Mexichem Fluor has petitioned the Dept. of Commerce International Trade Commission to open antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations into imports of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane from China. Mexichem Fluor markets the refrigerant under the registered trade name Klea.
The refrigerant (which is a frequent top target of product searches of our database) is also known as R134a, hydrofluorocarbon-134a or HFC-134A, and is used in vehicle air conditioning units. Other applications include its use as the refrigerant in refrigerators/freezers, as a foam blowing agent, as a cleaning solvent and as a propellant in inhalers and aerosols.
Taking note of an antidumping order on R134a in effect in India, Mexichem Fluor cites public and private sources in its claim that there has been a surge in Chinese exports to the US accompanied by a decline in prices to the point that the imports began to undersell the US domestic industry.
Our trade data confirms the increase in volumes accompanied by the decrease in unit price:
The ITC decision on whether to initiate a CVD investigation is due November 12. Documents in the case are available on IA Access (registration required) refer to case numbers A-570-998 and C-570-0999.
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