By Miles Moore, Senior Washington Reporter
WASHINGTON — The Mexican Ministry of Economy recently initiated an investigation of alleged dumping of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) in the Mexican market by producers from South Korea, Poland, Japan and the U.S.
Mexico's action came after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) found evidence of material injury to the U.S. synthetic rubber industry caused by ESBR imports from Brazil, Mexico, Poland and South Korea.
The Mexican government's action was spurred by Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V., Mexico's only ESBR producer, which filed its antidumping petition April 11 with the Ministry of Economy.
According to Negromex, the scope of the investigation refers to SBR rubbers that have 22.5 to 62.5 percent butadiene by weight. These are classified within the 1500 series (non-extended cold polymerized polymers); 1700 (extended cold polymers with oil); and 1900 (high styrene) as defined by the numerical system of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, the company said.