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News Release 17-055
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-567-569 and 731-TA-1343-1345 (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 silicon metal from Australia, Brazil, and Norway that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and from Australia, Brazil, and Kazakstan that are allegedly subsidized by the governments of Australia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and F. Scott Kieff voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping duty investigations on imports of this product from Australia, Brazil, and Norway and its countervailing duty investigations on imports of this product from Australia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan, with its countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 1, 2017, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about August 15, 2017.
The Commission’s public report Silicon Metal from Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Norway, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-567-569 and 731-TA-1343-1345 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4685, May 2017) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after May 22, 2017. 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
Silicon Metal from Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Norway
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-567-569 and 731-TA-1343-1345 (Preliminary)
Product Description: The scope in these investigations includes all forms and sizes of silicon metal, including silicon metal powder. Silicon metal contains at least 85.00 percent but less than 99.99 percent silicon, and less than 4.00 percent iron, by actual weight. Semiconductor grade silicon (containing at least 99.99 percent silicon by actual weight) is excluded. Silicon metal is principally used as an alloying agent in aluminum production and by the chemical industry as an input in the production of silicones and to produce polysilicon. Silicones are used for a variety of applications including resins, lubricants, plastomers, anti-foaming agents, and water-repellent compounds. Silicon metal is consumed as the base material for making polysilicon, a very high purity form of silicon that is primarily used in semiconductors and solar cells.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations: Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., Beverly, Ohio.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: March 8, 2017.
4. Commission’s conference: March 29, 2017.
5. USITC vote: April 21, 2017.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: April 24, 2017.
7. USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: May 1, 2017.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of producers in 2016: Three.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Alabama, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2016: [1]
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2016: 1
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2016: 1
U.S. Imports:
1. From the subject countries during 2016: $240.7 million.
2. From other countries during 2016: $126.8 million.
3. Leading sources during 2016: Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and Norway (in terms of total value).