The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of barium carbonate from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman, and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller and Stephen Koplan voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Charlotte R. Lane did not participate in this investigation.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of barium carbonate from China.

The Commission's public report Barium Carbonate from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1020 (Final), USITC Publication 3631, September 2003) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after September 26, 2003, 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: Barium carbonate is a heavy, odorless white to cream colored chemical with the chemical formula BaCO₃. 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. Barium carbonate 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 and computer screens. Barium carbonate is currently provided for under subheading 2836.60.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

Status of Proceedings:
1.  Type of investigations: Final antidumping.
2.  Petitioner: Chemical Products Corp.  
3.  Preliminary determination received from Commerce: March 17, 2003.
4.  Hearing: July 31, 2003.
5.  USITC vote: September 4, 2003.
6.  Commission's determination due to Commerce: September 19, 2003.


U.S. Industry:
1.  U.S. producers in 2003: Chemical Products Corp. and Osram.
2.  Location of producer's plants in 2002: Cartersville, GA and Towanda, PA.
3.  Production during 2002: (1) 
4.  Average number of production and related workers during 2002: (1)
5.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2002: (1)
6.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2002: (1)


U.S. Imports:
1.  Quantity of subject imports during 2002: (1)  
2.  Share of quantity of total imports accounted for by subject imports during 2002: (1)

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