Acetone from Singapore and Spain Injures U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of acetone from Singapore and Spain that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Singapore and Spain. 

The Commission’s public report Acetone from Singapore and Spain (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1438 and 1440 (Final), USITC Publication 4997, November 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by December 20, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Acetone from Singapore and Spain

Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1438 and 1440 (Final)

Product Description:  Acetone, also known as dimethyl ketone, propan-2-one, or 2-propanone, among other names, is an organic chemical with the formula (CH₃)₂CO.  The Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number for acetone is 67–64–1. Commercial production of acetone uses traditional chemical synthesis. Available in various grades, acetone is used both as a chemical intermediate in the production of other chemicals (e.g., plastics and pharmaceuticals) and as a solvent. Acetone is a clear colorless liquid with a sweet odor.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Final phase antidumping duty.
2. Petitioners:  AdvanSix Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey; Altivia Petrochemicals, LLC, Haverhill, Ohio; and Olin Corporation, Clayton, Missouri.
3. USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, February 19, 2019.
4. USITC Hearing Date:  Monday, October 21, 2019.
5. USITC Vote Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  November 29, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

1. Number of U.S. producers:  8.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
3. Production and related workers: 608.  
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: $1.0 billion.
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: $1.2 billion.
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent consumption from Singapore and Spain (percent):  2.3.

U.S. Imports in 2018:

1. U.S. imports from Belgium, Korea, and South Africa: $148.7 million.
2. U.S. imports from Singapore and Spain: $28.2 million.
3. U.S. imports from all other sources: $11.1 million.
4. Leading import sources: Belgium, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain.