WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 26, 2016) — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has determined, preliminarily, that evidence of material injury exists against the U.S. emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber industry because of ESBR imports from Brazil, Mexico, Poland and South Korea.
The Sept. 2 unanimous ITC vote means that the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its preliminary antidumping duty investigation against Brazilian, Mexican, Polish and South Korean ESBR imports, the ITC said.
The predominant use of ESBR is in the production of pneumatic tires, according to ITC documents.
In 2015, imports of ESBR from Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, and Poland were valued at an estimated $21.1 million, $621,000, $25.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for a combined total of $50.7 million, according to the ITC.
The petitioners contend that imports from South Korea are significantly understated in official U.S. government import statistics and state that they are working with the U.S. Census Bureau to investigate potential misclassification of imports from that country.
Commerce's preliminary antidumping determinations are due on or about Dec. 28, the ITC said.
The investigation is based on a petition filed in July with the ITC from U.S. ESBR producers Lion Elastomers L.L.C. and East-West Copolymers L.L.C., requesting antidumping relief from Brazilian, Mexican, Polish and South Korean ESBR imports.
Goodyear also produces ESBR in the U.S.
With the ITC vote, the agency said it will enter the final phase of its ESBR investigation. If Commerce makes an affirmative determination of antidumping, the ITC will issue a final phase notice of scheduling, including a public hearing.
The ITC identified the following producers in the countries being investigated:
- Arlanxeo Brasil S.A. (formerly Lanxess) of Brazil;
- Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd. and LG Chem Ltd. of South Korea.
- Industrias Negromex S.A. de C.V. of Mexico; and
- Synthos S.A. of Poland.
The alleged dumping margins, by country, are: Brazil 57.14 to 67.99 percent; South Korea, 22.48 to 44.3 percent; Mexico, 22.39 percent; and Poland, 40.57 to 44.54 percent.
The notice of the ITC vote appeared in the Sept. 12 Federal Register. The investigation number is 731-TA-1334-1337.
The ITC fact sheet on the petition can be found by clicking here.
East West Copolymer's plant has been in operation since the 1940s. It was designed and built by the U.S. Government during World War II. Up until 2003, it operated under the name Ameripol Synpol.
Lion Elastomers produces EPDM and SBR at plants in Geismar, La., and P