June 28, 2004
News Release 04-064
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1082-1083(P)

ITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASES ON CHLORINATED ISOCYANURATES FROM CHINA AND SPAIN

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of chlorinated isocyanurates from China and Spain that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller, Jennifer A. Hillman, Charlotte R. Lane, and Daniel R. Pearson 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 investigations of imports of chlorinated isocyanurates from China and Spain, with its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about October 21, 2004.

The Commission's public report Chlorinated Isocyanurates from China and Spain (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1082-1083 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3705, July 2004) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after July 27, 2004, 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.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Chlorinated Isocyanurates from China and Spain Investigations Nos.731-TA-1082-1083 (Preliminary)

Product Description: The products covered by these investigations are chlorinated isocyanurates. Chlorinated isocyanurates are derivatives of cyanuric acid, described as chlorinated s-triazine triones. There are three primary chemical compositions of chlorinated isocyanurates: (1) trichloroisocyanuric acid (Cl3(NCO)3), (2) sodium dichloroisocyanurate (dihydrate) (NaCl2(NCO)3 o 2H2O), and (3) sodium dichloroisocyanurate (anhydrous) (NaCl2(NCO)3). These investigations cover all chlorinated isocyanurates regardless of end use. Chlorinated isocyanurates are available in powder, granular, and tableted forms. They are used mainly as sanitizing, disinfecting, and bleaching agents. Principal end use applications are in swimming pool sanitizers, machine dishwashing detergents, toilet bowl cleaners, bleaches and scouring powders, and in water treatment applications.

Chlorinated isocyanurates are currently classifiable under subheading 2933.69.60 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

Status of Proceedings:
1.      Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.      Petitioners:  Clearon Corp., Fort Lee, NJ and Occidental Chemical Corp., Dallas, TX. 
3.      Investigations instituted by USITC: May 14, 2004.
4.      Conference:  June 4, 2004.
5.      USITC vote:  June 28, 2004.
6.      USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  July 6, 2004.

U.S. Industry:
1.      Number of U.S. firms in 2003:  3.
2.      Production during 2003:  120,163 short tons.
3.      Employment of production and related workers in 2003:  317.
4.      U.S. commercial shipments 2003:  98,812 short tons, valued at $168.1 million.
5.      U.S. apparent consumption during 2003:  133,374 short tons, valued at $214.8 million.
6.      U.S. producers domestic market share during 2003:  74 percent.

U.S. Imports:
1.      Imports from all countries during 2003: 34,562 short tons, valued at $46.7 million.
2.      Imports from subject countries during 2003: 25,705 short tons, valued at $31.9 million.
3.      Ratio of quantity of all imports to U.S. apparent consumption during 2003:  25.9 percent.
4.      Ratio of quantity of imports from subject countries to U.S. apparent consumption during
        2003:  19.3 percent.
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