The Mexican authorities have confirmed this week the approval of higher quotas for CRC imports from Korean producers Hyundai and Posco, following a revision started last year, Kallanish learns from official releases.

In 2013, Mexico agreed to avoid charging antidumping duties on CRC imports from Korea, in return for the imposition of import quotas. Last year the two Korean suppliers requested that the quotas be revised upwards. This was in order to secure better supply to the local carmaking sector as well as the local rolling plant set up by Posco in Mexico.

According to the confirmed revision, Hyunday can import 35,000 tonnes of CRC this year and 45,000t in 2018. This is almost 50% more than previously approved. Posco will be able to import 530,000t of CRC this year and 545,000t in 2018, up only 9% compared with the first agreement in 2013.

Posco controls two facilities in Mexico for the processing of CRC and production of 900,000 tonnes/year of HDG. The company earlier requested the possibility of increasing its CRC imports to secure feedstock for its rolling lines in Mexico.