The affirmative determinations resulted from 3-0 votes. Chairman Marcia E. Miller, Vice Chairman Lynn M. Bragg and Commissioner Carol T. Crawford voted in the affirmative.

The affirmative determinations mean that the ITC found that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Brazil, Korea, and Mexico that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

As a result of the ITC's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct antidumping investigations of imports of certain emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber from Brazil, Korea, and Mexico, with its preliminary determinations due on or about September 8, 1998.

The Commission's public report Certain Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, Korea, and Mexico (Investigations Nos. 731-TA-794-796 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3108, May 1998) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available without charge after June 16, 1998, by calling 202-205-1809 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: The imported product subject to these investigations is rubber produced by a controlled polymerization of an emulsion of styrene and butadiene There are two product series, generically described by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) numbering system as the 1500 series (a cold-polymerized non-pigmented rubber) and the 1700 series (a cold oil-extended non-pigmented rubber). The 1500 series ESBR is often called "white" rubber, while the 1700 series ESBR is sometimes referred to as "brown" rubber. They are both principally used to produce rubber masterbatches from which a variety of consumer rubber goods are made. A significant amount of the 1500 series and the 1700 series ESBR is used in tires. Other uses for these series types include hoses, belting, o-rings, gaskets, and footwear.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2. Petitioners:  Ameripol Synpol Corporation, Akron, OH; and DSM Copolymer, Baton Rouge,
   LA.
3. Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  April 1, 1998.
4. Commission's conference:  April 22,  1998.
5. USITC vote:  May 18, 1998.
6. USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  May 26, 1998.


U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 1997: Three.
2. Location of producer's plants:  Baton Rouge, LA; Houston, TX; Odessa, TX; and Port Neches, TX.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 1997: 1/ 
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 1997: 1/
5. Ratio of total U.S. shipments of imports to total U.S. consumption in  1997:  1/


U.S. Imports:

1. From the subject countries during 1997:  1/
2. From other countries during 1997:  1/
3. Leading source during 1997:  Brazil, Korea, and Mexico.

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1/ Withheld to avoid disclosure of confidential business information.