September 12, 2008
News Release 08-089
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1124-25 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

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

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from Australia and China.

The Commission's public report Certain Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide from Australia and China (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1124-25 (Final), USITC Publication 4036, September 2008) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after October 20, 2008, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or by writing 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 product covered by these investigations is electrolytic manganese dioxide ("EMD"), defined as all manganese dioxide (MnO2) that has been manufactured in an electrolysis process whether in powder, chip, or plate form. Excluded from these investigations are natural manganese dioxide and chemical manganese dioxide. EMD is an essential component of alkaline batteries where it functions in the cathode to accept electrons donated by the zinc metal anode. The merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheading 2820.10.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:                                      

1.  Types of investigations:  Final antidumping.
2.  Investigations instituted by USITC:  August 22, 2007.
3.  Hearing:  July 24, 2008.
4.  USITC vote:  September 12, 2008.
5.  USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  September 29, 2008.

U.S. Industry:

1.  U.S. producers:  Energizer, Erachem, and Tronox.
2.  Plant locations:  Westlake, OH; New Johnsonville, TN; and Henderson, NV. 
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2007:  211.
4.  U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2007:  60,485 short tons. 
5.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2007:  93,907 short tons.  
6.  U.S. producers' U.S. shipments, quantity share of U.S. apparent consumption in 2007 (percent):  64.4
7.  U.S. import shipments, quantity share of U.S. apparent consumption in 2007 (percent):  35.6

U.S. Imports:

1.  Quantity of subject imports in 2007: (1)   
2.  Value of subject imports in 2007:  (1) 

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