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News Release 17-042
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1313 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission also made a negative finding with respect to critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China. As a result, goods sold at less than fair value that entered the United States prior to October 7, 2016 (date of Commerce’s affirmative preliminary determination), will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
The Commission’s public report 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1313 (Final), USITC Publication 4679, April 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by April 26, 2017; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1313 (Final)
Product Description: 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (“R‐134a”) is a clear, colorless liquid or gas, which is gaseous at normal atmospheric conditions. The chemical formula for R-134a is CF3‐CH2F, and the Chemical Abstracts Service (“CAS”) registry number is CAS 811‐97‐2. R-134a is mainly used as a refrigerant for air conditioning (“A/C”) systems. It is the primary refrigerant in mobile (e.g., automobile) A/C systems and can be blended with other chemicals for use in stationary refrigeration systems. R‐134a is also used as a propellant in pharmaceutical, household cleaning, and foam expansion products.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping.
2. Petitioners: The American HFC Coalition and its individual members (Amtrol, Inc., West Warwick, RI; Arkema, Inc., King of Prussia, PA; The Chemours Company FC LLC, Wilmington, DE; Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ; Hudson Technologies, Pearl River, NY; Mexichem Fluor Inc., St. Gabriel, LA; and Worthington Industries, Inc., Columbus, OH) as well as District Lodge 154 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Calvert City, KY.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC: March 3, 2016.
4. USITC hearing: February 23, 2017.
5. USITC vote: March 23, 3017.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: April 5, 2017.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. producers in 2015: Three.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2015: 205.
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2015: $220.9 million.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: $279.7 million.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: 18.1 percent (in value).
U.S. Imports in 2015:
1. From China during 2015: $50.8 million.
2. From other countries during 2015: $8.1 million.
3. Leading source during 2015: China (in terms of total value).