Two Chinese nationals charged in U.S.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Two Chinese nationals face federal charges in Kansas City, Mo., of trying to steal trade secrets from Pittsburgh Corning's plant in Sedalia, Mo.

The two, both citizens of China, were charged with attempting to pay $100,00 for the stolen trade secrets from the Sedalia plant, which makes FOAMGLAS, said acting U.S. Attorney David Ketchmark, the U.S. Justice Department said on its Web site.

Ji Li Huang, 45, and Xiao Guang Qi, 31, were charged in a federal criminal complaint filed in the district court, alleging the two tried to illegally buy trade secrets for the purpose of opening a plant in China to compete with Pittsburgh Corning. The two were arrested in their hotel room last Sunday by the FBI, the report said.

The various grades of cellular glass insulation sold under the trade name FOAMGLAS are used to insulate industrial piping systems and liquefied natural gas storage tank bases largely used by energy and petro chemical companies and by natural gas facilities, the report said.

The report said Pittsburgh Corning recently reported technological advances in these products and that the company treats its product formula and manufacturing process proprietary and trade secrets.

The report said Pittsburgh Corning is in negotiations to build a plant in China.