Commerce Department Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations on Carboxymethylcellulose From Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands and Sweden
Today the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the initiation of antidumping duty investigations on imports of purified carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination as to whether the domestic industry is materially injured, or is threatened with material injury, as a result of imports from the Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden on July 23. If the ITC should make an affirmative preliminary determination, the Commerce Department is scheduled to make its preliminary antidumping duty determinations in November 2004.
The antidumping petition requesting this investigation was filed on June 9, 2004, by Aqualon Company, a division of Hercules Incorporated, of Wilmington, Delaware, the sole domestic producer of purified CMC.
These antidumping investigations cover purified carboxymethylcellulose, sometimes also referred to as purified sodium CMC, polyanionic cellulose, or cellulose gum, which is a white to off-white, non-toxic, odorless, biodegradable powder, comprising sodium carboxymethylcellulose that has been refined and purified to a minimum assay of 90 percent.
The merchandise subject to this investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 3912.31.00.