FACT SHEET

Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation on

Imports of Polyvinyl Alcohol from Taiwan

On September 28, the Department of Commerce announced the initiation of an antidumping duty investigation on imports of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) from Taiwan, with an alleged dumping margin of 39.83 percent.   Based on the petitioner's allegations, the Department will also determine whether imports of PVA from Taiwan were sold below the cost of production.

Next Steps: The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its preliminary injury determination onOctober 22, 2004.   If the ITC makes an affirmative preliminary finding, the Department is scheduled to issue its preliminary antidumping determination on February 14, 2005.   If the ITC makes a negative preliminary finding, the investigation will be terminated.

Petitioner:   The petition requesting this investigation was filed by Celanese Chemicals Ltd. (Celanese), with manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Texas.

Existing Antidumping Orders: In 2003, based on petitions filed by Celanese and E.I. Dupont, the Department conducted antidumping investigations and subsequently issued antidumping orders on imports of PVA from China, Germany, Japan and Korea.  

Product Description:  PVA is a dry, white to cream-colored, water-soluble synthetic polymer, and consists of polyvinyl alcohols hydrolyzed in excess of 80 percent, whether or not mixed or diluted with defoamer or boric acid.   Polyvinyl alcohol in fiber form is not included in the scope of this investigation.   PVA is used in a wide range of applications, including textile sizing, paper sizing and coating, adhesive formulations, emulsion-polymerization aid, as well as joint cements for building construction, emulsifiers in cosmetics, and soil binding to control erosion .The merchandise subject to this investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 3905.30.00.   Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Alleged Dumping Margin :

Case Calendar for Antidumping Duty Investigation:

*These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.

**This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations from both the Department and the ITC.

Import Statistics:

Source: ITC Dataweb