At the request of MSSA S.A.S. ("MSSA" or "Métaux Spéciaux"), a French supplier of raw materials to the chemical industry, the European Commission has launched two unfair trade investigations of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. ("DuPont") concerning DuPont´s exports of sodium metal to the European Union ("EU"). The Commission is investigating MSSA´s complaint that DuPont is dumping sodium metal in the EU by selling at an unfair price that is between 25% to 35% lower than its prices in the United States and is receiving unfair government subsidies in the range of 30% to 40%.
Other than DuPont, Métaux Spéciaux (www.metauxspeciaux.fr), based near Albertville in the French Alps, is the only major producer of sodium metal, offering products in liquid bulk, solid bricks/ingots and in specialty grades. Antidumping measures would restore fair competition in the European market and ensure a long–term and reliable source of supply for all industrial customers. Without relief from dumped and subsidized imports from DuPont, MSSA, which has lost up to 35% market share in Europe over the past five years, will suffer severe harm. If DuPont´s unfair trading practices are left unchecked, DuPont possibly would drive MSSA out of business, leaving DuPont in a monopoly position.
If DuPont´s unfair trade actions are not stopped, it could jeopardize MSSA´s plans for exciting future applications of sodium metal for green and clean energy applications. Métaux Spéciaux has long been, thanks to the high purity of its sodium, a pioneer in the development of new applications for sodium metal, such as sodium sulfur batteries for storing solar or wind energy and nuclear reactors (4th generation and Fast Breeders). MSSA remains the unique supplier for these applications. MSSA also is active in the development of a new process for the production of titanium metal used to manufacture lighter, more energy–efficient aircraft and also supplies sodium for the production of silicon for photovoltaic solar panels.
Sodium metal (Na) is used in a wide range of applications as an intermediate product in the manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and in metal refining. It is widely employed to manufacture agricultural chemicals, dyes, indigo, nylon synthetic fibers, rubber compounds, and flavors and fragrances, and to produce pharmaceutical products such as barbiturates, vitamins A and C, and ibuprofen. In metal manufacturing, sodium metal is needed to produce pure metals such as titanium, tantalum, hafnium, and zirconium. Other metal industry uses include silicon manufacturing; refining metallic lead, silver, and zinc; alloying metals; and steel de–scaling via sodium hydride.
The European Commission is expected to announce the preliminary determination of its investigation in April 2009.
