[THE INVESTOR] The US International Trade Commission on Aug. 12 ruled that South Korean petrochemicals are damaging the US industry, raising concerns of further antidumping measures against South Korean products.

According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, the USITC sided with US chemicals-maker Eastman Chemical’s claims against three South Korean producers of DOTC. DOTC is a plasticizer use in the production of polyvinyl chloride and other plastics. 



In its petition, Eastman Chemical claimed that South Korean DOTC exported to the US is damaging the US industry, and requested antidumping tariffs of up to 47.86 percent.

The US Department of Commerce will conduct further investigation, and the USITC will announce the final results in February.

South Korean DOTC-makers’ exports to the US came to US$3.12 million last year, taking the largest share of the imported DOTC market in the US.

Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)