The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of silicon metal from Russia that the Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Stephen Koplan voted in the affirmative. Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun did not participate in this investigation.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Russia.

The Commission's public report Silicon Metal from Russia (Inv. No. 731-TA-991 (Final), USITC Publication 3584, March 2003) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after April 9, 2003, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202- 205-2104.

Product Description: The imported product subject to this investigation is silicon metal which generally contains at least 96.00 percent but less than 99.99 percent of silicon by weight. Also covered by this investigation is silicon metal containing between 89.00 and 96.00 percent silicon by weight, but containing more aluminum than the silicon metal which contains at least 96.00 percent but less than 99.99 percent silicon by weight. Semiconductor-grade silicon (silicon metal containing by weight not less than 99.99 percent of silicon and provided for in subheading 2804.61.00 of the HTS) is not covered by this investigation. Silicon metal is used primarily in the production of primary and secondary aluminum where it is used as an alloying agent and in the preparation of chemicals, primarily in the production of a family of organic chemicals known as silicones. Silicon metal is currently provided for under subheadings 2804.69.10 and 2804.69.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

Status of Proceedings:
1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty.
2.   Petitioner:  Globe Metallurgical Inc.; SIMCALA, Inc.; the International Union of Electronic,
       Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers; the Paper, Allied-Industrial, 
       Chemical and Energy Workers International Union; and the United Steel Workers of America.
3.   Investigation instituted by USITC:  March 7, 2002.
4.   Final phase of investigation instituted by USITC: September 20, 2002.
5.   Hearing:  February 5, 2003.
6.   USITC vote:  March 7, 2003.
7.   Transmittal of USITC determination to Department of Commerce: March 19, 2003.

U.S. Industry:
1.   U.S. producers in 2001:  Elkem Metals, Globe Metallurgical, and SIMCALA.
2.   Location of producers' plants in 2001:  Mt.  Meigs, AL; Selma, AL; Niagara Falls, NY;
       Beverly, OH; Springfield, OR; and Alloy, WV.
3.   Production during 2001 (short tons of contained silicon):  145,324.
4.   Average number of production and related workers during 2001:  523.
5.   U.S. apparent consumption during 2001 (short tons of contained silicon):  278,197.     
6.   U.S. apparent consumption during 2001 (1,000 dollars):  335,989.

U.S. Imports:
1.   Quantity of subject imports during 2001 (short tons of contained silicon):  34,153.
2.   Share of quantity of total imports accounted for by subject imports 
       during 2001 (percent):  27.0.
3.   Share of quantity of apparent consumption accounted for by subject imports
       during 2001 (percent):  12.3.