China probes 4 countries for dumping

China’s Ministry of Commerce has begun an anti-dumping probe on methanol imported from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand, which are sold cheaper than locally produced methanol. The ministry will probe whether imports from the four countries have harmed the domestic methanol industry. The officials said they hope to complete the investigation by June 24, 2010 or December 24, 2010 at the latest. Methanol shipped in from these four countries accounts for more than half of China’s total overseas product purchases, analysts said. China produces methanol from coal, but gas-rich countries which produce methanol from gas are able to produce methanol cheaper. (June 25, 2009)