The Mexican government has initiated an investigation into dumping imports of synthetic rubber: emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) from the US as well as Poland, South Korea and Japan.
Industrias Negromex, the only producer of emulsion synthetic rubber in México, requested to the national authorities to start an investigation of ESBR imports sold at less than fair value.
Negromex noted that the product under investigation refers to SBR rubber, whose compositions of butadiene with styrene in different proportions are in the range of 22.5% to 62.5% of butadiene by weight, which is classified within the 1500 series (non-extended cold polymerised polymers), 1700 (extended cold polymers with oil) and 1900 (high styrene), according to the numerical system of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP).
Felipe Varela, CEO of Negromex and Dynasol Group, said the scope of the investigation could be extended to other emulsion synthetic rubber producers from Europe, Latin America and Asia if they are selling at less than “normal value” in Mexico.
The Ministry of Economy set an investigation period from November 1st, 2015 to October 31, 2016, and as the period of damage analysis from November 1st, 2013 to October 31, 2016.
Industrias Negromex is part of Dynasol Group, a joint venture between Repsol and KUO Group. Dynasol Group is a producer of synthetic rubber (ESBR, NBR, SSBR, SBS, SEBS) and rubber chemicals. The company production sites are located in Mexico, Spain an China.