For Immediate Release: January 6, 2009
Contact: Brittany Eck (202) 482-3809
COMMERCE FINDS UNFAIR DUMPING OF SMALL DIAMETER GRAPHITE ELECTRODES FROM CHINA
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of imports of graphite electrodes from China. Graphite electrodes are typically used in primary melting, ladle metallurgy and specialty industrial furnace applications such as foundries, smelters and steel refining operations.
“Foreign exporters unfairly undercut their American competitors by dumping imports of graphite electrodes,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration Ronald K. Lorentzen. “The Department of Commerce is committed to aggressively enforcing America's trade remedy laws in order to help achieve a level playing field for American manufacturers and workers.”
Commerce determined that Chinese exporters sold small diameter graphite electrodes in the United States at less than normal value. Chinese mandatory respondents, Fushun Carbon Co., Ltd., Fangda Carbon New Material Co., Ltd., Beijing Fangda Carbon Tech Co., Ltd., and Chengdu Rongguang Carbon Co., Ltd. (all part of the Fangda Group), received a final dumping margin of 159.64 percent. In addition, 11 Chinese respondents qualified for a separate rate of 132.90 percent. All other Chinese exporters, including mandatory respondent Fushun Jinly Petrochemical Carbon Co., Ltd., are subject to the China-wide rate of 159.64 percent.
The merchandise covered by this investigation includes all small diameter graphite electrodes of any length, whether or not finished, of a kind used in furnaces, with a nominal or actual diameter of 400 millimeters (16 inches) or less, and whether or not attached to a graphite pin joining system or any other type of joining system or hardware. Also covered by this investigation are graphite pin joining systems, whether or not the graphite pin joining system is attached to, sold with, or sold separately from, the small diameter graphite electrode.
The petitioners for this investigation are SGL Carbon LLC (Charlotte, N.C.) and Superior Graphite Co. (Chicago, Ill.).
Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. As a result of this final determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the final rates.
If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) makes a final determination that imports of graphite electrodes from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order. The ITC is scheduled to issue its final determination on or before February 19.
For more information about Import Administration or for the fact sheet on today’s decision, please visit www.trade.gov/ia.
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