.
Founded in 1910 and continuously owned and operated by the Coors Family, CoorsTek is a leading global manufacturer of technical ceramics. By leveraging expertise in engineering and materials science, CoorsTek provides solutions to complex challenges in the medical, semiconductor, aerospace, energy, and other industries. With over 400 proprietary material formulations, vertically integrated systems, and unparalleled process capabilities, CoorsTek partners with its customers to make the world measurably better.
