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News Release 16-109
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1334-1337 (Preliminary)
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 emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Brazil, Korea, Mexico, and Poland 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 duty investigations on imports of this product from Brazil, Korea, Mexico, and Poland, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about December 28, 2016.
The Commission’s public report Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, Korea, Mexico, and Poland, Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1334-1337 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4636, September 2016) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after October 4, 2016. After that date, 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
Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, Korea, Mexico, and Poland
Investigation Nos.731-TA-1334-1337 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) is a solid form of synthetic rubber copolymer product of styrene and butadiene with a “normal” level of 23.5 percent styrene. ESBR is produced by a cold aqueous emulsion process at 41-55 degrees Fahrenheit, and finished either as a dry 1500 series, or a 1700 series of oil-modified product grade, each having a crumb-like texture commonly pressed into salable bales of up to about 80 pounds. The 1500 series is categorized by the IISRP trade association as a “neat” or pure form of ESBR, while the 1700 series contains petroleum-based extender oil (some 23 to 30 percent) as a homogenized component of the rubber particle. Some 70 percent of ESBR is typically consumed, e.g., in the downstream manufacture of replacement passenger car and light truck tires and truck tire retread compounds, while miscellaneous applications range from conveyor belts to flooring and shoe soles. The scope excludes the ESBR 1000 and 1900 series of synthetic rubbers and, the 1600 and 1800 series black masterbatches.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping duty.
2. Petitioners: Lion Elastomers, LLC (“Lion”), Port Neches, Texas, and East West Copolymer, LLC (“East West”), Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: July 21, 2016.
4. Commission’s conference: August 11, 2016.
5. USITC vote: September 2, 2016.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: September 6, 2016.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: September 13, 2016.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2015: Three.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Louisiana and Texas.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2015: [1]
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2015: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2015: 1
2. From other countries during 2015: 1
3. Leading sources during 2015: Brazil, Korea, Mexico, Poland, and Germany (in terms of total value).
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information; data through June 2016.