Shortage of PTFE

[Bluecat46]

Has anyone experienced this problem in the shortage of PTFE in Gaskets and lined pipe. And is anyone knows why? I am being told 2 different stories

1) China has all the raw material for PTFE
2) The USA and Canada have all the raw materials

 

[micalbrch]

I heard the first explanation from a few manufacturers of PTFE components. China has big fluorspar sources but is not the only country. But many other countries have not made investments in the fluorspan mines during the last years so that China became one of the global players.

 

[moltenmetal]

What we've been told is that the earthquake and tsunami affected a major plant in Japan, leading to a hole in the worldwide distribution chain. Certain vendors of teflon-intensive components are quoting long lead times as a result.