[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2429-2430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-881]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigations Nos. 731-TA-861 & 862 (Preliminary)]


Certain Expandable Polystyrene Resins From Indonesia and Korea

Determinations

    On the basis of the record 1 developed in the subject 
investigations, the United States International Trade Commission 
determines,2 pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable 
indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured 
by reason of imports from Indonesia and Korea of certain expandable 
polystyrene resins (EPS resins),3 provided for in subheading 
3903.11.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that 
are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value 
(LTFV).
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    \1\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).
    \2\ Commissioner Thelma J. Askey dissenting; Commissioner Deanna 
Tanner Okun not participating.
    \3\ For purposes of these investigations, Commerce has defined 
``certain expandable polystyrene resins'' as the raw material 
manufactured in the form of polystyrene beads, whether of regular 
(shape) type or modified (block) type, regardless of specification, 
having a weighted-average molecular weight of between 160,000 and 
260,000, containing from 3 to 7 percent blowing agents, and having 
bead sizes ranging from 0.4 mm to 3 mm. Specifically excluded from 
this definition is off-grade, off-specification expandable 
polystyrene resin.
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Commencement of Final Phase Investigations

    Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the 
Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of 
its investigations. The Commission will issue a final phase notice of 
scheduling which will be published in the Federal Register as provided 
in section 207.21 of the Commission's rules upon notice from the 
Department of Commerce (Commerce) of affirmative preliminary 
determinations in the investigations under section 733(b) of the Act, 
or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of 
affirmative final determinations in those investigations under section 
735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of

[[Page 2430]]

appearance in the preliminary phase of the investigations need not 
enter a separate appearance for the final phase of the investigations. 
Industrial users, and, if the merchandise under investigation is sold 
at the retail level, representative consumer organizations have the 
right to appear as parties in Commission antidumping and countervailing 
duty investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list 
containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their 
representatives, who are parties to the investigations.

Background

    On November 22, 1999, a petition was filed with the Commission and 
the Department of Commerce by BASF Corporation, Mount Olive, NJ; 
Huntsman Expandable Polymers Company LC, Salt Lake City, UT; Nova 
Chemicals, Inc., Moon Township, PA; and StyroChem U.S., Ltd., Radnor, 
PA, alleging that an industry in the United States is materially 
injured or threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of 
EPS resins from Indonesia and Korea. Accordingly, effective November 
22, 1999, the Commission instituted antidumping duty investigations 
Nos. 731-TA-861 & 862 (Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigations and of 
a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by 
posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the 
notice in the Federal Register of December 3, 1999 (64 FR 67934). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on December 13, 1999, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    The Commission transmitted its determinations in these 
investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on January 6, 2000. The 
views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3266 
(January 2000), entitled Certain Expandable Polystyrene Resins from 
Indonesia and Korea: Investigations Nos. 731-TA-861 & 862 
(Preliminary).

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: January 7, 2000.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-881 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P