Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene from Korea Does Not Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

March 22, 2021
News Release 21-041
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1474 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

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 ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene from Korea that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

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

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

The Commission’s public report Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene from Korea (Inv. No. 731-TA-1474 (Final), USITC Publication 5178, April 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by April 26, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene from Korea
Investigation No. 731-TA-1474 (Final)

Product Description:  Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is an extremely high viscosity, substantially linear polyethylene. It is defined by its molecular weight, as defined by Margolie's Equation, of greater than 1.0 × 10⁶ g/mol. UHMWPE may also be defined by its melt mass-flow rate of <0.1 g/10 min, measured at 190 °C and 21.6 kg load, based on the methods and calculations set forth in the International Organization for Standardization standards 21304-1 and 21304-2. Included is all UHMWPE in granular or powder forms meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process. Medical grade UHMWPE is excluded.  UHMWPE has the highest impact strength of the polyethylenes and is used to create fibers that are used in demanding, high strength applications such as ballistic and slash-proof armor, as well as snowboards, skis, cut-resistant gloves, bow strings, climbing equipment, fishing line, suspension lines on sport parachutes and paragliders, rigging in yachting, and tow lines for boating.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final antidumping duty investigation.
2.   Petitioner:  Celanese Corporation, Irving, Texas.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  March 4, 2020.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  February 18, 2021.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  March 22, 2021.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  April 12, 2021.

U.S. Industry in 2019:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  2.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  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 2019:

1.   Subject imports:  ¹
2.   Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3.   Leading import sources:  Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the Netherlands.