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News Release 21-139
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1575-1577
Contact: Office of Public Affairs, 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 Czechia, Italy, and Russia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Czechia, Italy, and Russia, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about April 25, 2022.
The Commission’s public report Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Czechia, Italy, and Russia (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1575-1577 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5274, January 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after January 28, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (ESBR) from Czechia, Italy, and Russia
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1575-1577 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber ("ESBR") elastomers are large volume synthetic rubber copolymer derivatives of the petrochemical feedstocks styrene and butadiene produced by cold emulsion polymerization at 41-55 degrees Fahrenheit and typically compressed into salable rectangular bales of 80 pounds, but also sold in granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets, strip, etc. Scope products resulting from the production process consist of the 1500 and 1700 series grades of ESBR synthetic rubber elastomers defined by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The 1500 series products are light-colored solid grades of ESBR popularly sold for tire and other applications, while the 1700 series products contain petroleum extender oil, darker in color but more easily processed and typically used for specialty compounding in tire manufacture and other applications. Some 70 percent or more of ESBR is used in tire tread compound formulations designed for new passenger vehicle and light truck replacement tires and heavier truck tire retreads, where its superior durability and extended tire wear characteristics excel. ESBR is also employed in a large variety of other applications including conveyor belting, hoses, other mechanical goods, and footwear. Scope exclusions include IISRP carbon black master batch 1600 and 1800 series, high styrene resin master batch 1900 series, and latex intermediate products.
Status of Proceedings:
- Type of investigation: Preliminary antidumping duty investigations.
- Petitioner: Lion Elastomers LLC, Port Neches, Texas.
- USITC Effective Institution Date: Monday, November 15, 2021.
- USITC Conference Date: Monday, December 6, 2021.
- USITC Vote Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2021.
- USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021.
U.S. Industry in 2020:
- Number of U.S. producers: 2.
- Location of producers’ plants: Texas.
- Production and related workers: [1]
- U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
- Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
- Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2020:
- Subject imports: 1
- Nonsubject imports: 1
- Leading import sources: Russia, Taiwan, and Mexico (by volume).
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.