US set to impose duties on Chinese R134a

In May of this year, the Department of Commerce found that Chinese manufacturers Weitron International Refrigeration Equipment (Kunshan) Co Ltd and Jiangsu Bluestar Green Technology Co Ltd had received preliminary dumping margins of 133.47% and 237.33%, respectively. Three other exporters – Shandong Dongyue Chemical Co Ltd, TT International Co Ltd and Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Industry Co Ltd – were said to have qualified for a separate rate of 187.48%. All other producers/exporters in China received a China-wide preliminary dumping margin of 237.33%.

The investigation was sparked by a petition filed by refrigerant manufacturer Mexichem, last November, in which it maintained that subsidised R134a from China was being sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Imports of R134a from China were said to have increased from 4,369 tons in 2010 to 12,868 tons in 2012 before declining slightly in first half of 2013. In addition to these significant increases, the imports entered at exceptionally low prices. Drawing on customs data, Mexichem maintained that import prices fell from $5,280 per ton in 2010 to $4,130 per ton in 2012 and then plummeted to $3,400 per ton in the first half of last year.

The value of US imports of R134a from China was estimated at $34,695,000 in 2013.