Porter Hedges Secures $57 Million Jury Verdict for Shintech in Galveston Federal Court

Porter Hedges secured a $57 million jury verdict in a breach of contract case on behalf of its client Shintech Incorporated (“Shintech”) following a two-week jury trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division, after more than three years of litigation.

The verdict followed extensive discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation in a complex commercial dispute over a long-term supply contract. After hearing the evidence, the jury found in Shintech’s favor on its breach of contract claims and awarded $57 million in damages, representing a complete trial victory.

Headquartered in Houston, Shintech is the world’s largest manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride resin (“PVC”), operating multiple manufacturing facilities in the United States and supplying materials used in construction, infrastructure, medical, and consumer applications.

The case was Shintech Incorporated v. Olin Corporation and Blue Cube Operations LLC, Civil Action No. 3:23-cv-00112, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division (jury verdict Feb. 10, 2026).

Background

The dispute arose from a 10-year supply contract under which Shintech negotiated to receive vinyl chloride monomer (“VCM”) from defendants Olin Corporation and its affiliate, Blue Cube Operations, beginning January 1, 2021. VCM is a critical raw material used at Shintech’s Freeport, Texas facility to manufacture PVC.

In January 2023, Shintech sought a contractual credit after not receiving the agreed supply volumes, at which point the parties’ dispute escalated over pricing, credits, and the defendants’ refusal to resume deliveries following a scheduled plant turnaround. Shintech invoked the contract’s dispute resolution procedures in March 2023 and filed suit in April 2023, seeking enforcement of the agreement.

Although the court denied preliminary injunctive relief in May 2023, Shintech paid $18 million under protest in an effort to restore supply while the dispute continued. Partial deliveries resumed in June 2023, with reduced volumes continuing into July. The case proceeded through extensive discovery and trial, culminating in a federal jury verdict in February 2026.

Petition (December 4, 2024)

Jury Charge – Verdict (February 10, 2026)