Chinese Ministry of Commerce has announced it is initiating anti-dumping measures against imported meta-Cresol, which is used in the manufacture of other chemicals, synthetic vitamin E, pesticides, disinfectants and preservatives, among others.

According to the country’s ministry, the domestic industry has seen substantial damage from the dumping of these products by countries such as the US, the EU, the UK and Japan, reported Xinhua.

The ministry said this is a final ruling based on an anti-dumping investigation that began in July 2019.

Starting from today, duties will range from 27.9% to 131.7% for a five-year period, according to the ministry.

Meta-Cresol is an organic compound drawn from coal tar.

The probe was launched following a June request by domestic manufacturers of meta-Cresol.

It focused on dumping and damage to the domestic industry from 2016 to 2018.

Earlier this month, US-based chemical and speciality materials company Celanese announced its plans to build a multi-phase, world-class Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) polymerisation plant in China.

The company expects to accelerate the growth of its Vectra and Zenite LCP product lines with the establishment of the new plant.

Celanese, which is currently on the lookout for a site for the new LCP facility, said that it is considering both existing and greenfield locations.

In December 2020, Germany-based styrenics supplier INEOS Styrolution held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plant in Ningbo, China.

By constructing a new 600kt ABS facility in China, INEOS Styrolution intends to further expand its presence in the country as well as improve its services in the Chinese ABS market.

Source: Chemical Technology