February 10, 2021
News Release 21-021
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1472 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Difluoromethane (R-32) from China Injures U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of difluoromethane (R-32) from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.

The Commission’s public report Difluoromethane (R-32) from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1472 (Final), USITC Publication 5165, March 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by March 23, 2021; 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

Difluoromethane from China
Investigation No. 731‐TA‐1472 (Final) 

Product Description:  R-32 is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), a colorless, odorless, gaseous chemical that is primarily used as a component in HFC blends. Once blended, these gases are used for various residential and commercial refrigerant and cooling applications. Apart from ‘R-32’, difluoromethane has other names, including HFC-32, FC-32, Freon-32, methylene difluoride, methylene fluoride, carbon fluoride hydride, halocarbon R32, fluorocarbon R32, and UN 3252. Compared to other HFC components, R-32 has a relatively lower global warming potential, no ozone depletion potential, and is a low-to-medium temperature refrigerant.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty investigation.
2.   Petitioners:  Arkema, Inc., Pennsylvania.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, January 23, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (cancelled).
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
6.   USITC Views to Commerce:  not later than Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2019:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  1.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Kentucky.
3.   Production and related workers: [1]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2019:

1.   Subject imports:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  China.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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