Peter Krouse
Plain Dealer Reporter

Kim to betrayed his employer and sold trade secrets to a competitor in South Korea, according to a presentencing report filed by Kim's attorney.

The information Kim handed over to SK Chemicals included the formula for making Estane, Lubrizol's leading brand of thermoplastic polyurethane, which is processed into tubing, medical garments, athletic shoes and auto parts, among other things. It's a tough but flexible material sold in pellet form and then heated.

In an interesting twist, Lubrizol bought SK Chemicals' thermoplastic polyurethane and conductive polymer business in October for an undisclosed price.