The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of foundry coke from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, Jennifer A. Hillman, and Thelma J. Askey voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of foundry coke from China, with its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about February 27, 2001.

The Commission's public report Foundry Coke from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-891 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3365, November 2000) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after December 7, 2000, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: Foundry coke is defined as coke larger than 100 mm (4 inches) in maximum diameter and at least 50 percent of which is retained on a 100-mm (4-inch) sieve, of a kind used in foundries. Foundry coke, a subgroup of metallurgical coke, is the carbonized product used both as a fuel and as a source of carbon in a cupola furnace for the production of molten iron. Foundry coke, as a fuel, is used to melt scrap or pig iron with other compounds; it is also used as a source of carbon for the melted product. The molten iron is then used to make various cast products such as automotive engines.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation: Preliminary phase antidumping.
2.   Petitioners:  ABC Coke, Citizens Coke, Empire Coke, Erie Coke, and Tonawanda Coke.
3.   Investigation instituted by the USITC:  September 20, 2000.
4.   Commission conference: October 11, 2000.
5.   USITC vote: November 6, 2000.
6.   USITC determination to Commerce:  November 14, 2000.

U.S. Industry:

1.   Number of producers in 2000:   Six.
2.   Location of producer's plants:  Birmingham, AL; Indianapolis, IN; Erie, PA; and Buffalo, NY.
3.   Employment of production and related workers in 1999:  964.
4.   Apparent U.S. consumption in 1999:  1,249,249 metric tons.
5.   Ratio of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in 1999:  9 percent.

U.S. Imports:

1.   Quantity of subject imports in 1999:  113,332 metric tons.
2.   Value of subject imports in 1999:  $12,940,000.