China POM Tariffs
Another “tit for tat” situation between China and the US. Polyoxymethylene (POM), is better known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde It is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability.
To better explain . . . the applications of polyacetals include moving parts in appliances and machines (gears, bearings, bushings, etc.), in automobiles (door handles, etc.), plumbing and irrigation (valves, pumps, faucets, shower heads, etc.), industrial or mechanical products (rollers, bearings, gears, conveyer chains, and housings), and consumer products (cams, zippers, pen barrels, disposable lighters, and combs). Science Direct.
The tariff rate especially targets the U.S. Another fine mess . . .
“Celanese US Operations Hit Hardest by China POM Tariffs,” Plastics Today
China’s commerce ministry has concluded an investigation into imports of polyacetal (POM) resin from the United States, Europe, and Asian nations and announced anti-dumping duties as high as 74.9% on imports of the resin. The probe was launched in May 2024 — the same week the US increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and the European Union launched its own trade investigation into certain Chinese steel imports. Chinese customs officials began collecting security deposits in January this year.
Polyacetal is widely used in automobile parts, electronic and electrical appliances, industrial machinery, sporting equipment, medical devices, pipes, fittings, and construction and building materials. China imported around 427,000 tonnes of POM in 2024, with the leading country of origin being South Korea. Malaysia, where Japan’s Polyplastic operates a plant, ranked second with 60,000 tonnes of imports, followed by the US, also with around 60,000 tonnes of imports, Taiwan (52,000 tonnes), Germany (51,000 tonnes), and Japan (44,500 tonnes). China accounts for more than half of global polyacetal resin demand.
Anti-dumping duty rates imposed on major polyacetal suppliers for a period of five years are as follows:
- Celanese US: 74.9%
- Celanese Europe: 34.5%
- Polyplastics Taiwan: 3.8%
- Formosa Plastics Taiwan: 3.8%
- Polyplastics Japan: 35.5%
- Asahi Kasei Japan: 24/5% (Asahi Kasei also produces POM in China).
Those plastics are one of the wonders of the modern age. I grew up in a world where everything was metal, wood, rubber, glass or leather. Now, they can make gears and bearings and high strength mechanical parts out of these plastics. They can even be 3D printed. This is impressive for a boy who used to collect the mica from electrical fuse windows.
P.S. By around 1970, they replaced that mica with plastic. It wasn’t the same. It was probably better. Now everyone uses circuit breakers.