Arbitration backs Matthews (NASDAQ: MATW) DBE sales rights against Tesla challenge
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Matthews International Corporation filed an 8-K after an arbitrator issued an interim decision on February 13, 2026 in its dispute with Tesla over dry battery electrode ("DBE") technology. The arbitrator reaffirmed Matthews’ right to develop, produce, market and sell its proprietary DBE solutions to third parties and denied Tesla’s requests for broad injunctive relief against those activities.
The interim decision instead imposed a narrow injunction preventing Matthews from using certain parts in DBE machines, but Matthews already has replacement parts and does not expect this to materially impede its operations or sales. The ruling is described as providing important clarity for Matthews and its customers going forward and supports continued sales of DBE equipment, including its next-generation multi-roll calendering machine, underpinned by multiple foundational DBE patents.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Favorable arbitration narrows restrictions on DBE, preserving Matthews’ growth option.
The interim arbitration decision confirms Matthews International can continue to develop, produce, market and sell its proprietary dry battery electrode (DBE) solutions to third parties. By denying Tesla’s requests for broad injunctive relief, the ruling helps preserve Matthews’ commercial pathway in a strategically important technology area.
The arbitrator imposed only a narrow injunction on using certain parts in DBE machines, and Matthews states it already has replacement parts, so the constraint is not expected to materially affect operations or sales. Multiple foundational DBE patents are highlighted, reinforcing the company’s intellectual property position as it pursues DBE equipment sales and next-generation calendering machines.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
____________________________________________________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 10, 2026
____________________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer | ||||||
| Incorporation or organization) | File Number) | Identification No.) | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(412 ) 442-8200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On March 10, 2026, Matthews International Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing an interim decision by an arbitrator on February 13, 2026, which recognized the Company’s right to develop, produce, market and sell its proprietary dry battery electrode solutions to third parties and denied Tesla’s requests for broad injunctive relief against such activities by the Company. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
99.1 | Press Release, dated March 10, 2026 issued by Matthews International Corporation. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION | |||||||||||
| (Registrant) | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Daniel E. Stopar | ||||||||||
| Daniel E. Stopar | |||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||||||||||
Date: March 10, 2026
 | NEWS RELEASE | ||||
Matthews International Corporation
Corporate Office
Two NorthShore Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5851
Phone: (412) 442-8200
| March 10, 2026 | Contact: | Daniel E. Stopar | |||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |||||||||||
Matthews International Obtains Important Clarity On Matthews’ Right to Sell DBE Equipment
Arbitrator Reaffirms Matthews’s Right to Develop, Produce, Market and Sell Proprietary Dry Battery Electrode Solutions to Third Parties
Company Provides Clarity Regarding Recent Favorable Arbitration Decision in Its Litigation with Tesla
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, March 10, 2026 (PR Newswire) - For the second time in twelve months, an arbitrator has recognized Matthews International Corporation's (NASDAQ GSM: MATW) ("Matthews" or the "Company") right to develop, produce, market and sell its proprietary dry battery electrode (“DBE”) solutions to third parties. Specifically, on February 13, 2026, an arbitrator entered an interim decision providing additional clarity regarding Matthews’ ownership of and rights in “DBE” technology that Matthews has been developing over the past two decades. Matthews successfully defeated Tesla’s most meaningful claims as the arbitrator issued an interim decision denying the broad injunctive relief requested by Tesla and rejecting Tesla’s attempts to prohibit the Company from selling Matthews’ proprietary DBE technology and equipment.
Instead, the interim decision includes a narrow injunction preventing Matthews from using certain parts in dry battery electrode machines. Matthews already has replacement parts, and thus the injunction is not expected to materially impede Matthews’ operations or sales. Importantly, this most recent ruling provides further clarity for Matthews and its customers on a going forward basis.
With the support of these rulings, Matthews will continue to sell DBE equipment and provide state-of-the-art technology offerings to its customers. This includes Matthews’ next generation multi-roll calendering machine. Further, the Company’s intellectual property is protected by multiple foundational patents (including US Patent Nos. US12136727, US12237494, US12334534 and US12418017) that prevent other companies from improperly claiming for themselves DBE solutions developed by Matthews.
Matthews looks forward to continuing to advance the battery manufacturing industry and supporting customers with their future roadmaps in support of the secular trend of electrification.
