[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67915-67919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26017]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-580-914]


Certain Superabsorbent Polymers From the Republic of Korea: 
Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Applicable November 22, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles DeFilippo or Elfi Blum; AD/CVD 
Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3979 or (202) 482-0197, 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Petition

    On November 2, 2021, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) received 
an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of certain 
superabsorbent polymers (SAP) from the Republic of Korea (Korea), filed 
in proper form on behalf of the Ad Hoc Coalition of American SAP 
Producers (the petitioner), whose members are BASF Corporation, Evonik 
Superabsorber LLC, and Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc., 
domestic producers of SAP.\1\
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    \1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping Duties on Imports of Certain Superabsorbent Polymers 
from the Republic of Korea,'' dated November 2, 2021 (Petition); see 
also Petitioner's Letter, ``Amendment to the Petition for the 
Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of Certain 
Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea,'' dated November 
3, 2021 (Amended Petition) (collectively, Petition, as amended).
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    On November 4, 2021, Commerce requested supplemental information 
pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition.\2\ The petitioner filed 
a response to these requests on November 9, 2021.\3\ On November 10, 
2021, Commerce conducted a teleconference with the petitioner, and the 
petitioner addressed Commerce's concerns discussed therein with its 
supplemental response submitted on November 12, 2021.\4\
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    \2\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping Duties on Imports of Certain Superabsorbent Polymers 
from the Republic of Korea: Supplemental Questions,'' dated November 
4, 2021 (Supplemental Questionnaire).
    \3\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Certain Superabsorbent Polymers 
from the Republic of South Korea--Responses to Supplemental 
Questions,'' dated November 9, 2021 (Petition Supplement).
    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping 
Duties on Imports of Certain Superabsorbent Polymers from the 
Republic of Korea: Phone Call with Counsel to the Petitioner,'' 
dated November 10, 2021 (Phone Memo); and Petitioner's Letter, 
``Certain Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea--
Responses to Second Supplemental Questionnaire,'' dated November 12, 
2021 (Scope Supplement).
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    In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that imports of SAP from 
Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less 
than fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of section 731 of the Act, 
and that imports of such products are materially injuring, or 
threatening material injury to, the SAP industry in the United States. 
Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petition is 
accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner 
supporting its allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of 
the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party, 
as defined in section 771(9)(E) of the Act.\5\ Commerce also finds that 
the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support for the 
initiation of the requested AD investigation.\6\
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    \5\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 2.
    \6\ See infra, section on ``Determination of Industry Support 
for the Petition.''
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Period of Investigation

    Because the Petition was filed on November 2, 2021, the period of 
investigation (POI) for this investigation is October 1, 2020, through 
September 30, 2021, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).

Scope of the Investigation

    The product covered by this investigation is SAP from Korea. For a 
full description of the scope of this investigation, see the appendix 
to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigation

    On November 4, 2021, and on November 10, 2021, Commerce requested 
further information and clarification from the petitioner regarding the 
proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an 
accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is 
seeking relief.\7\ On November 9 and 12, 2021, the petitioner revised 
the scope.\8\ The description of the merchandise covered by this 
investigation, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects 
these clarifications.
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    \7\ See Supplemental Questionnaire at 3; see also Phone Memo.
    \8\ See Petition Supplement at 7-8; see also Scope Supplement at 
5-6.
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    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period of time for interested parties to raise issues 
regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\9\ Commerce will consider all 
comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will 
consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the 
preliminary determinations. If scope comments include factual 
information,\10\ all such factual information should be limited to 
public information. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, 
Commerce requests that all interested

[[Page 67916]]

parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on December 
13, 2021, which is the next business day after 20 calendar days from 
the signature date of this notice.\11\ Any rebuttal comments, which may 
include factual information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 
23, 2021, which is ten calendar days from the initial comment deadline.
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    \9\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \10\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \11\ The 20-day deadline falls on December 12, 2021, which is a 
Sunday. Therefore, in accordance with the Next Business Day Rule, 
the deadline moves to the next business day, December 13, 2021. See 
Notice of Clarification: Application of ``Next Business Day'' Rule 
for Administrative Determination Deadlines Pursuant to the Tariff 
Act of 1930, as Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 2008) (Next Business 
Day Rule).
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    Commerce requests that any factual information that parties 
consider relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during 
that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional 
factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be 
relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to 
submit the additional information. All such submissions must be filed 
on the record of this AD investigation.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception 
applies.\12\ An electronically filed document must be received 
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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    \12\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on help using 
ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a 
handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf.
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Comments on Product Characteristics

    Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment 
on the appropriate physical characteristics of SAP to be reported in 
response to Commerce's AD questionnaires. This information will be used 
to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise 
in order to report the relevant costs of production accurately, as well 
as to develop appropriate product-comparison criteria.
    Interested parties may provide any information or comments that 
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of 
physical characteristics. Specifically, they may provide comments as to 
which characteristics are appropriate to use as: (1) General product 
characteristics; and (2) product comparison criteria. We note that it 
is not always appropriate to use all product characteristics as product 
comparison criteria. We base product comparison criteria on meaningful 
commercial differences among products. In other words, although there 
may be some physical product characteristics utilized by manufacturers 
to describe SAP, it may be that only a select few product 
characteristics take into account commercially meaningful physical 
characteristics. In addition, interested parties may comment on the 
order in which the physical characteristics should be used in matching 
products. Generally, Commerce attempts to list the most important 
physical characteristics first and the least important characteristics 
last.
    In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in 
developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product 
characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 13, 
2021, which is the next business day after 20 calendar days from the 
signature date of this notice.\13\ Any rebuttal comments must be filed 
by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 23, 2021. All comments and submissions to 
Commerce must be filed electronically using ACCESS, as explained above.
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    \13\ See Next Business Day Rule.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petition

    Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of 
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) 
Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if 
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or 
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling 
method to poll the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which 
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has 
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the 
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\14\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination 
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may 
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences 
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\15\
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    \14\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \15\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp. v. United States, 688 F. Supp. 639, 
644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigation.\16\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that SAP, as defined in the 
scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed 
industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\17\
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    \16\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 8-10.
    \17\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see 
Checklist, ``Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: 
Certain Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea,'' (AD 
Initiation Checklist) at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support 
for the Antidumping Duty Petition Covering Certain Superabsorbent 
Polymers from the Republic of Korea (Attachment II). This checklist 
is dated concurrently with this notice and on file electronically 
via ACCESS.
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    In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section 
732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like

[[Page 67917]]

product as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the 
appendix to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner 
provided its own production of the domestic like product in 2020.\18\ 
The petitioner states that there are no other known U.S. producers of 
SAP; therefore, the Petition is supported by 100 percent of the U.S. 
industry.\19\ We relied on data provided by the petitioner for purposes 
of measuring industry support.\20\
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    \18\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 19 and Exhibit I-
9; see also Petition Supplement at 8 and Supp. Exhibit I-4.
    \19\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 2-3; see also 
Petition Supplement at 8 and Supp. Exhibits I-2 and I-3.
    \20\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 2-3; see also 
Petition Supplement at 8 and Supp. Exhibit I-4. For further 
discussion, see AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
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    On November 15, 2021, we received comments on industry support from 
LG Chem, Ltd. (LGC), a Korean producer and/or exporter of SAP.\21\ The 
petitioner responded to the industry support comments on November 17, 
2021.\22\
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    \21\ See LGC's Letters, ``Superabsorbent Polymers from South 
Korea: Entry of Appearance,'' dated November 8, 2021; and ``Certain 
Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea: Comments on 
Industry Support,'' dated November 15, 2021.
    \22\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Certain Superabsorbent Polymers 
from Korea--Response to Comments on Industry Support,'' dated 
November 17, 2021 (Petitioner's Rebuttal).
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    Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the Petition 
Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce 
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the 
Petition. First, the Petition established support from domestic 
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product, and, as such, Commerce is not 
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support 
(e.g., polling).\23\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have 
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 
732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) 
who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product.\24\ Finally, the domestic 
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry 
support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic 
producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than 
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by 
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, 
the Petition.\25\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition 
was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of 
section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\26\
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    \23\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II; see also 
section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \24\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
    \25\ Id.
    \26\ Id.
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Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the 
domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened 
with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject 
merchandise sold at LTFV. In addition, the petitioner alleges that 
subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under 
section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\27\
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    \27\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume I at 11-12 and Exhibits 
I-5 and I-6.
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    The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports; 
reduced market share; underselling and price depression and/or 
suppression; lost sales and revenues; decline in production and U.S. 
shipments; adverse impact on capacity utilization; flat employment and 
decline in hours worked; and decline in financial performance.\28\ We 
assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material 
injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility, 
and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by 
adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for 
initiation.\29\
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    \28\ Id. at 12-24 and Exhibits I-4, I-7 through I-10, and I-12 
through I-17; see also Petition Supplement at 9-10 and Supp. 
Exhibits I-5, I-6, and II-8.
    \29\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III, Analysis of 
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the 
Antidumping Duty Petition Covering Certain Superabsorbent Polymers 
from the Republic of Korea (Attachment III).
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Allegations of Sales at LTFV

