On March 3, 2020, Petitioner Celanese Corporation filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties on imports of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene from South Korea.

SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION

The following language describes the scope of the imported merchandise that Petitioner intends to cover by this Petition:

The merchandise covered by the proposed scope is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). UHMWPE is a linear polyethylene, in granular or powder form. It is defined by its melt mass-flow rate of <0.1 g/10 min, measured at 190 °C and 21.6 kg load, based on the methods and calculations set forth in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards 2 I 304-1 and 21304-2. UHMWPE generally has a Chemical Abstract Service (“CAS”) registration number of 9002-88-4.

The scope includes all UHMWPE in granular or powder forms meeting the above specifications regardless of additives introduced in the manufacturing process. UHMWPE blended with other products is included in the scope of this investigation where UHMWPE is the predominant material within the blend.

Excluded from the scope of the investigation is medical-grade UHMWPE. Medical grade UHMWPE has a minimum viscosity of 2000 ml/g at a concentration of 0.02% at 135°C (275 °F) in decahydronaphthalene and an elongational stress of 0.2 MP a or greater. Medical-grade UHMWPE is further defined by its ash and trace element content, which shall not exceed the following maximum quantities as set forth in ISO-5834-1: ash ( 125 mg/kg), titanium (40 mg/kg), calcium (5 mg/kg), chlorine (30 mg/kg), and aluminum (20 mg/kg). ISO 5834- l further defines medical grade UHMWPE by its particulate matter content, which requires that there shall be no more than three particles of contaminant per 300 ± 20 g tested. Each of the above criteria is calculated based on the standards and methods used in ISO 5834-1.

UHMWPE is classifiable under the HTS US subheadings 3901.10.10.00 and 3901.20.10.00. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the proposed scope is dispositive.

PETITIONER

Celanese Corporation

222 W. Las Colinas Blvd.

Suite 900N

Irving, Texas 75039

(972) 443-4000

COUNSEL FOR PETITIONERS

Daniel Cannistra

Crowell & Moring, LLP

1001 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20004

NAMED PRODUCERS/EXPORTERS

For a list of foreign products/exporters alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment I.

NAMED IMPORTERS

For a list of importers alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment II.

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE

ALLEGED DUMPING MARGIN

South Korea: 15.74% – 81.88%

IMPORTS OF SUBJECT MERCHANDISE

The petition does not make public the volume and value of imports of subject merchandise.

CONTACT US

For more information concerning this petition and how it may affect your business, please contact Jeffrey Neeley, Nithya Nagarajan, or Stephen Brophy.