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News Release 16-104
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1330 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
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 dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) from Korea that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Irving A. Williamson, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Dean A. Pinkert, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Commissioner F. Scott Kieff voted in the negative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation on imports of this product from Korea, with its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about December 7, 2016.
The Commission’s public report Dioctyl Terephthalate (DOTP) from Korea, Inv. No. 731-TA-1330 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4630, August 2016) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available after September 12, 2016. 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
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Dioctyl Terephthalate (DOTP) from Korea
Investigation No. 731-TA-1330 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is a colorless, almost odorless, slightly viscous liquid that is used to make resins more flexible and easier to process as plastics. It is a synthetic organic chemical and part of a group of chemical products, known as plasticizers, that perform this role in the manufacturing of plastics. DOTP is used in the manufacture of toys, flooring, hoses, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC), adhesives, sealants, and wire and cable coatings.
Status of Proceeding:
1. Type of investigation: Preliminary antidumping duty.
2. Petitioner: Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN.
3. Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC: June 30, 2016.
4. Commission’s conference: July 21, 2016.
5. USITC vote: August 12, 2016.
6. USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce: August 15, 2016.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: August 22, 2016.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2015: One.
2. Location of producer’s plants: Kingsport, TN, and Texas City, TX.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2015: [1]
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2015: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2015: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject country during 2015: 1
2. From other countries during 2015: 1
3. Leading sources during 2015: Korea, China, and Mexico (in terms of total value).
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
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