    The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV 
upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate an AD investigation 
of SAP from Korea. The sources of data for the deductions and 
adjustments relating to U.S. price and normal value (NV) are discussed 
in greater detail in the AD Initiation Checklist.

U.S. Price

    The petitioner based the U.S. price on export price (EP), using 
pricing information for SAP produced in Korea and sold, or offered for 
sale, to a U.S. customer during the POI. The petitioner made certain 
adjustments to delivered U.S. gross price for movement expenses and 
other expenses, to calculate a net ex-factory U.S. price.\30\
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    \30\ See AD Initiation Checklist; see also Petition, as amended, 
Volume II at 3-6 and Exhibits 6, 9-13; Petition Supplement at 10-13 
and Supp. Exhibits II-2--3 and 5.
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Normal Value 31
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    \31\ In accordance with section 773(b)(2) of the Act, for this 
investigation, Commerce will request information necessary to 
calculate the constructed value and cost of production (COP) to 
determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect 
that sales of the foreign like product have been made at prices that 
represent less than the COP of the product.
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    The petitioner obtained pricing information for SAP produced and 
sold, or offered for sale, in Korea, from a confidential report. The 
petitioner provided a declaration discussing the methodologies used in 
the report to calculate home market prices throughout the POI to 
support the pricing information. As the prices obtained were on a 
delivered basis, exclusive of value-added tax, the petitioner made 
deductions for movement expenses.\32\
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    \32\ See AD Initiation Checklist; see also Petition, as amended, 
Volume II at 2-3 and Exhibits 5-7; Petition Supplement at 13-16 and 
Supp. Exhibits II-4 and 6-7.
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Fair Value Comparisons

    Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to 
believe that imports of SAP from Korea are being, or are likely to be, 
sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on a comparison of EP to NV in 
accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the estimated dumping 
margins for SAP from Korea range from 27.20 percent to 48.20.\33\
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    \33\ Id.; see also Petition, as amended, Volume II at 6 and 
Exhibit 15; Petition Supplement at 17 and Exhibits II-3 and II-8--
II-9.
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Initiation of LTFV Investigation

    Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental 
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of 
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating an AD investigation to determine 
whether imports of SAP from Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold 
in the United States at LTFV. In accordance with section 733(b)(1)(A) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our 
preliminary determination no later than 140 days after the date of this 
initiation.

Respondent Selection

    In the Petition, the petitioner named three companies in Korea as 
producers/exporters of SAP.\34\ Following standard practice in AD 
investigations involving market economy countries, in the event 
Commerce determines that the number

[[Page 67918]]

of exporters or producers in any individual case is large such that 
Commerce cannot individually examine each company based upon its 
resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory 
respondents in that case based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) data for U.S. imports under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States numbers listed in the ``Scope of the 
Investigation,'' in the appendix.
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    \34\ See Petition, as amended, at Volume II at Exhibit II-1.
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    On November 17, 2021, Commerce released CBP data on imports of SAP 
from Korea under Administrative Protective Order (APO) to all parties 
with access to information protected by APO and indicated that 
interested parties wishing to comment on CBP data must do so within 
three business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation 
of this investigation.\35\ Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments 
regarding the CBP data or respondent selection.
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    \35\ See Memorandum, ``Antidumping Duty Petition on Certain 
Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea: Release of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection Data,'' dated November 17, 2021.
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    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such 
applications may be found on Commerce's website at http://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
    Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An 
electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its 
entirety via ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. ET on the specified deadline.

