On March 24, 2016, the United States Department of Commerce announced the initiation of an antidumping duty (AD) investigation regarding imports of a refrigerant compound from the People’s Republic of China.  The product subject to this investigation is 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane also known as R-134a, or its chemical equivalent, regardless of form, type, or purity level. 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane is an inert gas used primarily as a “high-temperature” refrigerant for domestic refrigeration and air conditioners.  Other uses include cleaning solvent and propellants for pharmaceuticals. The chemical formula for 1,1,1,2- Tetrafluoroethane is CF3-CH2F, and the Chemical Abstracts Service registry number is CAS 811-97- 2.  In 2015, imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane from China were valued at an estimated $46.2 million.

United States antidumping law provides U.S. businesses with a mechanism to seek relief from market-distorting effects caused by the dumping of imports into the United States.  Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value.  The U.S. businesses seeking relief from unfair imports are referred to as petitioners.

The petitioners for this investigation are the American HFC Coalition and its individual members, as well as District Lodge 154 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The individual members of the American HFC Coalition are: Amtrol Inc. (RI), Arkema Inc. (PA), The Chemours Company FC LLC (DE), Honeywell International Inc. (NJ), Hudson Technologies (NY), Mexichem Fluor Inc. (LA), and Worthington Industries, Inc. (OH).

The next step in the investigation is for the U.S. International Trade Commission to make a preliminary injury determination.  This decision must be made before April 18, 2016.  For more information on the AD investigation process, visit the Antidumping Fundamentals page.

The Department of Commerce press release announcing the investigation is available here. 

For questions about antidumping investigations, contact Frohsin & Barger.