POMBLIERE, France–(EMWNews)–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 (4^th

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.

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