R-134a has a global-warming potential (GWP) of 1,430. This means it traps 1,430 times as much heat per kilogram as carbon dioxide does over a 100-year period. Because R-134a has such a high GWP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed R-134a as an “unacceptable” refrigerant for certain refrigeration and air conditioning applications under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has decided that U.S. industry is being materially injured by imports of refrigerant R-134a from China that are being “dumped” in the U.S. The USITC’s affirmative determination paves the way for the U.S Department of Commerce to issue an anti-dumping duty order.
The International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce published an amended preliminary determination in the Federal Register on Dec. 1 that posts the duty deposit rate for entries of R-134a from China at 232.3 percent.
Thinking back on my attempt as a young man to charge my car’s air conditioner, I was stunned to see a commercial on TV the other day for A/C PRO, a do-it-yourself a/c recharge kit for cars and trucks. I went to the website and, sure enough, they’re selling recharging canisters of R-134a for do-it-yourselfers.
Mexichem announced that its subsidiary, Mexichem Fluor, has appealed the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling that the import of Chinese refrigerants does not harm the U.S. refrigerant gas industry.
Mexichem, a global specialty chemicals company that produces refrigerant gases, announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that imports of R-134a refrigerant from China do not harm United States industry. This ruling, however, runs counter to a U.S. Department of Commerce proposed final resolution.
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) on Dec. 13 voted 6-0 to move forward against China regarding possible illegal HFC-134a refrigerant coming into the United States. The ITC said in a news release that there is a “reasonable indication” that U.S. industry is materially injured by the imports.