Petition Filed for New AD Duties on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
A domestic manufacturer filed a petition on March 3 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) from South Korea. Commerce will now decide whether to begin an AD duty investigation. The investigation was requested by Celanese Corporation.
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UHMWPE is a linear polyethylene in granular or powder form that is used in a wide array of applications in multiple industries, including construction, agriculture, material handling, transportation, textile, pulp and paper, food and beverage, mining, marine, plastics, oil and gas, high performance fibers, battery separators and waste water treatment. Its extremely high molecular chains result in a “very tough material with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made” that is also “highly resistant to corrosive chemicals” and “highly resistant to abrasion,” the petition said.
Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
The merchandise covered by the proposed scope is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). UHMWPE is a linear polyethylene, in granular or powder form. It is defined by its melt mass-flow rate of [less than] 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 (ISO) standards 2 I 304-1 and 21304-2. UHMWPE generally has a Chemical Abstract Service (“CAS”) registration number of 9002-88-4.
The scope includes all UHMWPE in granular or powder forms meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process. UHMWPE blended with other products is included in the scope of this investigation where UHMWPE is the predominant material within the blend.
Excluded from the scope of the investigation is medical-grade UHMWPE. Medical grade UHMWPE has a minimum viscosity of 2000 ml/g at a concentration of 0.02% at 135° C (275° F) in decahedra and an elongational stress of 0.2 MP a or greater. Medical-grade UHMWPE is further defined by its ash and trace element content, which shall not exceed the following maximum quantities as set forth in ISO-5834-1: ash (125 mg/kg), titanium (40 mg/kg), calcium (5 mg/kg), chlorine (30 mg/kg), and aluminum (20 mg/kg). ISO 5834-1 further defines medical grade UHMWPE by its particulate matter content, which requires that there shall be no more than three particles of contaminant per 300 ± 20 g tested. Each of the above criteria is calculated based on the standards and methods used in ISO 5834-1.
UHMWPE is classifiable under the HTSUS subheadings 3901.10.10.00 and 3901.20.10.00. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the proposed scope is dispositive.
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate an antidumping duty investigation. Comments are due March 23.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.