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NEWS RELEASE 04-077; JULY 22, 2004 July 22, 2004
News Release 04-077
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1084-1087(P)

ITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASES ON PURIFIED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE FROM FINLAND, MEXICO, THE NETHERLANDS, AND SWEDEN

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of purified carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigations of imports of purified carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden, with its preliminary antidumping determinations due on or about November 16, 2004.

The Commission's public report Purified Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1084-1087 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3713, July 2004) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after August 23, 2004, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Purified Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, Netherlands, and Sweden
Investigations Nos. 731-TA-1084-1087 (Preliminary)

Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, the product covered is purified carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). CMC is a white to off-white, non-toxic, odorless, biodegradable powder that has been refined and purified to a minimum assay of 90 percent. CMC is a water- soluble polymer, soluble in either hot or cold water. Applications for CMC span a wide range of functions, products, and industries. CMC is used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, adhesion promoter, and binder. CMC appears in such varied products as foods, personal care products such as toothpaste and denture adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and oilfield drilling muds. The imported merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheading 3912.31.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:
1.      Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.      Petitioner:  Aqualon Company, a division of Hercules, Incorporated, Wilmington, DE.
3.      Investigations instituted by USITC:  June 9, 2004.
4.      Conference:  June 30, 2004.
5.      USITC vote:  July 22, 2004.
6.      USITC transmittal of determinations to the Department of Commerce:  July 26, 2004.
7.      USITC transmittal of views to the Department of Commerce:  August 2, 2004.

U.S. Industry:
1.      Number of U.S. firms in 2004:  One.
2.      Production during January-March 2004:  1/
3.      Employment of production and related workers:  1/
4.      U.S. producers' U.S. shipments during January-March 2004:  1/           
5.      U.S. apparent consumption during January-March 2004:  1/
6.      Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption 
          during January-March 2004:  1/ 

U.S. Imports:
1.      Quantity of subject imports during January-March 2004 (1,000 pounds):  1/
2.      Value of subject imports during January-March 2004 ($1,000):  1/

_________________________

1/ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
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