June 22, 2018
News Release 18-077
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-588
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Subsidized Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin from India Does Not Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized by the government of India.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the negative.  Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in this investigation.

As a result of the USITC’s negative determination, no countervailing duty order will be issued.

The Commission’s public report Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin from India (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-588 and 731-TA-1392-1393 (Final), USITC Publication 4801, July 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by July 27, 2018; 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

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin from India"
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-588 (Final)

Product Description:  Polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) is a crystalline polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (“TFE”) consisting of repeating units of carbon and fluorine (C2F4).  The product covered by this investigation is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin, including but not limited to granular, dispersion, or coagulated dispersion (also known as fine powder). PTFE is covered by the scope whether filled or unfilled, whether or not modified, and whether or not containing co‐polymer additives, pigments, or other materials. Also included is PTFE wet raw polymer. PTFE further processed into micropowder, having particle size typically ranging from 1 to 25 microns, and a melt‐flow rate no less than 0.1 gram/10 minutes, is excluded from the scope of covered products. PTFE has a variety of end‐use applications due to its chemical inertness, heat and chemical resistance, electrical insulation properties, low coefficient of friction and functionality over a wide temperature range (‐40°C to 260°C).  PTFE’s properties make the resin resistant to oxidation and reaction with other chemicals (e.g., strong acids, alkalis, and oxidizing agents). PTFE products include gaskets, seals, linings, packing materials, tubing, and pipe liners, and pipe coatings.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final countervailing duty.
2.   Petitioners:  The Chemours Company FC, LLC, Wilmington, Delaware.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  September 28, 2017.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  May 17, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  June 22, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  July 6, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers and processors:  8.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers: [1]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  Germany and Italy (in terms of value).

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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