August 10, 2007
News Release 07-083
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-450 and 731-TA-1122 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded by reason of imports of laminated woven sacks from China that are allegedly subsidized and 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 investigations of imports of laminated woven sacks from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about September 21, 2007, and its preliminary antidumping determinations due on or about December 5, 2007.

The Commission's public reportLaminated Woven Sacks from China (Investigation Nos. 701- TA-450 and 731-TA-1122 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3942, August 2007) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after September 10, 2007, 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: Laminated woven sacks are bags or sacks consisting of one or more plies of fabric consisting of woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip; with or without an extrusion coating of polypropylene and/or polyethylene on one or both sides of the fabric; laminated by any method either to an exterior ply of plastic film such as biaxially oriented polypropylene ("BOPP") or to an exterior ply of paper that is suitable for high quality print graphics; printed with three colors or more in register; with or without lining; whether or not closed on one end; whether or not in roll form; with or without handles; with or without special closing features; not exceeding one kilogram in weight. Laminated woven bags are typically used for retail packaging of consumer goods such as pet foods and bird seed.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioners:  Laminated Woven Sacks Committee and its individual members, Bancroft Bags,
      Inc., West Monroe, LA; Coating Excellence International, LLC, Wrightstown, WI; Hood
      Packaging Corporation, Madison, MS; Mid-America Packaging, LLC, Twinsburg, OH; and
      Polytex Fibers Corporation, Houston, TX.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  June 28, 2007.
4.  Commission's conference:  July 19, 2007.
5.  USITC vote:  August 10, 2007.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  August 13, 2007.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  August 20, 2007.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2006:  Seven.
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2006:  182.
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2006:  $60.1 million.
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2006:  73.3%.


U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2006:  $39.0 million (estimated).
2.  From other countries during 2006:  $5.1 million (estimated).
3.  Leading sources during 2006:  China and Thailand (in terms of total value, estimated).