Vice Chairman Marcia E. Miller and Commissioners Jennifer A. Hillman, Stephen Koplan, Thelma J. Askey, and Deanna Tanner Okun found two like products in these investigations, voting in the negative with respect to low-melt polyester staple fiber from Korea and Taiwan and in the affirmative with respect to all other subject polyester staple fiber from these countries. Chairman Lynn M. Bragg found one like product and voted in the affirmative in both investigations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will direct the U.S. Customs Service to impose antidumping duties on imports of certain polyester staple fiber from Korea and Taiwan other than low-melt polyester staple fiber.

The Commission's public report Certain Polyester Staple Fiber from Korea and Taiwan (Investigations Nos. 731-TA-825-826 (Final), USITC Publication 3300, May 2000) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after June 5, 2000, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description:

The imported product subject to these investigations is certain polyester staple fiber, a synthetic fiber similar in appearance to cotton or wool fiber when baled. The subject polyester staple fiber is known in the industry as "fiber for fill," as it is primarily used as polyester fiberfill. The subject fiber is distinguished from other staple fiber by its diameter, 3 denier or more; length, 1 to 5 inches; and in some cases by the finish and the "crimp" of the fiber. The majority of polyester staple fiber is used as stuffing in sleeping bags, mattresses, ski jackets, comforters, cushions, pillows, and furniture.

Status of Proceedings:
     1.   Type of investigations:  Final antidumping.
     2.   Petitioners:  E.I. Dupont de Nemours, Wilmington, DE 1/; Arteva Specialities S.a.r.l. d/b/a/
       KoSa, Spartanburg, SC; Wellman, Inc., Shrewsbury, NJ; and Intercontinental Polymers,
       Inc., Charlotte, NC.
     3.   Investigations instituted by the USITC:  November 4, 1999.
     4.   Commission's hearing:  March 28, 2000.
     5.   USITC vote:  May 5, 2000.
     6.   USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  May 15, 2000.

U.S. Industry:
     1.   Number of producers in 1999:  Six.
     2.   Location of producers' plants:  DuPont: Kinston, NC; Intercontinental Polymers: 
          Morristown, TN; KoSa: Salisbury, NC and Spartanburg, SC; Martin Color-Fi:
          Edgefield, SC; Nan Ya Plastics: Lake City, SC; and Wellman: Darlington, SC,
          Johnsonville, SC, and Marion, SC. 
     3.   Employment of production and related workers in 1999:  1,241.
     4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 1999:  890,151,000 pounds.
     5.   Ratio of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in 1999:
            40.4 percent, by quantity.

U.S. Imports:
     1.   From the subject countries during 1999.  2/
     2.   From other countries during 1999.  2/
     3.   Leading source during 1999:  Korea.

_______________________
1/ DuPont is not a petitioner in the investigation involving Taiwan.
2/ Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.