I. Type of Action: Antidumping Duty (“AD”): Czech Republic, Italy, and Russia
II. Product:
The product covered by this investigation is cold-polymerized emulsion styrenebutadiene rubber (“ESB rubber”). The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to, ESB rubber in primary forms, bales, granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets, strip, etc. ESB rubber consists of non-pigmented rubbers and oil-extended non-pigmented rubbers, both of which contain at least one percent of organic acids from the emulsion polymerization process.
ESB rubber is produced and sold in accordance with a generally accepted set of product specifications issued by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The scope of the investigations covers grades of ESB rubber included in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series of synthetic rubbers. The 1500 grades are light in color and are often described as ‘‘Clear’’ or ‘‘White Rubber.’’ The 1700 grades are oil-extended and thus darker in color, and are often called ‘‘Brown Rubber.’’
Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are products which are manufactured by blending ESB rubber with other polymers, high styrene resin master batch, carbon black master batch (i.e., IISRP 1600 series and 1800 series) and latex (an intermediate product).
III. HTS classifications:
The products subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 4002.19.0015 and 4002.19.0019 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). ESB rubber is described by Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry No. 9003–55–8. This CAS number also refers to other types of styrene butadiene rubber.
IV. Date of Filing: November 12, 2021
V. Petitioners: Lion Elastomers LLC.
VI. Foreign Producers/Exporters:
Please contact our office for a list filed with the petition.
VII. US Importers named:
Please contact our office for a list filed with the petition.
VIII. Alleged Dumping Margins:
Italy: 44.51%
Czech Republic: 35.87%
Russia: 67.87%
IX. Comments:
A. Projected date of ITC Preliminary Conference: December 28, 2021.
B. The earliest theoretical date for retroactive suspension of liquidation for the AD is January 21, 2022.
Please contact our office for a complete projected schedule for the AD investigation.
C. Volume and Value of Imports:
If you have questions regarding how this investigation may impact future imports of scope merchandise or whether a particular product is within the scope of the investigation, please contact one of our attorneys.