March 10, 2022
News Release 22-039
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-531-532, 731-TA-1270-1273
Contact: Jennifer Andberg, 202-205-1819
USITC Makes Determination in Five-Year (Sunset) Review Concerning Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing countervailing duty orders on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from China and India and antidumping duty orders on PET resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from Canada, China, India, and Oman will remain in place. 

Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. 

Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.  See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.

The Commission’s public report Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-531-532 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (First Review), USITC Publication 5298, March 2022) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.

The report will be available by April 20, 2022; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

BACKGROUND

The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review.  If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.

The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews.  Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.

The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman were instituted on April 1, 2021.

On July 7, 2021, the Commission voted to conduct full reviews. Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that for the investigations regarding Canada, China, and India, the domestic group response was adequate, and the respondent group responses were inadequate. Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel concluded that for the investigation regarding Oman, the domestic group response and the respondent group response were adequate.

A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.  Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.

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October 18, 2018
News Release 18-126
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1387-1391 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan Does Not Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the negative. 

As a result of the USITC’s negative determinations, no antidumping duty orders will be issued on imports of this product from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan. 

The Commission’s public report Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1387-1391 (Final), USITC Publication 4835, October 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by November 21, 2018; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1387-1391 (Final)

Product Description:  PET resin is a large‐volume, commodity‐grade thermoplastic polyester polymer that is primarily sold in bulk form as chips or pellets to downstream end users/converters. Converters use PET resin to manufacture bottles and other sterile containers that house liquid and solid products for human consumption or contact. Articles manufactured with PET resin are clear, transparent, sterile, lightweight, and thermally stable.  The PET resin covered in these investigations has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram. Included are blends of virgin PET resin and recycled PET resin containing 50 percent or more virgin PET resin content by weight, provided such blends meet the intrinsic viscosity requirements above. The products covered include all PET resin meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process.  Major end‐use applications for bottle grade PET resin include carbonated soft drink bottles, water bottles, and other containers such as for juices, peanut butter, jams and jellies, salad dressings, cooking oils, household cleaners, and cosmetics.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  DAK Americas, LLC, Charlotte, NC; M&G Polymers USA, LLC, Houston, TX; Indorama Ventures USA, Inc., Decatur, AL; and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Lake City, SC.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, September 26, 2017.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, September 13, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, October 18, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  4.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
3.   Production and related workers:  931.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $3.1 billion.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  $3.8 billion.
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  12 percent.

U.S. Shipments of Imports in 2017:

1.   U.S. shipments of subject imports:  $437.9 million.
2.   U.S. shipments of nonsubject imports:  $270.3 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  Mexico, Taiwan, and Brazil.

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November 8, 2017
News Release 17-161
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1387-1391 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations Concerning Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan

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 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.  

Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative. 

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping duty investigations, with its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about March 5, 2017.

The Commission’s public report Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1387-1391 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4740, November 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after December 11, 2017; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1387-1391 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  PET resin is a large‐volume, commodity‐grade thermoplastic polyester polymer that is primarily sold in bulk form as chips or pellets to downstream end users/converters. Converters use PET resin to manufacture bottles and other sterile containers that house liquid and solid products for human consumption or contact. Articles manufactured with PET resin are clear, transparent, sterile, lightweight, and thermally stable.  The PET resin covered in these investigations has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram. Included are blends of virgin PET resin and recycled PET resin containing 50 percent or more virgin PET resin content by weight, provided such blends meet the intrinsic viscosity requirements above. The products covered include all PET resin meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process.  Major end‐use applications for bottle grade PET resin include carbonated soft drink bottles, water bottles, and other containers such as for juices, peanut butter, jams and jellies, salad dressings, cooking oils, household cleaners, and cosmetics.

Status of Proceedings:

  1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping duty.
  2. Petitioners: DAK Americas, LLC, Charlotte, NC; M&G Chemicals, Houston, TX; Indorama Ventures USA, Inc., Decatur, Alabama; and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Lake City, SC.
  3. Investigations instituted by USITC: September 26, 2017.
  4. USITC conference: October 17, 2017.
  5. USITC vote: November 8, 2017.
  6. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: November 20, 2017.

U.S. Industry:

  1. Number of U.S. producers in 2016:  4.
  2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Texas.
  3. Employment of production-related workers in 2016: 886.                     
  4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2016: 5.5 million pounds
  5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2016: [1]
  6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2016: 1 

U.S. Imports in 2016:

  1. From the subject countries during 2016:  1 
  2. From other countries during 2016:  1
  3. Leading sources during 2016: Mexico, Taiwan, and Canada (in terms of total value).
 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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April 23, 2015
News Release 15-033
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-531-533 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman

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 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China, India, and Oman.

Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent, Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its investigations on imports of this product from Canada, China, India, and Oman, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 3, 2015, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about August 17, 2015.

The Commission’s public report Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-531-533 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4531, May 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after May 21, 2015.  After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

 

 

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Canada, China, India, and Oman
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-531-533 and 731-TA-1270-1273 (Preliminary)

Product Description: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin is a large-volume, commodity-grade thermoplastic polyester polymer. PET resin is primarily sold in bulk form as chips or pellets to downstream end users/converters.  Converters use PET resin to manufacture bottles and other sterile containers that house liquid and solid products for human consumption or contact. Major end-use applications for bottle-grade PET resin include carbonated soft drink   bottles, water bottles, and other containers such as for juices, peanut butter, jams and jellies, salad dressings, cooking oils, household cleaners, and cosmetics. Articles manufactured with PET resin are clear, transparent, sterile, lightweight, and thermally stable. The product scope defines packaging-grade PET resin having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram.  Based upon the scope set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce, information available to the Commission indicates that the merchandise subject to these investigations is imported under statistical reporting number 3907.60.0030 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: DAK Americas, LLC, Charlotte, NC; M&G Chemicals, Houston, TX; and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Lake City, SC.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: March 10, 2015.
4. Commission’s conference: March 31, 2015.
5. USITC vote: April 23, 2015.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 24, 2015.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 1, 2015.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 2014: Four.
2. Location of producers’ plants:  North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2014: 1
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2014: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2014: 1

U.S. Imports:

1. From the subject countries during 2014: 1
2. From other countries during 2014: $409 million.
3. Leading sources during 2014: Mexico, Canada, China, and India.

1 Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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