For Immediate Release: March 29, 2006

FACT SHEET

Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation on Imports of
Certain Activated Carbon from the People’s Republic of China

On March 29, the Department of Commerce announced its decision to initiate an antidumping duty investigation on imports of Certain Activated Carbon from the People’s Republic of China.

Next Steps: The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or about April 24. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports from China are injuring or threatening material injury to the domestic industry, the investigation would continue and the Department would be scheduled to make its preliminary antidumping duty determination in August 2006. If the ITC makes a negative preliminary injury determination, the investigation will be terminated.

Petitioners: The petition requesting this investigation was filed by the Calgon Carbon Corporation (PA) and Norit Americas, Inc. (TX).

Product Description: The merchandise subject to this investigation is certain activated carbon. Certain activated carbon is a powdered, granular or pelletized carbon product obtained by “activating” with heat and steam various materials containing carbon, including but not limited to coal (including bituminous, lignite and anthracite), wood, coconut shells, olive stones, and peat. The scope of this investigation covers all forms of activated carbon that are activated by steam or CO₂, regardless of the raw material, grade, mixture, additives, further washing or post-activation chemical treatment (chemical or water washing, chemical impregnation or other treatment), or product form.

Excluded from the scope of the investigation are chemically activated carbons. Chemically activated carbons are typically used to activate raw materials with a lignocellulosic component such as cellulose, including wood, sawdust, paper mill waste and peat. Also excluded from the scope are reactivated carbons. Reactivated carbons are previously used activated carbons that have had adsorbed materials removed from their pore structure after use through the application of heat, steam and/or chemicals. Also excluded from the scope is activated carbon cloth.

Any activated carbon meeting the physical description of subject merchandise provided above that is not expressly excluded from the scope is included within this scope. The products under investigation are currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff System of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 3802.10.00. Although HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

Initiated Dumping Margins:

Case Calendar:

* These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.

** This will take place only in the event of a final affirmative determination from the Department of Commerce.

*** This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations by both the Department and the ITC.

Import Statistics:

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Dataweb (HTS 3802.10.00)