April 19, 2012
News Release 12-044
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1186-1187 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain stilbenic optical brightening agents from China and Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from China and Taiwan.

The Commission's public report Certain Stilbenic Optical Brightening Agents from China and Taiwan (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1186-1187 (Final), USITC Publication 4322, May 2012) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after May 23, 2012, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: These investigations cover certain stilbenic optical brightening agents (CSOBAs), which are synthetic organic chemicals used to increase the brightness of paper and other materials. CSOBAs are derivatives of 4-4'-bis[1,3,5-triazin-2-yl] amino-2-2'- stilbenedisulfonic acid. CSOBAs are classified under HTS subheading 3204.20.80, but may also be imported under HTS subheadings 2921.59.40, 2921.59.80, and 2933.69.60.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Types of investigations:  Final antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  Clariant Corp., Charlotte, NC.
3.  Petition filed with USITC:  March 31, 2011.
4.  USITC hearing:  March 15, 2012.
5.  USITC vote:  April 19, 2012.
6.  USITC determinations due to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  May 2, 2012.   


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of U.S. firms involved in production of CSOBAs in 2011:  Three.
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Alabama and South Carolina.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2011: (1)
4.  U.S. producers' shipments in 2011:  (1)
5.  U.S. apparent consumption in 2011:  (1)
6.  Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. production in 2011:  (1)


U.S. Imports:

1.  Total imports in 2011:  (1)
2.  Total subject imports from China and Taiwan in 2011:  (1)
3.  Total non-subject imports in 2011:  (1)

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.