Distribution of Copies of the Petition

    In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been 
provided to the government of Korea via ACCESS. To the extent 
practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of 
the Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 
19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by 
section 732(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that subject imports are materially injuring or threatening 
material injury to a U.S. industry.\36\ A negative ITC determination 
will result in the investigation being terminated.\37\ Otherwise, this 
AD investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory 
time limits.
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    \36\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \37\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's 
regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to 
specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information 
is being submitted \38\ and, if the information is submitted to rebut, 
clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to 
provide an explanation identifying the information already on the 
record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or 
correct.\39\ Time limits for the submission of factual information are 
addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based 
on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties 
should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information 
in this investigation.
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    \38\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \39\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Particular Market Situation Allegation

    Section 773(e) of the Act addresses the concept of particular 
market situation (PMS) for purposes of CV, stating that ``if a 
particular market situation exists such that the cost of materials and 
fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect 
the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade, the 
administering authority may use another calculation methodology under 
this subtitle or any other calculation methodology.'' When an 
interested party submits a PMS allegation pursuant to section 773(e) of 
the Act, Commerce will respond to such a submission consistent with 19 
CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v). If Commerce finds that a PMS exists under section 
773(e) of the Act, then it will modify its dumping calculations 
appropriately.
    Neither section 773(e) of the Act, nor 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v), 
sets a deadline for the submission of PMS allegations and supporting 
factual information. However, in order to administer section 773(e) of 
the Act, Commerce must receive PMS allegations and supporting factual 
information with enough time to consider the submission. Thus, should 
an interested party wish to submit a PMS allegation and supporting new 
factual information pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, it must do 
so no later than 20 days after submission of a respondent's initial 
response to section D of the AD questionnaire.

Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will 
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time 
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are due 
from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be 
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. 
Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different 
time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, Commerce will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the 
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must 
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in 
a separate, stand-alone submission; Commerce will grant untimely filed 
requests for the extension of time limits only in limited cases where 
we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances 
exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning 
extensions prior to submitting extension requests or factual 
information in this investigation.\40\
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    \40\ See 19 CFR 351.302; see also, e.g., Extension of Time 
Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013), available at 
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm.
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Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\41\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\42\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the

[[Page 67919]]

submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
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    \41\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \42\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule). Answers to 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule are available at 
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate 
in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of 
19 CFR 351.103(d) (e.g., by filing the required letter of appearance).
    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: November 22, 2021.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, for Policy and Negotiations, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

    The merchandise covered by this investigation is superabsorbent 
polymers (SAP), which is cross-linked sodium polyacrylate most 
commonly conforming to Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry 
number 9003-04-7, where at least 90 percent of the dry matter, by 
weight on a nominal basis, corrected for moisture content, is 
comprised of a polymer with a chemical formula of 
(C3H3O2NaxH1-x
)n, where x is within a range of 0.00-1.00 and there is 
no limit to n. The subject merchandise also includes merchandise 
with a chemical formula of 
{(C2H3)COONayH(1-y){time} 
n, where y is within a range of 0.00-1.00 and there is no 
limit to n. The subject merchandise includes SAP which is fully 
neutralized as well as SAP that is not fully neutralized.
    The subject merchandise may also conform to CAS numbers 25549-
84-2, 77751-27-0, 9065-11-6, 9033-79-8, 164715-58-6, 445299-36-5, 
912842-45-6, 561012-86-0, 561012-85-9, or 9003-01-4.
    All forms and sizes of SAP, regardless of packaging type, 
including but not limited to granules, pellets, powder, fibers, 
flakes, liquid, or gel are within the scope of this investigation. 
The scope also includes SAP whether or not it incorporates additives 
for anticaking, anti-odor, anti-yellowing, or similar functions.
    The scope also includes SAP that is combined, commingled, or 
mixed with other products after final sieving. For such combined 
products, only the SAP component is covered by the scope of this 
investigation. SAP that has been combined with other products is 
included within the scope, regardless of whether the combining 
occurs in third countries. A combination is excluded from this 
investigation if the total SAP component of the combination 
(regardless of the source or sources) comprises less than 50 percent 
of the combination, on a nominal dry weight basis.
    SAP is classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States (HTSUS) subheading 3906.90.5000. SAP may also enter 
the United States under HTSUS 3906.90.9000 or 3906.10.0000. Although 
the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry numbers are provided for 
convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the 
merchandise is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2021-26017 Filed 11-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P