December 19, 2007
News Release 07-128
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of sodium nitrite from China that are allegedly subsidized and from China and Germany that are allegedly 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 U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its countervailing duty investigation of imports of this product from China, with its preliminary determination due on or about February 1, 2008, and its antidumping investigations of imports of this product from China and Germany, with its preliminary determinations due on or about April 16, 2008.

The Commission's public report Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3979, January 2008) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after January 23, 2008, by calling 202-205-2000 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: Sodium nitrite in any form, at any purity level. In addition, the sodium nitrite covered by these investigations may or may not contain an anti-caking agent. Examples of names commonly used to reference sodium nitrite are nitrous acid, sodium salt, anti-rust, diazotizing salts, erinitrit, and filmerine. Sodium nitrite's chemical composition is NaNO2. The American Chemical Society Chemical Abstract Service ("CAS") has assigned the name "Sodium Nitrite." The CAS registry number is 7632-00-0.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioner: General Chemical Corporation.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC: November 8, 2007.
4.  Commission's conference: November 27, 2007.
5.  USITC vote: December 19, 2007.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce: December 26, 2007.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce: January 3, 2008.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2006: One.
2.  Location of producers' plants: New York.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2006: (1)4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2006: (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2006: (1)

U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2006:  $2.3 million.
2.  From other countries during 2006:  Less than $0.1 million.
3.  Leading sources during 2006: Germany and China (in terms of total value, estimated).

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