[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25858-25859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6546]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 731-TA-1103 (Preliminary)]


Certain Activated Carbon From China

Determination

    On the basis of the record\1\ developed in the subject 
investigation, the United States International Trade Commission 
(Commission) determines, 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 China of certain activated carbon,\2\ 
provided for in subheading 3802.10.00 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\ 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\ For purposes of this investigation, the product covered is 
certain activated carbon defined as a powdered, granular or 
pelletized carbon product obtained by ``activating'' with heat and 
steam various materials containing carbon, including but not limited 
to coal (including bituminous, lignite and anthracite), wood, 
coconut shells, olive stones, and peat. The thermal and steam 
treatments remove organic materials and create an internal pore 
structure in the carbon material. The producer can also use carbon 
dioxide gas (CO2) in place of steam in this process. The 
vast majority of the internal porosity developed during the high 
temperature steam (or CO2 gas) activation process is a 
direct result of oxidation of a portion of the solid carbon atoms in 
the raw material, converting them into a gaseous form of carbon. 
This definition covers all forms of activated carbon that are 
activated by steam or CO2, regardless of raw material, 
grade, mixture, additives, further washing or post-activation 
chemical treatment (chemical or water washing, chemical impregnation 
or other treatment), or product form. Unless specifically excluded, 
this definition covers all physical forms of certain activated 
carbon, including powdered activated carbon (``PAC''), granular 
activated carbon (``GAC''), and pelletized activated carbon.
    Excluded from this definition are chemically-activated carbons. 
The carbon-based raw material used in the chemical activation 
process is treated with a strong chemical agent, including but not 
limited to phosphoric acid or zinc chloride sulfuric acid, that 
dehydrates molecules in the raw material, and results in the 
formation of water that is removed from the raw material by moderate 
heat treatment. The activated carbon created by chemical activation 
has internal porosity developed primarily due to the action of the 
chemical dehydration agent. Chemically activated carbons are 
typically used to activate raw materials with a lignocellulosic 
component such as cellulose, including wood, sawdust, paper mill 
waste and peat.
    To the extent that an imported activated carbon product is a 
blend of steam and chemically activated carbons, products containing 
50 percent or more steam (or CO2 gas) activated carbons 
are within this definition, and those containing more than 50 
percent chemically activated carbons are outside this definition.
    Also excluded from this definition are reactivated carbons and 
activated carbon cloth. Reactivated carbons are previously used 
activated carbons that have had adsorbed materials removed from 
their pore structure after use through the application of heat, 
steam and/or chemicals. Activated carbon cloth is a woven textile 
fabric made of or containing activated carbon fibers. It is used in 
masks and filters and clothing of various types where a woven format 
is required.
    Any activated carbon meeting the physical description of subject 
merchandise provided above that is not expressly excluded from this 
definition is included within the definition.
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Commencement of Final Phase Investigation

    Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the 
Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of 
its investigation. 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 an affirmative preliminary 
determination in the investigation under section 733(b) of the Act, or, 
if the preliminary determination is negative, upon notice of an 
affirmative final determination in that investigation under section 
735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the 
preliminary phase of the investigation need not enter a separate 
appearance for the final phase of the investigation. Industrial users,

[[Page 25859]]

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 investigation.

Background

    On March 8, 2006, a petition was filed with the Commission and 
Commerce by Calgon Carbon Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, and Norit 
Americas, Inc., Marshall, TX, alleging that an industry in the United 
States is materially injured by reason of LTFV imports of certain 
activated carbon from China. Accordingly, effective March 8, 2006, the 
Commission instituted antidumping duty investigation No. 731-TA-1103 
(Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigation 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 March 15, 2006 (71 FR 13430). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on March 30, 2006, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    The Commission transmitted its determination in this investigation 
to the Secretary of Commerce on April 24, 2006. The views of the 
Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3852 (May 2006), entitled 
Certain Activated Carbon from China: Investigation No. 731-TA-1103 
(Preliminary).
    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: April 26, 2006.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E6-6546 Filed 5-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P