The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today announced its determinations in connection with its preliminary phase antidumping investigations concerning imports of electrolytic manganese dioxide from Australia, China, Greece, Ireland, Japan, and South Africa.

The Commission determined there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of electrolytic manganese dioxide from Australia, Greece, Ireland, Japan, and South Africa that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value. The Commission made a finding of negligibility with respect to China. Imports are generally deemed "negligible" if they amounted to less than 3 percent of all such merchandise imported into the United States within the most recent 12-month period for which data are available preceding the filing of the petition.

All five Commissioners voted in the affirmative with respect to Australia, Greece, Ireland, Japan, and South Africa and made a finding of negligibility with respect to China.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigations of imports of electrolytic manganese dioxide from Australia, Greece, Ireland, Japan, and South Africa, with its preliminary determinations due on or about January 7, 2004. As a result of the Commission's finding of negligibility with respect to China, that investigation will end.

The Commission's public report Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide from Australia, China, Greece, Ireland, Japan, and South Africa (Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1048-1053 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3633, September 2003) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after October 13, 2003, 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: These investigations cover all manganese dioxide (MnO2) that has been manufactured in an electrolysis process, whether in powder, chip, or plate form. Excluded from the scope of these investigations are natural manganese dioxide ("NMD") and chemical manganese dioxide ("CMD"), including high-grade chemical manganese dioxide ("CMD-U"). The merchandise subject to these investigations is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States at subheading 2820.10.00.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC.
3.  Petition filed:  July 31, 2003.
4.  Conference:  August 21, 2003.
5.  USITC vote:  September 12, 2003.
6.  Commission's determinations transmitted to Commerce:  September 15, 2003.

U.S. Industry:

1.  U.S. producers in 2003:  Energizer, Erachem, and Kerr-McGee.
2.  Location of producer's plants in 2003:  Westlake, OH, New Johnsonville, TN, and
      Henderson, NV.
3.  Production during 2002 (short tons):  45,491
4.  Average number of production and related workers during 2002: (1)
5.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2002 (short tons):  94,609
6.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2002 (1,000 dollars):  129,663

U.S. Imports:
1.  Quantity of subject imports in 2002 (short tons):  39,552
2.  Share of quantity of total imports accounted for by subject imports (percent) in 2002:
      100 (2)

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
(2) Compiled from adjusted statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce.