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News Release 18-090
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1378-1379 (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 low melt polyester staple fiber from Korea 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 affirmative.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue antidumping duties on imports of this product from Korea and Taiwan.
The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from Korea. As a result, imports of low melt polyester staple fiber from Korea will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
The Commission’s public report Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber from Korea and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1378 and 1379 (Final), USITC Publication 4808, August 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by August 22, 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
Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber (PSF) from Korea and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1378-1379 (Final)
Product Description: Low melt polyester staple fiber (PSF) is a synthetic (man-made) staple fiber, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, made entirely of polyester. It is similar in appearance to cotton or wool fiber when baled. It is most commonly comprised of a pure polyester core and a pure polyester outer sheath. The sheath, which melts at a lower temperature (approximate melt point of 90 C to 220 C) than the core (approximate melt point of 250 C), provides a stable structure that allows the fiber to be processed smoothly into another form and acts as an agent for thermal-bonding to the core polymer. Low melt PSF can be used in nonwoven products for a broad spectrum of downstream industries: automotive (door trim, dash pads, wheel guards, carpets, trunk and hood liners), industrial purposes (soundproofing and insulation for construction, water and air filtration (such as air-filtering face masks)), and hygienic products (wipes, diapers, sanitary and medical goods, etc.).
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Livingston, NJ.
3. USITC Institution Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2017.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
5. USITC Vote Date: Thursday, July 19, 2018.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2017:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 2.
2. Location of producers’ plants: South Carolina and Tennessee.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2017:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: Korea, Taiwan.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.