October 28, 2013
News Release 13-106
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-501 and 731-TA-1226 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of chlorinated isocyanurates that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value by Japan and allegedly subsidized by China.

Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, David S. Johanson, and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative. Commissioners Shara L. Aranoff and F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of these products, with its preliminary countervailing duty order concerning China due on or about December 9, 2013, and its preliminary antidumping duty order concerning Japan due on or about February 21, 2014.

The Commission's public report Chlorinated Isocyanurates from China and Japan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-501 and 731-TA-1226 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4431, November 2013) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after November 29, 2013, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: Chlorinated isocyanurates are derivatives of cyanuric acid, described as chlorinated s-triazine triones. There are three primary chemical compositions of chlorinated isocyanurates: (1) Trichloroisocyanuric acid (Cl3(NCO)3), (2) sodium dichloroisocyanurate (dihydrate) (NaCl2(NCO)3 2H2O), and (3) sodium dichloroisocyanurate (anhydrous) (NaCl2(NCO)3). Chlorinated isocyanurates are available in powder, granular and solid (e.g., tablet or stick) forms. Chlorinated isocyanurates are chemical compounds used primarily as sanitizing agents for swimming pools, spas, and industrial water, and as disinfecting and bleaching agents for detergents, bleaches, and cleansers.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Clearon Corporation, South Charleston, WV, and Occidental Chemical
      Corporation, Dallas, TX. 
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: August 29, 2013.
4. Commission's conference: September 19, 2013.
5. USITC vote: October 29, 2013.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: October 31, 2013.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 7, 2013.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers (integrated producers) in 2012: Three.
2. Number of producers (tableters) in 2012:  Nine (1)
3. Location of producers' plants (integrated producers): Illinois, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
4. Location of producers' plants (tableters): Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey,
      and West Virginia.
5. Employment of production and related workers in 2012 (integrated producers): 307.
6. Employment of production and related workers in 2012 (tableters): 234. 
7. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2012: (2)
8. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2012: (2) 

U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2012: (2)
2. From other countries during 2012: (2)
3. Leading sources during 2012:  China, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and Canada (in terms of total
      value)

(1) Data for tableters are from the six firms which responded to questionnaires. The investigation staff has identified three additional tableters operating in the United States.
(2) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.