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 barium carbonate from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman, and Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, and Stephen Koplan made affirmative threat determinations.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative threat determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of barium carbonate from China, with its preliminary determination due on or about March 10, 2003.

The Commission's public report Barium Carbonate from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1020 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3561, November 2002) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after December 13, 2002, 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: Barium carbonate is a heavy, odorless white-to-cream colored chemical with the chemical formula BaCO 3. It is found naturally as the mineral witherite, although most barium carbonate sold commercially is produced synthetically from barite ore. Barium carbonate is sold commercially in either a powder or a granular form, and is used principally in the production of specialty glass and bricks and tiles. Its largest single application is in the manufacture of glass for cathode ray tubes used in television sets. Barium carbonate is currently provided for under subheading 2836.60.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary phase antidumping duty.
2. Petitioner:  Chemical Products Corp., Cartersville, GA.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC:  September 30, 2002.
4. Conference:  October 22, 2002.
5. USITC vote:  November 14, 2002.
6. Transmittal of USITC determination to the Department of Commerce:  November 14, 2002.
7. Transmittal of USITC views to the Department of Commerce:  November 21, 2002.


U.S. Industry:
1. U.S. producers in 2002:  Chemical Products Corp. and Osram Sylvania Products.
2. Location of producers' plants in 2002:  Cartersville, GA and Towanda, PA.
3. Production during 2001: (1)
4. Average number of production and related workers during 2001: (1)
5. U.S. apparent consumption during 2001 (short tons): (1)
6. U.S. apparent consumption during 2001 (1,000 dollars): (1)


U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports in 2001 (short tons):  5,028
2. Share of quantity of total imports accounted for by subject imports (percent) in 2001:  24.5

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.