[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 75 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19723-19724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7468]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

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


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 735(b) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)) (the Act), that an industry in the United 
States is materially injured by reason of imports from China of certain 
activated carbon,\2\

[[Page 19724]]

 provided for in subheading 3802.10.00 of the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the Department 
of Commerce (Commerce) 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\ 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) activated 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 the 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, zinc chloride sulfuric acid or potassium 
hydroxide, 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. 
This exclusion language regarding blended material applies only to 
mixtures of steam and chemically activated carbons.
    Also excluded from this definition are reactivated carbons. 
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.
    Also excluded from this definition is activated carbon cloth. 
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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Background

    The Commission instituted this investigation effective March 8, 
2006, following receipt of a petition filed with the Commission and 
Commerce by Calgon Carbon Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, and Norit 
Americas, Inc., Marshall, TX. The final phase of the investigation was 
scheduled by the Commission following notification of a preliminary 
determination by Commerce that imports of certain activated carbon from 
China were being sold at LTFV within the meaning of section 733(b) of 
the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(b)). Notice of the scheduling of the final 
phase of the Commission's investigation and of a public hearing 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 
November 16, 2006 (71 FR 66793). The hearing was held in Washington, 
DC, on February 27, 2007, 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 16, 2007. The views of the 
Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3913 (April 2007), 
entitled Certain Activated Carbon from China: Investigation No. 731-TA-
1103 (Final).

    Issued: April 13, 2007.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-7468 Filed 4-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P