The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation into antidumping and countervailing duty allegations regarding imports of chromium trioxide from India and Turkey.
Nithya NagarajanThe determination in the case — expected in September of 2026 — could result in new tariffs placed on plating chemicals used in the chromium process, and higher costs for finishers.
Chromium trioxide (CrO3) is used in chrome plating, metal finishing, anodizing aluminum, and as a catalyst. It is used with additives that affect the plating process. Still, it does not react with the trioxide, which reacts with cadmium, zinc, and other metals to generate passivating chromate films that resist corrosion. Chromium trioxide in solution is called chromic acid.
Vishnu Chemicals and Şişecam are Targeted
The investigation centers on Indian chemical manufacturer Vishnu Chemicals and Turkish conglomerate Şişecam, which produces chromium sulfate under the Trisurfin brand at plants in Turkey and Italy.
Both Vishnu Chemicals and Şişecam supply chromium to various electroplating chemical companies that sell and distribute products in the U.S. A countervailing duty (CVD) is an import tax placed on foreign goods to offset unfair government subsidies — like grants or tax breaks— that can make those products artificially cheap, and harm domestic producers and prevent fair competition.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, chromium imports from India have gone from 1,226,000 kilograms a year in 2022 to 809,599 in 2024. Imports from Turkey have gone from 6,900,000 kilograms in 2022 to 7,300,000 in 2024.
American Chrome and Chemical Filed Complaint
Chromium trioxide (CrO3) flakes is used in chrome plating.The antidumping and countervailing duty was filed by American Chrome and Chemical in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, which, according to an affidavit filed with the case, “American Chrome is the sole producer of chromium trioxide in the United States and accounted for all U.S. production of chromium trioxide during the period 2022 through the current date.”
ACC has two production facilities in Corpus Christi, TX, and Castle Hayne, NC, and three locations in Amarillo, TX; Dakota, NE; and Milwaukee, WI. ACC was formerly named Elementis Chromium but changed its name in 2022 following its acquisition by the YILDIRIM Group, which is based in Turkey.
According to information, when Elementis Chromium was sold to YILDIRIM Group, ACC’s U.S. chromium business operates from five manufacturing sites and employs approximately 240 people.
“The largest site is at Castle Hayne in North Carolina, which produces sodium dichromate and chromic acid,” the company says. “These products are then transported to the four other sites, one of which produces chrome oxide and the other three chrome sulfate.”
Requesting “Antidumping and Countervailing Duties
Nithya Nagarajan, a partner in the Husch Blackwell law firm in Washington, D.C., who is representing ACC in the case, wrote in the complaint to the Department of Commerce that her client is requesting “the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties” on the imports from India and Turkey.
The Department of Commerce says in certifying the complaint that “the petitioner alleges that imports of chromium trioxide from India and Türkiye are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of section 731 of the Act.”
Christopher Abbott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, wrote that the “petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject merchandise sold at LTFV.”
Abbott wrote that the “petitioner contends that the industry’s injured condition is illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports; increased market share of subject imports; underselling and price suppression; lost sales and revenues; declines in production, capacity utilization, and U.S. shipments; and negative impact on financial performance.”
The complaint was filed in September 2025. Between November and December, the Department of Commerce says it requested “supplemental information about certain aspects of the Petitions in supplemental questionnaires” as it began the investigation.
On December 29, the Department of Commerce announced that “the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support for the initiation of the requested LTFV investigations.” According to the published schedule for the case, a preliminary determination on the complaint is expected by May 2026, and a final determination could be issued in August or September.
