July 15, 2004
News Release 04-073
Inv. No. 731-TA-1046 (F)

TETRAHYDROFURFURYL ALCOHOL FROM CHINA INJURES U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS ITC

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Jennifer A. Hillman voted in the affirmative. Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioners Charlotte R. Lane and Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping order on imports of this product from China.

The Commission's public report Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol from China (Investigation No. 731- TA-1046 (Final), USITC Publication 3709, July 2004) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after August 16, 2004, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202- 205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1046 (Final)

Product Description: Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) (C5H10O2), a primary alcohol, is an environmentally acceptable, biodegradable, and water miscible specialty solvent. THFA is a member of the heterocyclic compounds known as furans, which are characterized by a nucleus consisting of an unsaturated ring of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom, and is produced from furfural. The major uses for THFA are as cleaning solvents used in the electronics industry; in wood refinishing and household cleaners; in the paint industry in lacquers, shellac, and enamel; as a solvent for resins such as nitrocellulose, rosin, soya, vinyls, and nylon; as solvent adjuvent used in agricultural formulations; and extractive solvents in refining lubrications oils and fatty acids.

Status of Proceedings:
1.   Type of investigation:  Final antidumping.
2.   Petitioner:  Penn Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA.
3.   Final determination received from Commerce:  June 18, 2004.
4.   Commission's hearing:  June 14, 2004.
5.   USITC vote: July  15, 2004.
6.   USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  July 29, 2004.
               
U.S. Industry:
1.   Number of producers in 2003: 1  1/
2.   Location of producer's plant: Memphis, TN.
3.   Employment of production and related workers in 2003:  2/ 
4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 2003:  2/
5.   Ratio of the value of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in 2003:  2/
     
U.S. Imports:
1.   From the subject countries during 2003:  532,000 pounds.
2.   From other countries during 2003:  0
3.   Leading source during 2003:  China.
_______________________________
1/ There has been only one plant continuously producing THFA in the United States since 1992.
2/ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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