[Federal Register: April 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 75)]
[Notices]
[Page 19723-19724]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap07-50]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 731-TA-1103 (Final)]
Certain Activated Carbon From China
Determination
On the basis of the record \1\ developed in the subject
investigation, the United States International Trade Commission
(Commission) determines, pursuant to section 735(b) of the Tariff Act
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)) (the Act), that an industry in the United
States is materially injured by reason of imports from China of certain
activated carbon,\2\
[[Page 19724]]
provided for in subheading 3802.10.00 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the Department
of Commerce (Commerce) to be sold in the United States at less than
fair value (LTFV).
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\1\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).
\2\ For purposes of this investigation, the product covered is
certain activated carbon defined as 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 thermal and steam
treatments remove organic materials and create an internal pore
structure in the carbon material. The producer can also use carbon
dioxide gas (CO2) in place of steam in this process. The
vast majority of the internal porosity developed during the high
temperature steam (or CO2 gas) activated process is a
direct result of oxidation of a portion of the solid carbon atoms in
the raw material, converting them into a gaseous form of carbon.
This definition 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. Unless
specifically excluded, this definition covers all physical forms of
certain activated carbon, including powdered activated carbon
(``PAC''), granular activated carbon (``GAC''), and pelletized
activated carbon.
Excluded from this definition are chemically-activated carbons.
The carbon-based raw material used in the chemical activation
process is treated with a strong chemical agent, including but not
limited to phosphoric acid, zinc chloride sulfuric acid or potassium
hydroxide, that dehydrates molecules in the raw material, and
results in the formation of water that is removed from the raw
material by moderate heat treatment. The activated carbon created by
chemical activation has internal porosity developed primarily due to
the action of the chemical dehydration agent. 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.
To the extent that an imported activated carbon product is a
blend of steam and chemically activated carbons, products containing
50 percent or more steam (or CO2 gas) activated carbons
are within this definition, and those containing more than 50
percent chemically activated carbons are outside this definition.
This exclusion language regarding blended material applies only to
mixtures of steam and chemically activated carbons.
Also excluded from this definition 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 this definition is activated carbon cloth.
Activated carbon cloth is a woven textile fabric made of or
containing activated carbon fibers. It is used in masks and filters
and clothing of various types where a woven format is required.
Any activated carbon meeting the physical description of subject
merchandise provided above that is not expressly excluded from this
definition is included within the definition.
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Background
The Commission instituted this investigation effective March 8,
2006, following receipt of a petition filed with the Commission and
Commerce by Calgon Carbon Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, and Norit
Americas, Inc., Marshall, TX. The final phase of the investigation was
scheduled by the Commission following notification of a preliminary
determination by Commerce that imports of certain activated carbon from
China were being sold at LTFV within the meaning of section 733(b) of
the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(b)). Notice of the scheduling of the final
phase of the Commission's investigation and of a public hearing to be
held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice
in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission,
Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of
November 16, 2006 (71 FR 66793). The hearing was held in Washington,
DC, on February 27, 2007, and all persons who requested the opportunity
were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.
The Commission transmitted its determination in this investigation
to the Secretary of Commerce on April 16, 2007. The views of the
Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3913 (April 2007),
entitled Certain Activated Carbon from China: Investigation No. 731-TA-
1103 (Final).
Issued: April 13, 2007.
By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-7468 Filed 4-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P