About Matthews International Corporation
Matthews International Corporation operates through two core global businesses – Industrial Technologies and Memorialization. Both are focused on driving operational efficiency and long-term growth through continuous innovation and strategic expansion. The Industrial Technologies segment evolved from our original marking business, which today is a leading global innovator committed to empowering visionaries to transform industries through the application of precision technologies and intelligent processes. The Memorialization segment is a leading provider of memorialization products, including memorials, caskets and cremation and incineration equipment, primarily to cemetery and funeral home customers that help families move from grief to remembrance. In addition, the Company also has a significant investment in Propelis, a brand solutions business formed through the merger of SGK and SGS & Co. Propelis delivers integrated solutions including brand creative, packaging, print solutions, branded environments, and content production. Matthews International has over 4,300 employees in 15 countries on four continents that are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services.
Forward-looking Information
Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies of Matthews International Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries
(collectively "Matthews" or the "Company") regarding the future, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits and risks associated with the joint venture transaction with Peninsula Parent LLC, d.b.a. Propelis Group ("Propelis") and the timing thereof, and may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "projects," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "seeks," "forecasts," "predicts," "objective," "targets," "potential," "outlook," "may," "will," "could" or the negative of these terms, other comparable terminology and variations thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations, and no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include risks to our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the joint venture transaction with Propelis that closed in fiscal year 2025, changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in interest rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products, including changes in costs due to adjustments to tariffs, any impairment of goodwill or intangible assets, environmental liability and limitations on the Company's operations due to environmental laws and regulations, disruptions to certain services, such as telecommunications, network server maintenance, cloud computing or transaction processing services, provided to the Company by third-parties, changes in mortality and cremation rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, or other factors such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages or labor cost increases, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, ability to achieve cost-reduction objectives, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions, divestitures, and business combinations, cybersecurity concerns and costs arising with management of cybersecurity threats, effectiveness of the Company's internal controls, compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, technological factors beyond the Company's control, impact of pandemics or similar outbreaks, or other disruptions to our industries, customers, or supply chains, the impact of global conflicts, such as the current war between Russia and Ukraine, and conflicts and related sanctions or trade restrictions involving Venezuela, the Company's plans and expectations with respect to its exploration, and contemplated execution, of various strategies with respect to its portfolio of businesses, the Company's plans and expectations with respect to its Board of Directors, and other factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
###
FAQ
What did Matthews International (MATW) announce in its latest 8-K?
Matthews International announced an interim arbitration decision reaffirming its right to develop, produce, market and sell proprietary dry battery electrode solutions to third parties, while denying Tesla’s requests for broad injunctive relief. The company framed this as important clarity for its DBE technology business.
How does the arbitration decision affect Matthews International’s DBE equipment sales?
The decision allows Matthews International to keep selling DBE equipment and related technology to third parties. Only a narrow injunction on certain machine parts was ordered, and Matthews already has replacement parts, so it does not expect material impact on operations or sales from this restriction.
What role does Tesla play in Matthews International’s arbitration disclosure?
Tesla was the counterparty seeking broad injunctive relief to limit Matthews International’s DBE-related activities. The arbitrator denied Tesla’s broad requests, instead issuing only a narrow parts-related injunction, which Matthews indicates should not significantly affect its ability to sell DBE technology and equipment.
How does Matthews International describe the significance of the DBE arbitration ruling?
Matthews International describes the ruling as providing important and further clarity on its ownership and rights in DBE technology developed over two decades. It says this clarity benefits both the company and its customers as it continues selling DBE equipment and next-generation calendering machines globally.
What intellectual property protections support Matthews International’s DBE technology?
Matthews International states that its DBE technology is protected by multiple foundational patents, listing specific U.S. patent numbers. These patents are described as preventing other companies from improperly claiming DBE solutions developed by Matthews, reinforcing its competitive position in dry battery electrode manufacturing technology.
In which business areas does Matthews International operate alongside DBE technology?
Matthews International operates through Industrial Technologies and Memorialization segments and holds a significant investment in Propelis, a brand solutions business. Industrial Technologies focuses on precision technologies, while Memorialization provides memorials, caskets and cremation equipment to cemetery and funeral home customers worldwide.
Filing Exhibits & Attachments
4 documents
Matthews Intl Corp