BEIJING, July 23 -- China's Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday that it launched an anti-dumping investigation into imported n-Propanol (NPA) from the United States.

The investigation is expected to end before July 23, 2020, but may extend until Jan. 23, 2021, according to an online statement by the ministry.

NPA, which is formed naturally in small amounts during many fermentation processes, is used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly for resins and cellulose esters.