On July 21, 2016 the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it would be launching and antidumping investigation of dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) imports from South Korea. The petition, which was initiated by Eastman Chemical Company, alleged dumping margins of 23.7 – 47.86 percent below market value. A preliminary determination in the antidumping investigation is expected to be made by December 2016, and a final determination can be expected by April 6, 2017.
DOTP, a general use plasticizer used in PVC to increase flexibility, had an estimated import value of $31.2 million and an import volume of 25,800 MT in 2015. The antidumping law is designed to protect domestic manufacturers (such as Eastman Chemical Company) from the “market-distorting” effects of foreign companies selling products into the United States at less than its fair market value. If the investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission rules in favor of Eastman, DOTP imports from Korea would be subject to an antidumping duty determined to counteract the alleged dumping margin.